Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles: Reimagining, Innovating, and Achieving Together
November 12, 2021
Colleagues,
Westchester Community College is about solutions. Today, we joined each other for the RISE! Summit (Reimagining and Innovating Strategies for Enrollment) where we discussed plans to grow enrollment, retain students who are on a path to completion, and consider best ways to design programs, structures, and operations to best meet our service mission now and into the future.
Each of us and all that we do contributes to WCC’s current and long-term success. Our valued program review process provides insight to ensure that our curriculum and programs are relevant and aligned with current and future workforce needs. Professional development through our Center for Teaching and Learning, Brown Bag Lunches, seminars/webinars, and industry partnerships help us gain knowledge and hone skills to provide “best-in-class” academic offerings and support services.
Thank you to all who attended and contributed to today’s mission-critical Summit. For those unable to attend, we will upload the recorded event to the RISE! webpage next week. Another way to engage and keep information flowing is to continue to submit questions, comments, and ideas to a shared doc . Your input is valued and important. The committee will use all data and information to compile a report next month. I look forward to sharing this information with the college community.
An action we can each take right now is to encourage current students to register for Winter Session (beginning December 22) and Spring 2022 semester (beginning January 18.) This may especially benefit students who are on target to complete in May 2022. Our students’ success is our success, and we are here to help students to achieve their goals. One point heard repeatedly at today’s summit is that we provide, and our students require, a campus that is caring and attentive. What better way to show we care than by promoting our students’ success!
Fall Virtual Open House is tomorrow, Saturday, November 13, starting at 11 a.m. This is an additional opportunity to let prospective students and their families know that WCC is here for them wherever is most convenient and accessible. Whether students prefer remote or in-person learning, we have both options available, including many more in-person courses and services beginning in January.
Finally, in commemoration of Veterans Day, we pause to acknowledge the service of our employee and student veterans and their continued service to the community. The Veterans Resource Office and student-veterans worked with Girl Scout Troops 1531 and 2642 in Southern Westchester to raise funds and awareness for their Hometown Heroes project. This is an outstanding example of how co- and extra-curricular activities and programs add value to the student experience at Westchester Community College. We are proud of our designation as a Veteran-Friendly Campus and continue to look for ways to offer even more services for those who have spent time in the military.
We are also proud to announce that Joshua Gaccione, Director of Student Support Services, is a 2021 inductee into the NYS Veterans Hall of Fame following his nomination by Sen. Shelley B. Mayer. The Veterans Hall of Fame was created to honor distinguished veterans from New York State and recognize their service to our state and our nation. Congratulations, Josh, on this achievement and thank you to all our veterans – and their families – for your service.
Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President