News
Athletics to Offer Social Media And Photography Internships For Class Credit in Fall 2024 Semester
Valhalla, NY – The Athletic Department is pleased to announce the start of two three-credit media internships in the Fall 2024 Semester!
The first internship being offered is for Photography and Videography. This position will act as a three-credit course here at SUNY Westchester. It will have a focus on sports photography and videography including but not limited to, Media Days, Head shots, Action shots, Game Day Footage, and B-Roll. Any individual interested in this position should have a basic knowledge of sports media, access to camera equipment, and editing software. You will be responsible for attending majority of home games and occasional practices spending roughly eight (8) hours a week taking and editing photos and/or videos. You will also be working with other interns for media and graphics. Because this is a three-credit course, there are academic requirements. You will keep a basic work long/journal summarizing your shift. You will also check in periodically with the Internship Coordinator throughout the semester when requested. Finally, you will submit a one and a half (750 word) essay at the end of the Fall Semester detailing what you learned during this internship, being sure to address your most important work and how it intersects with COMM (Communication) Studies here at SUNY Westchester and/or elsewhere.
The second internship being offered is for Social Media. This position will act as a three-credit course there at SUNY WCC and will focus primarily on Social Media posting (i.e. Instagram, Tik Tok, X/Twitter, Facebook, etc.). Individuals should have a basic knowledge of sports media. You should have knowledge of how to engage with followers as well as having the knowledge of editing and photoshop. You will be asked to help manage the SUNY Westchester Athletics social media accounts (Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook, etc) as well as creating content for those platforms. You will be working with other interns for photos, videos, and graphics. Because this is a three-credit course, there are academic requirements. You will keep a basic work long/journal summarizing your shift. You will also check in periodically with the Internship Coordinator throughout the semester when requested. Finally, you will submit a one and a half (750 word) essay at the end of the Fall Semester detailing what you learned during this internship, being sure to address your most important work and how it intersects with COMM (Communication) Studies here at SUNY Westchester and/or elsewhere.
Those interested in applying, please send your resume to Director of Athletics Michael Belfiore at Michael.Belfiore@sunywcc.edu. If you have a portfolio of your work, please attached that into your email.
SUNY WCC Celebrates Nurse Pinning Ceremony
Valhalla, NY (May 21, 2024) – SUNY Westchester Community College celebrated its Nurse Pinning Ceremony in which 19 students completed their nursing studies and received their SUNY WCC nursing pins..
May has been designated National Nurses Month, and May 8 is National Student Nurse Day. This year’s nursing students completed the two-year Nursing A.A.S. Program, which is designed to prepare students for careers as Registered Nurses. Graduates of the program can transfer almost anywhere, in-state or out-of-state. New York State residents are also guaranteed admission to a SUNY four-year campus.
“We are proud to see our nursing students reach this day as they embark on a new chapter,” said George Contreras, Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Wellness. “Our nursing graduates will soon be serving our community in this noble profession. As was evident during the recent pandemic, the U.S. has a critical shortage of registered nurses, a shortage that might top 1 million by the end of this decade. In response to this shortage, SUNY WCC expanded its nursing program in January 2024 to provide more students with the training and education they need to help fill this need while providing for their families.”
4 SUNY Westchester Students Receive SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
Valhalla, NY (May 27, 2024) – Four students at SUNY Westchester Community College were honored with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE). This award recognizing distinguished achievement is the highest honor bestowed upon a student by the University. Awardees are those students who have best demonstrated the integration of SUNY excellence within many aspects of their lives, including academics, leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion & justice, campus involvement, community service, research & development, and the arts (creative or performing).
The SUNY WCC students to receive the award are: Luis Granados (Greenwich, CT), Alicia Greco (Mamaroneck, NY), Jessica Sabau (Ossining, NY), and Lotus Taylor (Pleasantville, NY). All four students are members of the SUNY WCC Honors College. The career plans for these students vary from biomedical engineering research, to diplomacy in international security, to law, and psychology.
“Once again, SUNY Westchester students have distinguished themselves,” said WCC President Dr. Belinda Miles. “The awards and recognitions our students received this year is another indication not just of the perseverance and accomplishments of our students, but also of the dedication and effectiveness of our award-winning faculty. Students in our Honors College enjoy a tuition-free, academically challenging environment as they are mentored to transfer to renowned universities for two additional years of Bachelor’s Degree studies.”
“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and each year we come together to herald and celebrate the achievements of a diverse group of some of SUNY’s most accomplished students,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. “It is my honor to celebrate the achievements of the nearly 200 CASE awardees as they inspire others and illustrate what is possible with a SUNY education.” Information on SUNY WCC’s Honors College is available at www.sunywcc.edu/honorscollege.
SUNY WCC Celebrates Commencement Ceremonies
Valhalla, NY (May 28, 2024) – SUNY Westchester Community College celebrated commencement on campus with three ceremonies that showcased the perseverance, achievements and collegiality of its students and employees.
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. SUNY WCC was honored to host SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. as the featured speaker for the 10:00am ceremony. The featured speakers at the 2:00pm and 6:00pm ceremonies were Karen C. Erren, President & CEO of Feeding Westchester, and Michelle A. Nicholas, Founder & CEO of The NICO Consulting, Inc., respectively.
Winners of the SUNY Chancellors Award for Excellence, 2024 winner of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, Carolina Mendoza, and other honorees were among the graduates at the ceremony. Of the more than 1,300 graduates, many will transfer to four-year institutions including Yale, Columbia, Georgetown, and UNC at Chapel Hill, 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 and perseverance of our graduates, 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. “Our graduates leave the college well-prepared whether they intend to further their academic career at a four-year institution or immediately enter the full-time workforce. During their time at SUNY WCC, our students were introduced to new ideas and perspectives, and the learned more about themselves while also having empathy and appreciation of others.”
SUNY WCC Student Named Jack Kent Cooke Scholar
Valhalla, NY (May 15, 2024) – Carolina Mendoza of New Rochelle, NY became the fourteenth student in SUNY Westchester Community College history to win the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This scholarship provides only 60 selected students nationally with up to $55,000 a year to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
Carolina came to SUNY WCC in large part due to its lowest-in-the-county tuition, but also for its Honors College, which provides guaranteed tuition coverage and substantial textbook stipends from the WCC Foundation. Honors College scholars have access to specialized co-curricular programming, including study abroad and internship opportunities. Carolina majored in Liberal Arts Honors Concentration with the intent to study architecture so she can produce sustainable homes in low-income areas.
“The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship is truly life changing,” said Carolina Mendoza. “This scholarship will help me achieve the dreams I thought were impossible: I can continue my education of becoming a sustainable architect which I’m incredibly grateful for. SUNY Westchester Community College has provided me opportunities and support that have transformed me into the person I am today. I will never forget this generosity.”
“The entire SUNY Westchester Community College community is very proud of Carolina’s accomplishments,” said WCC President Dr. Belinda Miles. “Carolina fully embraced the SUNY WCC experience, participating in extracurricular activities, taking advantage of all that our Honors College has to offer, and excelling in her studies. In her time at SUNY WCC, Carolina exhibited the dedication and perseverance that is the hallmark of so many of our students, and it is fitting that she has been rewarded with this esteemed honor. We are excited to see her join the distinguished list of WCC alums to achieve this highly competitive award. We look forward to the wonderful achievements she is sure to accomplish in the years ahead.”
In addition to financial support, new Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of Cooke Scholars and Alumni.
Today, nearly half of the students pursuing college choose to attend two-year institutions. Research commissioned by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation found that community college students who transfer to selective institutions have equal to or higher graduation rates as students who enrolled directly from high school or transferred from four-year institutions. Yet, at the nation’s top colleges, only five percent have transferred from a community college. The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship seeks to increase the number of community college students completing their education at top four-year institutions.
International Voices is back!
The 2024 edition is now available online. Congratulations to all of the talented students who contributed. Limited print versions will be delivered to campus in the coming weeks.
Enjoy!
Kent Trickel, Associate Professor
English, Reading and ESL Department
Academic ESL Coordinator | Abeles Endowed Chair for Distance Learning
Kent.Trickel@sunywcc.edu | GTW S233D | (914) 606-8509
International Voices
About International Voices
International Voices is an award winning annual publication of Westchester Community College students. The creative works showcased here represent some of the diverse experiences and perspectives of the Westchester Community College community. This diversity and inclusive spirit are at the core of the College mission, stemming from the belief that education should be accessible to all and that improving education levels brings benefits, both tangible and intangible, to the community at large.
Contact Information
Kent Trickel, Associate Professor
English, Reading and ESL Department
Academic ESL Coordinator | Abeles Endowed Chair for Distance Learning
Kent.Trickel@sunywcc.edu | GTW S233D | (914) 606-8509
Westchester Community College Foundation Gala Raises Nearly Half-Million Dollars in Sold-Out November Gala
Vanessa Williams Brings Star Power to Event
At the sold-out Westchester Community College Foundation “Transforming Futures Together” Gala on November 8, 325 guests packed Tappan Hill in Tarrytown. More than $480,000 was raised to support student scholarships, emergency aid and other critical programs at SUNY Westchester Community College.
The event marked the start of the 10th anniversary year of DR. BELINDA S. MILES as President of SUNY Westchester Community College.
Longtime Westchester Community College Champion VANESSA WILLIAMS emceed the event. Ms. Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry today, selling millions of records worldwide. Her work in music, film, television, and the Broadway stage has been recognized with 4 Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations and 7 NAACP Image Awards.
Students told their compelling personal stories and introduced the five stellar leaders in Westchester County who were honored:
County Executive GEORGE LATIMER received the Public Service Award in recognition of his 36 years of service to the people of Westchester County and New York State. Latimer became the ninth Westchester County Executive in 2018, and was elected to a second term in 2021, never losing an election during his three decades in public office.
DORRY SWOPE received Westchester Community College Foundation’s Philanthropy Award. Over the years, Dorry and her family have made significant contributions to SUNY Westchester Community College as well as to conservation, arts, and health care organizations.
SINFOROSA “ROSE” TAN & WILLIAM H.P. KAUNG received Westchester Community College Foundation’s Community Leadership Award. Rose and Bill are recognized for their decades of volunteer service to SUNY Westchester Community College and the community. Rose is Professor Emerita of Mathematics at SUNY WCC.
DAVID BERRY, a SUNY Westchester Community College alum, received the Westchester Community College Foundation Viking Voyager Alumni Award. David is the founder of NomadCIO LLC, which provides interim Chief Information/Technology Officer and M&A leadership globally.
Fall 2023 Course Evaluation(s)
Have you Completed your Course Evaluation(s)?
The Course Evaluation Period is November 14th through December 12, 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!
Ten Students Transition to Prestigious Universities with $50,000 Scholarships
October 16, 2023, Valhalla NY – Ten students from Westchester Community College (WCC) have recently been selected to receive a S.M.I.L.E. (Success Matters in Life and Education) scholarship from the PepsiCo Foundation. This scholarship is part of the PepsiCo Foundation’s Community College Scholarship Program – which was established in 2021 to address the issue of underrepresentation in high-demand fields.
The PepsiCo Foundation’s community college program includes two types of scholarships – Uplift Scholarships for students seeking two-year associate degrees or trade certificates and S.M.I.L.E scholarships for community college graduates transitioning to four-year colleges.
The PepsiCo Foundation S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship awards two-year scholarships of up to $25,000 per year ($50,000 total) to students from historically underserved communities. Each scholar also receives access to resources such as financial literacy courses and is assigned a professional mentor from PepsiCo to provide guidance and support along their educational journey. To qualify, students must be transitioning to complete their bachelor’s degree in a business or STEM field in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S.
WCC and the PepsiCo Foundation recently announced the latest cohort of 10 WCC 2023 graduates who were selected as S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship recipients. The scholars and their current schools are:
- Daniela Bloom-Pavon – SUNY Binghamton University
- Wellington Castro – Pace University
- Sashawn Francis – CUNY Lehman College
- Adriana McFadden – CUNY Queens College
- Shirley Montenegro – Pace University
- Tyfanna Moulton – Kennesaw State University
- Ramon Perez – Kennesaw State University
- Jason Uyaguari – CUNY Hunter College
- Joan Waldron – Columbia University
- Khayri West – Pace University
To learn more about this opportunity, please visit: https://www.sunywcc.edu/admissions/scholarships/pepsico-foundation-smile/
”SUNY WCC is proud to continue its relationship with PepsiCo to further our shared commitment to diversity and access in higher education,” said Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President of Westchester Community College. “Those of our students who were selected for the S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship have distinguished
themselves for their academic excellence and dedication. They are typical of the thousands of students who come to SUNY WCC for an affordable option before continuing their studies at a four-year institution.”
“Driving lasting change is our focus at the PepsiCo Foundation, and what better way to do that than to invest in the education and future of the next generation,” said C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Social Impact at PepsiCo. “A single scholarship can be the catalyst for these ambitious students to complete their education, build generational wealth within their families, and contribute to a stronger community for all.”