Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles – July 1, 2016
At the conclusion of my first year and a half at the college, I thank you for your active involvement in our ongoing work to improve student and college outcomes. We share a vision of student success and your input, effort, and collaboration to achieve this has greatly contributed to many positive improvements. During my time at the college, I have found your participation in open and constructive dialogue to be both insightful and enriching. I am very proud of the work underway to create new academic and workforce programs, enroll more students, improve college readiness, and enhance the student experience as we prepare individuals for transfer and careers. These are but a few of the initiatives we are engaged in as part of our mission-focused work.
I welcome a continuation of respectful, professional and civil discussions with internal and external stakeholders in the future as we do this work on behalf of our community. This has proven to be the best way to better understand our views and work together toward continuous improvement. Each member of the college community is empowered to bring forth ideas and to contribute in a positive way. My thanks go out to those who have taken the time to communicate with me over the past eighteen months through one-on-one discussions, department meetings, town halls, emails, and phone calls. We learn so much from sharing ideas with each other, which promotes synergy and camaraderie. I look forward to a positive, productive future which will involve even more dialogue, occasional compromises, and decisions that will make the college even stronger.
Congratulations to Radiologic Technology faculty members Hildy Oberstein and Robert Wong for leading the effort to achieve an 8-year reaccreditation of our program by the Joint Review Committee on the Education of Radiologic Technicians (JRCERT)! Pride was abundant at this week’s advisory board meeting which included several hospital administrators, clinical instructors, students, graduates, and staff. Also, Professor Oberstein just completed a successful trip to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Conference in Las Vegas with nine of her students who were educated on the very latest techniques in the field.
Kudos, too, to Professor Carolyn Christesen for another successful year administering the intensive week-long Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program introducing 21 high school students from 9 area high schools to content, employers, and skills for the field. I enjoyed fellowship with these very talented students and their families at the 15th annual awards banquet held this week.
On behalf of all employees of the college, I have accepted an appointment to serve on the search committee for a new SUNY Chancellor. As you know, Chancellor Zimpher has announced her retirement and a replacement will be hired next year. If you have thoughts on how I may best represent the institution in this important role, please email me at belinda.miles@sunywcc.edu. I am looking forward to this opportunity to help shape the future of SUNY.
Have a safe and fun Fourth of July weekend!
Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President