2024 Business Excellence Winner: Patrick Cate of Lakes Region Community College

Patrick has served as the interim president of Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) since July 2022 and was chosen as president in April 2024. He has been with LRCC since 2018, serving as associate vice president and vice president of academic and student affairs prior to his current role.

Patrick has over 20 years of experience in higher education, including roles at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Rivier University in Nashua, and 17 years with Plymouth State University (PSU).

Under his leadership, LRCC has continued to enhance its position as an open-access, high-quality institution of higher education, including raising funds for and launching a firefighter paramedic program, with the first graduating class achieving a 100% pass rate for the national paramedic exam. The college’s renowned culinary program grew in enrollment and quality, and was chosen twice to represent the state in Washington, D.C. at New Hampshire Day, providing an opportunity for students and faculty to showcase their talents to the U.S. Senate and staff.