President Catherine A. Tisinger

Catherine A. Tisinger had an impressive resume preceding her inauguration. She held a MA and PhD degree in South Asia Regional Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and did post-doctoral work in Educational Management and Asian Studies at Havard. Tisinger also had previous teaching experience at five universities, including the University of the Pacific, where she was awarded tenure. Prior to her time in North Adams, Tisinger had a significant background in higher education administration through positions like Special Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Minnesota State and when she had served as Interim President of Southwest State University in Minnesota. With all this experience, it is surprising to note that she did not have an amazing presidency at North Adams State College.

Tisinger lived in the Smith house on the MCLA campus. From the start of her presidency in 1984, many faculty had problems with her leadership. The college was desperate and hoping for a change at this time. The faculty allowed the president to become acquainted with the school but by her second year there were complaints of how she fulfilled a leadership role on campus. Critics claimed the campus needed direction and a vision to follow as well as someone to look to who could implement that vision and did not feel that President Tisinger was fulfilling that role.

In 1987, chairpersons of the various departments had been meeting for over a year to discuss the problems with the campus. They met with President Tisinger to bring to her their concerns. The following academic year, Tisinger made no announcements to show that the concerns would be addressed and change is on its way. The next academic year went by with the same problems. By 1989, when the president’s 5-year evaluation came out, it described in great detail many shortcomings of President Tisinger’s presidency. For the remaining years of Tisinger’s presidency nothing much would change. She would resign from her position in 1991 amidst pressure from faculty.