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In a recent article on the City and State New York magazine website, President Dr. Belinda S. Miles made the top ten in a list of the most influential people in Westchester:

Listed as #9: President, Westchester Community College

Belinda Miles is president of Westchester Community College, which serves more than 26,000 students in one of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas. Miles is deeply committed to student success and completion, having worked with faculty and staff to achieve a 42 percent increase in the community college’s three-year graduation rate and has overseen the largest graduating classes in its 72-year history. Since taking the reins of the SUNY school in 2015, her leadership has contributed to WCC being selected as a member of the Achieving the Dream network of community colleges committed to improved student outcomes and as one of two institutions selected nationally for a $1 million award in support of accelerated associate degree programs.

Miles is deeply involved in the community as well, serving on many boards, including The Business Council of Westchester and the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board. Miles has been described as a great motivator who gets results. She is a highly regarded regional and national presenter on a range of topics, including community colleges as a disruptive innovation in academia that fosters an equitable and inclusive democracy.

See Full Article here

Are you someone who works as a Contractor, Painter, General Renovator, Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter, Cabinet Installer, or a Property Manager?

If so, you may be interested in Westchester Community College’s Workforce Development and Community Education certificate or licensing programs:

• NYS EPA Lead Certification
• NYS Mold Assessor, Remediator, & Worker Licensing Courses
• Mold Abatement Worker license
• Mold Remediator Contractor
• Mold Assessor

Learn More

Ka-pow! . . . Patrons may browse these books next to the Paperback Collection, or search for individual titles in the Library Catalog: Collection Graphic Novels, 1st Floor. See a growing list here.

And, for the uninitiated, we now present a primer on the world of sequential fiction/non-fiction . . .

Manga, Comics, or Graphic Novels?

You may use the Japanese term manga interchangeably with the American term graphic novel.  Manga is typically published in series, which may include many volumes to tell a complete story.  A majority of English translations of manga carry over the original artwork, only replacing the words.

Isn’t this “kid stuff”?

Not necessarily. The themes in graphic novels can be highly sophisticated, portraying complex historical events and philosophical ideas. They also employ literary devices like allusion, satire, understatement, hyperbole, etc. . . .

Should I read a graphic novel or a regular one?

Both are recommended! Each genre has its own unique qualities. The visual aspects of storytelling, including time and motion, story closure (the idea that a reader fills in unspoken blanks), and the psychology of line styles and color make graphic novels appealing as a hybrid format.

Who drew the first graphic novel?

Shrugs . . . maybe it was the Egyptians and their hieroglyphs? 

For information or to make title suggestions, please contact Librarian Josh Weber at joshua.weber@sunywcc.edu; x6819.

Further Reading:

Kraska, Jake. “The Psychology of Comic Books: Why We Worship Superheroes.” Lateral Magazine, 3 Aug. 2015.

McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics. William Morrow, 1994.

Mitchell, W. J. T., de Almeida, Eduardo, and Reynolds, Rebecca. “Theories of Media Glossary: ‘Graphic Novel,‘” University of Chicago. Feb. 2004.

Osicki, Jody. “Sequential Art Proliferates: Spotlight on Graphic Novels.” Library Journal, Library Journal , 19 June 2018.

Thomas, Grant. “Thinking Inside the Boxes: The Importance of Comic Books and Graphic Novels in Visual Arts Education.” Visual Arts Research, vol. 38, no. 1, 2012, p. 64+. Academic OneFile.

President Miles took part in a roundtable discussion on college affordability and accessibility held at Pace University in Plesantville, NY on Thursday, August 30, 2018. College and graduate school students joined administrators from various schools and Congresswoman Nita Lowey for a discussion that included the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act.
More about this gathering on Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s website.

Photos from the roundtable session:
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Yonkers IDA and Westchester Community College Launch “Quest for Success” Support Program for Collegebound Yonkers High School Students

20 young men of color awarded scholarships

YONKERS, NY- (August 29, 2018) – The Yonkers Industrial Development Agency and Westchester Community College today launched the new “Yonkers Quest for Success” program aimed at giving at- risk high school students the extra support they need to graduate college.

Twenty Yonkers High school students, African-American and Latino young men, were selected for the program and received certificates from Mayor Mike Spano and IDA Executive Director Jaime McGill. Also participating in the presentation at Yonkers City Hall were Yonkers Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada and Westchester Community College President Dr. Belinda S. Miles and other local officials and business leaders.

Mayor Spano said the IDA provided nearly $60,000 to launch the pilot program with another $10,000 coming from area businesses. The program will provide students with books, counseling and other support during college. Westchester County also provided free Metro Cards to help with transportation to and from school.

Young men of color are six times more likely not to graduate within three years and receive a certificate as their peers. According to a survey done by Westchester Community College, students said the two main reasons they drop out are family obligations and financial hardship.

“We congratulate these students on their achievement and wish them well as they enter their Freshman year at Westchester Community College,’’ said Mayor Spano. “Providing students with financial assistance for college is not enough to ensure success. With this added support we are confident that these young men will not only graduate but will thrive in their future careers. After college, we hope they will stay in their home community and help us continue to make Yonkers the great city that it is.’’

Superintendent Quezada said, “Our strong commitment to leave our community and our children’s future better than when we joined it becomes a reality through Yonkers MBK.” Superintendent of Schools.  “It takes opportunities as dynamic as the Quest for Success Program to elevate our young men of color.  And, it requires the commitment and collaboration of elected officials, businesses, colleges and public educators; the commitment demonstrated here.  These Yonkers MBK young men will benefit from our MBK Milestone 4, to ensure all youth complete post-secondary education or training, because each student will receive a stipend and mentorship/advisory to attain that goal.”

Westchester Community College President Dr. Belinda S. Miles said, “Access to affordable higher learning options is crucial for many students to transition successfully into four-year universities or jobs in high demand. We are pleased to collaborate with Yonkers IDA, the Board of Education, and the Mayor’s office to remove barriers to college completion by providing individualized academic and career counseling and financial support for books, transportation, and other services for a cohort of new students from Yonkers. About a quarter of our students are from this city and attend classes at our main campus in Valhalla or our Extension Center at Cross County Shopping Center.”

County Executive George Latimer said: “A college education can drastically change the course of one’s life.  We are proud to partner with Yonkers, and proud to be helping these young men on their journey to a college degree.  I, along with the whole County, congratulate these men on their work and wish them the best success in the future. As a first generation college graduate myself, I can assure you that the path isn’t an easy one, but the reward will be great not only for the student, but for their entire family and generations to come.”

Ms. McGill thanked others who helped to make the program possible including RMS Construction; Central Avenue Nissan, Alfred Weissman Real Estate LLC., Macerich (Cross County Shopping Center) and RXR SoYo Exalta LLC.

The following students received scholarships:

• Godfred Adjei, Roosevelt High School
• Frammy Almonte, Yonkers High
• Joseph, Aquino, Saunders High School
• Jaret A. Ballinas, Saunders High School
• Kevin Barran, Lincoln High School
• Edgar S. Bello, Yonkers Montessori High School
• Rohan Birch, Palisades Prep
• Sherman Bray IV, Roosevelt High School
• Deon Cooper, Gorton High School
• Qwashawn Davis, Roosevelt High School
• Justin Herrera, Lincoln High School
• Steven A. Jones, Lincoln High School
• Julian Mancuso, Saunders High School
• Montrel Savoy, Lincoln High School
• Travis Patterson, Roosevelt High School
• Aaron Perez, Yonkers High School
• Kobe Smith, Riverside High School
• Yankho G. Solognier, Palisades Prep
• Daniel Verlus, Lincoln High School
• David Wesley, Palisades Prep

About the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency: Established in 1982, the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency is a public benefit corporation that provides business development incentives to enhance economic development and job growth in the City of Yonkers.

About The Westchester Community College Foundation: The Westchester Community College Foundation was founded in 1969 as a public not for profit organization to serve as the fundraising arm for the college. It develops voluntary, supplemental support to strengthen and enrich the educational life and environment of the institution.

Contact: Dean Bender/Thompson & Bender NEWS RELEASE
(914) 762-1900 ext 13/
dean@thompson-bender.com

http://www.fios1news.com/lowerhudsonvalley/local-yonkers-scholarships

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Check out the September Issue of the Cortlandt Living Magazine article where Dr. Sherry Mayo describes her Career Trajectory, the Peekskill Community, and Family. The article titled “Local Artist Buzz” can be seen on page 10 here.

To learn more about the Peekskill Extension Center visit: www.sunywcc.edu/peekskill

The Ossining Health Advantage (OHA) An Initiative from the Center for Career Education & Applied Learning and the Division of Workforce Development & Community Education. OHA is a unique learning community at the Ossining Extension Center designed for new students interested in pursuing a health care focused degree program at Westchester Community College.

Learn More

The Alumni Council hosted the College Connection Barbecue on August 7, 2018. Westchester Community College alums now attending four-year schools volunteered to gather with current students to help them with any questions about the college and offer their advice.

See photos from the event here

Let’s Go Vikings!

Faculty and staff feel tremendous school spirit as excitement for the new school year grows! We look forward to celebrating this Viking spirit every day and especially during Blue and Gold Day on September 19 when we all wear school colors to show our Viking pride!

To our new students – your first year of study opens doors to making new friends, exploring academic and career pathways, and getting involved in clubs and events. You will find that Westchester Community College truly does have something for everyone.

To our returning students, you continue to build on what you started and will use your connections with faculty to chart a path toward your goals – perhaps an internship, new or better employment, or transfer to a four-year college.

Some of you may be on the final part of your Westchester Community College academic journey as you work toward completing your degree or certificate requirements. To you, I provide words of encouragement and confidence that you can cross the finish line.

We are committed to your success, and we walk this journey alongside you. I am proud of you for your commitment to your goals and for your role in making Westchester Community College the premier place for Building Minds and Building Futures.

This is an exciting time to get involved and be involved. Please share your WCC enthusiasm on social media using #ImAViking to show your WCC Viking spirit!

Have a great semester!

Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President