Elmira Announces Strategic Leadership Reorganization to Forward Growth and Momentum

Elmira, NY (10/28/2026) — Elmira College has announced a major leadership change that will support the College's forward momentum and position it for continued growth. The new structure will streamline the executive team to accelerate decision-making and provide a clear reporting structure to support the EC campus community.

As of October 19, Dr. Patricia Ireland and Paula Lee Hobson began serving as the College's first-ever Senior Vice Presidents. They will continue to report to Dr. John F. Dolan, President, along with Dennis Kelly, Vice President of Enrollment Management.

Over the past three years, EC has welcomed three of the largest incoming classes within the past decade and witnessed significant growth in donor support. Working collaboratively, Ireland, Hobson, and Kelly will work to sustain and build on that momentum, ensuring EC provides students with a strong return on their investment.

"I made a commitment to the Board of Trustees to take the steps necessary to move Elmira College forward, including evaluating our leadership structure," said Dolan. "This reorganization reflects that commitment and ensures we will have the necessary focus to sustain our enrollment growth, strengthen the student experience, and ensure the College will remain strong well into the future."

Dr. Patricia Ireland

Ireland joined EC in 2021 as Provost. Her new role is Provost and Senior Vice President responsible for the internal administration organizations, including Academic Affairs, Finance & Administration, Athletics, and Student Life.

"I look forward to working across our academic and administrative areas to ensure our resources, operations, and priorities are aligned in support of our students," said Ireland. "By strengthening collaboration across the College, we can continue to enhance the academic experience, develop new opportunities for students, and build on the progress we have made."

Since joining EC, Ireland has helped expand the College's portfolio of academic programs. She helped launch career-related majors and minors, such as Sports Management, Social Work, and Forensic Science. She has also forged new graduate pathways, including the accelerated 2+4 BS to DO program with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. These collaborations make it easier and more cost-effective for students to earn a secondary degree.

Originally from northern New Jersey, Ireland has experience in traditional and remote learning. She's held teaching and administrative positions as dean and provost at colleges in New Jersey, New York, Maine, and Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor's and master's degree from Boston College, a master's degree from Andover Newton Theological School, and a master's and Ph.D. from Drew University.

Paula Lee Hobson

Hobson joined EC in 2023 as Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. Her new role is Senior Vice President for External Affairs, responsible for Institutional Advancement, Alumni Engagement, Marketing, Communications, and Government Relations.

"Elmira College's continued growth depends on strong relationships with our alumni, donors, community partners, and the many people who believe in our mission," said Hobson. "Bringing these areas together creates opportunities to deepen those relationships and generate the support and engagement that will ensure the next 170 years of Elmira College."

Since joining EC, Hobson has exceeded fundraising goals each year while also increasing grant funding. She conceived of and launched the Under Wing Alumni Mentoring Program, which provides career development training to EC students. It also connects students to alumni mentors in their chosen field, engaging alumni from across the country. Alumni engagement and attendance at events have greatly increased, with well over 1,500 alumni attending events in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Hobson has a distinguished track record in institutional advancement, development, marketing, and communications. Over the course of her career, Hobson has won numerous fundraising and marketing industry awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Marketing Association. She has led multiple multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns that exceeded their goals. In Reno, Nevada, Hobson led an award-winning staff at Truckee Meadows Community College. The team brought in more than $25 million to enhance academic programs, capital projects, instructional equipment, and student scholarships.

Originally from Coquille, Oregon, Hobson is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Oregon and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Nevada. Her thesis topic was integrated marketing communications in higher education.

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