December 3, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – Gov. Kathy Hochul has reappointed Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq., of Kingston, and appointed Dennis M. Doyle, of Tillson, to the College’s Board of Trustees.
A distinguished SUNY Ulster alumnus, Trustee Jacobsen was first appointed by Governor Hochul in December 2023 and has been reappointed through June 30, 2031. A practicing real estate attorney based in Kingston, he represents clients across the Hudson Valley. He is a graduate of John A. Coleman High School, earned his Associate in Science in Business Administration from SUNY Ulster in 1998, followed by a B.S. in Accounting from SUNY New Paltz and a J.D. from Western New England University School of Law.
Trustee Jacobsen brings a strong record of civic engagement, including 15 years on the City of Kingston Planning Board and active membership in the New York State and Ulster County Bar Associations. He has served on the Ulster Community College Foundation Board since 2019, is a 2019 SUNY Ulster Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, and was inducted into the SUNY Ulster Alumni Hall of Fame in 2020.
At the November 18, 2025, annual meeting, the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept the slate of officers for the 2025-2026 academic year, including the appointment of Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq., as Chair; Timothy Sweeney, as Vice Chair; and Victoria St. John-Gilligan, as Secretary.
Trustee Jacobsen stated, “It is a privilege to serve as a Trustee of SUNY Ulster, and a great honor to do so as an alum of this institution, which has played such an important role in my life and in the lives of so many in our region. I am equally proud to serve as Board Chair and to support the important work of this College.”
Appointed through June 30, 2026, Trustee Doyle brings more than four decades of planning and community development expertise. Since joining Ulster County Planning in 1974 and becoming Director in 2004, he has led significant efforts in transportation systems, land use planning, and environmental stewardship. He also directs the Ulster County Transportation Council.
Born and raised in Ulster County, Trustee Doyle holds a degree in Geology from SUNY Cortland and has extensive training in environmental science, site design, and demographics. His service extends to numerous boards, including Arc Mid-Hudson, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation, and the Ulster County Housing Development Corporation. He is also a member of the Hudson Valley Regional Council, a past president of RUPCO, and an active volunteer with American Legion Post 1219.
“I grew up within a mile of SUNY Ulster and remember the enthusiasm as classes began at the new campus. That positive community response to the College continues today. I want to thank Governor Hochul for the appointment and the opportunity to give back to the community. I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues on the Board to support the College’s mission and the students we serve,” said Trustee Doyle.
SUNY Ulster President, Alison Buckley, Ed.D., stated, “We are fortunate to have the support from Governor Kathy Hochul in appointing our newest Trustees to serve our SUNY Ulster students and community of learners. Governor Hochul’s steadfast advocacy and support of our Trustees in their service as community stewards, safeguarding our collective commitment to accessible and affordable higher education, has been truly paramount. We look forward to partnering with Trustees Jacobsen and Doyle as we continue shaping the future of the College and remain committed to meeting the needs of our students, meeting them where they are, and serving the residents of Ulster County.”
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