President's Staff
University Administration
Anthony G. Collins, Ph.D., President
Marilyn Ardito, Ph.D.,Executive Director of Human Resources
Kelly O. Chezum,'04 LP.D.., Vice President for External Relations
James D. Fish '79, CFO
Brian T. Grant '93, Dean of Admissions
Kathryn B. Johnson, Vice President for University Outreach & Student Affairs
Richard W. Johnson II, Vice President for Philanthropy & Alumni Relations
Gard Meserve, Ph.D., Director of Facilities & Services
Barbara Parker, Assistant to the President
Steve Yianoukos '72, Director of Athletics
Thomas E. Young, Ph.D., Provost
Browse the interactive organization chart, or download a summary for print purposes.
Anthony G. Collins, Ph.D., President
Clarkson University President Anthony G. Collins is a regional and national advocate for higher education - industrial partnerships that couple research discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise for commercialization and economic development. With a focus on advancing sustainable energy solutions and environmental technology innovation, he serves as the president of the Seaway Private Equity Corporation that invests in new technology companies based in St. Lawrence County, New York and on the board for (TSEC) The Solar Energy Consortium which mobilizes related resources in New York state.
He is also the vice chair of New York’s Commission of Independent Colleges and Universities and the chair of the national Association of Independent Technological Universities’ Public Relations Committee. President Collins serves on the boards of the Business Council of New York State, the Central New York Metropolitan Development Authority, the Essential New York Initiative, the New York Indoor Environmental Quality Center, and the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environment and Energy Systems, the New York State Smart Grid Consortium, and on the board of advisors of Sriya Innovations, Inc.
Dr. Collins was among the primary architects of the Vision of a Clarkson Education that has guided evolution of the curriculum since 1995. As president, he now leads Clarkson’s Evolution to Excellence, a comprehensive strategic plan elevating the University’s academic reputation, strengthening its financial resources, and increasing the lifetime engagement of alumni.
Growing up outside Melbourne, Australia, Dr. Collins earned an undergraduate civil engineering degree from Monash University, and then master’s and doctoral degrees from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Prior to his doctoral studies, he worked for both Australian Consolidated Industries and Utah Development Company. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1982, Dr. Collins launched his career at Clarkson, in Potsdam, N.Y., as an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. Subsequently rising to the rank of professor, he also assumed increasing levels of administrative responsibility, including department chair, dean, vice president for academic affairs, and provost. He was elected the 16th president of Clarkson University in 2003. He has received awards for outstanding teaching, research and advising, lectured globally and is the author of more than 90 professional publications.
In addition to connecting with Clarkson alumni across the globe, Dr. Collins; his wife, Karen; and their four children are active in the Potsdam community and have provided volunteer service to numerous community groups and youth sports programs.
Marilyn Ardito, Ph.D.,Executive Director of Human Resources
Marilyn Ardito has been Executive Director of Human Resources at Clarkson University since November 2009. Dr. Ardito brings to the University an extensive resume of over 25 years of human resources and organizational development expertise gained in three Fortune 500 organizations. In her current role, her focus is on building an engaged community, creating powerful partnerships that cross institutional boundaries and conducting a comprehensive review of employee benefits.
Prior to her appointment at Clarkson, Ardito was Vice President for Organizational Development and Training at ESPN where she focused on the expansion of executive and managerial development programs. She was with Gap Inc. from 1996 to 2005 and held the positions of North East Logistics Regional Director of Human Resources, International Logistics Director of Human Resources, and Organizational Development Consultant for Logistics. Before that, Ardito was at Georgia Pacific LLC from 1988 to 1996, where she served in a variety of human resource and process improvement roles.
Dr. Ardito also held adjunct faculty positions with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Maine.
Dr. Ardito earned her Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems and an M.A. in Organizational Development from Fielding Graduate Institute. She also has an M.Ed. in Adult Education from the University of Maine and a B.S. from the University of Maryland.
Kelly O. Chezum, M.B.A. '04, Vice President for External Relations
Kelly Chezum leads Clarkson’s comprehensive integrated marketing , communications and external partnership initiatives and has stewarded the university’s long-range plan ning activities since 2003. She is also Assistant Secretary of the Board of Trustees, serving as the professional staff liaison to the corporate officers, and members of the Board’s Executive, Trusteeship and Marketing Committees.
With more than 23 years of experience as a creative marketing professional and administrator in the public, private, nonprofit and government sectors, Dr. Chezum has oversight of Web and publication development, board relations and governance issues, media and public relations, special projects and events, crisis communications, and strategic planning. On behalf of the University, she also commits her energy to economic development initiatives advancing the quality of life in New York’s Adirondack North Country as well as several national committees and regular speaking engagements for the Association of Governing Boards, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the Association of Independent Technological Universities.
Dr. Chezum was the director of Corporate & Foundation Relations during the last Campaign for Clarkson where she made numerous alumni and partner connections and collaborated with faculty and staff to raise more than $77 million in private support. Prior to coming to Clarkson, she was on the marketing and client relations team for Aramark’s Campus Services division with primary responsibilities in New York and New Jersey for maximizing sales growth. Her background includes bank marketing, book and magazine publishing with key roles in direct mail campaigns, and public relations and Grantwriting for one of the largest public housing agencies in the country. She did her undergraduate studies in marketing and communications at Carroll University (WI) and is a graduate of Clarkson’s M.B.A. program. Dr. Chezum earned her doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University (MA).
James D. Fish '79, CFO
James D. Fish has been Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer at Clarkson University since November 2010. He oversees the areas of Budgets and Planning, Comptroller, Risk Management, Student Administrative Services, and Student Financial Aid. Prior to this appointment Mr. Fish served as Comptroller for Clarkson for over 20 years.
Mr. Fish received a B.S. in accounting from Clarkson University in 1979. Shortly after graduation he accepted the position of Business Manager at Wadhams Hall Seminary College in Ogdensburg, NY where he served until joining Clarkson in 1990. In his more than 30 years of higher education business and finance administration, Mr. Fish has directed numerous successful audits, implemented new financial software solutions, developed effective internal controls, maintained institutional compliance, and managed dozens of professionals and support staff. He has been an active member of the National Association of College & University Business Officers and its affiliated regional association.
Brian T. Grant '93, Dean of Admissions
Brian T. Grant has been the Dean of Admission at Clarkson since July 2009. A 17-year veteran of undergraduate recruiting, Grant has had the unique opportunity to play a leadership role in building a successful admission program that has increased applications 90% in the freshman, transfer and international student admission programs in the past 6 years.
Dean Grant joined the university in 1994 and has held positions of increasing responsibility, including Assistant Director of Admission and Alumni Admission Coordinator, Director of Enrollment Operations, Director of Admission, and ultimately Dean of Admission. At each step in his career Grant has demonstrated the ability to think analytically while being flexible considering admission market demands. Grant graduated from Clarkson in 1993 with a degree in interdisciplinary engineering & management . He received his master’s degree in instructional technology from the State University of New York at Potsdam in 2003.
At Clarkson, Grant currently leads a team of 22 professional and support personnel dedicated to enhancing Clarkson’s admission program.
Kathryn B. Johnson, Vice President for University Outreach & Student Affairs
Kathryn Johnson was appointed Vice President for University Outreach and Student Affairs in July of 2004. In this position, she oversees the Dean of Students office (Residence Life, Student Life and Engagement, Student Organizations/Student Center, Campus Safety & Security), Career Center/International Study Programs, Health & Counseling Center, Institutional Diversity Initiatives (International Students & Scholars Office, HEOP, CSTEP/McNair Programs), and the Student Success Center (First-Year Advising, Student Support Services, Accommodative Services).
Prior to her role as VP, Johnson was Executive Director of the Career Center/International Study Programs from 1998 to 2004; and from 1975 to 1996 she was Director and Executive Director of the Career Center. In the interim years between these two roles, she was the Executive Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations. Johnson is a leader in international education, and has set up over 30 partnership agreements with universities across the globe, and has been an invited speaker at international conferences. She has served in numerous leadership roles in professional organizations throughout her career, most recently as the Vice President of the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE). She is a two-time recipient of the Student Government’s Outstanding Student Service Award. Johnson received her B.A. from SUNY Potsdam and her M.Ed. from St. Lawrence University.
Richard W. Johnson II, Vice President for Philanthropy & Alumni Relations
Richard W. “Dick” Johnson II has been Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Relations at Clarkson since October 2010. A 35-year veteran of institutional fund raising, Johnson has returned to Clarkson for a second tour, having served the University previously from 1983 until 1995.
Johnson returned to Clarkson from the United States Naval Academy Foundation in Annapolis, Maryland, where he served as Executive Vice President for a ten-year period. At the Naval Academy, Johnson directed the highly successful, $254 million Leaders To Serve the Nation Campaign.
Following graduation from Colgate University in 1969, service in the Navy as a commissioned officer until 1972 and a stint as a general assignment newspaper reporter, Johnson in 1976 returned to his Alma Mater, where he served in the Alumni Programs and Annual Fund areas. In 1980 he became Director of Development and Campaign Director at Swarthmore College. In 1983 he began at Clarkson, serving until 1995 in positions of increasing responsibility, including Director of Development and Vice President for Development and Communications. During the 12-year period, he directed the successful completion of two comprehensive fundraising campaigns. In 1995 he was named Vice President for University Relations at Bucknell University, where he again led a successful $188 million fundraising campaign.
At Clarkson, Johnson currently leads a team of 26 professional and support personnel dedicated to enhancing Clarkson’s alumni relations and development programs.
Gard Meserve, Ph.D., Director of Facilities & Services
Director of Facilities Dr. Gard Meserve leads Clarkson’s efforts towards achieving its Master Plan. He works with a high performing team to facilitate the maintenance and construction of our facilities both at the downtown and the hill campuses. Dr. Meserve served as the Chief Information Officer at Clarkson for ten years prior to migrating his project life cycle and leadership skills from technology to bricks and mortar projects. He serves on several Clarkson committees including technology, well being, compliance, emergency response and he also serves as a liaison to the Board of Trustees for the Physical Plant Committee.
With nearly three decades of experience as a technology leader, Dr. Meserve encouraged the Clarkson University technology function toward national recognition in 2006 by Princeton Review as one of the 25 Most Connected Campuses in the nation and in 2007 Clarkson was recognized by Princeton Review as the 14th Most Wired Campus in the nation. He has spoken nationally on technology, technology leadership, and organizational culture related issues.
As the Director of Facilities, Dr. Meserve has the opportunity to work closely with many campus constituents to deliver on the elements of the Master Plan. The recent completion of the Foster House, Technology Advancement Center, Hantz Field, and the Student Center serve as a solid foundation for the construction that is coming in the near future. Clarkson’s Board of Trustees and administration have outlined a clear and exciting plan to advance both the Hill and Downtown Campuses.
Dr. Meserve’s background includes experience in manufacturing, retail, inventory and warehousing, distribution, merchandising, mail order, and higher education. He has worked with organizations including GH Bass Shoe, American Cyanamid, Phillips Van Heusen, Performance Bicycle, and SunGard Higher Education. He has a Associates Degree in Information Technology, a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, a Masters of Divinity in Theology, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education.
Barbara Parker, Assistant to the President
Steve Yianoukos was named Clarkson University’s Director of Athletics in August 2005. The Potsdam, NY native, who became the University’s eighth athletic director, has been actively involved with Clarkson’s Department of Physical Education, Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation since his undergraduate days at the University in the early 1970s.
Yianoukos served as the Associate Director of Athletics since 1997 and before that was the executive officer of Physical Education/Recreation from 1984 to 1997. Yianoukos currently oversees Clarkson’s Division I and Division III athletics programs, where six programs have received NCAA bids in the past four years, as well as Intramurals and Recreation for the University. He monitors NCAA/Liberty League/ECACHL institutional policies and sports guidelines, and leads fund-raising initiatives for the department, including golf outings, Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni Events throughout the year
Yianoukos graduated from Clarkson in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial management. He served as the facility manager for the Town of Potsdam’s Pine Street Arena from 1972-1977 and was named the town’s recreation director/facility manager in 1977.
He is involved in numerous local and national professional and civic organizations. Steve and his wife Joyce are long- time residents in the Potsdam Community.
Thomas E. Young, Ph.D., Provost
Thomas C. Young has served as Clarkson University Provost since April 2005. In that role, Dr. Young oversees the development and enhancement of Clarkson’s academic programs and research endeavors. He works closely with the University deans and interdisciplinary center directors to implement Clarkson’s long-range planning initiatives and engage the University’s constituents in these initiatives as they unfold. Dr. Young also oversees the operation of the University Library, the Clarkson Honors Program & School, and the Division of Research and Technology Transfer.
Dr. Young joined the University in 1977, was named Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1999, and accepted the post of Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering in 2004. While he was a faculty member in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, he led or collaborated on research projects related to water quality in freshwater systems with an emphasis on environmental contaminants, including contaminant fate and transport modeling in aquatic systems, fluvial load estimation, uncertainty and sensitivity analyses for water quality models, and applied environmental statistics. Young has more than 175 professional presentations and over 100 peer-reviewed articles and technical publications to his credit, is a past recipient of the Chandler-Misener Award from the International Association for Great Lakes Research, and has twice received the Excellence in Engineering Education Award from MWH Soft.
Dr. Young received a B.A. degree in fisheries biology and an M.S. degree in sanitary engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He received his Ph.D. degree in fisheries and wildlife from Michigan State University. Between his undergraduate and graduate education, Dr. Young served on active duty with the US Army as an infantry lieutenant; his assignments included a tour in Vietnam, where he received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Bronze Star medal.
