Meet Susan Rogers, Central Maine Community College’s new president

By Emily Duggan

Earlier this month, the Maine Community College System board announced that Susan Rogers would be the next president of Central Maine Community College in Auburn.

Rogers, a Long Island, New York, native is a chief of staff and vice president of institutional effectiveness for Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She has her doctorate in educational psychology and methodology.

She will begin at Central Maine Community College on Aug. 10, succeeding Betsy Libby, who is vice president and chief academic officer for the Maine Community College System.

Can you tell me about you and your background?

I'm currently chief of staff and vice president of institutional effectiveness for Dutchess Community College, which is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) System. I've been in this role at Dutchess for four years, then before that, as an associate dean of academic affairs. I was a psychology professor for eight years. I loved it. I loved being a professor and working with my students so much. They inspired me every day.

What inspired you to apply for the job?

Central Maine Community College is doing amazing work, No. 1. They've connected academic programs to the needs of the community for years, very successfully. When I visited the campus, the sense of pride that the faculty have in the work they do to serve students was palpable. I met with students and they had so much pride in their academic and athletic programs and they felt so supported in getting exactly the kind of education they needed. When I did my research, that's exactly what I expected to find, but when you visit in real life, you can feel it.

What can you bring from Dutchess to Central Maine?

I've been the person leading efforts toward more hands-on programming. In 2023, I spearheaded the opening of a mechatronic lab that trains students in electrical technology that offers both credit and training opportunities. A lot of the experiences I had there were directly relevant to the things that are very strong in Central Maine and I think that's part of why it was a very good fit and why I was drawn to the campus and why it was drawn to me.

What made Central Maine Community College stand out to you?

I think all of the programs at Central Maine are very strong. I'm going to call out the career and technical programs. Some of those are workforce programs and not college credit earning, but some are tied directly to jobs and others to associate's degrees that move into jobs. I toured those labs and spaces when I was on campus and the teams have done an amazing job doing hands-on learning and working with real equipment and teaching them exactly what they need to know to enter the workforce. The jobs they are getting have thriving wages and the program really gives foundational skills. I was very impressed.

What makes you such a strong advocate for technical education?

Even when I was a psychology professor, my main motivation was helping students build better lives for themselves. Sometimes, some people need a little push, while others need a lot. It doesn't matter - faculty and staff are all about helping students. When I moved into administration and I could be more involved in developing the impact that can help with employment, I was all in. I understood how much of an impact it has to enter the workforce as a professional, or someone changing careers for real skills and dollars.

It doesn't sound like it's related to psychology, but it's about support and well-being. I understand the relationship between the kind of life you want and choices you want and having the education and wage earning ability to do that. For me, that's a big part of the motivation. Another part is that people have different talents and skill sets. The idea that everyone should be academically minded and pursue a particular kind of college education, that doesn't fit who we are.

Do you have any plans when you arrive at the college in August?

Because Central Maine is so strong, I'm not coming in to make sweeping changes. They don't need me to change things. What I need to learn more about and understand is the amazing enrollment boom in the Maine Community College System and the free college program. I want to make sure we are building the systems we need to be successful. I know it's already underway, but I want to bring my expertise and background to it.

What about yourself living in Maine?

I've always said I wanted to live in Maine. I've lived in New York State my whole life, but I've visited Maine several times and have always loved it. My husband and I are big outdoorsy people. We love to hike, kayak, bicycle, go to up to Acadia National Park. I am very excited about exploring the outside area, the hikes in particular. Being in Auburn, I can get to the coast, to the mountains and there are rivers and lakes close by. I know I will be putting a lot into my job and balancing it with my adventures.