2021 State of the College & Foundation Annual Report

18 WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS 19 STATE OF THE COLLEGE 2021 The 1199SEIUHome Care Industry Education Fund trains healthcareworkers The 1199SEIU Funds are among the strongest and largest Healthcare labor-management unions. As Healthcare is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in Westchester County, the demand for well-trained, skilled workers continues to increase almost daily. The extent of students’ collective and individual struggles due to the pandemic emphasized the importance of our support systems. It also propelled the College to act with agility and creativity, engaging our partner businesses, foundations, government agencies, unions and individual supporters in meeting immediate student needs, filling employer demand, and together, re-vitalizing our local economy. Metallica Scholars Initiative earns credentials Metallica’s (yes THAT rock band!) All Within My Hands Foundation is partnering with the American Association of Community Colleges to bring attention to and change attitudes towards career and technical education. WCC was the only college in the entire Northeast to be chosen to participate. Funding supported a program that enabled students on both academic degree tracks and in short-termWorkforce Programs to earn professional credentials, enhancing their resumes and vital to their future employment. JPMorgan Chase promotes financial literacy Financial education is key to promoting racial equity. Since 2014, Westchester Community College’s Center for Financial and Economic Education has positively impacted students’ financial health through its Money Smart Forum financial coaching program. Recognized by our Government for Academic Excellence The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security designated our Cybersecurity program as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense in fall 2019. WCC is one of only nine community colleges nationwide to earn this new designation, and the only one located in the tristate region. Institutions that receive a CAE in Cybersecurity designation have met the rigorous requirements set forth by the federal government and produce professionals with cyber defense expertise who can fill the 3+ million unfilled positions in this critical field. For the past two years they have partnered with both sides of the college (Degree-seeking academic programs and Workforce Development/ Community Education) to support students seek- ing careers in direct patient care. Scholarships and book support have been provided for graduating Nursing students in our School of Health Careers, Technology, and Applied Learning, and several short-term workforce classes of Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Heath Aids. They will also assist with job placement. JP Morgan Chase has supported this effort for several years and awarded a special grant of $300,000 over two years to document our best practices and share our expertise to strengthen and elevate student financial health initiatives at other community colleges.