Alfred State announces the interim appointments of three long-time employees of the college

Valerie Nixon Named Interim President of Alfred State

Valerie B. Nixon was appointed to this position of interim president of Alfred State upon the departure of President John M. Anderson. Nixon was named to the post by SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher. She will serve as interim president while a nationwide search for a new president is underway.

Nixon has over 25 years of service with Alfred State, serving most recently as executive vice president, a position she was promoted to last year. Prior to that, Nixon served as vice president for administration and enrollment and vice president for enrollment management, having been named vice president in 2005. She previously held the positions of director of student financial services and director of financial aid. Before joining the college she was assistant director of financial aid at Alfred University and Rochester Institute of Technology and was a financial aid counselor at SUNY Brockport

The recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 1994, Nixon has received numerous professional awards including the New York State Financial Aid Administrator's Association (NYSFAAA) Founder's Award and the NYSFAAA region 2 Service Award, which was awarded to her twice. She is the recipient of the State University of New York Financial Aid Professionals (SUNYFAP) Bill Troy Service Award, the highest honor that organization bestows.

Nixon serves on a number of professional boards and committees including the executive boards of the State University Business Officers Association (SUBOA) and the SUNY Council of Chief Enrollment Officers (SUNYCEO). She is president of the Canisteo Community Support Group, a local charitable organization, and also coaches Tee Ball. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Fredonia and a master of professional studies degree in community services administration from Alfred University.

Nixon resides in Canisteo, NY, with her husband, Robert, and is the parent of three grown children.

Deborah Goodrich Named Interim Vice President for Administration and Enrollment

Deborah J. Goodrich has been a member of the Alfred State community since 1978. Prior to assuming the interim vice president position in April 2013, Goodrich served as associate vice president for enrollment management with responsibility for admissions, student records and financial services, international admissions, and application/document processing. Goodrich began her career at Alfred State as an admissions counselor and progressed through a variety of leadership positions during her 30 plus years of service.

Goodrich received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 1994, the State University of New York College Admissions Professional (SUNYCAP) Award in 2005, and the NYS/UUP Excellence Award in 1990. She is an active member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, New York State Association of College Admissions Counseling, Western New York Association of Higher Education, SUNYCAP, and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. She serves on the Educational Foundation of Alfred, Inc. and chairs both the Public Relations and Scholarship committees. She participated in the inaugural SUNY Leadership Program and has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of the SUNYCAP Leadership Institute.

She is a three-time SUNY graduate earning an associate’s degree from Erie Community College, a bachelor’s degree in business education from the University at Buffalo, and a master’s degree in student personnel administration from Buffalo State. Goodrich serves on a number of professional boards and committees including the SUNY Enrollment Management Advisory Committee, SUNY ASC Self-Reported Academic Records Task Force, SUNYCAP Executive Board, chair of the SUNY Directors of Admissions Committee and the SUNYCAP Leadership Institute, SUNY Net Price Calculator Committee, and a variety of local and on-campus committees. She is a frequent presenter at regional, state-wide, and national venues.

Goodrich resides in Alfred, NY, with her husband Jeff and is the parent of a grown son.

Kandi Geibel Named Interim Director of Admissions

Kandi Geibel is responsible for overseeing all aspects of student recruitment and college admissions. Previously, Geibel was associate director of admissions. She joined the college in 1995 as an admissions assistant and was promoted to adviser and later to assistant director in 2003. She has an associate’s degree from Alfred State and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling, both from Alfred University.

Geibel received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 2007, the State University of New York College Admissions Professional (SUNYCAP) Achievement Award in 2000, and the NYSTAA Distinguished Service Award in 2010. She is a member of the Alfred State Alumni Council, ACES Board of Directors, Alfred State Intercollegiate Athletic Board, New York State Association College Admissions Counselors, State University of New York College Admissions Professionals, New York State Transfer and Articulation Association, and is currently president of the Arkport Athletic Sports Booster Club.

Geibel resides in Hornell, NY, with her husband, Brent, and her two children.