By Dave Warner
Little Falls, NY – In an inspiring episode of the Small Town Life podcast, host Dave Warner sits down with Dr. Terri Grates Day, the newly appointed president of Herkimer County Community College (HCCC), who returned to her roots in the Mohawk Valley after 30 years to lead the institution.
This captivating interview, now available on YouTube and your favorite podcast apps, offers a deep dive into Dr. Day’s journey, her vision for HCCC, and her commitment to revitalizing the region’s educational and economic landscape.
A proud Herkimer native, Dr. Day shares her story of growing up in a working-class family with deep ties to the area’s manufacturing heritage. From her father’s days managing the Herkimer Burger King to her grandfathers’ careers at Remington Arms, she paints a vivid picture of life in the Mohawk Valley during its industrial heyday.
As the first in her family to attend college, Dr. Day’s path to the presidency was anything but conventional—marked by travel as a military spouse, international experiences, and a stint in Nashville during the peak of COVID. Her return to Herkimer, spurred by a fateful call from a search firm and encouragement from her Texas-born husband, is a homecoming story that resonates with heart and purpose.
In the interview, Dr. Day discusses the challenges facing HCCC, including a decade-long enrollment decline and outdated processes, while highlighting recent successes like a 15% enrollment increase this fall. She outlines bold plans to align academic programs with the region’s workforce needs, emphasizing partnerships with local high schools, BOCES, and businesses to create pathways for students to thrive in the Mohawk Valley.
From new HVAC and biomedical repair programs to a revitalized workforce unit, Dr. Day’s vision is to make HCCC the go-to education provider in the region, ensuring students can stay and succeed locally.
Listeners will also enjoy lighthearted moments, like Dr. Day’s subtle Texas twang—picked up during her years away—and her reflections on the intense, 12-hour interview process that landed her the presidency. With a competitive spirit and a passion for transformation, she aims to put HCCC on the map, declaring, “If you’re not first, you’re last.”
Don’t miss this engaging conversation that blends nostalgia, ambition, and a deep love for the Mohawk Valley. Tune in to the Small Town Life podcast on YouTube or your preferred podcast platform to hear Dr. Day’s story and her plans to shape the future of Herkimer County Community College.
Whether you’re a local, an alum, or simply curious about the region’s revival, this episode is a must-watch!
You can watch the episode below, or on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.