Entrepreneur and Author Joins Cayuga as New Trustee – Oswego County Today
AUBURN, NY — A Cayuga Community College graduate who has built a successful career as an entrepreneur, author, and sustainability consultant officially became a member of the college’s board of trustees this week.
Looking forward to utilizing his college career and educational experience, Mark Coleman, president and independent sustainability and management advisor for Convergence Mitigation Management (CMM), was formally sworn in as a new trustee by the president of Cayuga, Dr. Brian Durant on Thursday. . Alongside his work at CMM, Coleman is Director of Advanced Energy for TRC, a global company specializing in sustainable engineering and construction.
“Mark has an incredible background in education, a documented passion for our communities, and a forward-thinking approach to the needs of our workforce. He has dedicated much of his career to helping others grow and succeed, and he will bring the same enthusiastic commitment to his work as an administrator,” said Dr. Durant. “We are proud to have him on board, and we are confident that he will have creative ideas to help Cayuga and our students to forge ahead in the years to come.”
“Our Board of Trustees is thrilled to welcome Mark, and we know he returns to Cayuga eager to support our students as they prepare for their future careers,” said Board Chair Marian Brown. “Mark’s experience in academia and his enthusiastic support of emerging and innovative industries will be invaluable as our College evolves and seeks new ways to serve our students and communities.”
A 1996 Cayuga graduate, Coleman said he fondly remembers his time as a student and that his time at the College was fundamental to his academic and career path.
“I feel like everything is complete, I have the opportunity to use my experience and knowledge to help the College where I started my academic journey,” he said. “I am thrilled to have this chance to support the College as it guides students and explores new avenues to prepare our workforce and to help Cayuga continue to form strong partnerships in our communities.”
Prior to working with CMM and TRC, Coleman was Director of Business Development at HARBEC Inc., a sustainable manufacturing company. He also served as Senior Program Director at the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he aligned strategic goals with industry and government partners. He started his career working for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Coleman served as senior director of corporate relations from 2016 to 2019 at Syracuse University, where he remains an adjunct professor. He also served on the University’s Diversity Council for Advancement and External Affairs.
He is the author of three books that discuss sustainability, including 2020’s The Dignity Doctrine: Rational Relations in an Irrational World. His first book, The Sustainability Generation, was published in 2012, and its follow-up, “Time to Trust: Mobilizing Humanity for a Sustainable Future”, was released in 2014.
In addition to his Cayuga degree, Coleman earned two bachelor’s degrees from SUNY Binghamton in 1998 and a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1999.
About Cayuga Community College
Founded in 1953, Cayuga Community College is one of 64 accredited institutions that make up the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Cayuga offers open access and an affordable gateway to higher education, with courses and degree programs offered at campuses in Auburn and Fulton, NY and online. Cayuga Community College provides a strong liberal arts foundation for further education and career preparation. The College also responds to identified community needs through targeted training and personal enrichment programs. By supporting academic excellence in a supportive learning environment, the College, a careful steward of human and fiscal resources, is a valuable asset to the development of our local, regional and global communities.
