WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- I have met Dr. Carole McCoy on numerous occasions through work. In all those times, I've never once had a bad experience. She always seems so happy, so interested in what she's doing and at least to me, has always been so pleasant.
Just look below at the things she's involved in besides her duties running Jefferson Community College.
So when I saw that she had been named the Athena winner for 2016, my first thought was, 'She hasn't already won that?'
Better late than never.
Details from the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce:
Watertown, NY – The Greater Watertown–North Country Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Dr. Carole McCoy has been selected as the 2016 ATHENA Award® recipient. This is the 26th annual ATHENA Award® presented by the Greater Watertown–North Country Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by WWNY 7News/Fox 28, Timeless Frames, Décor & Expressions, and KeyBank.
The ATHENA Award® is a nationally and internationally recognized program introduced in Jefferson County in 1991, which celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community and recognizes those who support them. The ATHENA Award® honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment, and those who excel in their chosen fields, have devoted time and energy into their community in a meaningful way, and those who open paths so that others may follow.
The selection committee, composed of Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber board members, Jefferson Leadership Institute Alumni, and business leaders, chose Carole as this year’s recipient. The selection criteria includes demonstrating professional leadership, providing valuable community service, and assisting other women in reaching their full leadership potential. Betsy Penrose nominated her for the award, with support from Jill Parker, Sylvia Stuber Heap, and Marie Hess.
Carole first came to Watertown in January 2007 when she was appointed as the fifth president, and first female president, of Jefferson Community College. She quickly immersed herself in the College and the community, demonstrating her commitment to the North Country and its citizenry. Shortly after her arrival at Jefferson, Carole spearheaded the development of new strategic and facilities masters plans. Under Carole's sound and effective leadership, the College's progress against these plans is simply outstanding and Jefferson has reached several significant milestones in the College's history along the way. Enrollment at Jefferson has grown nearly 21% since 2007 versus overall SUNY community college growth of 3.0%.
Perhaps the greatest testimony to Carole's strong leadership during her tenure at Jefferson is the College's recent 10-year reaccreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The reaccreditation process is rigorous with the College evaluated on 14 standards of excellence. Not only did the College meet each standard, but the College received nineteen commendations from the visiting accreditation evaluation team. This is a rare and remarkable outcome within the Middle States higher education community.
Not only is Carole passionate about being a strong leader in the community, but she too is a role model in all organizations that she volunteers for. Carole recognizes the American Association of University Woman (AAUW) mission and the opportunities to develop young women into responsible community members and leaders. Understanding the value of such an organization, the College become an institutional partner member of AAUW and with Carole's support, a student chapter was initiated at Jefferson Community College. Some of Carole’s involvement in other local organizations include:
· Victims Assistance Center, 2013-Present, President
· WPBS-DT Board of Trustees,2013-2015, past Chair
· Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, 2007-Present, Board Member
· United Way of Northern New York, 2012-Present, Board Member
· Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
· Samaritan Keep Home, 2016-Present, Board Member
· Jefferson Country Workface Development Board, Member and Secretary
· Higher Education and Research Development of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, Committee Member
· Watertown Rotary, 2007-Present, Member
· Remembrance and Public Relations, Committee Member
· American Association of University Woman (AAUW), Member
· American Heart Association, 2013-Present, Executive Leadership Team & past Chair
· Armed Forces Day Parade, Judge
· Cape Vincent French Festival, Judge
· North Country Chili Cook-off & Taste of the Town events, Judge
· Read Across America, Volunteer
Carole has shown outstanding leadership and dedication to the local community for many years. Victims Assistance Center’s Executive Director, Jill Parker, has worked closely with Carole. She states that, “Carole has the ability to have a person see the good within themselves, strive to be the better person, value core leadership principles; honesty, integrity and accountability. Carole is the leader that has propensity for encouraging individuals where they don't necessarily want to be, but ought to be. She has a way of nudging you out of your comfort zone in order to grow and develop into an inspiring leader.”
Previous local ATHENA Award® recipients are Rose Frattali, Michelle Pfaff, Janice Charles, Chandler Ralph, Lana Brown-Taylor, Cathy Pircsuk, Elizabeth Fipps, Deborah McGloine, Jayn Graves, Maria Roche, Margaret (Peg) Fargo, Ruth-Ellen Blodgett, Pamela Caswell, Jane Gendron, Mary Corriveau, Cindy Intschert, Katherine Fenlon, Donna Dutton, Jody LaLone, Pamela Beyor, Lisa Weber, Denise Young, Margaret (Peggy) Coe, Erika Flint, and Carolyn Fitzpatrick.
The 2016 aTHENA Award® recipient will be presented with the award at a formal dinner, Thursday September 8, 2016 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown. Reservations can be made by contacting the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce at 1291 Faichney Drive, Suite 1, or online at www.watertownny.com. Seating is Limited. For more information, call 315-788-4400 or email events@watertownny.com.