Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles: May 22, 2020
May 22, 2020
Colleagues,
Our spring semester wrap-up includes getting information on new grading options to students, wrapping up our student achievement celebrations, and directing students to emergency support resources as they continue to navigate this difficult pandemic environment. We must also continue to encourage current, new, and returning students reminding them that their dreams are still attainable and that they can stay on track with their educational and career goals. Summer enrollment, with classes starting through May, June, and July, provides an opportunity to maintain progress. We need all hands on deck to get students registered and enrolled for both summer and fall!
This week, we welcomed students to our first summer session. In addition to extending a Westchester Welcome, please be sure to share all of the student resources available to them as well as information on workshops and events that may be planned over the summer. Whether our students are continuing or new to Westchester Community College, they are an important part of our community and as always, we will do all we can to help them succeed.
Also this week, our Pandemic Response Team (PRT) updated the College Board of Trustees on a framework “still-in-process” for our re-emergence plan and eventual return to campus. They also announced a Town Hall on Friday, May 29 starting at 10:00 am for information gathering and sharing for employees as well as a Return to Work survey to assess employee perspectives regarding returning to work at Westchester Community College. Surveys should be completed no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26. Participation is voluntary. Please be sure to check your email for these messages that were sent earlier this week. The PRT is planning a similar forum in early June to capture students’ voices on this subject.
In alignment with our college mission and strategic plan, understanding our students and positioning ourselves to do our very best work to help them realize their potential remains a critical priority. Accordingly, and as we have done in the past, I call upon you to share articles, videos, or other materials related to your field, department, or higher education as part of our summer reading for collective capacity building. A colleague shared this link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giimCcWsFWU) to the VCU da Vinci Center 2020 Commencement Address, which I believe is a great reminder of who we serve and the importance of our work. Be sure to add your video to our #Dear2020WCCGrads webpage and the many inspiring messages posted for our students.
Have a safe Memorial Day weekend!
Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President