Paul Smith’s College appoints Frederick as chief advancement officer

Paul Smith’s College has welcomed Steve Frederick, a North Country native previously with Clinton Community College, to serve as vice president of development and alumni relations.

Frederick replaces Ray Agnew, who has been with the college since 2011.

“I’ve always wanted to work at Paul Smith’s,” Frederick said. “I’m impressed by the initiatives here—Nordic skiing, esports, the master’s degree, the campus—it seems very progressive.”

Frederick worked 28 years in public higher education, including 18 as vice president for institutional advancement at CCC. There he was involved in major projects that included efforts to make the college more integrated with the community, securing a nearly $12 million grant for the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, and a capital campaign for the college’s library, tutoring center and accommodation services.

Frederick estimates to have brought in some $18 million in fundraising during his time with the Plattsburgh institution.

Now transitioning outside the state system, Frederick said he expects a nimbler environment and looks forward to spending the coming months on what he called a “listening tour” with various college stakeholders and learn about their vision for the Paul Smith’s.

“I want to hear what everyone thinks about the school,” Frederick said. “I love working with alumni. Everybody has a story and I love to hear it. How they got here, what it was like going to school here, and what they’ve done after.”

While the position is a change for Frederick, the environment isn’t. An avid paddler and outdoorsman, he has long since come to the area for recreation and would visit the campus to see what was going on.

“Since high school my favorite place in the world to paddle is Black Pond. Thirty-five years later, what do you know?” added Frederick. “The timing was right in my career.”

About Paul Smith’s College
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. We are the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs – in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences – draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information, visit web.paulsmiths.edu.