News
Roundtable on Affordability and Accessibility
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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Support for College-bound Yonkers High School Students
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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Local Artist Buzz
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
New Ossining Health Advantage Program
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.
Alumni/College Connections Barbecue
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.
Welcome Vikings
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
College participates in national consortium
President Belinda S. Miles has joined the Board of Directors of COMBASE, a national consortium of leading community and technical colleges dedicated to sharing innovative solutions to meet the challenges of the nation’s rapidly changing economy. She will serve in the capacity of Director-at-large for COMBASE (an abbreviation for “community-based” colleges). In 1974, when COMBASE was established, a high school education was enough for most Americans to obtain a middle-class job. Today, everyone recognizes the importance of education and training beyond high school, to be college and career ready and ultimately attain a good job and a living wage. America has turned to its community colleges to deliver what both students and employers need, with new and innovative programs that leverage partnerships throughout the community and the nation. For more than forty years, through its programs and publications, COMBASE has ensured that innovative programs in education are promoted and replicated.
Board of Trustees Adds Three New Members
![Elizabeth Lugones being sworn in as Student Trustee](http://www.sunywcc.edu/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/1-300x200.jpg)
Student Trustee, Elizabeth Lugones is sworn in as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Deborah S. Raizes and Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith recite the Oath of Office as they are sworn in.
The Westchester Community College Board of Trustees has added three new members:
Elizabeth Lugones has been selected as the student representative to the college’s Board of Trustees. Her goal is to graduate from the college with a degree in Engineering Science and then move on to a master’s program before entering the industry.
Deborah S. Raizes is a senior consultant for Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd., which specializes in searches for administrators, including superintendents, at public schools. Prior to this position, she was a teacher for the Durham County Schools in Durham, North Carolina.
She has a significant record of voluntary public service in the field of education. Highlights include her affiliation with the Westchester Community College Foundation Board for which she has served in a variety of roles including member, chairperson, and president. She has also served as vice chairperson and chairperson for the Lesley University Board of Trustees. She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for this private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In addition to her work with Westchester Community College Foundation, her local impact has been significant through her involvement with the Scarsdale School System. She served as president of the Scarsdale Council of Parent Teacher Associations, was a member of the Westchester-Putnam School Board Association, and was a member of the New York State School Board Association. For the Scarsdale Board of Education, she held several roles ranging from member to vice president and president.
A member of the Institutional Review Board of the White Plains Hospital Center, she received her B.S. in Education from Lesley College. She was recognized by the Westchester Community College Foundation, which bestowed the Abeles Award to her due to her commitment to public service. She also received the Lesley College Community Service Award.
Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith is the senior pastor of the Mt. Hope A.M.E. Zion Church, the oldest African-American Congregation in Westchester County. He is the president of the Mt. Hope Community Development Corporation; Prince Hall Housing Development Fund Inc.; and Prince Hall Fund Inc., a multi-million dollar non-for-profit 501(c)3 Foundation providing program funds/grants to assist the poor, distressed, and underprivileged. In 1990, he was appointed by President Bush as president and chief executive officer of the African Development Foundation, an independent Federal agency in Washington, D.C., with offices in 25 African nations and a staff of more than 3,000 individuals. Dr. Smith continued to serve in this position in the Clinton Administration. The agency assists the most vulnerable members of society with grants for technical assistance and capacity building to grassroots organizations, cooperatives, and community enterprises that strengthen local institutions and achieve lasting impact. He also has served as Director of International Disaster Response for Church World Service, an entity of the National Council of Churches.
A graduate with honors from Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, Dr. Smith also earned two Masters and two Doctoral degrees: MBA Degree in Marketing and Finance; a Master of Divinity Degree; Doctorate in Higher Education Administration and Finance ABD; and a Doctorate in Ministries.
Dr. Smith is the grandnephew of the late Paul Robeson, the renowned singer and activist.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey Announces Children’s Center Grant
Congresswoman Nita Lowey held a June 11, 2018 press conference at the college’s Virginia Marx Children’s Center to announce multiyear funding of a grant for student parents. This $800,000 grant (about $211,000 per year for four years) will allow the college to provide subsidies for qualified, low income, Pell eligible student parents; assist the college in recruiting to enable more students to take advantage of the college’s childcare services; and provide student parents with additional support to help them achieve success as students and as parents.
35 families will receive annual stipends through the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant. The college will develop a sliding scale based upon student need and the number of credits taken by student parents. The student parents may receive as much as $5,754 annually.
The event, attended by News 12 and FIOS-1, included comments from three student parents who told their own personal stories:
Kristen Hopper and her twins Julia and Robert. Kristen has four children; her older children are now ten and fifteen. The twins were born later. She faced some difficulties in balancing not only her school commitments and her child rearing duties, but also a commute. She traveled by bus with her twins through rain, snow, etc. But she persevered and wants to let others know that they can do so, too! She says she changed her life around thanks to the college and the Children’s Center. Julia and Robert are both three and they are thriving, as is Kristen. Kristen just graduated in May (Criminal Justice/Police) and is moving on to further study at Berkeley College. She is hoping for a career in law, perhaps starting as a legal secretary and then moving on to become a lawyer.
Merly Fonseca and Zoe (her child). Merly studies Radiologic Technology at the college. Merly started at Norwalk Community College, earned an associate’s degree there, and then transferred here. She received scholarship money, and financial aid, and both have helped her pursue her studies. As a realtor, a mother, and a student, she’s got a lot going on. The whole reason that she can work is because of the Children’s Center; if it was not for that, she would not be able to do all that she is doing.
Tina Jones’ daughter is Kayla and she is four years old. Tina had her daughter in childcare at another facility and she was considering a change. She heard a lot about our facility so she switched over and has been thankful for all the services offered here. When she came to the college with her boyfriend, the child’s father, they decided to attend the college as a group! Kayla, who is leaving the Center for kindergarten, did very well at the Center. Tina is taking Liberal Arts and is considering transferring over the Radiologic Technology Program. Her boyfriend, registered for Liberal Arts classes. They both made the Dean’s List and are continuing their studies here – he’s taking summer classes and she’s coming back for more classes in the fall.
At the event, President Belinda S. Miles thanked the Congresswoman for her support. “It is a special treasure to be able to support our students and their young children at the same time. This is a unique place where our students come to achieve their academic and career goals while their children take part in an accredited curriculum supporting early childhood development, a distinction among child care centers. We are especially grateful for Congresswoman Lowey’s strong advocacy on behalf of Westchester Community College students and the award-winning Virginia Marx Children’s Center,” said Dr. Miles.
Children’s Center Director Susan Zucker gave an overview of the Center at the event.
Nearly ¾ of a million residents of Hudson Valley, many whom are in Westchester, have earned college credits but have not received degrees. Many of these individuals seek to earn more college credits, or a degree, while also caring for their families. Due to economic pressures, they are unable to consider college, which would allow them to move on to careers or further education. If they had the means to afford that education, they would be better able to provide for their families. The college has found that higher education benefits not just individuals, but entire families, since it can help students move on to better paying employment, new careers, etc.
This is an important grant because it supports the overall concept of providing childcare services for students with children. This is especially relevant in Westchester: we recognize that the cost of childcare is a barrier to those who seek to simultaneously further their education while raising their children.
These students will have the opportunity to attend an accredited (National Association for the Education of Young Children – NAEYC), award–winning, state of the art, childcare center. The Center received the highest rating from QUALITYstarsNY, the state’s rating system for childcare facilities.
The Center provides a nurturing environment that is safe and healthy. There are extensive opportunities for learning, physical development, culture, art expression, and language development. These offerings are important for the development of young minds and are aligned with research regarding learning and early child development.
This grant shows the federal government’s commitment to helping parents achieve their college goals.
There are current openings for the children of student parents and for members of the community. If you are interested in childcare, email info@sunywcc.edu for details.
Also, for more information on the Center, see the Children’s Center web pages: /student-services/childrenscenter/
Local news coverage of the announcement
News 12 Westchester: Westchester Community College to get child care funding
Fios 1: Federal grant gives low-income WCC students funding for childcare
Photos from the announcement
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