Biography

Barbara Viniar is the Founder and Principal of RiseUp Leadership Coaching, providing coaching for individuals seeking leadership positions in higher education, helping organizaitons and colleges/universities design leadership programs and working with boards to improve their effectiveness. She was President of Chesapeake College on the Eastern Shore of Maryland from 2008 until 2017 and Executive Director for the Institute for Community College Development at Cornell University from 2003- 2008. She served as President of Berkshire Community College from 1994-2003. During both presidencies she was elected to lead state-wide community college associations and also served on several national community college commissions and the AACC Presidents Academy Executive Committee. Prior to becoming Berkshire´s President, Dr. Viniar spent 17 years at Rockland (N.Y.) Community College. She has served on a variety of non-profit and corporate boards including museums, community foundations, regional economic development organizations and a bank. She has taught women´s studies, English Composition and Literature, and a wide range of leadership courses. Dr. Viniar holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in English from the City University of New York and an Education Doctorate from the Institute for Leadership Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University.