91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ

91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ Community College announced today that Dr. Keiko Kimura will be the College’s next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs following the retirement of Dr. Ronald Cantor.

Dr. Kimura, who has extensive leadership experience in academic and workforce development initiatives, was named Provost after a comprehensive national search following Dr. Cantor’s announced retirement. Dr. Cantor has served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs since 2019.

Dr. Kimura will transition to the role of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in January. At that time, Dr. Cantor will assume other responsibilities at 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ prior to his summer retirement.

“I’m truly honored to be selected for this position, to work alongside the talented faculty and staff here at 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ in service to our 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ and our community,” said Dr. Kimura. “My commitment continues to be building on our college’s strong legacy of academic excellence and student success, and in this strategic role within academic affairs I will work with our faculty to affirm 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ’s position as a vibrant hub of learning and opportunity.”

Dr. Kimura has served in several leadership roles since arriving at 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ in 2017. She initially served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Fulton Campus before being named Vice President for Workforce Development & Partnerships in 2021.

“Dr. Kimura has demonstrated exceptional leadership since arriving at 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ, particularly in guiding the College as we expanded our workforce development initiatives and our presence within the community. She has a deep understanding of the role of a community college, as well as the challenges and opportunities before us,” said 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ President Dr. Brian Durant. “I’m confident she will bring the same energy, direction and passion to our academic affairs in this new position.”

“The Board of Trustees has always been impressed with Dr. Kimura’s innovation, her enthusiasm for community colleges and the pathways our institution offers 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ,” said 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ Trustee Chair Tony Franceschelli. “Under her leadership, we’re confident 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ’s academic programs will continue providing 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ an excellent foundation for their education and career ambitions.”

Dr. Kimura has a significant series of accomplishments at 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ. She led the implantation of the College’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, chairs the President’s Council, and is an instrumental member of the College’s reaccreditation self-study process. She also facilitated an institutional review of the College’s Mission, Vision and Values, which was completed in 2023, chairs the Oswego County Advanced Manufacturing Consortium, and oversaw the successful construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Institute on the Fulton Campus.

Currently, Dr. Kimura serves on the 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ-Cortland Workforce Development Board, is a member of and has chaired several subcommittees for the Oswego County Workforce Development Board, and is a member on the 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ County Micron Workforce Development Subcommittee and the Oswego County Micron Strategy Steering Committee.

Previously to arriving at 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ, Dr. Kimura was Dean of Language Arts at San Jose City College from 2011 to 2017, where she helped develop a data-based placement rubric and procedure for new 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ with a focus on equity and inclusion. She has also served as the Dean of Academic Enrichment and Language Studies at William Rainey Harper College in Illinois, and has taught in Chile, Japan and the United States.

She earned her doctorate in Adult and Higher Education from Northern Illinois University, and her Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the Teachers College at Columbia University. She earned her bachelor’s 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ in Biology from McGill University.