“Be Kind.”
Kevin Drumm has built a distinguished 50-year career as one of higher education’s most respected and steady-handed leaders, known not only for transforming institutions but for elevating people, cultures, and communities. His professional life reflects a rare blend of academic rigor, operational excellence, and human-centered leadership. Throughout five decades of service, mentoring, and executive responsibility, he has shaped organizations across the full spectrum of American higher education: public and private universities, liberal arts colleges, research institutions, regional universities, technical and community colleges. Few leaders possess the breadth, depth, or consistency of results that have come to define Drumm’s career.
His commitment to education began with a foundation in teaching, grew through graduate study in educational leadership at Boston University, and ultimately evolved into senior executive service after completing a Ph.D. in Organization Development and Higher Education from New York University. This academic grounding in systems thinking and organizational behavior became a hallmark of his career, informing his approach to strategic planning, crisis management, staff development, and institutional transformation. Over the decades, he has demonstrated a persistent ability to diagnose organizational challenges and guide institutions toward stability, growth, and renewed confidence.
Kevin’s most notable executive accomplishments stem from his 19 combined years as president at two community college districts, where he developed a reputation as a “turnaround president.” At one institution, he executed a complete reputational rebranding that reshaped how the college was perceived in its region. At another, he restored organizational coherence and trust following a period of extreme instability marked by frequent leadership turnover. Arriving as the sixth CEO in six years, he stabilized governance, rebuilt management structures, strengthened culture, and reestablished alignment with the Board of Trustees. These executive experiences solidified his standing as a leader capable of navigating complex political climates, polarized stakeholder environments, and institutional uncertainty.
During his 13-year presidency at SUNY Broome Community College, Kevin led one of New York’s most prominent two-year institutions during major shifts in enrollment, workforce demands, and public expectations. Under his leadership, the college expanded its footprint, transitioned from a commuter-only model to include its first residential housing, and reinforced its national reputation for excellence in health sciences, technical education, and transfer success. His tenure was marked by significant community engagement, public-private partnerships, and initiatives that extended the college’s impact across the region.
Beyond campus borders, Kevin has contributed extensively to national organizations shaping the future of higher education. His board service includes the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC); the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), where he chaired its Presidents Advisory Board; the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE); the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA); and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), where he was a founding board member and inaugural chair. Twice elected to the AACC Presidents Academy, he helped shape professional development opportunities for community college leaders nationwide.
Kevin’s leadership influence extends into state-level governance, economic development, and civic organizations. He has served on nearly 29 statewide boards and committees, advising governors and shaping regional policy in New Hampshire, New York, and Wyoming. In New York, he co-chaired the nine-county Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council, overseeing the distribution of hundreds of millions of dollars in state grants. These roles demonstrate his trusted ability to manage large-scale initiatives and steward public investment responsibly and strategically.
Equally significant is his deep commitment to community service. Kevin has served on the boards and executive committees of multiple Chambers of Commerce, led his local Boy Scout Council through the organization’s national bankruptcy proceedings—a challenge he considers his most demanding volunteer assignment—and continues to serve in advisory roles for Blue Cross Blue Shield and local community institutions. Across these roles, he has participated directly in the hiring of multiple CEOs and senior leaders, bringing clarity, empathy, and discipline to executive selection processes.
Known for his conflict resolution skills, Kevin is a certified mediator with a long record of helping institutions resolve complex internal disputes and high-stakes interpersonal challenges. His organizational development background allows him to improve culture by addressing root causes, strengthening communication systems, and building alliances both within institutions and across industries. His international experience, particularly in Colombia, further deepens his understanding of global education and cross-cultural collaboration.
With more than 40 professional publications and over 30 national conference presentations, Kevin has contributed extensively to the literature and public dialogue surrounding enrollment management, student success, leadership development, and higher education strategy. His writing and speaking reflect both practical wisdom and scholarly insight, merging the hands-on experience of an executive with the broader perspective of a researcher and policy contributor.
Today, as President of Higher Education Solutions, LLC, Kevin remains committed to supporting organizations through executive advising, leadership coaching, mediation, and strategic guidance. Fully retired from full-time presidencies but energized by ongoing service, he offers a lifetime of experience leading complex enterprises. His mission remains consistent: to help organizations improve performance, enhance culture, resolve conflict, and better serve their people. Guided by his personal motto, “Be Kind,” he approaches each engagement with integrity, clarity, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact.
Summary of Leadership Traits
Character:
Kevin Drumm exemplifies integrity through decades of trusted leadership in high-stakes environments where stability and ethical judgment were essential. He consistently prioritizes empathy, collaboration, and fairness, reflecting his lifelong commitment to service. His personal motto, “Be Kind,” is not merely aspirational but embedded in his leadership philosophy and decision-making approach.
Knowledge:
He brings a comprehensive understanding of higher education systems, developed through 50 years of frontline experience in nearly every sector of academia. His doctoral training in organization development informs his ability to diagnose issues, design strategies, and lead institutions through complex transitions. His publications, speaking engagements, and extensive board service demonstrate his broad intellectual command of the field.
Strategic:
Kevin’s strategic mindset is evident in his turnaround achievements, long-term institutional planning, and regional economic development leadership. He consistently anticipates structural challenges and positions organizations to adapt with clarity and confidence. His work with state governments, community partners, and national associations reflects a strategic capacity that extends far beyond campus walls.
Communication:
A compelling communicator whose clarity, diplomacy, and presence have made him a sought-after speaker and mediator. His ability to articulate complex ideas in accessible ways fosters trust among stakeholders, from students and faculty to trustees and state leaders. His leadership approach relies on transparent, respectful communication that lifts morale and aligns people toward shared goals.
