Message from the President

Celebrating 60 Years Together

On January 13th, Herkimer County Community College turned 60 years old. Milestones like this give us a chance to not only pause and reflect, but they also ask us to recommit to who we are and why we exist. For sixty years, this College has been an active participant in the community it serves. Our history is deeply connected to the people, families, employers, and organizations who have believed in the power of education.

From the beginning, Herkimer County Community College has been a steady presence in the Mohawk Valley. We have helped open doors, created opportunities, and prepared generations of students for work, service, and continued learning. Through change and challenge, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to this region and to the people who call it home.

As we mark this anniversary, we are choosing to celebrate in a way that reflects our values. In honor of our 60th year, the College is launching 60 Acts of Service, a yearlong effort that puts community at the center of our celebration. Our students, faculty, and staff would like to partner with local nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and community organizations to give back in meaningful and visible ways.

These 60 Acts of Service may take many forms, from volunteering and mentoring to educational outreach and environmental efforts. Each act is a simple but sincere way of saying thank you to a community that has supported this institution for decades. Service has always been part of who we are, and this initiative brings that commitment to life.

This anniversary also asks us to look forward. Being a long-standing community institution means continuing to listen, adapt, and respond to changing needs. It means staying focused on access, opportunity, and preparing students for what comes next. As President, I remain deeply committed to ensuring that Herkimer County Community College is meaningful by design and connected to the community it serves.

On a personal level, this milestone is especially meaningful to me. It is truly an honor to serve the community that helped raise me. As a proud alumna of Herkimer County Community College, I know firsthand the impact this institution can have. The education and support I received here helped shape my path, and it strengthens my commitment to making sure future students have those same opportunities.

An institution does not make it to its 60th anniversary alone. To our alumni, thank you for carrying the spirit and values of the College wherever life has taken you. To our community partners, we are grateful for your collaboration and your trust. To our county sponsor, thank you for continuing to believe in the impact that this College makes daily. And to our neighbors and friends, thank you for welcoming Herkimer County Community College into your lives and into this region for the past sixty years.

This year, we invite you to celebrate with us, serve with us, and help shape what the next sixty years will bring. This College belongs to the community it serves, and together, our best days are ahead of us.

If you have an Act of Service that you would like HCCC to consider, please fill out this form. I look forward to all 2026 has to offer!

Herkimer Proud,

Terri Grates Day, PhD
President
Herkimer County Community College