After more than 20 years as a college president, Jim Mullen was happily retired in Asheville, North Carolina when he received a call from the Hartwick College trustees, asking if he would serve 18 months as their interim president. I met with Mullen in his office overlooking the city of Oneonta to ask why he said “yes” and what he saw in Hartwick’s future.
“I came out of retirement knowing that this is a challenging time for every small liberal arts college in the country,” he told me, “and the only way to address that is to be distinctive.” Mullen clearly feels that “Hartwick has been using innovation to become distinctive,” and said it is now ready to claim its unique place.
When asked to tell me more on how Hartwick sets itself apart, Mullen cited seven new programs from cyber security to data analytics; abundant internship opportunities and “international study second to none for a school our size.” He emphasized the importance of preparing young people to live a balanced life, which he said Hartwick does with an “emphasis on health and wellness — physical and mental.” He gets excited talking about the Pine Lake Environmental Center, three miles of hiking trails on campus, and being within walking distance of downtown. “We have a healthy diversity,” he added, “with more than 60 international students this year. We do that better than anybody else.”
Mullen was also eager to discuss his focus on graduates choosing to stay, live and work in this community. Returning to the importance of a balanced life, he said he wants Hartwick students to get out and experience all that Oneonta and the surrounding region have to offer — “quality of life, nature, knowing your neighbors, and a walkable downtown. People who pursue innovation can often live anywhere they want and this can be that place.” Mullen seems to have fallen in love with Oneonta — he cites its support of the arts, unique restaurants and culture. Oneonta, he said, is also distinctive and ready “to claim its space.”
The Hartwick College Board of Trustees has asked Mullen to stay an additional year, through the spring 2026 semester. He said he was happy to do so. His personal goal, he said, is “to hand this job over to a wonderful successor who knows that Hartwick has a vital future as a distinctive place … something different that stands out.”
I asked about the Grain Innovation Center which former college President Margaret Drugovich had committed to in downtown Oneonta on Dietz Street. He said to look for it to open soon as a student laboratory, providing research and testing services to local businesses who grow, bake or brew with grains. It will work in conjunction with the college’s science programs and the successful craft beer laboratory on campus. Mullen expressed his commitment to make Hartwick a part of the local community and economy. “Hartwick is stronger when the local community is stronger. We are all in this together,” he said. He pledged to support local businesses and institutions with resources, student activity, positive energy and volunteering.
Mullen seems to genuinely believe Hartwick College is a special place — citing the beauty of its campus, the extraordinary commitment of faculty members to their students, and its history. “If we package it right, we can compete with anyone. Is it easy? No. But I am bullish, I am confident, I didn’t come out of retirement not to be,” he said. “Our faculty and staff and students all understand the challenge and have bought into it. Higher education does not move quickly — this place has moved quickly. To have added the number of academic programs is unprecedented. We have faculty with a positive outlook and trust. We have to take this and run with it.”
Mullen closed our chat by telling me, “Small liberal arts colleges have been my life. I went to one, I have been president of five of them and I have seen the difference they make.” He then reiterated, “I see a wonderful pathway forward for this college.”
In the past few months, I have had the opportunity to talk to a good number of the college’s faculty and staff and Mullen’s optimism does seem to be contagious. I see his plan as taking all that distinguishes Hartwick and running with it so both the college and Oneonta can “claim their space” as distinctive destinations. Creating a unique experience appears to be Mullen’s strategy for overcoming the current enrollment and financial challenges. His success can lift the entire community. We all wish him well.