SUNY Westchester Community College celebrated its 74th commencement last week on campus, the first in-person graduation since 2019.

While the in-person event was made possible due to reduced levels of COVID-19 infection from a year ago, safety protocols, including mandatory wearing of masks while indoors, were implemented to ensure the safety and well-being for all attendees. Further, commencement was divided by school into three different ceremonies in order to reduce attendee density in the Physical Education Building, where the ceremonies were held.

“This year’s commencement celebrated the tremendous achievements of our graduates who persevered through the worst days of the pandemic, as well as the dedicated efforts of our faculty and other employees to provide the support our students needed to reach this milestone,” said Dr. Miles. “This dedication, combined with innovative programs, has been a critical factor in the doubling of our graduation rate over the course of the past seven years.”

SUNY Westchester Community College President Belinda S. Miles and WCC Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Leroy Mitchell spoke at each of the three ceremonies. The featured speaker was Ms. Lisa Denig, president of the WCC Alumni Association and Counsel to the Chief Judge of the State of New York, Honorable Janet DiFiore. Among the graduates at the ceremony were the winners of the SUNY Chancellors Award for Excellence, winner of a Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship and other honorees. Of the more than 1,600 graduates, many will be transferring to four-year institutions including Columbia, NYU, SUNY campuses and local colleges, while many others will be entering the workforce in such fields as cybersecurity, nursing, fashion design, and digital filmmaking.

SUNY Westchester Community College, in sharing compelling arts with the public, will present Angle/Edge/Plane, The Sculpture of Ronald Bladen.

August 26, 2022 – Valhalla, New York – SUNY Westchester Community College announced it will present Angle/Edge/Plane, The Sculpture of Ronald Bladen at its art gallery beginning September 8, 2022, with a public opening on September 8 from 4-6 pm. The exhibit, which runs through November 30, 2022, is open to the public.

Ronald Bladen (1918-1988) was an American painter and sculptor renowned for his large-scale sculptures. On exhibit are scale models of Bladen’s larger work, accompanied by hand-drafted engineering drawings. His artistic stance was influenced by European Constructivism, American Hard-Edge Painting, and sculptors such as Isamu Noguchi and David Smith. Bladen in turn had stimulating effect on a circle of younger artists including Carl Andre, Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt and others, who repeatedly referred to him as one of the ‘father figures’ of Minimal Art.

“It is an honor to host an exhibit by such a world-renowned artist,” said Joseph Morris, Director of SUNY WCC’s Art Gallery. “The fact that he has been so influential on many of today’s younger artists is particularly resonant for a college’s gallery.”

For more information visit Art Opening: Angle / Edge / Plane, The Sculpture of Ronald Bladen – Westchester Community College (sunywcc.edu)

September 27, 2022

Valhalla, NY— Dr. Carmen Martinez-Lopez, Dean of the School of Business and Professional Careers at SUNY Westchester Community College, recently received the Hispanic Women of Impact Award from the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Martinez-Lopez has served SUNY Westchester Community College as dean since 2016, where she has facilitated the creation of the new Robert Weiner Center for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity; led the implementation of the School of Business; and spearheaded the Professional Careers Success Team, whose main goal is to offer a holistic approach to academic success. In identifying student needs and in support of faculty, Dr. Martinez-Lopez led and guided the Viking Resources for Obtaining Associate Degrees and Success (ROADS) program.

Dean Martinez-Lopez is a member of the Westchester County Hispanic Advisory Board, and also serves on the Board of Directors of Volunteer New York whose mission of positive action aligns with her own personal life view.

“I am humbled and honored by this recognition from the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,” said Dr. Martinez-Lopez. “What is special about this tribute is that it is based not on my own accomplishments but the impact I have had on others. Pursuing a career in higher education is dedicating my life to helping raise others to reach their full potential, and being able to do so at our local college fills me with pride and joy.”

“Dr. Martinez-Lopez epitomizes the talent, hard work, determination and tenacity of Latinas who blaze a trail to create a successful life,” said Aleida Frederico, Chair of the WHCC. “Dr. Martinez-Lopez has not only forged a path fulfilling her own dreams, she has become a leader who has served as a mentor and role model for the next generation.”

The Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the leading county-wide Hispanic business organization dealing with the concerns of the growing Hispanic business community of Westchester. The WHCC promotes programs, events, resources and activities that propel Hispanic businesses forward.

When: Exhibition will run from September 6 through December 9, 2022.
Location: Center for the Digital Arts Gallery, Peekskill Extension Center
27 N Division St, Peekskill, NY 10566

Art Exhibition: Reimagined Elements, Christine Knowlton

New York, August 8, 2022. The Center for the Digital Arts Gallery of the Peekskill Extension of SUNY Westchester is presenting the work of Christine Knowlton on view from September 6 through December 9, 2022. The opening reception will be on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the public is welcome. From a young age, Christine Knowlton turned scraps of materials into unique creations. Christine earned a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and established a successful career in textile design, product development, and color consultation. As a freelance artist/designer she shifted into digital media and experimental video, produced two Sight and Sound multimedia works, music fundraiser events at the Paramount, while working on film and TV productions. Over six years, she created a feature documentary film about blind sailors who race on open water, Sense the Wind shown at SUNY Westchester Community College, premiered at the Jacob Burns Film Center, and showed around the world.

The COVID-19 shutdown was a call to make solo art after sewing 900 fabric face masks as a volunteer. This prompted Christine to make visceral analogue art using textured paint, broken mirrors, and auto glass fragments with paper collage. This was a period of intense experimentation and creating a large body of work in two years and still continues. Since creating Fog of Shattered Dreams and exhibiting at AW, her multi-media artwork and photography has since been in many regional group and solo exhibitions. Christine’s second solo show, Reimagined Elements continues an exploration into reflective art, collage, and photography much inspired by ongoing study of the Zen Elements of Nature.

In 2019 Christine initiated a NYS funded Peekskill DRI public arts project, the Five Elements Arches Mural, five panels to be installed Fall 2022 on the South Street Highway 9A retaining wall above the Peekskill train station.

For more information about Christine Knowlton, please visit ChristineKnowltonArt.com or Christine.knowlton.1 on INSTAGRAM. You may also contact peekskill@sunywcc.edu or 914-606-7300 for opening reception information and viewing hours. For more information about The Center for the Digital Arts Gallery, please visit www.sunywcc.edu/peekskill.

Valhalla, NY, April 18, 2022 – The Westchester Community College Foundation will present the Lester M. Crystal President’s Forum held virtually on Tuesday, May 10^th from 5:30 to 7:00PM. The President’s Forum is an annual event featuring a distinguished panel of journalists, political leaders, historians, and other prominent leaders who gather to engage in a balanced discussion on a current topic of political importance.

The theme of this year’s program is Where are We Now? Journalism, Social Media and the State of Democracy and it will feature a tribute to Lester Crystal by Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour. The panel will include leading experts in the fields of government and politics, media, foreign affairs, the economy and education, and it will be moderated by Brian Lehrer, host of The Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC Radio’s daily call-in program.

Panelists scheduled to appear include:

• Jacqueline Alemany– Washington Post congressional correspondent and author
• Helene Cooper– Pentagon Correspondent, The New York Times
• Linda Greenhouse– Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, Lecturer in Law, Yale Law School
• Christina Greer– Associate Professor Political Science, Fordham University
• Hank Sheinkopf– Political strategist and speaker
• Bret Stephens– Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and Associate Editor, New York Times

The event was named this year to honor the late Lester Crystal for his contribution on behalf of Westchester Community College students. Crystal was the Executive Producer of the PBS NewsHour and former President of MacNeil Lehrer Productions. Past speakers have included President Clinton, Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Paul Volcker, journalists Paul Krugman and Paul Gigot, and many others.  Westchester Community College Foundation board members Betty Cotton and Evelyn Stock co-chair the event.

“We are honored to recognize Lester Crystal’s contribution on behalf of Westchester Community College students by naming this prestigious event in his memory” said Evelyn Stock. “ For many years, this event was moderated by Lester, a long- time Executive Producer of the PBS NewsHour and former President of MacNeil Lehrer Productions and a member of the WCC Foundation Board of Directors. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and support for our foundation, and we speak for the students who received support from the many sponsors and donors to our program.”

Sponsors of the Westchester Community Foundation Lester M. Crystal President’s Forum include JPMorgan Chase and Con Edison. Funds raised from this event will support the Foundation’s Scholarship and Program Fund. To reserve tickets or to sponsor this event visit www.sunywcc.edu/presidents-forum or for more information, contact Jessica Denaro, Director of Development, Annual Giving, Westchester Community College Foundation at 914-774-1608 email jessica.denaro@sunywcc.edu.

Westchester Community College opens new facility to better provide holistic support for student success

Valhalla, NY, April 7, 2022 – Westchester Community College cut the ribbon on a new Mental Health Suite, designed specifically to give WCC students the extra help they need in order to succeed.

WCC’s Department of Mental Health and Counseling Services creates a campus environment that is safe, growth fostering, and prioritizes the psychological, social, and emotional well-being of our college community. Employing a holistic approach to mental health, the department offers confidential, individual and group mental health services to students.

Many Westchester Community College students face significant burdens – financial and academic concerns, food insecurity, homelessness, and the emotional turmoil these and other factors bring – that affect their mental health and, consequently, their academic success. The pandemic exacerbated these challenges through two years of uncertainty, loss and trauma.

A consortium of public and private sources has come together to create the new Mental Health Suite at WCC.  Located adjacent to the Health Services office, this new facility provides a private and confidential space for students to seek support and wait for appointments, sends a clear message to the WCC community that student mental health is a priority, and acknowledges the clear link between mental health and academic success.  Its proximity to the Health Services office highlights that mental health is just as important as physical health and creates a Health & Wellness Center for the College.

The Mental Health Suite is made possible with a gift from Susan Yubas and Michael Benenson, funds from the WCC Faculty Student Association, and other generous donors to the Westchester Community College Foundation

“This new Health and Wellness Center is an example of how we listen to what the college community tells us it needs – that it is important to care for the whole person – body AND mind,” said Susan Yubas. “This collaboration is an excellent example of WCC, the Foundation and the community of donors working together to increase and expand the outstanding quality of services needed to further the success of all WCC students.”

For more information on WCC’s Department of Mental Health and Counseling Services, visit www.sunywcc.edu/mentalhealth.

Valhalla, NY, February 28, 2022 – Westchester Community College (WCC) will receive an investment of $450,000 to continue its Money Smart Forum financial coaching program for another three years. This award is part of a $2.5 million grant from JPMorgan Chase to the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) to develop and launch similar financial coaching programs at selected community colleges. The success of the Money Smart Forum in improving student financial behavior and increasing persistence and graduation rates demonstrated the need for JPMorgan Chase to continue their commitment to the program, which it has funded since 2014, by replicating practices developed at WCC.

“Westchester Community College is committed to serving its students holistically, focusing on both their academic success as well as their personal success,” said Anthony Trimarchi, managing director, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, and a leader of the firm’s Westchester and Hudson Valley Market Leadership Team. “The Money Smart Financial Coaching Program ensures students have the resources and skills needed to build wealth, manage their finances and best prepare for the future.”

Utilizing the WCC guidebook, Financial Capability through Financial Coaching, along with coaching and technical assistance, the Grant will serve more than 1,200 students at seven community colleges and one HBCU during a three-year period. Students will receive financial coaching which has shown to improve academic performance, reduce time to graduation and improve lifelong financial health.

“It is a testament to the strength of our program that WCC has been selected as the template upon which other schools can build their financial health programs,” said Dr. Belinda Miles, President of Westchester Community College. “Over 5,000 students at WCC have taken advantage of financial wellness programs, and we look forward to promoting economic advancement for thousands more of our students in the years to come.”

The RFP and grant opportunity will be open to community colleges who are committed to and able to recruit and deliver financial coaching to students, with priority given to those who serve predominantly first generation, historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students. Funds granted to the colleges will provide training, guidance, and technical support needed to hire staff, and to build a successful, sustainable program, with the assistance of the NCWE/WCC program support team. The

grant will assist recipient colleges in developing a long-term business plan to embed financial wellness into the college’s strategic and budget plans, and to sustain the initiative over time.

Dr. Darlene G. Miller, Executive Director of NCWE stated, “As a nonprofit committed to supporting practitioners and workforce leaders to deliver equity-conscious and impactful workforce education programs, we believe that financial wellness programming is critical to addressing financial security barriers for workforce education learners and will serve to mitigate gender and racial equity wealth gaps.”

The RFP will be available on March 1, 2022. More information about the RFP and the grant can be found at NCWE Projects and Initiatives – The National Council for Workforce Education. Details of the WCC Money Smart Financial Coaching Program are available at Financial Coaching – Westchester Community College (sunywcc.edu)

In Boon to Local Students and Regional Businesses, Westchester Community College and Purchase College Sign Transfer Agreement to Provide Seamless Pathway to Bachelor’s Degrees

Westchester Community College (WCC) and Purchase College, SUNY have signed a transfer articulation agreement to promote degree completion and facilitate the transfer process, enabling participating WCC students to matriculate into Purchase College with junior standing.

WCC students who graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.5 will be guaranteed admission into Purchase College and will be eligible for a $1,000 transfer scholarship good for up to two years, which will be offered on a first come first serve basis. WCC students who earn their Associate’s Degree in the following Liberal Arts and Sciences programs will have program to program articulation pathways available into the following Bachelor’s Degree programs at Purchase College: Anthropology, Biology, Economics, English, Psychology and Sociology. Currently, more than fifty WCC students transfer to Purchase College each year.

“WCC is committed to helping students succeed in their pursuit of academic and career goals,” said Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President of Westchester Community College. “This agreement with Purchase College provides our graduates with the opportunity to seamlessly transition to another high-quality SUNY institution where they can continue studies in their chosen field. Agreements such as this allow our graduates to maximize their investment in themselves and enter the local job market well-prepared to meet the needs of our regional economy.”

Purchase College President Milagros (Milly) Peña, PhD, said, “We’re pleased to announce this agreement with our close neighbor, Westchester Community College, with whom we’ve had a longstanding and fruitful relationship. Over the years, we’ve been proud to welcome students from WCC, to watch them thrive during their time at Purchase, and to witness their success as alumni. We look forward to making this path even more seamless and to providing additional funds and resources to support WCC students as they take the next step in their academic journey.”

Students interested in learning more about this transfer opportunity should visit SUNY Purchase Transfer Agreement – Westchester Community College

About Purchase College, SUNY

Purchase College, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) network of 64 universities and colleges, was founded in 1967 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller. His aspiration for Purchase was to create a dynamic campus that combined conservatory training in the visual and performing arts with programs in the liberal arts and sciences, in order to inspire an appreciation for both intellectual and artistic talents in all students. Today, Purchase College, SUNY is a community of students, faculty, and friends where open-minded engagement with the creative process leads to a lifetime of intellectual growth and professional opportunity. For more information about the College, visit www.purchase.edu

New York, January 13, 2022.

The Center for the Digital Arts Gallery of the Peekskill Extension of Westchester Community College is presenting the work of Philippe Safire on view from February 1 through April 27, 2022. The opening reception will be on February 15, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the public is welcome. Among the earliest records of art making are handprints outlined in color on cavern walls created by people thirty thousand years ago. We might consider these early cave paintings the “new media art” of prehistoric times. Inspired by these pieces, Philippe Safire designed a digital version in the form of a custom application displayed on a multi-touch screen. If the viewer puts their hand on the screen, an animation of colored pixels encircles the fingers and palm. Once the hand is removed, the outline continues sparkling before disappearing. Safire invites the public to collaborate in generating unique artwork. As part of the series, the exhibition also includes a set of lenticular prints, projected animation, an internet installation and social media component. Conceived as a participatory event, CREATE features hand prints created by participants — to enjoy within and beyond the gallery space. The exhibition explores the creative process and the ephemeral quality of the digital medium.

Philippe Safire is a French-Armenian artist living and working in New York City. Recent projects include SPELL, an award-winning short film that received international recognition, and nightcolors, a public art installation in Beacon, New York. His art has been exhibited at LACDA, Arts Westchester Gallery, REVERSE Gallery, Beacon Arts, Garrison Art Center, New York University, and the Center for the Digital Arts, among other places. Recent commissions include Beacon Arts and Arts Westchester. Safire’s work has been featured in VICE Magazine + Intel’s The Creators Project, The Ascent, Faena Sphere, ArtSlant, BX200 The Bronx Visual Artist Database, Make: Magazine, Manifeste des Arts Immersifs, and the Brooklyn Art Project.

For more information about Philippe Safire, please visit http://philippe-safire.net/create or @philippesafirestudio on INSTAGRAM. You may also contact peekskill@sunywcc.edu or 914-606-7300 for opening reception information and viewing hours. For more information about The Center for the Digital Arts Gallery, please visit www.sunywcc.edu/peekskill.

Contact:  Dr. Sherry Mayo, Peekskill Extension, Westchester Community College
Phone:  914-606-7385
Email: sherry.mayo@sunywcc.edu
#createcolors

Gabrielle Fox, Program Administrator at Westchester Community College, has been named by 914Inc as one of this year’s top female leaders in Westchester County. Ms. Fox was honored today at the magazine’s 11th Annual Women in Business Awards.

Throughout Ms. Fox’s job responsibilities at Westchester Community College, service to the community is a significant theme. Among other duties, Ms. Fox serves as a liaison officer between the school and the Collegium for Lifelong Learning, a member organization closely associated with the college that offers educational opportunities to retirees and other senior members of the community.

In addition to her service at WCC, Ms. Fox is the founder and artistic director of Theatre Revolution, a company that assists local theater and performing companies in enhancing their profile and promoting their productions.

Theatre Revolution was founded by Ms. Fox in 2016 and was an outgrowth of her career as a playwright. Ms. Fox’s mother was an actress and singer, and she grew up in an atmosphere dominated by the arts.

Prior to the pandemic, Theatre Revolution began producing their own shows, and even founded the first women’s playwright festival in the Hudson Valley. Theatre Revolution’s objective is to promote diversity within each community they help develop, in the process promoting underrepresented voices.

Of the award, conferred at a recent luncheon at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel & Conference Center in Tarrytown, Ms. Fox says,

“I feel really grateful and lucky to be representing the arts in our community, and I am hoping it draws more attention to what a vibrant community of artists we have in this area. I am also grateful to be able to promote lifelong learning in my role at WCC. The wealth of arts and adult learning opportunities help Westchester County provide an enriching lifestyle for all of its residents.”