Alum of the Month

September 2008

September 2008
Dr. Kimberly R. Cline ’87, ’89, ‘96

Q & A:

  • What is your edge (strength)?
    Building coalitions and maintaining a positive attitude.
  • What at Hofstra gave you your edge?
    Hofstra provided the opportunity to become a higher education generalist - working in diverse areas such as legal, finance, human resources, labor, enrollment services, etc.
  • In one word, how would you describe Hofstra?
    Pride
  • What was your major?
    JD - Law School
    Ed.D - Education Administration
    MBA - Marketing & Accounting
  • What was your favorite class?
    Eugene Maccarrone's Business Law & Ronald Silverman's Real Property
  • What is your fondest memory of Hofstra?
    Working with my colleagues Judy Nolan, now CFO at SUNY Purchase and Janet A. Lenaghan, Assistant Professor at Hofstra University - two of the most intelligent people I know.
  • What is your field of specialty, and how did you come to work in the industry?
    Management, Enrollment and Finance.
    I was recruited by Anthony Procelli. (see below)
  • Whom in your field do you most admire?
    John R. Ryan, Former Chancellor, State University of New York
  • What was your first job after graduating from Hofstra, and what was the most valuable thing you learned?
    University Attorney and Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs at Hofstra University.
    If you work hard and excel, organizations offer you opportunities to grow as a leader.
  • What advice would you give current Hofstra students?
    To develop multi-dimensional skills that can be applied across organizations.
  • How do you balance work and life?
    With a great husband and three wonderful children who all pitch in. We also laugh a lot.
  • Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
    As Mercy College's President.
    In 20 years, I see myself writing a book on the dunes of Fire Island.
  • What is the single most rewarding experience in your career thus far?
    My current role as President, Mercy College. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with a talented faculty, dedicated staff , and remarkable students.
  • What altered your path, careerwise from the world of business to the world of higher education?
    Anthony Procelli, Former CFO at Hofstra, recruited me to the University Attorney position with dual responsibilities in business affairs.
  • If you were currently a college student, what qualities would you want to see in your college president?
    A humble leader who listens and inspires transformation.
  • Are there any experiences you had at Hofstra that you would like to emulate for your students at Mercy College?
    Hofstra was a well run organization - one of the best I have been associated with as a leader. I want to provide the high level of quality student service we offered at Hofstra.
Dr. Kimberly R. Cline

As the new President of Mercy College, Hofstra alumna Kimberly Cline '87, '89, '96 has an extensive background and dedicated commitment to educational excellence and access for students.

She earned a B.S. in industrial relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1980. She subsequently earned a Juris Doctor degree ('87), Master in Business Administration ('89), and a Doctor of Educational Administration ('96) at Hofstra University.

Kimberly worked as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Seton Hall University, and as University Attorney, Assistant Treasurer, and Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs at Hofstra University. She also served as a faculty member teaching business law in the Zarb School of Business.

Kimberly moved on to the position of Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of SUNY, and was responsible for all financial and administrative functions and oversight of SUNY's $10 billion budget, supporting 64 campuses throughout the state. She also served on SUNY's Faculty Senate as a member of the Executive Board. Previously she served SUNY at Maritime College as Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief of Staff, where she was instrumental in doubling enrollment and balancing a 20 percent deficit spending budget.