Dr. Ski

Ski's Bio

John J. "Ski" Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D., is HACC’s seventh president, a position he’s held since 2011. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ski was the first member of his working-class family to graduate from college, earning his bachelor's degree in philosophy before going on to earn two master's degrees in business and a doctorate in education, as well as an honorary associate degree.

He began his professional career as a teacher in a Chicago school followed by a stint as a corporate trainer for two Fortune 500 companies. He returned to education taking a community college administrative position at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Ski was appointed president of then-Lord Fairfax Community College (now named Laurel Ridge Community College) in Middletown, Virginia, and later president of Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, before accepting the position as president of HACC.

Ski the past chairman of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Board of Directors and served on the AACC’s 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges. He currently serves on AACC’s Commission on Research and Community College Trends and Issues. Ski served a two-year term in 2019-21 as chair of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges Board of Directors. He is currently a member of the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board, appointed by the Governor in 2019. He also serves on several local, regional, state and national higher education advisory committees.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Ski is the only member of his working-class family to graduate from college earning bachelor, two master and doctorate degrees, including an honorary associate degree from a community college. A biking enthusiast, he and his husband, Steve Perrault, live in Harrisburg with Bart, their Basenji dog.

Past HACC Presidents

Ronald R. Young, M.Ed., Interim President, 2010-11

Edna V. Baehre, Ph.D., 1998-2010

Paul B. Hurley Jr., Ph.D., Acting President, February-September 1997

Mary Fifield, Ph.D., 1992-97

Kenneth B. Woodbury Jr., Ed.D., 1983-92

James A. Odom Jr., D.A., 1978-83 

S. James Manilla, Ed.D., 1975-77

James A. Odom Jr., D.A., Acting President, 1974-75

Clyde E. Blocker, Ed.D., 1964-74