Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles: Excellence Revealed – Again – April 26, 2019
April 26, 2019
Colleagues,
Last week’s message alluded to a big announcement, which we revealed earlier this week… Westchester Community College celebrates its 10th Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipient, Monica Victoria, who will receive up to $40,000 per year for up to three years to complete a four-year degree! This is a highly competitive scholarship that attracts top applicants from across the country. It is a truly amazing recognition of Monica’s abundant talent and dedication, and it is further testimony to the quality of the college that we have had so many students receive this distinguished award.
Also this week, the Westchester Community College Foundation premiered its 50th anniversary video, celebrating $24 million in student scholarships awarded among many other accomplishments. Here is a link to the video featuring Vanessa Williams and members of the college community, ready for sharing on your social media platforms.
This week was full of special events and occasions to exalt student achievement. These celebrations and recognitions represent the culmination of effort and engagement by our students who work so hard to achieve their academic goals. Let’s all take time before the end of the semester to congratulate our students and to acknowledge their contributions to our college community.
- I had the pleasure of joining students in Albany for two prestigious ceremonies. Students Serena Shkreli and Julia Guyon were recognized for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All American Honors.
- Six of our students received SUNY Chancellor Awards for Student Excellence! The SUNY Chancellor’s Award is the highest honor a student can receive from the State University of New York. It recognizes students for their outstanding achievements in academics, campus involvement, leadership, career achievement, athletics, and community service. The award is given to less than one-half of one percent of students in the State University system. Dr. Sara Thompson Tweedy and Associate Dean Adam Frank joined winners Rafa Abubakar, John Henry, Priscilla Largo, Elizabeth Lugones, Manuel Alejandro Tejeira, and Jade Watts in Albany for the award ceremony.
- Roundtree and her Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) team hosted a Recognition Luncheon honoring EOP students, which featured a keynote from former EOP student, Associate Dean Hector Graciano.
- Mira Sakrajda reports that five of our students have been selected to present their scholarly work at the Beacon Conference in June. Congratulations to our newest Beacon Scholars: Julia Guyon, Alexa Ortiz, Tiseanie Hibbert, Joel Andrade, and Anthony E. Sobrevilla Miguel.
- Tonight we celebrate student achievement in another way with the 71st annual Student Leader Recognition Dinner.
Next week is similar.
- Radiologic Technology 50th Anniversary.
- Student athletes will be recognized at the annual Athletic Banquet on May 1.
- The annual Academic Recognition Ceremony is Friday, May 3.
Two other big events are coming up. This weekend is the Native Plant Center’s annual plant sale. The Strategic Planning Summit is May 3 – see you there.
Finally, I had the opportunity this week to serve as guest lecturer with a group of Columbia University undergraduates learning about community colleges as a disruptive innovation in American Higher Education expanding access, equity, and inclusion. There is much interest both locally, nationally, and even across the globe in equity in higher education and the scope of American community colleges. Our mission-driven work is relevant, important, and impactful. Thank you for your contribution to our work!
Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President