When most people think of a college president, they probably don’t picture someone who studies fungi, chops firewood, or launches biology greenhouses. But Jon Hollaway Connolly isn’t most people. His story blends science, education, and public service into a career that’s both unconventional and impactful.
Let’s break down how a forest biologist from New Jersey ended up leading colleges across the U.S. and what he’s learned from it.
Early Roots in New Jersey
Jon Connolly was born in 1964 and grew up in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. He attended local public schools before going to Delbarton School in Morristown. Sports were a big part of his life, football, hockey, and lacrosse in High School, and soccer, track, and baseball in middle school.
“I was known for working harder than anyone else,” he said. “I wasn’t always the fastest or the biggest, but I showed up every day.”
His work ethic would stick with him as he transitioned into higher education.
From Biology to Biostimulants
Connolly attended Colby College in Maine, where he double-majored in geology and biology. He received multiple departmental awards and received the only “Honours” comprehensive exam in his class.
Then came Yale, where he earned a Master of Forest Science. There, he worked with Graeme Berlyn and conducted peer-reviewed research on plant biostimulants and root respiration.
He finished his academic training with a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Maine in 1996, studying decomposition in forest ecosystems. He later said,
“I think like a biologist in everything I do, systems, feedback loops, balance. It’s how I try to lead too.”
A Scientist Who Teaches and Leads
His academic career started at Allegheny College, where he helped launch a greenhouse and a new ecosystem ecology lab. Later, at Husson University, he taught biology and led student research in areas like indoor air quality and kidney stones. He was named Teacher of the Year, served as Faculty Senate President, and eventually became Associate Dean of Science and Humanities and Assistant Chief Academic Officer.
That combination of teaching and leadership set the tone for the rest of his career.
Taking on College Leadership
After Maine, Connolly took on bigger roles. At Lone Star College–Kingwood in Texas, he served as Dean of Math, Science, and Healthcare. He encouraged faculty, like statistician Chris Martin, and biologist Brian Shmaefsky, to pursue their expertise interests.
At Northern Wyoming Community College District, he became Academic Vice President, then Interim President. He worked on data reporting systems (Colleague to CROA) and helped build new academic priorities.
He moved to Kennebec Valley Community College in Maine as Vice President. During a rough budget period that saw the resignation of the COO, he stepped up as an acting facilities chief and helped launch a new culinary programme, a sustainable farm, and a second campus.
All along the way he tried to encourage faculty to pursue their original academic passions. At Kennebec Valley Community College he encouraged psychology faculty to explore the connection between assessment of student learning online and better teaching approaches. Although this is a typical and important exercise at all colleges, Connolly encouraged the faculty there to publish their findings and share the best practices that demonstrably show an impact. At Sussex County Community College he strongly encouraged faculty to seek advanced degrees, and helped develop a research institute that, for one thing, explored ideas in fusion engineering with the University of Rochester.
Turning Around Sussex County Community College
In 2015, Connolly returned to New Jersey to become President of Sussex County Community College (SCCC). The college was facing a fiscal crisis and declining enrollment.
Over several years, Connolly helped:
- Restore financial stability
- Increase enrolment
- Expand concurrent enrolment with high schools
- Improve athletics
- Launch trades and tech programmes like optics, lineman training, and automotive services
“We didn’t just add courses, we built programmes that led to jobs,” he said.
Local news articles document SCCC’s expansion under his leadership, including the repurposing of a former car dealership into a campus facility.
The Human Side of Leadership
Connolly doesn’t see success as individual achievement.
“To succeed is to make a difference that elevates other people,” he said. “Success is always achieved with others.”
He talks openly about the personal side of life, too. His parents and brother are deceased, and his two sisters continue to inspire him, one is a nurse and early childhood educator, the other a full-time mother and “family operations chief.”
He’s also a firm believer in staying grounded.
“Sometimes you crawl. But you don’t stop moving forward.”
Science Never Left
Even as a leader, Connolly stayed close to science. He still reads research, harvests and prepares low creosote-forming firewood, and explores the role of fungi in ecosystems.
“I use fiction, movies, and stories to inspire me. And I rely on the wisdom of others.”
He sees a direct connection between science and leadership: understanding systems, patterns, and how one small change can ripple outward.
What’s Next?
Connolly continues his work in higher education, and wants to return as much as possible to the study of biology which originally drew him to the academic enterprise. While at Lone Star College Connolly finished 75% of an RN nursing degree, but needed to withdraw when he became the interim president in Wyoming due to the time demands. He is contemplating returning to that goal as well.
Final Thoughts
Jon Connolly’s path is anything but linear. He’s a scientist, educator, administrator, and mentor. He’s led in times of crisis and built programmes from scratch. And through it all, he’s stayed focused on helping others grow.
“Living a life of love and passion is the key,” he said. “In all things. Remain humble before
the things you cannot control.”
Q&A with Jon Connolly
You’ve held many roles, from professor to president. What keeps you in education?
It’s the impact. I’ve seen how a well-run community college can change the trajectory of someone’s life. Whether it’s a new trades programme or a first-generation student finding their path, it’s real, and it matters.
You started your career as a scientist. How has that shaped your leadership style?
Biology teaches you to see systems that contain elements of predictability and variability. Everything is connected. I have always tried to take that into leadership, understanding feedback loops, root causes, and slow growth. You can’t rush it, but you can guide it.
What was the biggest challenge you faced at Sussex County Community College?
The college was in financial trouble when I arrived. We had to rebuild trust, stabilise the budget, and launch programmes that served the local workforce. It wasn’t easy, but we did it together.
You’ve launched programmes in optics, electrical lineworker training, and automotive tech. Why those areas?
We looked at what the region needed. These weren’t just good academic ideas, they were career paths. Students needed options that led directly to work, and employers needed talent.
What advice would you give to someone starting a leadership role in education?
Advice comes from all the learning along the way. Do not take things or people for granted. Listen more than you speak. Support your team. Comportment and decorum. And never forget, you’re there to serve students, not systems.
Outside of work, you still study fungi and chop firewood. Why?
It keeps me grounded. There’s something honest about working with your hands and spending time in nature. It reminds me of where I came from, and why I do this work in the first place.
