Fall 2026 WDCE News & Updates
A message from Interim Vice President & Dean of Workforce, Dr. LaTasha Hamlett-Carver
Development & Community Education Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Partners, As we begin a new academic year, I am honored to serve as Interim Vice President and Dean of Workforce Development and Community Education and to work alongside colleagues whose commitment to our students and communities is evident throughout this issue.
As I step into this role, one principle will help guide our work: workforce development is not simply a collection of programs; it reaches across the institution, connecting academic and noncredit education, student and career supports, our Extension Centers, employers, community organizations, and regional partners around a shared goal: creating pathways to opportunity and economic mobility.
In the 2025–2026 academic year, our division recorded over 16,000 enrollments across its programs. The number speaks to the breadth of our work, while the people behind it remind us why that work matters.
From our youngest learners at the Virginia Marx Children’s Center to older adults engaged through Collegium and Community Education, we serve learners across the lifespan. Our students include English language learners, individuals earning high school equivalency credentials, professionals building new skills, job seekers preparing for new opportunities, entrepreneurs growing businesses, and residents pursuing personal enrichment.
There are many doors into our Division, and each one should lead to what comes next.
As we move forward, our focus is clear: expand access, strengthen pathways, deepen partnerships, and create opportunities that lead to meaningful educational and economic mobility.
I am grateful to the faculty, staff, administrators, and partners whose expertise, creativity, and commitment make this work possible. The stories in this newsletter offer a glimpse of our collective impact and of the people and communities at the center of our work.
There is tremendous opportunity ahead. I look forward to what we will build together and to ensuring that, wherever someone enters our Division, there is a pathway to what comes next.
Dr. LaTasha Hamlett-Carver Interim Vice President & Dean
Workforce Development & Community Education
SUNY Westchester Welcome Center
Can you guess which College department answered 31,914 phone calls over the past year? The Welcome Center did! This Workforce Development and Community Education department serves the College through its roles of answering calls to the main college line and serving as the college’s MyWCC Student Helpdesk. In addition to three full-time staff members- Eileen McKee, Nancy Rivera, and Philippa Clarke – the Welcome Center is staffed by a team of student employees. These students are cross-trained and work closely with full-time staff. Student employees help make the work of the Welcome Center possible, and they also benefit professionally through the valuable work experience they gain. For more info, call 914-606-6600 (press ‘0’) or through the MyWCC Student Helpdesk at 914-606-5600 or MyWCCHelpdesk@sunywcc.edu
The Digital Arts Gallery at SUNY Westchester – Peekskill
The Digital Arts Gallery at SUNY Westchester-Peekskill has enjoyed an exciting year of exhibitions that celebrate the intersection of art, technology, education, and community partnership. The Digital Arts Gallery showcases creative technologies, expanding the possibilities of contemporary art—while connecting artists, students, cultural organizations, and the community. From digital culture and animation to game-inspired painting and immersive VR, the Digital Arts Gallery continues to showcase how creative technologies are expanding the possibilities of contemporary art—while connecting artists, students, cultural organizations, and the community.
This fall, the Gallery welcomes Luke Bellas, an alumnus of the Game Design workforce program. Bellas transforms his lifelong passion for gaming into bold paintings populated by wildly imaginative characters and fantastical creatures. Bursting with color, movement, and personality, his work brings the visual energy of game worlds onto the canvas.
This October, SUNY Westchester – Peekskill will collaborate with Megan Meadowlark of ArtsWestchester at the Arts Exchange on an interactive virtual reality experience. The project will invite visitors to don Meta Quest headsets and create immersive 3D paintings using Open Brush. Inspirational prompt cards will launch each participant’s journey into a shared space where art, technology, and imagination converge. For more info about the digital arts program offerings and exhibits, visit Digital Arts or call 914-606-7300.
SUNY Westchester-Ossining Expands Access to Healthcare Careers
Healthcare ranks as the top employment sector in Westchester, with jobs expected to increase by 27% by 2030, but many local employers struggle to find qualified employees.
SUNY Westchester Ossining is expanding access to healthcare careers through two scholarship-supported training opportunities designed to remove barriers to education and employment: the Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program (HTTP) and the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Scholarships. HTPP is a collaboration between Westchester County, SUNY Westchester Community College, and SWBOCES to train Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs), and Medical Administrative Assistants. As of July 2026, 212 participants have received training, stipends, and job-search support through HTPP, with many gaining employment with our partners at Northwell Health, WMCHealth, Summit Health, Open Door Care Network, and White Plains Hospital.
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Scholarships provide tuition-free education for eligible SUNY WCC Nursing and CNA students. From Fall 2025 to Summer 2026, 73 CNA students have received scholarships, with 47 completing the program to date.
For more info about funding opportunities to support your healthcare career, contact us at ossining@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-7400.
English Language Institute (ELI) Breaking Down Barriers, Building New Pathways
The English Language Institute (ELI) and the English Department are coming together to launch an innovative dual-track course model that brings credit and non-credit students into a shared learning environment. This cross-departmental initiative creates an important new pathway for students transitioning from non-credit English language instruction to credit-bearing academic coursework, strengthening connections between programs and expanding opportunities for academic advancement.
The inaugural course, Understanding English Grammar and Usage, explores contemporary English structure, grammar, and usage at the sentence, phrase, and word levels, with an emphasis on parts of speech, syntax, verb systems, punctuation, and authentic language use. Through this collaborative model, students will deepen their understanding of how language shapes meaning while developing the analytical and academic skills that support their continued educational success.
For more info about ELI course offerings, visit us at English Language Institute or contact us at 914-606-6656 or esl@sunywcc.edu
Community Education
Community Education provides innovative educational and personal enrichment opportunities to a wide range of communities across Westchester County. Our mission centers on increasing social connection, reducing isolation, and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Through partnerships with organizations throughout the county, our programming reaches learners of all ages, from 3-year-old children to older adults, while our general course offerings are open to adults 18 and up.
New This Fall: Cooking Up a Partnership! Community Education is teaming up with SUNY Westchester’s Department of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management on a new partnership, launching two brand-new noncredit cooking classes this fall!
- Soup Up Your Knife Skills — October 3
- Traditional Biscuits & Scones — November 7
Did you know that about 20% of Westchester County’s residents are aged 60 and older? Among our many community partnerships, Community Education works with the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services on four grant-funded programs: Health Promotion, Enrichment, Evergreen, and Livable Communities, reaching over 6,000 seniors across the county in the 2025-2026 academic year.
For more info, email workforceandcommunity@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-6830.
Virginia Marx Children Center
SUNY Westchester’s Virginia Marx Children Center supports student Success Did you know that only 8% of single mothers finish their associate’s or bachelor’s degree in 6 years? Lack of affordable childcare is the biggest hurdle to accomplishing academic goals. We are proud to celebrate the success of student-parents whose children were enrolled at the Virginia Marx Children’s Center (VMCC).
Since 1996, the Virginia Marx Children’s Center has been helping SUNY WCC students earn their degrees. With funding from the CCAMPIS Grant, SUNY Child Care Block Grant, and St. Faith’s House Grant, students were able to focus on their educational goals and graduate from Westchester Community College. We congratulate three student-parents who graduated with their Associate’s degree: Cristal Lacayo, Berry Pierrette, and Meaghan Collins.
For more info about the Children’s Center, email vmcc@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-6644.
Jackie Padilla-DiMirco Senior Technical Assistant/HSE Examiner
WDCE is pleased to welcome Jackie Padilla-DiMirco as Senior Technical Assistant/HSE Examiner. In her new role, Jackie is responsible for administering the GED exams in both English and Spanish at SUNY Westchester Mount Vernon’s authorized GED testing center. Jackie brings over 20 years’ experience working with multilingual learners as a former public-school teacher of English as a New Language (ENL) and Literacy at Middle School 118 in the Bronx. Her educational credentials are equally impressive: SUNY WCC (A.S.), Baruch College (B.A.), and Lehman College (MS in Education with an emphasis on TESOL). She also holds an ESOL Professional Certificate from NYSED. Read More!
For more info about the GED classes, visit us at GED or call 914-606-5685.
Marie Hargrove Assistant Director of Community Education
Please join us in welcoming Marie Hargrove, who joined our division on Monday, August 31, as the new Assistant Director of Community Education! Marie brings valuable experience to the role, having previously served as the Community Engagement Manager for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Alzheimer’s Association. She holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from The New School. We’re thrilled to have Marie’s expertise and perspective joining our team, and we know her background will be a wonderful asset as we continue working to connect with members of our community and expand access to educational opportunities. Please give her a warm welcome when you see her around campus!
Ashlee Pierce Director of Community Education
Ashlee Pierce began her role as Director of Community Education in March 2026, though she’s no stranger to the department, as she has served as our Assistant Director since June 2022. Ashlee’s journey at SUNY Westchester started even earlier, in November2014, as an adjunct counselor. “It’s been rewarding to contribute across multiple divisions within the college and continue serving our community in another way,” says Ashlee.
Faculty & Student Spotlights Professor Joseph Spedaliere Professor, Intermediate & Advanced Italian
The Department of Community Education is happy to spotlight Professor Joseph Spedaliere, a student’s favorite, who will soon be celebrating 40 years of teaching at SUNY Westchester! Joe has built a 50-year career as an educator, and he is devoted to sharing his knowledge with his students and colleagues alike. In 1987, he had the opportunity to join our faculty here at SUNY Westchester to teach Italian. He moved from undergraduate instruction into Community Education, where he found that adult learners from every walk of life are genuinely thankful for the opportunity to explore a new language while creating cultural experiences and a symposium to share ideas. Read More!
TESOL Student Magnolia Alonzo
Magnolia Alonzo Summer 2026 TESOL Certificate graduate has harnessed her own language learning and acculturation experiences to launch a new chapter as a teacher. Though Magnolia had learned grammar in Guatemala, she had a hard time understanding, listening to, and speaking the language. She discovered the public library in her neighborhood, Astoria, Queens, and it became her first introduction to a new world of books and adult second-language instruction. Read More!
We wish you all the best. Congratulations, Magnolia!
To learn about our TESOL Certificate Program call 914-606-6656.
LevelUP! Pitch Challenge for Startups
A compelling pitch can be the difference between success and failure for a small business. With support from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and Candela Systems, Corp., SUNY Westchester will host a startup pitch competition on October 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., to support entrepreneurs with small business development training and funding for the most promising candidates. The 2025 pitch competition featured strong pitches from 8 startups ranging from health and beauty to yoga for low-income communities and organic spices. The winners included So Jazzed Esthetics, Stay Together: A Wellness Collective, and Sideways Kitchen.
Read more about the LevelUp! Pitch Challenge in the 914inc. article.
For more info about programs available to support entrepreneurs, email eq10@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-5616.
Workforce Development Job Fair
A unique opportunity for employers, students, and members of the community to connect, network, and match qualified candidates with great job opportunities. SUNY Westchester’s Workforce Development, in partnership with Career Services, will offer a Job Fair on October 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Valhalla campus.
We will bring together current students, alumni, individuals enrolled in our short-term certification programs, and members of the community across various industries, including Healthcare, Information Technology, Administration, Manufacturing, Construction, and more.
This event offers the perfect platform for employers to showcase their company’s job opportunities, making it a prime opportunity to build connections with talented individuals eager to contribute to their team! Event Details: https://www.sunywcc.edu/events/workforce-development-job-fair/
What: SUNY Westchester Workforce Development Job Fair When: October 29th, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Where: Gateway Center, Atrium – SUNY Westchester, 75 Grasslands Ave., Valhalla Who: Employers seeking qualified candidates in a range of fields (Healthcare, IT, Administration, Manufacturing, Construction, and more)
For more info, email romina.ganopolsky@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-5685.