The third and final open forum to find a president at Herkimer County Community College featured Taras J. Herbowy.
Herbowy is the executive director of the Municipal Housing Authority for the city of Utica and president of Rebuild Mohawk Valley, Inc.
Using these present roles outside of education and 20 previous years in leadership positions, he presented the audience on Thursday with his standing as the non-traditional candidate that HCCC is seeking.
“I fit the profile.” said Herbowy. Having teaching experience at high school, undergraduate and graduate levels as well as serving as a superintendent, in addition to the budgetary and planning experience through management qualifies him to meet the needs of the next president, he said.
Helen Rose, Herkimer County legislator, brought up the issue of diversity in the faculty and administration.
Citing his experience as an urban superintendent, Herbowy emphasized the importance of having role models from the same backgrounds for students to emulate, but said bringing different ethnicities requires a pre-existing population of the desired candidates. “It’s extraordinarily difficult from a Human Resources perspective to recruit them.”
“They do need role models.” said Herbowy.
Kalman Socolof, HCCC professor, asked about promoting and marketing the college.
To market the college it is necessary to give anecdotal or case study examples to focus on the positive accomplishments of the graduates, said Herbowy. A good way to accomplish this is through the utilization of an alumni directory, especially in sponsoring career days.
Socolof also brought up arming campus security.
Since HCCC is larger than some towns and villages in the county, Herbowy made reference to law enforcement at SUNYIT and in municipalities where being armed is part of the uniform, “persona and presence that represented order.”
“What kind of message do you send.” said Herbowy. “Peace officers set the tone for order.”
 Carol Zygo, superintendent of Herkimer Central School District, asked about a collaboration with local schools.
Inviting area guidance counselors onto campus to discuss possibilities available through the New York State and Tri-County counselors associations would be integral to informing students, according to Herbowy.
In answering a similar question from Sandra Simpson, Herkimer County BOCES district superintendent, Herbowy said an articulation agreement with local schools is important to give students an understanding of how to reach academic goals.
Addressing the budget situation for HCCC, Herbowy said, “We’re at a dangerous crossroads financially.”
Using the eroding tax base as an example of why the college can’t get any more money from the county, Herbowy said, “You’re in for some tough times.”
 Resumé highlights include: Education: Ed.D., Educational Leadership, Teachers College, Columbia University; Certificate of Advanced Study, Educational Administration and Supervision, SUNY-Cortland; Master of Science, Counseling and Guidance, SUNY-Oneonta; Bachelor of Arts, Education, University of Mississippi; Associate in Applied Science, Business, Mohawk Valley Community College.