Jessica Hibbard Completed State Leadership Academy
The Genesee Community College administrator finished the academy program during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Financial Aid
Jessica Hibbard, associate dean for library and academic support services at Genesee Community College, completed the New York State Community College Leadership Academy in the 2025-2026 academic year. Her team also secured first place for their project focused on student affordability and program completion.
Why it matters
The program aims to develop mid-level leaders capable of driving institutional change and improving student success outcomes across community colleges. It serves as a vital training ground for professionals looking to advance into senior campus leadership roles.
Hibbard participated in the 3rd cohort of the New York State Community College Leadership Academy. The initiative was funded by the Ascendium Education Group, the ECMC Foundation, and The Kresge Foundation.
The players
Jessica Hibbard
She serves as the associate dean for library and academic support services at Genesee Community College.
Genesee Community College
This is a public community college located in New York that employs institutional leaders participating in state-wide development programs.
Ascendium Education Group
This philanthropic organization provides funding for initiatives aimed at improving post-secondary education access and success.
ECMC Foundation
This foundation supports programs that improve educational outcomes for students from underserved backgrounds.
The Kresge Foundation
This private, philanthropic institution focuses on expanding opportunities for low-income people in America through investment in education and community development.
The details
The curriculum focuses on leadership development, student success strategies, and institutional change management. Participants, who are nominated by college presidents or senior campus leaders, completed an applied learning project titled Helping Students Complete Programs on Schedule & Affordably.
Timeline
Jessica Hibbard completed the leadership academy during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Culture Shift
The New York program was developed to replicate Ohio's Leadership Academy for Student Success, which serves as the established model for training community college leaders. The initiative reflects a broader trend of scaling proven professional development frameworks across state lines to boost higher education management.
The professional advancement of college administrators like Hibbard directly influences the quality of academic support services and program affordability available to students at Genesee Community College. These leadership improvements aim to reduce the time it takes for students to complete their credentials.
The takeaway
Effective institutional leadership is a key driver in making community college education more accessible and efficient for students. Developing internal talent helps colleges better navigate the complexities of managing student resources and academic scheduling.
Further reading
For more information on support for students and academic leaders, visit the Financial Aid section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Batavian.
