Chamberwise: It's What You Make of Change That Makes it Good or Bad

By Garry Douglas

Garry Douglas and Billy Jones

We all know the old line, “Change isn’t good or bad. It just is.” Well, I would add to that, what makes change good or bad is what you make of it and how you respond to it.

Clinton Community College is proceeding through a period of change unlike any other in its history. This could have been jarring and subject to naysaying. But the college’s current leadership, with great partnerships from SUNY Plattsburgh and others, and with positivity from the business community and the community at large, has carried out its relocation to a portion of the SUNY campus with speed and efficiency. 

The great change has repositioned CCC for years of success to come and has simultaneously enhanced the experience of current and future students through the many synergies of co-location.

One concern was the future of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing once the relocation of the rest of CCC was complete. But a fresh look at everything has resulted in a reenergized commitment to CCC’s industrial tech programs and training assets, including a long-sought level of leadership and promotion of the IAM. And nothing seals this outcome more positively than the appointment of Billy Jones as CCC Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Workforce Development.

Billy’s energy and connections are already infusing the IAM with the level of vision and outreach we have needed and are vitalizing key collaborations with partners such as the Chamber, TDC and CV-TEC. Joint outreach to area manufacturers is now underway as is planning for a rejuvenated Manufacturing Day. 

Employers with current or future training needs are encouraged to come forward. CCC and the IAM are open for business and will remain so.