SUNY approves new prez for Suffolk County CC

Suffolk County Community College officially has a new president.

The SUNY board of trustees, meeting in Manhattan, Tuesday approved Shaun L. McKay, ending a divisive search that took place against the backdrop of county and state budget cuts.

McKay, who becomes the school's sixth president, has promised to seek new funding and emphasize retraining programs for residents looking for work. The search led to complaints from politicians and minority groups, after Suffolk's board of trustees winnowed a field of 30 contenders to three, then reopened the search when two other finalists dropped out.

McKay, who will earn $230,000 in his first year, takes charge at a time when the community college's appeal is at record levels; enrollment is 24,523 students. But its three campuses face possible state aid cuts of $5.6 million next year.