Sinclair Community College Senior Vice President Retiring After More Than 20 Years of Exemplary Service

Dr. Kathleen Cleary, Sinclair Community College Senior Vice President of Workforce Solutions, is retiring after more than two decades of dedicated service and remarkable contributions to the college. 

Dr. Cleary joined Sinclair in 2003 as Chair of the Theatre and Dance Department, where she played a pivotal role in securing the department’s first-ever accreditation from the National Association for Schools of Theatre (NAST), making Sinclair one of the few community colleges to achieve this distinction. 

Her visionary leadership extended through various roles, including Dean of Liberal Arts, Communication, and Social Sciences, and Project Director of the Gates Foundation-funded Developmental Education Initiative. This initiative led to significant innovations such as the Math Academy and co-requisite remediation, dramatically improving student success rates.

As Managing Project Director of Completion by Design for the State of Ohio, Dr. Cleary spearheaded efforts that raised college-wide completion rates from 11% to 38%, significantly closing the achievement gap for underrepresented students. 

During the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as Senior Vice President and Interim Provost, maintaining open communication and fostering community through initiatives like Fireside Chats, Coffee with the Provost, and open communication with the faculty and staff.

Dr. Cleary was instrumental in developing numerous certificate and degree programs, including Sinclair’s first baccalaureate degrees. Additionally, as Project Director for Ohio to Work, a JobsOhio initiative, she led efforts that provided services to over 50,000 individuals, with 11,000 entering high-demand training programs and 6,000 securing employment in just 14 months.

Since 2022, Dr. Cleary has served as Senior Vice President of Workforce Solutions, where she led the College’s comprehensive Prison Education Program, Returning Citizen Initiative, Workforce Development, and Work-based Learning programs. 

Her efforts resulted in securing a special prison education fee, new prison contracts, national grants for work-based learning, and increased revenue for workforce development.

“Dr. Cleary’s leadership and vision have profoundly impacted Sinclair Community College and the broader community. Her dedication to student success and workforce development has left an indelible mark on our institution,” said Dr. Steven Johnson, President – Sinclair Community College. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Cleary for her many years of selfless service and wish her the very best in her retirement.”

During the June 11, 2024, meeting, the Sinclair Board of Trustees honored Dr. Cleary's outstanding career, leadership, and service. Dr. Cleary's last day at Sinclair is June 30, 2024.

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