News
Pace University Transfer Agreement
Westchester Community College has signed a new transfer agreement with Pace University, allowing many students who complete their studies at Westchester Community College to matriculate into Pace with junior standing. The new agreement covers students in twelve Westchester Community College majors.
Westchester Community College students who graduate from those programs with an A.A. or A.S. degree and a minimum grade point average of 2.5 will be guaranteed acceptance to Pace. All students graduating from those Westchester Community College’s A.A. or A.S. degree programs will have their lower level general education/core requirements waived if they transfer to Pace.
For these students, all courses that receive a passing grade at Westchester Community College will count toward degree completion at Pace. For the transfer students, a maximum of 68 credits will be applied toward the completion of the relevant Pace Bachelor’s degree programs.
For Nursing students in particular, those graduating with an A.A. S. from Westchester Community College’s program are eligible to enroll in the Pace Registered Nurse Bachelor of Science Online Degree Program. Those with a grade point average of 2.75 or better will be guaranteed admission with junior standing. All Nursing students graduating from Westchester Community College will have their lower level general education/core requirements waived if they transfer to Pace. Nursing students transferring to Pace will receive a discounted tuition rate.
In addition, Pace will offer scholarships to select transfer students.
“The college is deeply committed to helping our students succeed. This includes strengthening our transfer pathways and forging new agreements with four year institutions. Such agreements truly help our students move on toward real opportunities in the classroom and the workplace as they transition from graduation here to bachelor’s degrees at Pace and subsequent careers in their chosen fields,” says Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President, Westchester Community College. “As we seek to simplify and redesign the student experience, this agreement makes it easier for our students to move on in their journeys toward success,” she adds.
“I’m thrilled to deepen Pace University’s partnership with Westchester Community College through this innovative agreement. Westchester Community College is our County neighbor and our partner in the mission to open doors and provide opportunities for our students,” said Pace President Marvin Krislov. “This partnership helps our future graduates strengthen their skills to complete in an ever-changing global economy.”
“Providing students with opportunities to fulfill their potential is not only a core philosophy at Pace, it’s also part of our academic DNA,” said Pace Provost Vanya Quiñones. “This agreement with Westchester Community College will be a transformative experience for students and creates a clear pathway for success.”
Great Chefs Culinary and Wine Series
The Westchester Community College Foundation is presenting its annual Great Chefs Series of wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and three-course dinners. These tantalizing events co-sponsored by DeCicco & Sons and Wine Enthusiast will be held in the college’s state-of-the-art instructional kitchens and Culinary Dining Room on the Valhalla campus. 100% of funds raised from the series will benefit the Foundation’s scholarship fund and the college’s on-campus food pantry.
Host Chef Philip McGrath, Curriculum Chair of the college’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Program and former chef and owner of Iron Horse Grill, has assembled a stellar cast of local culinary celebrities who will create epicurean delights and teach you how to dazzle future dinner guests. The chefs will be assisted by the college’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management students.
The evenings begin with an exclusive wine tasting reception with specialists from Wine Enthusiast. Chefs will then demonstrate the how-to’s of each meal. Guests will enjoy the chefs’ creations paired with an accompanying wine, beer, or cocktail. Each guest will leave with a goody bag, recipes for dinner, and beverage pairing information.
Attendance at the Great Chefs Series will help support student scholarships and special programs that provide students with critical services. The Foundation raises resources to meet student and college needs not met by public funds and has awarded more than $25 million in scholarships to over 18,500 students since 1969. Support for tuition alone is not enough to help our students; for some, their everyday needs are not being met as they deal with food insecurity issues. The college’s food pantry was established in 2014 and provides meals and non-perishable food items for more than 1,000 students and their families. In 2018, the Great Chefs Series raised funds to distribute 250 Thanksgiving dinners to students in need.
Additional funds from this series created the “Great Chefs Scholarship,” an annual award for culinary students of excellence. The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management curriculum leads students to careers, not only in restaurants, but also in commercial, on-site, and institutional establishments. Course work includes culinary arts, business management, work experience, and a basic liberal arts core. Culinary Arts and Management graduates move into positions in the field or transfer to four-year colleges to continue their studies.
Monday, October 7 at 6:00 p.m.
Sonora (of Port Chester). Restaurateur and author Chef Rafael Palomino is keenly aware of flavors people love and crave. Drawing from his childhood in Bogotá and many years in New York City and France, Chef Palomino will share techniques and recipes for cooking mouth-watering Latin inspired dishes. Beverage pairing provided by StilltheOne Distillery Two and Wine Enthusiast.
Monday, October 21 at 6:00 p.m.
Farmer and the Fish (of Purdys, Sleepy Hollow, NYC). Chef/Owner/Farmer Michael Kaphan raised the bar on “farm-to-table” dining by sourcing their restaurants with produce from their own five-acre farm in North Salem. Chef Kaphan will show why using fresh and local has been one of the main ingredients for their success. Beverage pairing provided by the Croton Tapsmith and Wine Enthusiast.
Monday October 28 at 6:00 p.m.
The Cookery (of Dobbs Ferry) and Eugene’s Diner and Bar (of Port Chester). Known for his boundary-pushing style and thoughtfully creative dishes, Chef David DiBari will showcase courses from his various restaurants. Joining Chef DiBari will be Sajin Renae of The Cookery and Chef Iulia Mahu of Eugene’s Diner and Bar who are the core strength behind the creativity, passion and kitchen operations at each restaurant. Beverage pairing provided by DeCicco & Sons and Wine Enthusiast.
Monday, November 4 at 6:00 p.m.
X20 Xaviar’s On the Hudson (of Yonkers). Join Chef Peter Kelly of the Xaviars Restaurant Group as he prepares a menu and cooking demonstration you can prepare at home for your next extravagant dinner party for family and friends. Beverage pairing provided by Midway Wine & Liquors and Wine Enthusiast.
Tickets for each event are $150. For details, please visit www.sunywcc.edu/greatchefs or contact Sue Mackey at sue.mackey@sunywcc.edu or 914-606-6558.
Blue and Gold Day
Students had a blast showing their Viking pride, playing games, getting caricatures, playing and listening to music on Blue and Gold Day.
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A Day of Remembrance
September 11, 2019 commemorates the 18th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We thank Phi Theta Kappa for once again providing an opportunity to gather together at the Memorial Garden for peaceful reflection and to honor all who have been affected by the events of that day. We acknowledge our veterans and those who have participated in community service projects during 9/11 National Days of Service. Our thoughts continue to be with colleagues, students, and all those impacted.
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8 Tips for Success
Professor Klosko, department chairperson of Physical Sciences and professor of Geoscience, addressed our new students at Convocation on September 5.
See Photos from the event
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Her eight tips for college success are:
1. Knowledge is Power
You can use your education to better your life. The late and former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” No matter what the subject, by learning things you will be better for it. Pick your course and learn. You’ll be better for it. You’ll be more empowered to succeed in life.
2. You Don’t Have to Be a Genius
Often people think you have to be exceptionally intelligent to succeed in college – and I am going to tell you that this is entirely wrong. Organization and attitude are the two things that I think that matter most. Today you get a fresh start. You get to become who you want to be as an adult student; not what people have told you that you are. Don’t worry about solving all of the world’s problems in one day. Worry about addressing the work in front of you today, one day at a time.
3. Perseverance and Grit are Required
Half of the battle is showing up. In college attendance is largely up to you. Show grit by showing up every day, not just physically but mentally. Keep in mind – this is your education – Nobody is going to do the learning for you. You need to own your learning. Show up prepared. Ask questions. Give this experience your time and energy and you will be amazed at the outcomes.
4. Don’t Give Up
At some point in your time here, you’ll be confronted with challenges. Push ahead and don’t give up. That is what learning really is. When you’re faced with that problem that seems out of your reach, pause, reflect, and keep at it!
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Go Outside of Your Comfort Zone.
As a person that teaches in the sciences, too often I hear that students feel they are not ‘good’ at science; that they are not ‘good’ at math… Don’t be afraid to try something new. You have very little to lose and so much to gain. Try something different. Be courageous and take a class in something you’ve always wanted to learn.
6. Somewhere, Something Incredible is Waiting to be Known.
Education is a chance to think about the world around you – new things, crazy things. The meaning of a poem, the motivation of an artist, evidence used to come up with a scientific theory. As you learn new things, you will also change. Once you open yourself up to learning and thinking about new things – you will never look at the world again the same way.
7. Find Something That You Can Be Passionate About.
Explore your interests through studies and awaken a passion that can lead to joy. It has been said, “Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.” Try to find something that will excite you to wake up in the morning every day!
8. Attitude is Everything
“[Attitude] is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react.” – Charles R. Swindoll
Professor Klosko closed with some words about herself and encouragement to our new class:
“I was not a serious student in high school. I just didn’t give school the attention it deserved. I went off to college, initially as a French major. From there, as my education progressed I took things more seriously and I kept at it. I found a true passion for science, in particular geology. Yes, rocks… I really liked learning about rocks. I was lucky enough to earn a B.S., then a master’s degree and eventually a PhD from Northwestern University. When I showed up on my first day of college, if you had told me that I’d end up with a PhD from Northwestern I would have laughed in your face. But somehow here I am. And I’m grateful for it because taking my education seriously rewarded me in ways I can’t begin to describe.
So this morning I congratulate you on starting this auspicious, and amazing, first step as a college student. You’ve got this. Good luck and have fun!”
President Miles contributes to book on Community Colleges
Valhalla, NY—Westchester Community College, which hosts and leads the national Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education (CCCIE), is featured in a new book highlighting innovative models that advance immigrant integration and student success. In a chapter on the role of leadership, WCC President Belinda S. Miles notes that the college’s Gateway Center, which opened in 2010, serves as a “central starting point for new Americans. Providing intentional support to this population transitioned the college from being a gatekeeper of educational and workforce opportunities to becoming a bridge builder.”
CCCIE (www.cccie.org), founded in 2008, comprises community colleges and other professional organizations committed to strengthening colleges’ capacity to advance immigrant and refugee integration through education and workforce development initiatives. Community colleges serve as a critical gateway for many immigrants and refugees looking to gain an economic foothold in the labor market and integrate into the social fabric of their communities. “CCCIE is an important vehicle through which our sector has stepped out as a leader in the national arena on the topic of immigrant education,” according to Miles. “Our commitment to the local immigrant community is reflected nationally through our college’s role as the host institution for the CCCIE,” she notes.
At a time when the nation is facing bitter political divides over its immigration policies and gridlock at the federal level, CCCIE has released two companion volumes, co-published by Rowman & Littlefield and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), that tell a different story. The two volumes —Working toward an Equitable and Prosperous Future for All: How Community Colleges and Immigrants Are Changing America and Working Together: How Community Colleges and Their Partners Help Immigrants Succeed—showcase the exemplary initiatives of CCCIE member community colleges and their partners working together at local and state levels to integrate immigrants and refugees by helping them further their education, succeed in training programs, and launch new careers in high-demand fields. The two volumes also illustrate the various ways immigrant and refugee students enrich campus life, strengthen communities, and benefit the economy.
Innovative and Practical Models of Change
Community colleges have faced significant challenges in adopting, sustaining, and scaling programs that successfully align immigrant and refugee education and workforce development initiatives into the college system as a whole. The two volumes, co-edited by Jill Casner-Lotto, CCCIE director, with Teresita B. Wisell, CCCIE executive director and vice president for Workforce Development and Community Education at Westchester Community College, share innovative and practical models of change with an emphasis on what makes programs work, as well as the most critical challenges.
Westchester Community College/CCCIE–page 2
Twenty-three chapters are included, written by community college educators who serve on CCCIE’s Blue Ribbon Panel and other leading experts and practitioners in the fields of immigrant and refugee education, workforce development, and integration. “The books capture the expertise and dedication of colleagues across the country in community colleges, community agencies, and nonprofit organizations who have joined us in our work. It is through our collective efforts that our immigrant and refugee students have found their success,” notes Wisell.
The books also include a foreword by Walter Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC. “The books illustrate how initiatives to serve a growing, diverse immigrant student population not only reflect a college’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, but also contribute toward—and, in fact, are critical to increasing—overall student retention, college completion, and employment outcomes,” says Bumphus.
Executive-level and front-line perspectives
The books address immigrant and refugee student success from different points of view, examining top-level executive strategies and best practices in the classroom, workplace, and community. Perspectives of senior leaders, faculty, students, and front-line staff are shared, and partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders are described. Recommendations for actions relate to principles described in CCCIE’s Presidents for New American Success Pledge.
“We believe these two books provide a valuable set of resources illustrating case-study examples that have strengthened educational and career opportunities for a diverse immigrant and refugee student population, including ESL adult learners who may lack high school diplomas, foreign-educated immigrants seeking professional opportunities, Dreamers, and other undocumented immigrant youth interested in transitioning to four-year institutions,” according to Casner-Lotto.
“It is a recognition of the potential of immigrants to contribute to our communities, our economy, and our nation that has motivated the CCCIE network to advance this work and galvanize the community college sector in support of all members of our communities,” said Wisell, who immigrated with her family to the US from Cuba in 1963.
Overview of contents
Working toward an Equitable and Prosperous Future for All: How Community Colleges and Immigrants Are Changing America shares the perspectives of community college CEOs and examines the role of leadership in adopting institution-wide strategies and allocating resources that have advanced immigrant and refugee integration on campus and in the community. The book also examines how front-line practitioners make those strategies work through educational and career pathways that have enabled immigrants and refugees to pursue their academic and career goals and contribute to the economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy of their communities.
Working Together: How Community Colleges and Their Partners Help Immigrants Succeed focuses on two key components of successful immigrant and refugee integration: multisector partnerships that have been essential for increasing immigrant and refugee students’ college and career readiness and assuring their transition to further education, training, or jobs; and strategies related to replicating and scaling best practice models and the policy implications involved.
Westchester Community College Partners with JED Foundation
Westchester Community College has been officially designated as a JED Campus. We’re joining over 200 other colleges and universities by partnering with the JED foundation to support student mental health, emotional well-being, prevention of suicide, and prevention of substance misuse. JED was named after the late son of the founders of the organization.
The JED Foundation (JED) is the leading non-profit in higher education mental health and suicide prevention. JED Campuses embark on a four-year strategic partnership with JED that not only assesses and enhances the work that is already being done, but helps to create positive, systemic change in the campus community.
The expansion and development of the mental health services through the Personal Counseling Department, within the Student Life area, has been a notable achievement for Westchester Community College over the past few years. Becoming a JED Campus is a big step forward for the institution and a clear commitment to our values of empathy, respect, and diversity.
A Mental Health Task Force, chaired by Kristy Robinson and Pat Sheehan in the Personal Counseling Department, has been formed with the first meeting held on Friday, August 30, 2019. With leaders across campus committing to serve on this task force for a minimum of one academic year, the exciting journey of assessing and establishing a mental health strategic plan has begun.
We look forward to sharing more information with the campus about the initiatives and outcomes as a result of our partnership with the JED Foundation. For more information on the partnership and the Westchester Community College Mental Health Task Force, please feel free to contact Kristy Robinson at kristy.robinson@sunywcc.edu