WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECOGNIZES THE PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT DR. JOSEPH N. HANKIN

Westchester Community College regrets to announce that former president Dr. Joseph N. Hankin passed away on Wednesday, January 16. The college community is saddened to lose Dr. Hankin, who led this State University of New York institution since 1971 and was the nation’s longest serving community college president. At the time of his retirement in 2013, he had served in the role of president for 42 years.

“Assuming the mantle of one of the most admired community college presidents presented a unique opportunity to extend his legacy of service to students and community,” says Westchester Community College President Dr. Belinda S. Miles. “He made monumental contributions to the community college field as our institutions became increasingly important pathways to high-quality and affordable higher education, and he did it with an exceptional team of faculty and staff who cared deeply about the college and surrounding community,” she adds.

College Board of Trustees Chair John Nonna says, “Dr. Joe Hankin shepherded Westchester Community College from its infancy through its growth to the stature it enjoys today as one of the nation’s premier community colleges. His vision continues to guide us, and his contributions will never be forgotten. Together with the entire college community, the Board of Trustees mourns his passing.”

Dr. Hankin was a significant member of the team that expanded the Westchester Community College Foundation, which has raised substantial resources in support of faculty and staff. Millions were raised for student scholarships with approximately $2 million now distributed annually. Additionally, the enrichment of many academic programs and the development of infrastructure improvements were largely the result of Foundation funds. The growth and evolution of the Foundation has been critical to the success and expansion of the institution.

Westchester Community College Foundation Board of Directors Chair Susan Yubas says, “Dr. Hankin recognized that community support was vital to student success, and he took a leadership role in the founding of the Westchester Community College Foundation, supporting its development for over forty years. His partnership through multiple major fundraising campaigns and commitment to providing students with scholarship opportunities contributed to the growth of the Westchester Community College Foundation, which is now recognized nationally. The Foundation is indebted to his extraordinary legacy of leadership.”

Upon Dr. Hankin’s arrival in 1971, the transformation of the college was almost immediate. Following through on proposals shared during his interview process, such as opening the campus to the community, expanding academic programs, and repairing infrastructure, he immediately moved forward to begin a bold growth agenda. Although relatively new to the role of president, he began his four-decade mission toward a commitment to quality, accessibility, affordability, and expansion.

One can see the tremendous impact Dr. Hankin has had by looking at his final decade in his role as president. In addition to opening several new extension centers during this time, he oversaw the expansion of the Harold L. Drimmer Library and Learning Resource Center, which doubled in size. He opened the Gateway Center, a 70,000-square-foot landmark structure designed by the renowned Ennead architectural firm to provide educational resources for thousands of students. The  Gateway Center is Westchester County’s first LEED-certified building and an iconic entry point for the county’s diverse, multinational community. During the same period, the college expanded its online learning options, added a dozen new academic programs, and instituted the Collegium, a resource for mature learners interested in serious study and social exchange. Simultaneously, the college reached record enrollment figures for both credit and non-credit study, more than doubling the numbers from 5,800 students early in his tenure.

Corresponding expansions to the 218-acre campus in Valhalla, New York, and numerous offsite locations and extension centers throughout Westchester County further increased access. Other new construction projects included the science building, Knollwood Center, administration building, children’s center, bookstore and an academic arts building that now bears his name.

Dr. Hankin was a first-generation college student whose interest in education led him to not only academic administration, but also teaching and scholarship. In addition to being a prolific writer and speaker with numerous published works in the community-college field, he served for thirty years as an adjunct professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. He inspired generations of students from across the country through teaching and serving on doctoral committees.

In 1986, a project sponsored by the Exxon Educational Foundation named Dr. Hankin one of the Hundred Most Effective College Presidents of two-year and four-year colleges and universities. In 1988, the University of Texas included Dr. Hankin among the 50 best community college presidents, for which he earned the Thomas J. Peters Award for Leadership Excellence.

Westchester Community College was Dr. Hankin’s second college presidency. In 1967, at the age of 26, he was the nation’s youngest college president when he assumed the role at Harford Community College in Maryland. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in social science from City College and his master of arts in history and doctor of education degrees from Columbia University. Dr. Hankin is survived by his wife, Dr. Carole Hankin, three children, and his grandchildren.

A spring memorial in Dr. Hankin’s honor is being planned. Meanwhile, gifts in Dr. Hankin’s memory may be made to the Joseph N. Hankin Endowed Scholarship Fund at the Westchester Community College Foundation, Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, New York, 10595.

Date: Thursday, December 13, 2018
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: Main Campus, Physical Education Building, Gymnasium
Parking Available in Lots 8, 9, and 10

See highlights from the event here

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about the Completion Celebration,
please contact the Department of Student Involvement
at (914) 606-6731, getinvolved@sunywcc.edu,
or visit us in the Student Center, Room 108.

Fall 2018 Student Show Opening Reception

Date: Wednesday December 12
Location: HAAB Fine Arts Gallery

See the photo gallery of portraits of students in front of their work; awards ceremony; and installation shots.

On November 29, Westchester Community College and Mercy College alumni gathered together for a night of networking at Vintage in White Plains, NY.

See photos from the event here

Once again, M&T Bank grants the Westchester Community College Foundation $10,000 renewing their scholarship support. The M&T Bank Scholarships are awarded to students enrolled in business curricula who demonstrate community involvement, academic achievement, and financial need. Since 2013, thirteen students have benefited from their generosity.  This year another four students have been selected for the fall 2018 semester.

Frank Micalizzi, Regional President and Steve Cavazuti, VP for Government Banking presented the donation on behalf of M & T Bank. The WCC Foundation is grateful for M&T Bank’s loyal support.

Westchester Community College provides accessible, high quality and affordable education to meet the needs of our diverse community. We are committed to student success, academic excellence, workforce development, economic development and lifelong learning.

Hundreds attended the Westchester Community College Foundation’s annual President’s Forum. Leading journalists, academics, and commentators joined WNYC’s Brian Lehrer in analyzing the state of the nation, post-midterm election. See our photo gallery here:

Biology Professor Margaret Eiden was honored at the recent YWCA Mover and Shaker ceremony. Her many local contributions resulted in the Westchester County Board of Legislators proclaiming October 18, 2018 as Dr. Margaret Eiden Day. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced that Dr. Eiden received the same honor on a statewide basis. Senator Shelley B. Mayer honored Dr. Eiden for exemplary service to New York State and the New York State Assembly recognized Dr. Eiden as an outstanding citizen. A Certificate of Achievement was presented to Dr. Eiden by Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey. Meanwhile, the city of White Plains awarded a Certificate of Recognition to the professor for her commitment to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. At the event, Instructor Toni D’Onofrio led a team from the college’s Culinary Arts Department which shared various delectable edibles with the members of the White Plains community who attended the event.

See photos from the 2018 Scholarship Recognition Ceremony.

WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVES LARGEST FEDERAL GRANT IN ITS HISTORY; $2.7 MILLION TO TRANSFORM STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Westchester Community College has received the largest federal grant in its history with $2.7 million (over five years) directed toward supporting students in their efforts to succeed academically and move on to careers and further education. Congresswoman Nita Lowey, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, made the announcement on October 3, 2018. The federal grant  was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program.

“This historic grant provides much needed resources to transform the student experience to meet the real needs of today’s learners. With this tremendous award for Caminos al Exito (Pathways to Success), we will be able to scale effective high-impact, evidence-based practices to support all students, expand academic support, modernize our approach to counseling and advising, and get students to the credentials they need for the future,” says Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President, Westchester Community College.

The grant to fund the Caminos al Exito (Pathways to Success) Program will empower our faculty and staff to support students who seek to complete their academic programs and transfer to four-year institutions or start their careers after graduation.

The grant will enable the college to:

1. Redesign the college experience, moving students from access to completion or transfer.
2. Create an Office of First Year Students providing new students with a strong start, enabling them to accelerate their progress toward graduation.
3. Put students into pathways based upon individual career or transfer interests.
4. Infuse the latest technology thereby creating high-performing and efficient systems supporting student success.

In addition to funding new initiatives, the grant will also empower faculty, staff and administrators to leverage and build upon our innovative and high impact work already underway.

The grant will assist the college as a best-in-class, high-performing higher education institution meeting the demands of the 21st century workforce. This record-breaking grant follows several significant recent investments including public and private grants: Laura and John Arnold Foundation funding for replicating CUNY’s ASAP Program for student completion; CCAMPIS support for student-parents; National Science Foundation grants for STEM students; nearly $1 million from a private donor for technology advancements; and the Westchester Community College Foundation’s recent doubling of scholarship support to $2 million annually. The Department of Education grant will help the college bring several of these efforts to scale in addition to funding new programs.

Former White House spokesperson joins discussion on current political climate.

View the details here: http://www.sunywcc.edu/events/presidents-forum/

If interested in attending visit: http://www.sunywcc.edu/about/foundation/foundation-special-events/presidents-forum/