President Miles elected to national board

Westchester Community College President Belinda S. Miles, Ed.D, has been named to the nation’s leading association for the advocacy of community colleges. Her participation on the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) board provides an opportunity for her to join colleagues from across the country in addressing policy, legislative, and programmatic issues relating to community colleges.

“I am proud of this honor and am humbled by the opportunity to represent Westchester Community College and all of the other AACC-member institutions,” says Dr. Miles. “I have been involved in the important work of this organization for a number of years as a member of commissions, the President’s Academy, and affiliate organizations. I am excited to join AACC in providing a voice for the more than 12 million students attending the nation’s 1,100+ community colleges,” she adds. The election, certified this week at the 98th annual AACC Convention, is via a participatory process involving presidents from AACC member institutions.

As president of Westchester Community College (WCC), part of the State University of New York (SUNY), Dr. Miles brings to the AACC board leadership experience serving more than 26,000 students in one of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas. Since arriving at WCC in January 2015, she has worked with faculty, staff, and others to increase graduation rates; create new academic and workforce programs; expand resources for innovative student success efforts that help more students graduate and prepare to transfer to four-year colleges or enter the workforce.

AACC provides a variety of resources for member community colleges serving as a national information resource; leveraging funding opportunities for innovative programs; offering professional development and networking initiatives; and encouraging a shared commitment to the community college movement. AACC is governed by a 32-member Board of Directors, which acts on behalf of the institutional members in its national advocacy role.

About Westchester Community College

Westchester Community College provides over 31,000 full-time and part-time students with an education taught by award-winning faculty at one of the most affordable tuition rates in New York State. WCC offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as cybersecurity, health information technology, respiratory therapy, and digital filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.

Westchester Community College Foundation

Since its founding in 1969, Westchester Community College Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) has raised funds to meet college and student needs not covered by public funds, distributing over $2 million in scholarships annually. Through its fundraising and programmatic activities, the Foundation supports the college’s efforts to provide access to quality education and skills for success.