2021 State of the College & Foundation Annual Report

24 WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRANTS, DONORS & INVESTMENTS A gift of $1 million from Robert (Bob) Wiener, Chair of MAXX Properties and long-time friend of the college, will support the creation of the college’s first “Center of Excellence.” In October 2019, WCC’s Cybersecurity program was designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security in recognition of its high academic standards and potential for growth. With this designation comes programmatic require- ments to ensure the excellence of the program. Bob’s generosity will enable an expansion of program facilities, build a state-of-the-art Cyber lab, add more teaching staff, and focus on student recruitment, professional credentialing, and job placement. The grant also establishes the Wiener Cyber Scholars program, a scholarship that recognizes student excellence. A lifelong resident of Westchester County, NY, Bob is the third generation to lead his family’s real estate business, and turn the profits, not just into more real estate, but into constructive, productive, loving and gracious giving to those who need a bit of help. In addition to his generosity, Bob has supported the education of nearly 500 students since 1999 through the Robert and Sherry Wiener Scholarships at WCC. Robert R. Wiener Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity 25 STATE OF THE COLLEGE 2021 In March 2020, the COVID 19 pandemic changed everything. As the college pivoted into remote learning, it became evident that our students had an immediate need for laptops and technology to transition to on-line learning. Soon after other emergency needs for rent, utilities, food, transportation, and medical bills emerged. The WCC Foundation mounted a Student Emergency Aid campaign, that, aided with a $50,000 challenge grant from the SUNY Impact Foundation, raised over $300,000 from generous individuals and private Foundations. We were able to purchase over 200 laptops and establish a Laptop Loaner Program, as well as support other learning-related technology needs; needy students received emergency grants (ranging from $250 - $2,000) for medical bills and housing and utilities, staving off eviction; our Food Pantry provided hundreds of meals to students and community members in the form of pre-bagged meals and food gift cards; and provided transpor- tation vouchers. Over 300 students were assisted before the fall 2020 academic semester, helping to keep them in school. Student Emergency Aid The rock band Metallica, through its foundation All Within My Hands and in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, selected WCC as only one of five community colleges to receive a grant of $100,000 to participate in the Metallica Scholars program. This major national workforce education initiative provides direct support to community colleges to enhance their career and technical education programs. At WCC, scholarships are being used to increase the number of students earning workforce credentials in high demand and emerging industries in healthcare, Information Technology, and manufacturing. Funding covers the costs of certifi- cation exams, exam prep, and related expenses for nearly 200 Career and Technical education students, giving them the competitive edge when entering the workforce. Metallica Scholars The Westchester Workforce Funders Collaborative, a consortium of donors brought together by the Westchester Community Foundation (including JP Morgan Chase, CIT Group, and TD Charitable Foundation) has awarded the College one of two $100,000 Career Pathways grants. The grant will enable the college to establish the Westchester Healthcare Career Pathway Network. Working with governmental and industry partners, the program will be housed at the College’s Mount Vernon Extension Center, and recruit and train 40 participants for healthcare occupations using a career readiness curriculum with training in soft and hard skills. Participants will earn college credits and a health career credential, and will be matched for a four-week externship work experience, leading to interview opportunities for healthcare jobs. Westchester Workforce Funders Collaborative Grant