Mercy College President Focuses on Students

It's hard to imagine that any of the incoming first-years who arrived at Mercy College's Dobbs Ferry campus for move-in this past weekend could be more enthusiastic about the college than its president, Kimberly Cline.

Now entering her third academic year—she arrived at Mercy in July 2008 as its president—Cline is an enthusiastic, energetic supporter of the college and its mission. Somehow it's not surprising to learn that  Cline –who holds a trifecta of educational credentials, including an MBA , law degree and doctorate in educational administration, all from Hofstra—had been a cheerleader in high school and at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where she attended college.

"Mercy's mission is really focused on students," said Cline, a native North Carolinian who now lives in Nassau County. "There are so many faculty with amazing backgrounds, who love teaching students."

Keeping that focus on students comes naturally to Cline. "I always try to look at the student view," she said. That perspective led her to steer Mercy away from what Cline terms the "silo" of typical college departments and towards a more student-friendly model.

"From the students' perspective, they just want to be serviced," explained Cline, who launched the PACT (Personalized Achievement Contract) program,  which is now in its second year. By providing participating students with one mentor, "it makes the student have one point of contact," she said. "It helps a student get rid of frustration."

So far, the PACT program has been successful in helping students develop academic, extracurricular and career goals, which in turn reduces attrition, leading to better graduation rates, and ultimately stronger post-graduate success, she said. 

"It's really a program that helps students do well," said Cline. "It's a Mercy College program people embrace." She pointed out that the American Council of Education sent this program--as one of five from across the United States--to the White House as a model.

 And Cline is just getting warmed up. She points to other Mercy success stories: an alumnus who's the National Teacher of the Year, the School of Education producing the fourth largest number of assistant principals in the New York City public school system, the vet tech program's 100 percent pass rate, and the School of Health and Natural Sciences' 100 percent job placement rate.

"We offer interesting and relevant degrees so the students can have actual careers," Cline said.

There's more to come. Cline is looking to develop a program in International Relations and Diplomacy, to give students  the background and training needed to work for NGOs, as well as launch a Center for Global Studies.

Cline's energy certainly comes in handy, considering that Mercy runs 90 undergraduate and graduate departments for 10,000 students at five sites, including: Dobbs Ferry, White Plains, Yorktown Heights, the Bronx and Manhattan—and Cline makes a point of spending two days a week at the non-Dobbs Ferry campuses.

"The students are very proud of their individual campuses," she noted. "When I go to the other campuses and students see senior administration there, it creates that home feel."

Cline, a mother of three—one in college, and two in high school—strongly believes that her various careers and professional experiences are invaluable in helping her guide Mercy College. Most recently, Cline had been vice chancellor and chief financial officer for the State University of New York; she's also been vice-president and chief operating officer for SUNY's Maritime College, vice president for finance and administration at Seton Hall University, and worked for pharmaceutical companies and the Women's Professional Tennis Association.

 "As I get older, I realize that every day I feel you learn," she admitted. "I'm willing to be humble. It's not about you. It's not about being president. It's about building for the long term. The plans we put forth have to outlast us. One person can't change the entire campus, but there are lots of opportunities to change people's lives ."