SUNY Board of Trustees Appoints Richard J. Carreno Interim President of Morrisville State College

The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed Richard J. Carreno, of Manlius, N.Y., interim president at Morrisville State College. He is serving currently on a part-time basis as assistant to the president.



His appointment is effective Jan. 13, 2011.



Morrisville State College President Raymond Cross will step down in February 2011, after 13 years as president of the college, to become chancellor of University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin Extension.



“Mr. Carreno has had a successful long-term career and has earned a reputation as a leader at Morrisville State College,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “This experience, combined with his knowledge and experience with the campus, faculty and staff at the college make him ideally suited to guide Morrisville while the search for a permanent president is under way.”



SUNY board Chairman Carl T. Hayden said, “Throughout his 34-year tenure at Morrisville State College, Mr. Carreno has served in positions of leadership in human resources, institutional planning, and administrative services. I am confident that he will provide continued excellence in leadership and serve the students, faculty and staff at the college well as president in the interim.”



“Rich has been a dedicated professional, an incredible resource, invaluable confidant and 'go to' person for countless employees on this campus,” Matt Morgan, chair of the Morrisville College Council, which handed down the recommendation, said. “His leadership, steady demeanor, caring approach, and thoughtful consideration to his work make him an ideal candidate for interim president.



“Rich is a trusted colleague, a solid leader, an excellent listener, and a good friend,” Cross said. “I am very pleased with the board of trustee's decision to appoint Rich as the interim president at Morrisville State College. He will help the college transition to a new leader with grace, class and a steady hand.”



Throughout his tenure at Morrisville State College, Carreno worked in various capacities, serving as director of human resources, assistant vice president of human resources, vice president for institutional planning and effectiveness, and vice president for administrative services.



His campus service on various committees included past vice president of the Children's Center Board, past president and member of the Morrisville Auxiliary Corporation (MAC) Board, chair of the State Fair committee, treasurer of the Morrisville College Foundation, and coordinator of the college's gala commencement ceremony.



Additional affiliations included past president of the SUNY Human Resources Association, chair of the SUNY Day Planning Committee, and member of the SUNY/CSEA Labor/Management Committee.



On campus, Carreno's guidance played a role in many expansions including a new design center, athletic stadium, and an addition to Bicknell Hall.



Active in the community, Carreno is the director of the annual Madison Hall 5k Run and a member of the Morrisville Area Improvement Network (MAIN).



Carreno earned a master's degree in management from the State University of New York at Binghamton and a bachelor degree in business administration from the State University of New York at Fredonia.