Hamburg, NY — Hilbert College announced that Michael R. Cornell will continue serving as interim president as the College advances a series of strategic initiatives centered on academic innovation, enrollment growth, workforce readiness, and Franciscan mission-driven leadership.
Cornell, who assumed the interim presidency in August 2025, brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in Western New York education. A former teacher, administrator, and longtime superintendent of the Hamburg Central School District, Cornell has built a reputation for student-centered leadership, regional collaboration, and forward-thinking educational strategy.
“We are pleased to have finalized an agreement for Michael Cornell to continue serving as Interim President of Hilbert College and CEO of Franciscan Services through May 31, 2028, or until a permanent president is appointed,” said Laurie Boreanaz Carra, Chair of the Hilbert College Board of Trustees. “Over the past year, Michael has provided steady leadership during a critical period for the institution, helping strengthen financial stability, guide the College through its MSCHE accreditation process, and support the successful appointment of a permanent provost. The Board has great confidence in the momentum that has been built under his leadership, and we believe additional time will allow many of these important initiatives and innovations to continue taking hold and advancing Hilbert’s mission.”
Under Cornell’s leadership, Hilbert College has also accelerated several major initiatives, including:
- Expanding its reputation as a regional leader in criminal justice, crime scene investigation, forensic science, intelligence, and cybersecurity education.
- Hiring Marty Blind as Director of Advancement
- Launching new workforce-focused academic bachelor degree programs, including Sports Communication and Artificial Intelligence Studies.
- Establishing the Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence, a humanities-centered initiative focused on ethical AI, human dignity, and responsible innovation.
- Strengthening partnerships with regional businesses (Heard of Buffalo) and industry leaders (LOPTR) to create career-ready graduates with practical experience and professional connections.
Cornell said Hilbert’s momentum comes from its willingness to prepare students for a world defined by change rather than predictability.
“The pressure for students to have everything figured out before they even step onto a college campus is outdated,” Cornell said. “The world is changing too quickly for higher education to remain static. Our responsibility is not to prepare students for one job title. It is to prepare them to adapt, lead, think critically, and navigate a future we cannot fully predict.”
He added that Hilbert’s Franciscan values remain central to that work.
“At Hilbert, we are proving that innovation and humanity can coexist,” Cornell said. “Technology matters. Career readiness matters. But character matters too. When employers hire a Hilbert graduate, they are getting someone who knows how to do the job and understands the responsibility that comes with it.”
The Hilbert College Board of Trustees will continue long-term presidential leadership planning while Cornell remains in the role, ensuring continuity and sustained momentum across the institution’s strategic priorities.
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