Insight: Ken Knelly

By Michelle St. Onge | Photo by Jessica McCafferty

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Family: Wife, Vicki, three children: Clarice, Cheyenne, and Daniel

Education: A.A.S. in Business Administration (Essex Community College); B.S., Finance (University of Minnesota, Duluth): M.S., Public Policy (West Virginia University); currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Community College Leadership at Iowa State University.

Occupation: Acting President, Clinton Community College

Community Involvement: Noon Rotary Club of Plattsburgh (past President). Helped lead creation and growth of girls’ high school lacrosse in Clinton County.

Ken Knelly, Acting President of Clinton Community College, leads with a philosophy grounded in service, continuous learning and deep curiosity. Currently guiding CCC through the most significant transitions in its history, he has been instrumental in moving this important local resource away from the threat of closure. Under his leadership, the college secured its re-accreditation and is currently preparing for a new chapter with relocation of its main operations to the SUNY Plattsburgh campus.

Originally from Baltimore, Knelly’s professional career has unfolded in three distinct chapters. His first jobs were grounded in thoroughbred horse racing, which was inspired by growing up near Pimlico, the location of the world-famous Preakness Stakes. He worked in racing offices at New Jersey tracks and later for a trade association of tracks across the country. He then moved into print journalism, taking on reporting and editorial roles at newspapers in several states. Over time, he advanced from covering local government and higher education to serving as a senior editor for a large newspaper. When the newspaper industry began to contract, he transitioned into higher education, working first in marketing and communications at a small Christian college. In 2014, he moved his family north to SUNY Plattsburgh to work in communications and later in the President’s Office. In 2024 he answered the call to assume a leadership role at Clinton Community College during a critical time in its history.

Throughout his career, Knelly has demonstrated a deep commitment to service, communication and making lasting improvements for the institutions and communities he serves. Whether managing change, mentoring staff or advocating for the value of community colleges, he brings practical experience, strategic thinking and a people-first approach to everything he does.

Amidst hallways stacked with moving boxes and hand truck dollies, Knelly recently took time to share his insights with Strictly Business during the final days of Clinton Community College’s location on the hill.

SB: What important lessons have you learned in your career? 

KK: Things are not always going to be easy, so you have to keep trying and never give up. As a reporter I learned that not everyone wants to give you the information you’re seeking, so you have to keep at it until you get it. 

SB: Do you have an influential mentor?

KK: My grandfather, Dr. Otto J. Schrag. He was a veterinarian from South Dakota. He was kind, generous, simple, and wise. He was always working, even if it was puttering around, especially with wood working. I always looked up to him and tried to follow his example in my life.

SB: What was the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

KK: A good piece of advice that has stuck with me is, “When people show you who they are, believe them.” What I take from that is that while you can sometimes influence people, you can’t change them. You can really frustrate yourself if you set out with expectations of changing someone. 

SB: What advice can you share with people who are just starting their career?

KK: When you find something you like to do, keep working at it. It might not turn out to be the right thing for you, but if you don’t find it the first time, you can change and do something else until you find the right fit. Eventually, if your work ethic is there, you will find success.

SB: What does success look like to you? 

KK: Success to me is all about making a difference. Taking something from Point A to Point B and knowing you had a part in making it happen. It could be a small win; it doesn’t always have to be monumental. Whenever you are involved with making something better for others, you will find success.

SB: How do you approach management and leadership, especially during periods of change?

KK: I don’t think there’s a simple answer, because things are always dynamic. But the one principle I keep coming back to is communicate, communicate, communicate. Be honest about what’s happening, share what you know, explain the “why” behind decisions, and be ready to pivot when things shift.

Every day brings new surprises, frustrations or setbacks. Plans fall through or the timing doesn’t go as expected. That’s when communication becomes even more critical. It won’t always be perfect, and not everyone will agree with your choices or even like you. But I believe in doing the best I can, working hard, staying honest, and trying to keep people informed. That’s how I lead, and I’ve learned to be at peace with that, even when it might not be enough.

SB: Who is a local personality or businessperson whom you admire?

KK: Herb Carpenter. And I don’t say that just because of his connection to this magazine. Herb is a true Renaissance man. He’s done so much — Air Force, police work, cleaning services, starting businesses, teaching. It’s incredible.

More than that, he’s a kind and generous person. If everyone were like Herb Carpenter, we’d have no problems. He’s just a wonderful human being. He knows my son, Daniel, and they’ve connected a few times around town. I have nothing but admiration for him.

SB: If you could have dinner and spend the evening with any well-known person, living or dead, who would it be?

KK: Ulysses S. Grant. He was someone who failed in so many things that he did along the way, but who learned from his mistakes. Before he was a general, he had false starts as a farmer and worked in a tannery. Even his military career hit the rocks a few times. But he learned that he could be a general, and eventually a president. He had cancer toward the end of his life and spent six weeks living in a cottage near Saratoga to write his memoir.

SB: What quote speaks to you in your life?

KK: “Take only memories, leave only footprints.” This quote is often attributed to Chief Seattle. I’ve seen this applied to the environment, but for me it’s more about doing whatever I can to make a difference while I am here. The work I am doing here is not for me; it is in service to this institution to help make sure it stays long after I am gone. If I do it well, it will still be here, changing lives as an institution, when all that remains of my time here are footprints.

SB: What do you do in your free time?

KK: These days, it looks a little different than it used to. When my kids were younger, most of my free time was spent with them doing family activities together. Now, my oldest is in Florida, my other daughter just graduated from UVM and will likely move elsewhere, and my son is still at home, so I spend time with him when I can.

Personally, I unwind with horse racing. Handicapping races is a real mental break for me. When I’m at Saratoga, everything else fades away. And then there’s cooking, especially brisket. I recently discovered pellet grilling with a Traeger, and it was a total game changer.

SB: What are you most proud of professionally?

KK: Honestly, it’s what I’m doing right now. Leading Clinton Community College through this transition is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. This role is emotional, demanding and I feel the weight of the responsibility every day. It reminds me of something my old Scoutmaster told me back when I was a senior patrol leader in Boy Scouts. He said, “Ken, it’s lonely at the top.” At the time, I was 16 or 17 and it didn’t fully register. But now, I understand what he meant. Leadership can be isolating. And while no one truly leads alone, you carry a different kind of burden when you’re the one making the calls. This is the most challenging thing I’ve taken on professionally. I’m proud to be doing it.