Grant Supports SUNY WCC Initiative To Build Community College Capacity In Culturally Responsive Professional Development And Grantsmanship.

Valhalla, NY (September 26, 2023) — SUNY Westchester Community College was awarded a $3 million grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of students pursuing degrees in STEM at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The project will help to further the NSF’s commitment to enhance the quality of undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

Through this grant, SUNY WCC will establish a HSI Resource Hub (HSI-Hub) that will serve as a catalyst for innovative initiatives at 14 regional SUNY and CUNY Community Colleges to enable them to more effectively serve the HSI community and its stakeholders, including the colleges and their administrators, faculty, and students. Collaborators on the project include Mentor-Connect, a project that mentors community colleges in NSF grantsmanship, and the Center for Broadening Participation in STEM from Arizona State University,

The SUNY community colleges that will participate in this program are: Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan and Westchester. The CUNY community colleges participating are: Borough of Manhattan, Bronx, Guttman, Hostos, Kingsborough, LaGuardia and Queensborough. The eleven counties served by these 14 SUNY and CUNY community colleges are home to 87.5% of all Hispanic and 79.8% of all African American New Yorkers.

This 5-year grant will enable the NY HSI-Hub to encourage and expand culturally responsive instruction and grantsmanship at these community college HSIs and emerging HSIs. Research-based instructional models and strategies will guide professional development in culturally responsive methods for college educators. The NY HSI-Hub will also support grantsmanship at participating colleges, fostering the knowledge-base and skill-set to effectively apply for, implement and comply with grants, leveraging the talent within community colleges to overcome common constraints to drive transformation. Participating schools will meet annually to share best practices and successes, which will serve as national models.

“Community Colleges are critical in launching STEM learning and careers among Hispanic and other underrepresented students,” said Dr. Belinda Miles, President of SUNY Westchester Community College. “This grant will have long-lasting and wide-ranging impact on our students and our national economy as we strive to meet the workforce needs of our 21st Century economy with a well-trained, diverse workforce.”

“As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s important to acknowledge that while the number of Hispanic students earning bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields is rising, Hispanic students remain underrepresented in STEM programs and jobs,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. “By establishing the regional HSI Program Resource Hub at SUNY Westchester Community College, SUNY’s first Hispanic Serving Institution and now one of eight in the SUNY system, we are clearly communicating our commitment to increase Hispanic inclusion and student success in STEM programs. I am grateful to

SUNY Westchester Community College for leading the regional effort of this program, and to our NSF partners for making this important work possible.”

“CUNY is thrilled to partner with SUNY’s Westchester Community College on this important initiative, and thankful to the NSF for their $3 million award that will advance culturally-responsive STEM teaching at our seven community colleges, all of which have large Hispanic populations,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “Ultimately, this five-year award will help make New York a global leader in creating and attracting jobs in life sciences, health care and public health, increase Latinx representation and success in STEM programs and better prepare CUNY students for jobs in these in-demand fields.”

This project is funded by the National Science Foundation, Division of Undergraduate Education (Award No. 2311235).

What:

SUNY Westchester Community College will be renaming its Student Center to The David Swope Student Center. Mr. Swope was a dedicated, tireless and generous supporter of WCC and its students, serving as a member, President and Chairman of the WCC Foundation Board, as well as Chair of the WCC Board of Trustees.

Who:

• Hon. George Latimer, Westchester County Executive
• Dr. Leroy Mitchell, Chair SUNY WCC Board of Trustees
• Joanne Landau, Immediate past Chair, WCC Foundation
• Dorothea Swope

Why:

Mr. Swope’s belief in the transformational power of scholarships, both financially and emotionally, has helped countless students succeed when they thought they could not.

When:

Monday, October 2
5:00 – Dedication

Where:

SUNY Westchester Community College, David Swope Student Center, Front Entrance

Media contact:

Mark Stollar
Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications Mark.stollar@sunywcc.edu
914-606-6638

SUNY WCC reaffirms commitment to increasing student success and improving operational processes through hire of Ben Naylor, a collaborative-minded higher ed leader specializing in institutional innovation.

Valhalla, NY – October 2, 2023. After an extensive search process, SUNY Westchester Community College has named Ben Naylor as its new Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategic Operations. In this role, Mr. Naylor will work closely on strategic planning, decision-making, and the execution of advancing the President’s leadership agenda including continuing progress on increasing enrollment and graduation rates, establishing agile processes that improve operations, and expanding SUNY WCC’s role as an innovative exemplar for community colleges across the nation.

Mr. Naylor has served at Rockland Community College for the past nine years, including six as the Chief of Staff to two RCC presidents. He brings to SUNY WCC experience in working collaboratively with a diverse college community and in supervising the Offices of Institutional Research and Information Technology Services as well as providing strategic leadership in the Office of the President.

More recently, Mr. Naylor served as the Executive Director of Government Relations and Institutional Planning at RCC, managing the college’s relationships with federal, state, and local officials, raising funds through federal and state grant opportunities, and coordinating the strategic planning work of the college. Last year, he was the project lead on a $3 million congressional earmark request for construction of a Nursing Simulation Laboratory, matching the largest grant in the institution’s history.

Prior to his time at RCC, Mr. Naylor served as a Department Administrator at the NYU Wireless 5G Research Center, a Research Analyst at the Global Strategy Group, and a Research Analyst at The Cook Political Report.

“After an exhaustive search, SUNY WCC found its new Chief of Staff and VP of Strategic Operations right next door at Rockland Community College,” said Dr. Miles. “Mr. Naylor’s familiarity with SUNY, with our region, and with the needs of our diverse student body will help him get up to speed quickly. We are excited and fortunate to have him bring his skills and experience to our college, and look forward to his contributions in our continuous efforts in increasing student success.”

“Westchester Community College is a jewel in the SUNY system and I am tremendously excited to contribute to the growth, development, and success of this outstanding institution,” said Mr. Naylor. “I am looking forward to joining Dr. Miles’ team and working collaboratively with the dedicated senior

administration to ensure that WCC is properly positioned to support every student in their drive to better their lives through higher education.”

Mr. Naylor received his B.A. in Government at Georgetown University, followed by his Masters of Professional Studies in Political Research Methods at George Washington University.

NYS Department of Health approves SUNY WCC as an Opioid Overdose Prevention Program provider

Valhalla, NY (September 12, 2023) — SUNY Westchester Community College has been approved to offer an Opioid Overdose Prevention Program by the New York State Department of Health. The program consists of brief in-person training and all attendees receive a free Narcan response kit. The training is provided free of charge to all faculty, staff, students and community members.

This initiative will be spearheaded by George W. Contreras, Dean of the School of Health Careers, Technology and Applied Learning. Dean Contreras is a 30-year veteran paramedic in the New York City Emergency Medical Service (NYC EMS).

“As a paramedic, I have witnessed how Narcan saves lives,” said Dean Contreras. “It is extremely important to raise awareness of this life-saving training, and I am delighted that SUNY Westchester is now part of the educational solution to an on-going public health crisis.”

To obtain more information, reserve a spot at the next upcoming session or schedule a small group session, email Dee Mabra at Delzora.mabra@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-6910.

SUNY Westchester Community College participated in and collaborated with an emergency tactical course and drill conducted at the New York Medical College campus in Valhalla.

In a historic moment for SUNY WCC, faculty and students played a critical role in a weeklong federal training course for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services from across the nation who convened at Westchester County last week.

Counter Narcotics and Terrorism Operational Medical Support (CONTOMS) is a federal course which prepares participants to become tactical emergency medical technicians (EMT-T). It is offered only four times per year in the United States. At the end of the training, the participants engage in a 16-hour mass casualty incident drill to put their knowledge and newly acquired skills to the test. On June 15, 2023, this drill was in effect from 7AM until 11PM at the New York Medical College campus in Valhalla. The SUNY Westchester faculty and students of the summer emergency medical technician (EMT) course were able to observe and participate as patients in this course and drill.

“Being prepared for mass casualty incidents is becoming even more important for EMTs so this level of participation is important. It is a wonderful and unique experience for our students,” said George W. Contreras, Dean of the School of Health Careers, Technology and Applied Learning. “As a practicing paramedic for over thirty years, I deeply value the importance of hands-on practical training as much as possible. The students played patients with various injuries including gunshot wounds, stabbing, shrapnel and overdose. They were prepped with make-up and special effects to add realism to the drill. Today’s event was a great display of collaboration among higher education institutions, federal, private, and county agencies practicing during the drill as they would in a real-world event.”

This year’s collaboration and participation was coordinated by Dean Contreras who took this course many years ago and is now a guest instructor for the same. Over 25 students from EMT Professors Rob Del Greco and Joyce Wilson courses participated as well as local volunteers such as Chappaqua and Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corps. As per the course instructors, the drill was a huge success due to SUNY Westchester’s participation. The collaboration was such a success that the course instructors invited SUNY Westchester to participate next year, providing a valuable and unique experience for a new cohort of students.

Valhalla, NY – February 23, 2023. SUNY Westchester Community College (SUNY WCC) and Manhattan College have signed a transfer articulation agreement to promote degree completion and facilitate the transfer process, enabling participating SUNY WCC students to matriculate into Manhattan College with junior standing.

SUNY WCC students who graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.5 will be guaranteed admission into Manhattan College and will transfer in with junior standing. A maximum of 60 credits will be applied toward completion of the articulated bachelor’s degree program. SUNY WCC students who earn their Associate’s Degree in any of 21 selected Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in business, communications, environmental studies, humanities or social sciences will have program to program articulation pathways available into related Bachelor’s Degree programs at Manhattan College. A complete list of transfer pathways is available at www.sunywcc.edu/manhattan-transfer.

Manhattan College offers robust institutional merit-based scholarships to provide affordable pathways for eligible SUNY WCC graduates to complete their bachelor’s studies. Scholarships are renewable, as long as students maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0, maintain full-time matriculated status and satisfactory academic progress towards a degree.

“SUNY WCC is dedicated to the continued success of our students,” said Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President of SUNY Westchester Community College. “This agreement with Manhattan College provides our graduates with the opportunity to seamlessly transfer to an excellent institution where they can continue their studies in a number of social science, humanities or business fields. Agreements such as this allow students to maximize their investment in themselves, develop the skills and knowledge that will help them enter the local job market well-prepared, and to become well-informed members of our community.”

“We are proud to partner with SUNY Westchester Community College and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship,” said Brother Daniel Gardner, FSC, president of Manhattan College. ‘We are happy to welcome these capable and academically prepared students into the learning community of Manhattan College. I’m certain that they will make distinctive and meaningful contributions to our campus.”

Students interested in learning more about this transfer opportunity should visit www.sunywcc.edu/manhattan-transfer.

Valhalla, NY – April 12, 2023. SUNY Westchester Community College (SUNY WCC) student Joseph Goldstein has been awarded the prestigious Vanguard Award recognizing outstanding students pursuing career and technical educational (CTE) programs that are nontraditional for their gender. Joseph is one of eight SUNY community college students to receive this year’s honor.

Mr. Goldstein received this award based on his excellent 4.0 GPA, his work ethic, his passion for working with children, and his exemplary performance working as a teacher aide in a program with 3-year-olds who have special needs. He was nominated for this award by his mentor at SUNY WCC, Professor Mary Lou Sgro. He graduated SUNY WCC in December 2022 and is now a full-time teacher’s aide working with pre-schoolers who have special needs.

“I feel honored to receive the Vanguard Award and I thank Professor Sgro for nominating me,” said Mr. Goldstein, who lives in Dobbs Ferry, NY. “Society often views a field like Early Childhood Education as one that is traditionally for women, but I disagree. I want to be a role model for young children. Men bring a different perspective and a different energy to a learning environment. Men play an important role in early childhood education as a foundation to a child’s development. I encourage more men to pursue this field.”

“Joseph is an inspiration to me as well as to his peers,” said Professor Sgro. “I was impressed immediately when he was in my Early Childhood Development class. He transitioned easily to remote teaching in March 2020 and remained with me for three additional courses. Joseph is a model of excellence in scholarship and a steadfast commitment to teaching young children. He joins our profession where men are a minority and much needed. Joseph exemplifies the success of a Westchester Community College student. He truly deserves the Vanguard Award.”

The Vanguard Award is administered by the New York State Nontraditional Employment & Training (NET) Program, Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, and is sponsored by the NYS Education Department through a Carl D. Perkins grant.

SUNY Westchester Community College celebrated commencement on campus May 11, further affirming its re-emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic that had closed campuses across the country.

This year’s commencement was divided by school into three different ceremonies: the School of Math, Science and Engineering & the School of Health Careers, Technology and Applied Learning shared the 10AM ceremony, followed at 2PM by the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and at 6PM by the School of Business and Professional Careers. Family and friends of the graduates filled the venue for each of the three ceremonies in the Physical Education Building.

SUNY Westchester Community College President Belinda S. Miles and members of the Board of Trustees spoke at each of the three ceremonies. They were joined at each ceremony by a featured speaker:

• 10:00 – Mr. Brandon Fernandez Sedano, Clinical Research Coordinator, Columbia University Irving Medical Center & SUNY WCC alum
• 2:00 – Ms. Tiffany Hamilton, CEO, YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester
• 6:00 – Ms. Maria Trusa, CEO, Formé Medical Center & SUNY WCC alum

Winners of the SUNY Chancellors Award for Excellence, 2023 winner of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, Zefferino Carriero, and other honorees were among the graduates at the ceremony. Of the more than 1,200 graduates, many will transfer to four-year institutions including Columbia, Temple University, and Morehouse College as well as SUNY campuses and local colleges, while many others will enter the workforce in such fields as cybersecurity, nursing, fashion design, and digital filmmaking.

“This year’s commencement celebrated the tremendous achievements of our graduates who began their college studies during the worst days of the pandemic, as well as the dedicated efforts of our faculty and other employees to provide the support our students needed to reach this milestone,” said Dr. Miles. “This dedication, combined with innovative programs, has been a critical factor in the doubling of our graduation rate over the course of the past seven years.”

Have you Completed your Course Evaluation(s)?

The Course Evaluation Period is April 4th through April 25, 2023

Please take a few minutes to complete your course survey(s). Your feedback is important to your professors!

TO LOG ON, CLICK HERE http://www.sunywcc.edu/courseval

Use your WCC User Name and password to access your survey(s).

For help: MyWCCHelpdesk@sunywcc.edu or call 914 606-5600

Thank you for participating!

Providing Seamless Pathway to Bachelor’s Degrees for Area Residents

Valhalla, NY – February 23, 2023. SUNY Westchester Community College (SUNY WCC) and Manhattan College have signed a transfer articulation agreement to promote degree completion and facilitate the transfer process, enabling participating SUNY WCC students to matriculate into Manhattan College with junior standing.

SUNY WCC students who graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.5 will be guaranteed admission into Manhattan College and will transfer in with junior standing. A maximum of 60 credits will be applied toward completion of the articulated bachelor’s degree program. SUNY WCC students who earn their Associate’s Degree in any of 21 selected Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in business, communications, environmental studies, humanities or social sciences will have program to program articulation pathways available into related Bachelor’s Degree programs at Manhattan College. A complete list of transfer pathways is available at www.sunywcc.edu/manhattan-transfer.

Manhattan College offers robust institutional merit-based scholarships to provide affordable pathways for eligible SUNY WCC graduates to complete their bachelor’s studies. Scholarships are renewable, as long as students maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0, maintain full-time matriculated status and satisfactory academic progress towards a degree.

“SUNY WCC is dedicated to the continued success of our students,” said Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President of SUNY Westchester Community College. “This agreement with Manhattan College provides our graduates with the opportunity to seamlessly transfer to an excellent institution where they can continue their studies in a number of social science, humanities or business fields. Agreements such as this allow students to maximize their investment in themselves, develop the skills and knowledge that will help them enter the local job market well-prepared, and to become well-informed members of our community.”

“We are proud to partner with SUNY Westchester Community College and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship,” said Brother Daniel Gardner, FSC, president of Manhattan College. ‘We are happy to welcome these capable and academically prepared students into the learning community of Manhattan College. I’m certain that they will make distinctive and meaningful contributions to our campus.”

Students interested in learning more about this transfer opportunity should visit www.sunywcc.edu/manhattan-transfer..