CANTON – SUNY Canton’s second-in-command will head the institution, at least temporarily, after the current president leaves for a job in Albany later this year.

Dr. Carli Schiffner, SUNY Canton’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, has been named interim president effective Sept. 1.

The State University of New York Board of Trustees announced the appointment today.

President Joseph Kennedy will retire as of Aug. 31 to take a position as special advisor to the SUNY chancellor for shared services. As the current provost, Schiffner will be in charge of the campus in any absence by President Kennedy prior to Sept. 1.

“I’m pleased for both Carli and SUNY Canton,” said Kennedy. “She will do a wonderful job keeping everyone focused on the mission of the college and the importance of student success and satisfaction. I’d also like to thank SUNY, Chairman McCall and Chancellor Zimpher for selecting someone from within our SUNY Canton family to help lead us forward during these exciting times for the college.”

“I’m honored to accept these new responsibilities, and I look forward to continuing the incredible progress the college has made under the direction of Dr. Kennedy,” Schiffner said. “It’s an exciting time in the history of SUNY Canton, with record setting numbers in applications and enrollment as well as new facilities and new majors. I’m looking forward to working with our campus community and SUNY to ensure we continue in the positive direction we’re headed.”

Relations between SUNY Canton and SUNY administration in Albany were strained since SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and her provost, David Lavallee, tried to force Kennedy to step down and replace him with the appointment of SUNY Potsdam Pres. John Schwaller to run both campuses simultaneously. That announcement last summer was greeted with resistance from both campuses, as has been a more recent attempt to try to find one chief financial officer for both schools.

Nevertheless, both campus administrations say they are amenable to attempts to save money by identifying areas where the schools might share administrative functions and other programs and personnel.

A joint report commissioned by the SUNY Board of Trustees on shared services between SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam is due to the chancellor from the presidents of those campuses by July 15.

“As provost and throughout her previous time at Canton, Dr. Schiffner has shown an exceptional ability to put the best interests of students and faculty first, and to further the campus’ partnerships within the local community and SUNY system,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “I thank her for accepting the presidential post in the interim and look forward to our continued work together.”

SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall said he was pleased that Schiffner has agreed to accept the interim appointment.

Schiffner joined SUNY Canton in 2003 as history department faculty. She then served as Kennedy’s chief of staff. After serving as the Yakima Valley Community College Dean of Arts and Science from July 2007 through June 2011, Schiffner returned to Canton as provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The search for a permanent replacement for Kennedy has not formally begun, college officials say.