Gregory T. DeCinque, who is entering his 19th year as president of Jamestown Community College, will retire following the close of the 2012-13 academic year.
The announcement was made to faculty and staff at Dr. DeCinque's annual "welcome back" address.
"Serving as the president of New York's top performing community college has been an extraordinary experience," DeCinque said. "I have come to see JCC as a very special place, populated with board members, faculty, staff, administration, and students who I have valued not only as colleagues, but as family and friends."
DeCinque came to JCC in 1994 and is the longest-serving president in the history of the 62-year-old community college. According to Lance S. Spicer, chairman of the college's board of trustees, a formal search for Dr. DeCinque's successor will begin soon.
"Greg DeCinque has shaped JCC for nearly two decades in ways that position the college for a vibrant future," Spicer said. "It has been a privilege working closely with him as chairman for the past five and one-half years. All of the trustees are most grateful for all he has done for both the college and the region."
Under DeCinque's leadership, the college moved from sole sponsorship by the city of Jamestown to regional sponsorship which includes Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties as well as the city. During his tenure, JCC advanced regional educational and workforce training opportunities including its partnership with the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier to create the Manufacturing Technology Institute and the establishment of a number of new degree and certificate programs including biotechnology, environmental science, entrepreneurship, occupational therapy assistant, professional piloting, and welding technology. He also provided leadership for several expansion and renovation projects including the creation of a new Cattaraugus County Campus and the construction of residence halls and a state-of-the-art Science Center on the Jamestown Campus.
DeCinque has served on the boards of a number of community organizations including the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, Chautauqua County Workforce Investment Board, Jamestown Strategic Planning Commission, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, and WCA Advisory Group.
"President DeCinque has provided JCC exceptional leadership and served all of SUNY with great distinction, playing an important role in the implementation of our system-wide goals for community colleges, improving student mobility, and mending New York's education pipeline," said Nancy L. Zimpher, SUNY chancellor. "I join the college's students, faculty, and staff in congratulating President DeCinque on his upcoming retirement and thank him for his continuing service to SUNY."