News Hartwick College Names Walsh Director of GCCI

Hartwick College President Darren Reisberg today announced that Michael Walsh, Ed.D., has been named the new director of the Griffiths Center for Collaboration and Innovation (GCCI). An expert with more than 20 years’ experience in leading organizational growth, Walsh has extensive experience in business development and leading strategic initiatives. He begins his appointment with the GCCI in late August.

Walsh joins Hartwick from Clarkson University, where he has served in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility since 2009. Most recently he served as the Director for Industry Engagement, where he was responsible for building academic and research partnerships with key partners. Previously he served a dual role as executive director of both engineering and management for the university’s Beacon Institute at its Beacon, NY campus.

While with Clarkson, he secured $6.3M in federal, state, and private funding for the development of capital projects at Beacon Institute. He also increased net tuition revenue through executive education programs, workforce training & development initiatives, and multiple grant-funded programs.

Reisberg was involved in Walsh’s hiring prior to assuming his role as College president this week. “I had the opportunity to meet Mike through the search process and believe he will be an excellent fit with our Hartwick community,” he said. “Under Mike’s leadership, I am confident the Griffiths Center — including the Center for Craft Food & Beverage and the Grain Innovation Center — will further foster a culture of entrepreneurship at Hartwick where, through innovative teaching, experiential learning, and strong employer partnerships, our students and regional workforce are positioned to stay ahead of the innovation curve.

“I further want to thank the search committee for the significant time and effort devoted to the search process,” Reisberg said.

Launched in 2018 with a $1.25 million gift from Sally Griffiths Herbert ’88, H’19 and Tim Herbert, the GCCI is an idea incubator and an instigator of innovative approaches and creative problem solving. The Center serves as an umbrella for three Innovation Stations: the Makerspace, Fabrication Lab (Fab Lab), and entrepreneurship hub (E-Hub), where ideas, theory, and practice will support entrepreneurial models of thought and action across the curriculum.

As GCCI director, Walsh will lead and advance a culture of collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the College. He will report directly to the president, and work with the College’s senior leadership team and others to implement the strategic direction for the Center. He will also provide oversight for the College’s Center for Craft Food & Beverage and soon-to-open Grain Innovation Center.

“Hartwick College’s commitment to academic innovation and entrepreneurship demonstrates that the college is dedicated toward providing students, alumni and the central NY community with transformative learning opportunities that span ones learning journey,” Walsh said. “In working with key stakeholders, we can better prepare our students and provide upskilling opportunities that reflect regional and national demand. I am excited to join the Hartwick community and look forward to the intellectual challenge of facilitating and harmonizing the multiple components of the GCCI and driving purposeful and inspirational change.”

Walsh earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and M.B.A. from Clarkson, and a Ed.D. from Fordham University in education leadership, administration, and policy. He also participated in multiple executive education courses from IBM, the Project Management Institute, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School’s Aresty Institute of Executive Education.

A native of Downingtown, PA, Walsh is a board member of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Council.