News
2018 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
On Tuesday, April 10, 2018, State University of New York Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson presented 249 SUNY students from across the state with the 2018 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. SUNY students, their families, campus presidents, and faculty convened in the Albany Capital Center to congratulate this year’s awardees. Eight Westchester Community College students were awarded with the 2018 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence: Johnnie Asibuo, Daniel Barr, Jesus Blanco, Melany Davila, Christine Fils-Aime, Daniela Hirsch, Keenan Long, and Nicholas Singh.
A complete listing of student recipients is available online.
“I am immensely proud of these students, who have demonstrated academic excellence and dedication to enriching their campuses and communities,” said Chancellor Johnson. “From research publications in industry journals to volunteering in hospitals and local clinics to holding leadership roles at their institutions, I am inspired by each student we recognize today. Congratulations to all of the students receiving this year’s award.”
Chancellor Johnson was joined by special guest Erin Hamlin, a four-time Olympian, 2014 Bronze Medalist, and two-time Luge World Champion. Hamlin made history at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games as the first American (male or female) to win an Olympic medal in singles luge, and was the first U.S. woman to win a medal in any luge discipline at the Olympic Games. The Olympian and world champion earned her A.A. in interdisciplinary studies online from Empire State College.
“As a proud SUNY alum, it is my honor to stand here today as we celebrate a room full of SUNY students and their pursuit of excellence in academics, athletics, and community,” said Hamlin. “Your achievements as SUNY students is just the beginning, and I have no doubt that this determination and dedication you possess will drive you to excel in all of your future endeavors.”
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, or career achievement.
Each year, SUNY campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews the accomplishments of exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office for a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award.
State of the College
Building Minds, Building Futures. Check out our 2018 State of the College & Foundation Annual Report. This publication contains highlights from the President’s annual State of the College Address—financial information, community influence & demographics. DOWNLOAD
International Seder Celebration
A number of individuals from the college were part of the recent “We are all immigrants” Seder with attendees from Latin American, African, Muslim, Caribbean, Jewish and Asian backgrounds. The event was attended by 135 individuals including President Miles; County Executive George Latimer; Teresita Wisell, Vice President, Workforce Development and Community Education; Tiffany Hamilton, Associate Dean and Chief Diversity Officer; Dr. Carmen Martinez-Lopez, Dean, School of Business and Professional Careers; Professor Gifford Blagrove, Professor, Emergency Medical Services; Christine Fils-Aime, Katherine Davis Global Scholar; Lijing Xu, Katherine Davis Global Scholar; Angel Cabrera Pereira, Katherine Davis Global Scholar; and Annique McClune, student. The special Seder served as a reminder of our nation’s immigrant roots and how people from diverse faiths and backgrounds can join together and make for a perfect balance The photos were taken by Paula Wittlin.
Workforce Development & Community Education
Workforce Development and Community Education summer class registration is now open! Check out the many opportunities including kids learning camps, career training, and English as a Second Language classes: http://www.sunywcc.edu/wdce
Course Evaluations
April 2 through April 23
Please take a few minutes to complete your course surveys. Your feedback is important to your professors.
Your user ID and password are required.
For help: MyWCCHelpdesk@sunywcc.edu or call 914-606-5600
Thank you for participating!
Alumnus Wins Public Health Award
Top Honors go to Norman Haight and Paul Presendieu-Cuesta
Together with Joan McDonald, director of operations for Westchester County, the Westchester County Board of Health presented the 2018 Public Health Awards on Thursday April 19 at 10:30 a.m. in the Atrium in the Jeannette J. Phillips Health Center, 1037 Main Street, Peekskill.
This year’s awards recognize outstanding contributions to public health in Westchester by five people and celebrate the accomplishments of the public health community. The presentation was hosted by HRHCare Community Health in Peekskill. National Public Health Week was observed April 3-9.
“We all benefit from the commitment of these volunteers to improving the health of our community,” said McDonald, who presented the winners with proclamations honoring their achievements on behalf of County Executive George Latimer. “With their extraordinary concern for others, these individuals set an example for all of us. I congratulate the winners and I encourage other residents to follow in their footsteps.”
On behalf of Latimer, McDonald thanked the volunteer members of the Westchester County Board of Health for safeguarding the county’s health, along with Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler and the health department, who work together to preserve, protect and promote the health of Westchester residents.
Board of Health President Robert Baker, MD, presented the Dr. Harold Keltz Distinguished Public Health Service Award to Norman Haight, a lifelong Peekskill resident.
“Norman Haight has demonstrated an enduring commitment to improving the health and well-being of Westchester’s most fragile populations,” Baker said. “His volunteer work and service as a vice president and trustee at The Preservation Company, a not-for-profit agency, has supported the construction and preservation of affordable housing in the Hudson Valley.”
“Norman’s welcoming smile opens the door to his commitment to meeting the housing and health care needs of his community,” said Jeanette Phillips, executive director of The Preservation Company. “Throughout his years as a board member, Norman has worked to assure we partnered with developers to provide housing for seniors and special populations, and has supported events that bring the diversity of our communities together.”
The Board awarded the J.R. Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award to Paul Presendieu-Cuesta, 27, of New Rochelle, for his efforts to promote environmental awareness on the Westchester Community College campus. Mr. Presendieu-Cuesta led the effort to revive Earth Day on campus and has continued to expand Earth Day activities at WCC since 2015.
“As a Westchester Community College student, Paul made it his mission to revive earth day on campus and he has continued to volunteer his time to improve sustainability and environmental awareness there long after he graduated,” Baker said.
“We are very proud of Paul’s continued contributions to public health and public good,” said Westchester Community College President Dr. Belinda Miles. “Paul is an exemplary graduate of Westchester Community College who sets a high standard and is a great example of how an individual can make a positive difference on behalf of the environment.”
The Board also recognized three Public Health Honorees:
• Hector Santiago, 30, is a Yonkers resident and community activist who walked alone from Yonkers to Albany last summer to highlight the need for additional resources to address the mental health needs of New Yorkers. Mr. Santiago is a former gang member who initiated the StopAndShake campaign to improve relations between police and the communities they serve.
• Marisa Porgpraputson, 31, is a Scarsdale resident and recent College of New Rochelle graduate preparing for a career in nursing. A leader of the Student Nurses Association at CNR, she played an active role in publicizing and coordinating opioid education and training for CNR nursing students.
• Myrantz Assade, 36, is an Irvington resident and recent College of New Rochelle graduate who now works as a registered nurse. He was a leader of the Student Nurses Association at CNR who helped plan a series of educational events on campus to inform students about the opioid public health epidemic. Included in the events were opioid overdose prevention training sessions led by the Westchester County Department of Health.
“The Health Department is fortunate to have such capable partners working alongside us to promote public health in our communities,” said Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “We are especially grateful to not-for-profit groups and to our honorees, who enhance and support the efforts of local organizations.”
Student Profiles
Visit our student profile page to learn more about our alumni, current students, and their perspectives on education at Westchester Community College.
President Miles in Black History Month Calendar
2015 hiring of Dr. Miles noted in Westchester Magazine calendar: http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/February-2018/Black-Westchester/
Yonkers Extension Center Community Conversation
A community forum held at the Yonkers Extension Center brought members of the community together to discuss the future of education and the workforce on Wednesday, April 4. Administrators and student leaders shared their perspectives alongside various community representatives.
Celebrating the life of David Swope
Statement by President Belinda S. Miles on the passing of David Swope
I am saddened to share the news that our dear friend and colleague David Swope has passed away.
As a lifetime resident of Westchester County, David was much beloved and universally respected by the community. After a successful legal career in New York City, he returned home to be involved in his own businesses: Teatown Lake Reservation and Club Fit. He was active in many community organizations and served on the boards of Jacob Burns Film Center, Ossining Children’s Center, and Katonah Museum of Art. He served as Westchester Community College Trustee since 2011 and served as the Chair of the Board from 2013 to 2016. He served on the Westchester Community College Foundation Board as Director since 2001, President and Chairman from 2005 to 2013, and Co-Chair of its highly successful Gateway Campaign. David’s family is a longtime benefactor of the college and driving force in the development of the Foundation, which has been profound in support of student success.
I cannot capture in this message everything that David contributed to the college and the deep impact he had on the lives of our students and employees. He will be remembered not only for his achievements as a businessperson and monumental contributions as a community leader and philanthropist, but also for the standard he set for how to treat people. He was approachable, kind, and was always listening for ways to make the community better for everyone. There is much more that needs to be said to honor David’s memory. We will share further details on an appropriate tribute when they are announced.
Please keep David’s family in your thoughts and prayers.