Community Resources
Facility Use & Rental
Westchester Community College has well-maintained buildings and grounds in Mount Vernon, Ossining, Peekskill, White Plains, and Yonkers and a bucolic 218-acre main campus centrally located in Valhalla, New York, for the primary purposes of delivering educational instruction and conducting college business.
The College’s facilities are available for use by external entities on a fair, equitable, and space-available basis while providing safety and security for people and equipment and maintaining the facilities in excellent condition. All requests are granted at the discretion of the President of the College. This policy applies to one-time use of College facilities and not long-term arrangements, leases, or partnerships involving College facilities.
Since demand for the use of college facilities by external groups peaks periodically throughout the year, new procedures help maximize availability of space when not used for instruction.
Updates in 2019 include
- A new non-profit and government discount of 15% on all room rentals,
- A non-refundable 50% deposit to make a facility rental reservation, and
- A reduction in fees for use of popular theatre spaces.
Native Plant Center Demonstration Gardens
The Native Plant Center’s demonstration gardens on the Westchester Community College campus in Valhalla showcase native plants and are meant to educate and inspire people to incorporate native plants in their own landscapes. The gardens are open to the public free of charge daily until dusk.
Viking Gymnasium, Fitness Center, Pool, Tennis Courts, and Weight Room
Viking Gymnasium is located inside the Physical Education Building on campus (Parking Lot 8,9,10). It can seat up to 1,000 people for multiple events.
The Fitness Center is located on the main level of the Physical Education Building near the stairwell of the Women’s locker room. Inside the center is mostly cable machines as well as treadmills and bikes. It also has a Bluetooth stereo for your choice of workout music.
Other Facilities Include
- Pool
- Tennis Courts
- Weight Room
- Soccer, baseball, football fields
Cultural Offerings
Smart Arts
Smart Arts brings unique artistic performances by exciting, world-class performers in a stimulating college environment. http://www.sunywcc.edu/events/smart_arts/smart_arts_events.htm
Gateway Center Monthly Film Series
The Gateway Center Monthly Film Series is free of charge for all students and the off-campus community. The series will feature outstanding films representing many countries.
Continuing Education
The Division of Workforce Development and Community Education offers a wide range of affordable, high quality, non-credit courses for adults, teens, children, and seniors including leisure and enrichment opportunities
Continuing Education offers offer a large variety of affordable, high quality, credit and non-credit classes for all ages. http://www.sunywcc.edu/continuing_ed/welcome/cont_ed_welcome.htm
Activities Designed for Adults 50 and Older
Mainstream
The Institute for Mature Adults, has long been an innovator in exciting educational programming and lifelong learning options designed for mature adults over 50. Course topics include enrichment, and personal growth, history and culture, and sports and fitness. Non-credit courses are tailored to meet the needs of mature adults.http://www.sunywcc.edu/continuing_ed/mainstream/mainstream.htm
Collegium for Lifelong Learning
Collegium for Lifelong Learning features courses on a variety of topics, all led by exceptional volunteers. Participants are encouraged to engage in classroom discussion, and the schedule allows for informal discussion between sessions and during breaks. Collegium is held on Wednesdays and Fridays in spring and fall semesters, and on Wednesdays in winter. http://www.sunywcc.edu/continuing_ed/mainstream/collegium.htm
Senior Audit:
Senior Audit: Westchester County residents 60 years of age or older may audit select credit courses on a space-available basis during fall and spring semesters.
Back2College
Back2College is designed to help adults 50 years of age or older re-enter college or start for the first time.
English Language Institute:
Westchester Community College’ English Language Institute, established in 1989, is the largest such program in the SUNY system. Learners at all levels of English proficiency are served a various college locations throughout the county and online. Typically, these learners are from 80 countries and speak 40 first languages. http://www.sunywcc.edu/continuing_ed/esl/esl.htm
Gateway Initiatives
http://www.sunywcc.edu/gateway/inside.htmLanguage Exchange Program
Language Exchange Program pairs English Language Learners (ELLs) who want to practice English with an English-speaker who, in turn, wants to practice the native language spoken by the ELL.
Professional Development Center:
Whether you’re a company or organization looking to develop employee talent or an individual looking to expand your expertise and career skills, PDC provides and supports a wide range of programs designed to advance you personally and professionally.
Our flexible programs include credit and non-credit courses, certificate programs, professional development and executive education programs. These programs can be delivered on site at your location to maximize convenience for staff or on our beautiful campus located in Valhalla, NY or one of our extension locations. https://www.sunywcc.edu/continuing-ed/pdc/
Volunteers Make a Difference
The Westchester Community College Volunteer Corps was established in 1992 to help provide students with services that go beyond the college’s budget. The Corps has been growing steadily ever since, and at present more than 550 volunteers from all over the County are contributing their time and talents to help our students make the most of their educational and career opportunities.
The college’s volunteers are a diverse group. They range in age from 18 to 90. They are professional people, business men and women, retirees, homemakers, college students, faculty and staff. Together they contribute thousands of service hours to the college each year.
Dining & Accommodations
List of Great Chef's
Great Chefs is a culinary & wine event series held by Westchester Community College Foundation. 100% of funds raised from the Series will benefit Westchester Community College Foundation’s scholarship fund and the On-Campus Food Pantry.
Westchester’s most celebrated chefs, assisted by Westchester Community College’s Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management students, present a series of intimate dinners and cooking demonstrations. Each event features an exclusive wine tasting experience with specialists from Wine Enthusiast. Events take place in state-of-the-art instructional kitchens and culinary dining room at the Westchester Community College Valhalla Campus.
Below is a list of previous restaurants that have participated in the Great Chefs series. Please consider dining at one of these fabulous restaurants!
| Restaurant | Chef | Town |
| The Cookery | David DiBari | Dobbs Ferry |
| Tredici Social | Giuseppe Fanell | Purchase & Bronxville |
| The Hudson Room | Louie Lanza | |
| Bartaco | Jonathan Rohlan | Norwalk, CT/Portcheser |
| Moderne Barn | Ethan Kostbar | Armonk |
| Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges | Ron Gallo | Pound Ridge |
| Fin & Brew | Jan Michael Anastacio | Peekskill |
| Fortina | Christian Petroni | Armonk |
| L'inizio | Scott & Heather Fratangelo | Ardsley |
| Mediterraneo | Albert DeAngelis | White Plains |
| Farmer & the Fish | Michael Kaphan | Purdys, Sleepy Hollow |
| X20 | Peter Kelly | Yonkers |
| Sonora | Rafael Palomino | Portchester |
| The Cookery/Eugenes | David DiBari | Dobbs, Portchester |
| Second Mouse Cheese | Pleasantville, NY | |
| The Croton Tapsmith | Croton on Hudson, NY | |
| DeCicco & Sons | locations throughout Westchester | |
| Captain Lawrence Brewing Company | Elmsford and Mt. Kisco |
List of Surrounding Hotels
Sonesta White Plains
66 Hale Ave, White Plains, NY
(914) 682-0050
Hotel Nyack
400 High Ave, Nyack, NY
(845) 675-8700
Hampton Inn White Plains/Tarrytown
200 W Main St, Elmsford, NY
(914) 592-5680
Renaissance Westchester Hotel
80 W Red Oak Ln, West Harrison, NY
(914) 694-5400
Courtyard by Marriott Tarrytown Westchester County
475 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown, NY
(914) 631-1122
The Stamford Hotel
700 E Main St, Stamford, CT
(203) 358-8400
Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel
500 Steamboat Rd, Greenwich, CT
(203) 661-9800
Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa
243 Tresser Blvd, Stamford, CT
(203) 357-9555
Hilton Garden Inn Westchester Dobbs Ferry
201 Ogden Ave, Dobbs Ferry, NY
(914) 591-4300
Hyatt Regency Greenwich
1800 E Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich, CT ·
(203) 637-1234
Hampton Inn & Suites Yonkers
160 Corporate Blvd, Yonkers, NY
(914) 377-1144
The Opus Westchester, Autograph Collection
3 Renaissance Sq, White Plains, NY
(914) 946-5500
Hyatt Place New York/Yonkers
7000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY
(914) 377-1400
Westchester Marriott
670 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown, NY
(914) 631-2200
Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson
49 E Sunnyside Ln, Tarrytown, NY
(914) 591-8200
- KEEP GOOD WORKERS ON BOARD
- LOWER EMPLOYEE TURNOVER RATES
Right now, you can offer these incentives and write off education expenses up to $5,250 per employee. It’s a great savings and a great way to build employee loyalty to help close that revolving door. The federal government has made this temporary extension through 2025 to allow plenty of time to get set up.
TAKE ADVANTAGE AND GIVE EMPLOYEES A GREAT REASON TO STAY ON BOARD FOR THE LONG HAUL!
of younger employees prefer a student loan payment assistance program over a 401K plan
prefer professional development over pay raises
STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT
Some employees may not be interested in pursuing a new education, but there's a good chance they have student loan debt they're eager to pay off. Now you can help — and build long-term employee loyalty in the process.
Employers can provide the benefit directly to lenders or as reimbursements to employees up to a maximum of $5,250, allowing a portion to go toward repaying student loans and a portion to go toward a skill-building program that will benefit both the employee and employer.
Already Have an EAP? Here’s How the Credit Will Work for You
If you already offer Education Assistance Programs, then you know you can contribute up to $5,250 for each employee every year. Let SUNY guide the way!
SUNY has 64 campuses across the state, offering quality and affordable education with more than 7,000 degree and certificate programs. The average cost of an associate degree is $4,870 each year—you could be offering your employees a free 2-year college degree if they work for your business.
Don’t forget to claim all tax benefits. Employers can deduct payments that are part of a qualified educational assistance program on the “Employee benefit programs” or other appropriate line of your business tax return. For more information on educational assistance programs, go to www.irs.gov/publications/p15b.
How to Set Up a New EAP
Step 1:
Prepare a corporate resolution – If you have a corporation, a partnership, or a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
you should have an attorney draw up a resolution to incorporate the Education Assistance Plan (Section 127) as an employee benefit into your business.
Step 2:
Establish an Employer Identification Number (EIN) – If you operate as a sole proprietor (you file IRS form Schedule C or F), you should apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online at www.irs.gov or by using the IRS SS-4 form.
Step 3:
Determine the eligible employees.
Step 4:
Determine the plan’s education benefits (Examples include direct payment or reimbursement of qualified educational loans, tuition, and fees).
Step 5:
Reimburse the employee, loan servicers, or education institution directly for the cost of the educational benefits.
Step 6:
Deduct the cost of the education assistance plan benefits as “Employee Benefits” on your IRS tax return.
