The State University of New York Board of
Trustees appointed Merodie A. Hancock the
fourth permanent president of Empire State
College.
Hancock will begin serving as president in
early July of this year.
“Dr. Hancock’s experience and knowledge of
higher learning and especially the delivery of
online programs across campuses and international
borders is certain to serve students and
faculty at Empire State College and throughout
our system very well,” said SUNY Chancellor
Nancy L. Zimpher. “As we implement Open
SUNY and work to leverage our systems in
greater service to New York state and all who
live and work here, Dr. Hancock’s leadership
will be invaluable.”
“I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for appointing me to lead Empire State College and to Chancellor Zimpher for her confidence and support,” said Hancock, “I look forward to working with the students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Empire State College to build on the more than 40-year tradition of innovation and academic excellence at the college.
“As the implementation of Open SUNY moves forward, I look forward to bringing all of Empire State College’s open-education expertise to scale and to collaborating with the chancellor and my colleagues across the SUNY system to expand access to higher education.”
Hancock succeeds Alan R. Davis, who served from Aug. 1, 2008, to Aug. 31, 2012, and resigned to take the presidency of Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia. Joseph B. Moore and James W. Hall, the college’s founding president, preceded Davis.
Currently, Hancock is vice president for Central Michigan University Global Campus and is responsible for the delivery of academic programs for CMU’s remote campuses, military and community college locations and online programs.
Previously, Hancock held both teaching and administrative positions at the University of Maryland University College. After joining UMUC in 2000, she earned promotions of increasing complexity and responsibility and served as associate vice president from 2005- 07. UMUC serves more than 90,000 students through online and face-to-face programs. Hancock holds a Ph.D. in urban services and education administration from Old Dominion University, an MBA from Claremont Graduate University and a bachelor of arts in economics from Scripps College.
SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 to offer adult learners the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York.
In addition to awarding credit for prior college-level learning, the college pairs each student with a faculty mentor who supports that student throughout his or her college career. Students engage in guided independent study and course work on site, online or a combination of both, which provides the flexibility for students to learn at the time, place and pace they choose.
Photo Courtesy of Empire State College