SUNY Adirondack announces retirement of President Kristine D. Duffy

SUNY Adirondack President Kristine D. Duffy mingles with guests at a ceremony announcing a dual acceptance agreement between the college and SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury
May 24, 2024

Board of Trustees accepts letter of resignation, plans search for replacement

QUEENSBURY, New York (May 24, 2024) — The SUNY Adirondack Board of Trustees has accepted a letter of resignation for the purposes of retirement from Kristine D Duffy, Ed.D., the seventh president of SUNY Adirondack, to take effect June 30, 2025.

Upon her retirement, Duffy will have served 12 years as the college’s president — the second-longest-serving president in the institution’s history. The college’s first president, Dr. Charles Eisenhart, served for 17 years.

During her tenure, Duffy oversaw more than $50 million in capital investments to support teaching and learning, supported the relocation of the college’s Culinary Arts program and student-run restaurant to downtown Glens Falls, led the college to achieving branch campus status for its center in Saratoga County in the town of Wilton, led the way to build a state-of-the art synthetic turf field complex, and helped secure nearly $20 million in grant dollars to dramatically increase equipment, classroom needs, support services and programs to improve student success outcomes.

“SUNY Adirondack is a better place today for our students and community because of Dr. Duffy," said Board of Trustees chair Kathy Grasmeder. "Her relationship-building, on and off campus, elevated SUNY Adirondack’s presence in the community, the region and state. We will miss her and wish her many more years of health, happiness and success in whatever she chooses to do.”

“It has been a privilege for me to work for the past 11 years alongside an incredible group of people at SUNY Adirondack and within the communities we serve," Duffy said. "I have been inspired by so many, proud of what we’ve accomplished, and will hold this experience as one of the best of my career. I believe the college is in a good place to welcome a new leader upon my retirement. Although I have no immediate plans, I hope to travel with my family and explore ways I can lend my experiences and passion for education with others.”

The college will hire a presidential search firm to help the Board of Trustees select the next leader of SUNY Adirondack and expects to begin a national search in September 2024 to have a candidate in place before July 1, 2025.