Herkimer College announces Faculty Promotions, New Appointments

The Herkimer County Community College Board of Trustees took action recently to recognize two faculty through promotions. Others will be fulfilling new roles at the College through new appointments.

April Harris has been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor of criminal justice and cybersecurity. Harris was appointed to the faculty in 2014 and holds a B.S. in psychology from Central Connecticut State University, an M.S. in criminal justice from the University of New Haven, and an M.S. in cybersecurity with a concentration in computer forensics from Utica College.

Karen Jones, PT, DPT has been promoted from associate professor to professor of physical therapy. Jones was appointed to the faculty in 2002 and holds an A.A.S. from Herkimer County Community College, and a B.S. and DPT from Utica College. She received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2008.

Both promotions are effective September 1, 2021.

Aaron Alford has been appointed bursar. Alford was hired as a technical assistant in the Financial Aid Office in 2000 before becoming a financial aid assistant in 2004. He was appointed assistant bursar in 2007. Alford holds an A.S. from Herkimer County Community College and a B.S. from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

In his new role, Alford will be responsible for establishing and implementing student billing, upholding accounts receivable collections policies and procedures, cashiering functions, and federal Title IV and New York State aid disbursement while complying with all federal and state rules and regulations.

Jaclyn Harrington has been appointed registrar. Harrington joined the staff in January 1998 as an admissions assistant and took on a second role as an adjunct instructor in October of that year. She was named director of the Advisement Center in 2004 and assistant registrar in 2016. Harrington holds an A.A.S. from Herkimer County Community College and a B.A. from Buffalo State College.

In her new role, Harrington will be responsible for keeping student records and coordinating student course registration and scheduling.

Joshua Parkinson has been appointed director of instructional design for the Internet Academy. Parkinson joined the staff in 2015 as an advisement specialist in the Academic Advisement Center, and he previously served as the substance abuse prevention specialist and as an adjunct instructor. Parkinson holds an A.S. and a B.S. from Empire State College, and an M.S. from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

In his new role, Parkinson will provide training, instructional design, and technical support for faculty teaching online, as well as overseeing blended and web-enhanced courses. He will also assist faculty and academic divisions in the design, development, implementation, and assessment of learner-centered course content, and help develop and manage entire academic programs in traditional, blended, and online learning environments.