President of Arc Herkimer to receive honorary degree at Commencement 2020

Herkimer County Community College has announced that Kevin Crosley, president and CEO of the Herkimer County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc. (Arc Herkimer) will be awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) by the State University of New York (SUNY) at Herkimer College’s 2020 Commencement. Crosley will be only the second recipient of an honorary degree at Herkimer County Community College; the first was founding College President Robert McLaughlin in 2010.

SUNY awards honorary degrees to distinguished individuals who exemplify excellence in their respective career fields, philanthropy, and public service. Recipients have performed outstanding service to SUNY or humanity at large and serve as examples of SUNY’s aspirations for its diverse student body.

Crosley has spent the last 35 years dedicating his vision, talents, skills, and energies to creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Herkimer College President Cathleen McColgin stated, “Kevin’s work at the local, regional, state and national levels, as well as his many successful and productive collaborations with our College all demonstrate how fully deserving he is of this recognition.”

Under Crosley’s leadership, Arc Herkimer has been a proactive and innovative partner with Herkimer College. Arc Herkimer’s Project Search program is the first in the nation to be hosted on a community college campus. Project Search provides individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities for practical job skills development. “This is a distinction we are tremendously proud of and grateful for, as the presence of these individuals on our campus, working with our employees and interacting with our students, has profoundly enriched our campus environment,” said McColgin.

Crosley has led Arc Herkimer to acquire and renovate several regional facilities and turn them into successful enterprises for Arc Herkimer’s industrial operations, as well as developing spaces for 25 additional businesses in the region. He provided the vision and leadership for the fundraising, design, and creation of Herkimer County’s $1.6 million “Arc Park” recreational facility for people of all abilities.

Crosley has been honored nationwide with such accolades as the Outstanding Professional Achievement Award from the National Council of Executives of the ARC of the U.S. in 2017, which recognized his achievements to grow the annual Arc Herkimer revenues by millions of dollars, the majority of which has come from non-governmental (business) revenue” over his 14-year tenure as president. He was also named Humanitarian of the Year by the American Red Cross in 2012 and Non-Profit Executive of the Year by the CNY Business Journal in 2010. Additionally, his leadership has assisted Arc Herkimer in earning numerous industry awards over the years.

Crosley is looked at as a trend-setter in his field, having been invited to present a pre-conference keynote address at the National Council of Executives of the ARC, lecture at annual meetings of associations across the U.S., and serve as a keynote speaker and conference lecturer at a number of state-level conferences in New York.

“Kevin’s work and accomplishments in promoting the benefits of diversity in our society serve as an outstanding example for inspiring our students and giving them personal and professional life goals they can aspire to,” McColgin said.

Prior to his appointment as president and CEO of Arc Herkimer in 2005, Crosley worked for 21 years at the J.M. Murray Center, Inc. in Cortland, NY, leaving there as vice president of sales and marketing. J.M. Murray Center is a contract manufacturing company offering people with disabilities meaningful employment in a community-based work environment while also teaching them valuable skills, improving their self-esteem, and enriching their lives.

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About Herkimer County Community College: Herkimer College is one of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York. Centrally located in the Mohawk Valley, Herkimer offers more than 40 associate degree and certificate programs in arts, communication arts, criminal justice and law, business, education, healthcare and service, liberal arts, and STEM. Herkimer is a leader in online learning with 20 degree and four certificate programs, as well as support services, offered entirely online. Herkimer College is a residential college with on-campus housing for more than 600 students and a vibrant campus life, including a national championship-winning athletic program.

About Arc Herkimer: Arc Herkimer has been empowering people with disabilities and enriching lives throughout our community for over 50 years. Arc Herkimer has grown from a group of loving parents looking for programs for their children to nearly 400 staff members providing vital and meaningful services to approximately 700 individuals with disabilities. Currently, Arc Herkimer’s budget stands at over $28 million dollars, and the agency is one of the largest employers in Herkimer County. For more information: www.archerkimer.org