| Predecessor: | Thomas E. J. de Witt (interim) |
| 19th President of Wells College | |
| Term Start: | July 1, 2015 |
| Term End: | June 20, 2024 |
| Title2: | 14th President of Frostburg State University |
| Term Start2: | August 2006 |
| Term End2: | June 30, 2015 |
| Title3: | President of Farmingdale State College |
| Term Start3: | June 2001 |
| Term End3: | August 2006 |
| Jonathan Gibralter | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Queensborough Community College Binghamton University (BA, 1978) New York University (MA, 1982) Syracuse University (PhD, 1996) University of Maryland University College (MBA, 2013) |
| Spouse: | Laurie |
Jonathan C. Gibralter (born 1956)[1] is an American academic executive. He served as president of Farmingdale State College in East Farmingdale, New York from 2001 to 2006, president of Frostburg State University in Maryland from 2006 to 2015 and president of Wells College in Aurora, Cayuga County, New York from 2015 to June 2024.[2] [3] [4]
Gibralter grew up in Bayside, Queens, New York and attended Queensborough Community College, earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Binghamton University in 1978, a master of arts degree in counseling psychology from New York University in 1982, a Ph.D. in human development from Syracuse University in 1996,[1] [5] [6] and an MBA from University of Maryland University College in 2013.
In 1986, he began teaching at the State University of New York at Morrisville, later becoming Director of Individual Studies (1988-1990) and Associate Dean for the School of Liberal Arts (1990-1993). From 1993 to 1998, Gibralter was the dean of the Rome, New York, campus of Mohawk Valley Community College. Gibralter was the Dean of Academic Affairs, and then Interim President, at Corning Community College, from 1998 to 2001.[1] [7]
He was president of Farmingdale State College in East Farmingdale, New York, from 2001 to 2006.
In 2006, he became president of Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland, and remained in that position until 2015.[8] [9] In September 2008, Gibralter was honored with the Presidential Leadership Award for his efforts in promoting a campus climate that de-emphasized alcohol and combatted binge drinking at Frostburg State University.[10] [11] [12]
In 2015, he became president of Wells College.[13] On April 29, 2024, Gibralter announced that Wells was closing due to financial issues. There was considerable controversy over the abrupt notice of the closure during the last week of the Spring 2024 semester, and criticism of Gibralter for receiving $310,000 in bonus money during his time as President of the struggling institution. Wells College students, staff, and faculty were provided no previous notice to make alternate arrangements. This closure decision displaced 352 students and 140 employees. https://cnycentral.com/news/local/i-team-digging-deeper-into-wells-college-finances-as-alums-say-closure-is-like-a-death On June 20, 2024, it was announced that the Wells College Board of Trustees and President Gibralter had "parted ways".1
Gibralter is the father of two adult sons and is married to Laurie Gibralter.[14]