News
STEM Research Academy Students Awarded at MACUB Conference for Their Native Garden Research
Two Westchester Community Summer STEM Research academy students presented their research posters in partnership with two Mercy College students at the 53 Annual MACUB Conference held virtually at St. Francis College on Saturday October 31, 2020.
At the MACUB conference, Marisa Rodriquez (WCC) and Bianca Jimenez (Mercy College) were awarded a prize honoring their research presentation. The students worked as a team on project design, background research, data collection (in gardens in both of their backyards), poster creation, and presentation. Their research, titled “Do Native Gardens Mitigate Pollinator Decline?” continues at the Native Plant Center, WCC Valhalla Campus. Rodriguez is pictured at the Native Plant Center gathering data on native gardens and pollinators.
Do Native Gardens Mitigate Pollinator Decline?
What is conservation biology and why is it important?
The management of nature and Earth’s biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, ecosystems, from excessive rates of extinction and erosion of biotic interactions. Conservation biology is extremely important in maintaining biodiversity not only for plant and insect species but for human well-being.
What is a native pollinator garden?
These gardens are created with the intension of attracting pollinators with the use of native plant species. Pollinator gardens can provide nectar and pollen, nesting sites, and protection. The goal of the gardens is to reverse the effects of pollinator decline due to reasons such as climate change, land-use intensification, and pesticide use.
Why are pollinators important?
The term pollinators groups together insects such as bees, flies, beetles, ants, butterflies, and many more. They are extremely important to our environment, biodiversity, and food security. Pollinator species are responsible for pollinating over 60% of our food crops.
Expected Results
Pollinators species such as ants, flies, honey bees, bumblebees, wasps, and beetles will visit the intentionally planted garden more often than the pre-existing garden because they are more attracted to native plant species.
Results
Pollinators visited the intentional garden more than the pre-existing garden. However, the pre-existing garden saw more diversity in the class of insects that visited.
Future Direction
Moving forward, more data needs to be collected in order to push legislature to protect these species. Future studies can repeat this experiment on a larger scale.
“We are so excited about this, and huge congratulations goes out to everyone involved, including our faculty leaders, professors Eiden and Bukofser”, said Provost Morest, Vice President of Academic Affairs.
The mission of the School of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering is to prepare students for careers across a broad range of science, engineering, mathematics, and technology disciplines; and to activate students’ thirst of knowledge in science and mathematics.
To accomplish its mission, the school maintains a nurturing academic atmosphere conducive to excellent in teaching and expects high standards of performance for faculty and students.
About WCC
Westchester Community College provides over 24,000 full-time and part-time students with an award-winning education at one of the lowest tuition rates in New York State. The college offers over 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as cybersecurity, health information technology, respiratory therapy, and digital filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region, and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Peekskill Extension Center Hosts Artist Carla Rae Johnson
Artist and former professor at WCC, Carla Rae Johnson presented her most recent interactive work, Monument to the Future, at a Virtual Artist Talk hosted by the Peekskill Extension Center on October 22, 2020.
“What do you do when the house is burning? Make art.” The sculpture was inspired by the march on July 3rd from the youth of Peekskill, addressing the present social climate. Impressed by their engagement Johnson asked herself, “How do we anoint them? They have inherited what we have instilled in them. How do we offer them empowerment?”, fostering the imagery of the, Monument to the Future. The sculpture has steps with a railing that lead to a pair of boots on top of a pedestal. The audience is invited to stand in the boots to make a pledge as to what they can and will do (for social justice). Johnson’s presentation took the viewer on a journey, beginning with her inspirations and ending with past work both individual and collaborative. Carla Rae Johnson appeared in Gorilla Mask, inspired by The Gorilla Girls, a tongue in cheek perspective, highlighting the ‘place’ of women artists in society. Work from artists Mel Chin, Francisco Goya, Doris Salcedo, and Kehinde Wiley were some of Johnson’s inspirations. The Q & A portion begged the question, Should art be political? Johnson answered, “…intended or not, art is always political.”
Her advice to the WCC art student, “Read, look at the world, look for the passion, look at history, at the people who made a difference in the world. Emily Dickinson for example, was creating powerful and incredible work, you don’t need outside reinforcement when you’re going to do it no matter what…. work with materials that feel good to you, it is a medicine, and fall in love with those things.”
About Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College provides over 24,000 full-time and part-time students with an education taught by award-winning faculty at one of the lowest tuition rates in New York State. The college offers over 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as Cybersecurity, Health Information Technology, Respiratory Therapy, and Digital Filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region, and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
WCC GROW YOUR BUSINESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY IN NOVEMBER WITH KEYNOTE DELIVERED BY JASON FEIFER OF ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE
October 18, 2020 (Valhalla, NY): Westchester Community College’s Gateway to Entrepreneurship (G2E) Center will host its annual GROW Your Business Conference virtually from 8am-10am on three consecutive Fridays: November 6th, 13th, and 20th. The GROW Conference empowers small business owners throughout Westchester County and will feature a variety of workshops over three days as well as a keynote address by Jason Feifer, Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine.
The GROW Conference, organized by G2E and the Westchester County Office of Economic Development, is the region’s largest gathering of business owners and professionals for the purpose of training for small businesses. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and keeping the health and safety of everyone in mind, this year’s GROW Conference will be going virtual over three days. Local professionals throughout Westchester County will join from their screens for networking, mentoring, business development, and sessions covering leadership, marketing, and strategy for the purpose of building relationships as well as furthering their company’s growth. This year’s GROW Conference will be offering new ideas, perspectives, and strategies on how to continue to grow your business and maximizing success during times of economic distress and uncertainty. Attendees will have the opportunity to tap into a network of like-minded business leaders, potential partners, and resources, and hear from marquee-name professionals and innovators from Westchester and beyond.
Jason Feifer, Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, will deliver the keynote at this year’s GROW Conference during the November 6th Leadership Session. Over the past four years as Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, Feifer has led the charge in the evolution of the magazine from entrepreneurship being just a career designation to now a mindset and identity for those who are pursuing their own path. In addition to being Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, Feifer is also the host of two podcasts Problem Solvers, a podcast about entrepreneurs solving unexpected problems in their business and Pessimists Archive, a podcast on the history of unfounded fears and innovation. During his keynote, Feifer will inspire attendees on how to make and embrace change by discovering opportunities with a fresh mindset.
“Westchester County was one of the original epicenters of the coronavirus in the U.S., creating economic upheaval in our community and forcing businesses to adapt and reinvent themselves,” said Dr. Belinda Miles, President of Westchester Community College. “Westchester Community College is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and workers develop the skills and knowledge they need to power our region’s re-emergence and economic growth. The GROW Conference is an important venue for presenting programs by experts who can support these vital innovators.”
This year’s GROW Conference’s theme is One Community, New Ideas: Recovery & Resiliency. Attendees at this year’s conference will have an opportunity to attend three dynamic sessions that present important concepts and skills that they can apply towards their business in times of economic distress. The workshop topics at this year’s GROW Conference include: Strategically Pivoting Your Business; Panel Discussion: Stories of Resiliency; Social for business? How to maximize organic social media to get new clients, stay top of mind and build meaningful relationships; Turning Around Sales, Profits, and the Business Overall; Hello Are You There? Five Strategies to Better Understand and Engage Your Customers.
The sponsors for the 2020 GROW Conference are Business Council of Westchester, Candela Systems Corporation, Community Capital New York, Pursuit Lending, The Westchester Bank, Westchester County Office of Economic Development, and Westchester-Putnam One-Stop Career Center. The GROW Conference is open to the public and tickets for this year’s three-day event can be purchased online at growyourbusiness2020.eventcombo.com for $30. The GROW Conference is free for all Westchester Community College students with a valid student ID. For more information about becoming a sponsor for the GROW Conference, please contact Romina Ganopolsky, G2E Program Coordinator at Romina.Ganopolsky@sunywcc.edu. For general questions about the event, please contact Events To Remember at (914) 218-3968 or via email at EventsCJH@EventsRemember.com.
About WCC
Westchester Community College provides over 24,000 full-time and part-time students with an award-winning education at one of the lowest tuition rates in New York State. The college offers over 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as cybersecurity, health information technology, respiratory therapy, and digital filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region, and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Westchester Community College Signs Transfer Agreement With Middle Georgia State University For Students Pursuing IT Degrees
Westchester Community College (WCC) has signed a new transfer agreement with Middle Georgia State University (MGA), allowing students who complete their studies at WCC to matriculate into MGA with junior standing.
The new transfer agreement covers students who earned their associate’s degree in cybersecurity or computer information systems. These students will be able to finish upper-division coursework leading to the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. This program is available fully online. Westchester Community College transfer students will pay Middle Georgia State in-state tuition plus institutional and technology fees, which is $2,546/semester for a full load of 15 credit hours.
“Our college recognizes the importance to our country, and the opportunities for our students, in preparing a new generation of IT professionals,” said Dr. Belinda S. Miles, president of Westchester Community College. “This agreement enables our students to pursue further studies that prepare them for high-demand jobs in exciting new fields. We value such partnerships that provide these pathways, especially with institutions that share our dedication to providing our students with the best education at affordable costs.”
“We are proud to provide a pathway for Westchester students to complete their bachelor’s degrees,” said Dr. Kevin Floyd, associate dean of MGA’s School of Computing. “This continues a long tradition of MGA, through the School of Computing, establishing articulation agreements with other institutions and expanding access to our IT programs to students all over the country. Westchester is an excellent institution with high-quality IT programs at the associate’s degree level, so it’s a great partnership.”
Westchester Community College has nearly twenty transfer agreements, guaranteeing its graduates can transfer to a four-year institution with junior status, thus being able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer.
Anyone interested in pursuing an associate’s degree at WCC in Cybersecurity or Computer Information Systems AND interested in this particular bachelor’s degree completion transfer pathway should email Professor John Watkins at John.Watkins@sunywcc.edu or call Admissions at 914-606-6735.
About WCC
Westchester Community College provides over 24,000 full-time and part-time students with an award-winning education at one of the lowest tuition rates in New York State. The college offers over 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as cybersecurity, health information technology, respiratory therapy, and digital filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region, and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
About MGA
Middle Georgia State University (MGA) serves students on campuses in Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, and online through MGA Direct. Students can choose from dozens of programs – including business, nursing, information technology, media and communication, and contemporary musicianship – that lead to bachelor’s degrees. MGA also offers professional master’s degrees in cybersecurity, nursing, management, teaching (secondary education), and technical and professional writing, with other graduate programs under development. MGA expects to introduce a Doctor of Science in IT in the 2020-2021 academic year. The University is home to Georgia’s only public School of Aviation – based on the Eastman campus – and a four-year degree in flight. mga.edu
Westchester Community College Announces 2020 Cohort of Honors College Students
September 30, 2020
Westchester Community College welcomed a new cohort of 17 students into its Honors College for the fall 2020 semester. This is the fourth entering cohort since the Honors College founding in 2017. These ambitious scholars are pursuing SUNY and NYSDE approved honors-designated degrees in one of two curricula: Liberal Arts and Sciences: Social Science, or Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities. Honors College students are chosen following a rigorous selection process, including extensive applications, recommendations and interviews.
Accepted students receive guaranteed tuition coverage and substantial textbook stipends from the WCC Foundation thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. They will have to fulfill at least 40% of their program requirements at the honors level and maintain a 3.5 GPA to graduate with an honors-designated associate degree. These student scholars also have access to specialized co-curricular programming, including the study abroad program offered in partnership with Cambridge University, the Philosophia Honors Society, student conferences and symposia, student publications, and internships.
“Westchester Community College serves a broad spectrum of students with very disparate needs and interests – from training in a range of STEM careers to pre-law, pre-med, and other professional vocations,” said WCC President Dr. Belinda Miles. “We are proud of the opportunities we offer our high-achieving students, such as those in our Honors College. WCC offers these students a tremendous foundation for pursuing their academic goals at such four-year institutions as Yale, Dartmouth, Columbia, Smith, NYU, Sarah Lawrence, as well as SUNY campuses and local colleges.”
“This year’s cohort represents an extensive cross-section of Westchester County communities and includes a diverse mix of local and international scholars. It is exciting to anticipate the contributions this promising group of students will achieve.”
Honors College Class of 2022 Cohort:
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Social Science A.A., Honors Concentration
- Preston England, graduate of Peekskill High School, Peekskill, NY
- Axel Espinoza, graduate of Peekskill High School, Peekskill, NY
- AngelaRosa Garofalo, graduate of Mahopac High School, Mahopac NY
- Rayna Goddard, graduate of Washingtonville High School, Washingtonville, NY
- Max Kleiner, graduate of Pelham Memorial high School, Pelham, NY
- Andrew Lee, graduate of Hendrick Hudson High School, Montrose, NY
- Ivette Rojas Picon, graduate of Sleepy Hollow High School, Sleepy Hollow. NY
- Patrick Poggi, graduate of Briarcliff High School, Briarcliff, NY
- Ryan Ramnauth, graduate of Saunders Trade and Technical High School, Yonkers, NY
- Daisy Rosado, graduate of White Plains High School, White Plains, NY
- Yalyla Saca, graduate of Alexander Hamilton High School, Elmsford, NY
- Zeltzyn Sanchez Gomez, graduate of Port Chester High School, Port Chester, NY
- Faisal Shuaib, graduate of Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, Accra, Ghana
- Mylene Smith, graduate of Hendrick Hudson High School, Montrose, NY
- Chloe Stalker, graduate of Brewster High School, Brewster, NY
- Karla Uguna, graduate of White Plains High School, Yonkers, NY
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities A.A., Honors Concentration
- Dylan Ortiz, graduate of Ossining High School, Ossining, NY
About Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College provides over 24,000 full-time and part-time students with an award-winning education at one of the lowest tuition rates in New York State. The college offers over 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as Cybersecurity, Health Information Technology, Respiratory Therapy, and Digital Filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region, and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Professor Miller Receives WCC Foundation Excellence in Service Award
September 16, 2020
Dr. Elizabeth Miller has been recognized by the Westchester Community College Foundation for its annual Excellence in Service Award. This Award for Service was presented during WCC’s virtual College Convocation.
Dr. Miller has been teaching Sociology in the Social Sciences department since 2014. She is widely praised by her students, whose comments include, “One of the best professors I’ve ever had,””Dr. Miller is an incredible professor,” and “I absolutely LOVED her class!”
In addition to her teaching, her service to the college is extensive at both the departmental and college-wide levels. At the departmental level some of her contributions include: serving as Assistant Department chair for Social Sciences; revising the course syllabi for several Sociology courses; and creating a new course on Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.
Beyond her department, Dr, Miller’s service to the college includes extensive work in mentoring students through individual relationships under the Wallach Scholarships program and as a Connections Mentor, and through informational presentations on for-profit colleges intended to help students navigate the transfer process. She has also served as a faculty senator and is co-chair of the Faculty Senate Adjunct Issues Committee. Dr. Miller is co-organizer of the Brown Bag Lunch pedagogy discussion series and has organized faculty development presentations on extra-credit strategies and writing across the curriculum.
“Dr. Miller has been a sterling example of what makes Westchester Community College such a vibrant learning community,” said Joanne Landau, Chairperson of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “In addition to her contributions to the study of immigration and diversity in the workforce, she has been a constant source of support to the institution and the students it serves. It is with great pleasure that we honor Dr. Miller for her outstanding service to our community.”
“I am grateful to the WCC Foundation for this honor and recognition, and to my colleagues who helped to integrate me into service opportunities at the college and gave me so much encouragement and support, particularly during my initial semesters at WCC,” said Dr. Miller. “I feel lucky that I have the opportunity to serve students and the college in ways that fit my abilities and interests, and in ways that I find professionally fulfilling.”
About Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College provides over 24,000 full-time and part-time students with an award-winning education at one of the lowest tuition rates in New York State. The college offers over 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as Cybersecurity, Health Information Technology, Respiratory Therapy, and Digital Filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region, and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Professor Lindia Receives AATI 2020 Distinguished Service Award
September 16, 2020
Professor Lucrezia Lindia is being recognized by the American Association of Teachers of Italian for her commitment to promoting, advancing, and preserving the study of Italian language, literature, and culture. Lindia is one of two AATI 2020 Distinguished Service Award winners. She is being recognized along with Ryan Calabretta-Sajder.
Lindia is an adjunct professor of Italian at Westchester Community College and also works as a foreign language liaison of early college education high school partnerships. She was a language teacher and department chair at Eastchester Union Free School District for 31 years and also a teacher and supervisor of foreign languages at New Rochelle Academy and Montessori Grade School.
Lindia is nationally known for her extraordinary efforts in promoting the goals and objectives of the American Association of Teachers of Italian K-14. For four decades, she cultivated a passion for learning that extended far beyond the classroom. She engaged and encouraged her students to participate in numerous educational and cultural programs in Westchester, New York City, and in Italy. She served as President of the ITA-AATI for close to 20 years where she initiated an Annual ITA essay contest, the ITA Carnevale Celebration in February; she edited the ITA monthly newsletter, and she fostered collaborations with the Italian Cultural Institute and the Italian Consulate in New York to support Italian Language Programs in the New York Metropolitan Area and Westchester. She was a New York Public Library Mentor for the Encounter. For 18 years, she has been a Consultant to the New York State Education Department for the Italian Regents and the Proficiency Exams. She has contributed to the AATI National Italian Examination, the New York State Learning Standards for Languages Other Than English and the ACTFL’s Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century.
Lindia served on a committee for the Italian Consulate in NYC initiating the AP Exam and she engaged in personal outreach to high schools in New York State inviting them to initiate the AP Italian Course in their schools. In addition, she was a member of the Committee that composed the AP Vertical Team Guide in World Languages, published by the College Board; She was also hired by the College Board to write the AP Italian CPPG #2, and served on the College Board’s Italian AP Committee as a reader and on the SAT II Test Development Committee, chairing it the last two years. Lindia is the author of Edmondo DeAmici’s Cuore “Tre racconti,” Ed. Soleil; Cultura Italiana di regione in regione, Edizioni Farinelli; Co-author of Italian for Communication Textbook and Workbook, Curriculum Press; Cinque film italiani, Ed. Soleil; La donna arbëreshe ieri, oggi, domani…tra sacro e profano, Edizioni Il Coscile.
Among other initiatives, Lindia served as President of the Westchester Association of Foreign Language Educators, an affiliate of the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT). She was also elected to serve as regional representative of NYSAFLT and regional representative for AATI for a few terms. She is the President of the National Italian Honor Society/Società Onoraria Italica, Board Member of the Italian American Committee of Education (IACE) and Board Member of the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee (IHCC, Inc.); Westchester Coalition of Italian American Organizations, and Trustee of the SOI, Garibaldi Lodge. Over the years, she gave more than 200 workshops at the local, state, national and international levels, and continues to offer her professional expertise to colleagues representing secondary schools and colleges.
To conclude, this description by one of her colleagues who recommended her for this award encapsulates her contributions perfectly: “Professor Lucrezia Lindia is the ultimate professional and always a lady proud of her Italian heritage. Her amazing ability to share that love with everyone who comes in contact with her is clearly evident in the lasting impression she has on generations of students, many of whom have been inspired by her example and have even followed in her footsteps to become teachers of the Italian language and culture.”
Discover more about the AATI on their website.
About Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College provides over 24,000 full-time and part-time students with an award-winning education at one of the lowest tuition rates in New York State. The college offers over 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as Cybersecurity, Health Information Technology, Respiratory Therapy, and Digital Filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region, and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Lowey Announces More Than $895,000 to Three Local Colleges for Student Support Services
August 7, 2020
U.S. Department of Education funds provide greater resources to assist low-income and disabled students
WHITE PLAINS, NY – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17/Rockland-Westchester), Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, announced $895,585 in federal funds for three local colleges. These competitive, five-year grant funds come from the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Support Services (SSS) Program, which is one of six TRIO programs that are designed to encourage and prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds for success from secondary school to undergraduate and graduate education. Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry will receive $338,972; Rockland Community College (RCC) in Suffern will receive $261,888; and Westchester Community College (WCC) in Valhalla will receive $294,725 in SSS funds to support undergraduate retention and graduation rates.
“Our higher education system should promote equal opportunity and success for all our students. That necessarily includes removing barriers faced by our historically marginalized students and instead bolstering their success with critical and ongoing supports, such as academic and career counseling, help with completing financial aid applications, improving financial literacy, tutoring, and providing temporary housing for students experiencing housing insecurity,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “TRIO programs, like Student Support Services, are proven to increase the number of students accessing and completing college. These grants are a step toward making higher education more equitable for all students across the Hudson Valley.”
Mercy College, which has received a TRIO grant for 40 years, will serve an estimated 250 students with their SSS funds, RCC will serve an estimated 150 participants, and WCC will serve an estimated 170 students with comprehensive academic, financial and personal counseling; career and transfer planning; academic support and tutoring; financial literacy and financial aid assistance; and leadership and student success programs.
“Mercy is excited to have the TRIO SSS Program Grant renewed for another five years,” said Tim Hall, Mercy College President. “The SSS Program provides the most deserving students with academic, personal and financial support to ensure academic success, persistence and the dream of a college degree.”
“I am very thankful to the US Department of Education for selecting Rockland Community College as a recipient of the TRIO Student Support Services grant,” said Dr. Michael Baston, Rockland Community College President. “With this funding, RCC will continue to ensure that it is serving the needs of the students who depend on its support the most; those suffering from economic hardships and those with disabilities. Those students will receive extra support beyond what is already available to them through the College’s offerings to ensure that they will be successful in their studies and “real world ready” upon their graduation. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Congresswoman Nita Lowey for her leadership in helping RCC secure this important grant.”
“Students who attend Westchester Community College benefit from an extensive and life-long network of opportunity and support,” said Dr. Belinda Miles, Westchester Community College President. “The TRIO Student Support Services grant provides services that help low-income and first-generation students and students with disabilities on pathways into four-year universities and high-wage middle skills careers. This grant continues a strong track record of exceptional results for students in the program for the next five years. We thank Congresswoman Lowey for her long-standing support and advocacy for Westchester Community College students.”
This competitive grant program awards funds to institutions of higher education that prioritize providing academic and other support services and opportunities for low-income, first-generation or disabled college students. Required program services include academic tutoring, assistance in post secondary course selection, assistance with financial aid programs and benefits, education to improve financial and economic literacy, help gaining admission and graduate and professional programs, and activities designed to assist students enrolled in two-years institutions of higher education apply to four-year programs. Additional services grantees may provide include temporary housing for homeless and foster care youth, student aid stipends, and related programs and activities designed specifically for special populations, such as students with limited English proficiency.
Westchester Community College on Fox 5
Fox 5 reported on the growing number of students who are deciding to attend their local community college rather than go away to a university. Reasons cited include affordability, safety, and quality education. This segment features Westchester Community College.
Rock Band Metallica Partners with Westchester Community College to Enhance Career and Technical Education Programs
July 7, 2020
Westchester Community College has been selected as a partner by Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation to support students who are looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program.
The Metallica Scholars is a major national workforce education initiative that provides direct support to community colleges to enhance their career and technical education programs. Partnering with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), a Washington, D.C.-based organization that represents the nation’s 1,103 community colleges, the Metallica Scholars program is designed to provide support of relevant job skill training for community college students, reinvest in communities that supported Metallica during its recent United States tours, and leverage the influence of Metallica to elevate the importance of career and technical education.
WCC is one of only five community colleges in the nation to be chosen this year to receive a grant of $100,000 to support this initiative. These five colleges join an additional 10 who received support from the band last year.
Westchester Community College will use this assistance to increase the number of students earning workforce credentials in high demand and emerging industries in healthcare, Information Technology, and manufacturing. Specifically, the funding will cover the costs of certification exams, exam prep, and related expenses for nearly 200 workforce program students, giving them the competitive edge when entering the workforce.
“Situated in the epicenter of New York’s coronavirus crisis, Westchester students, workers and families have been hit hard by job loss and displacement. Every sector is impacted,” said Dr. Belinda Miles, President at Westchester Community College. “This initiative will help facilitate access to career and technical education providing much needed support services. As the only college in New York State selected for this program, we look to leverage the Metallica Scholars Initiative to expand on our current and future apprenticeship program in order to accelerate the region’s return to economic health and vitality. Together, Metallica and WCC will rock the workforce!”
“Our 2019 Metallica Scholars have exceeded expectations and inspired us in more ways than we could have possibly imagined,” said Metallica’s Lars Ulrich. “We’re really excited to be able to expand the initiative in its second year, assisting more students in achieving their dreams and transforming their lives in 2020.”
Students interested in learning more about this program should visit www.sunywcc.edu/metallicascholars.
About Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College is the largest higher education institution in the county, serving over 24,000 full-time, part-time Workforce Development and continuing education students. Students pursue over 60 degree and certificate programs on a beautiful 218-acre campus, at 7 conveniently located extension centers, and online. Westchester Community College reflects the rich diversity of its region, and was the first SUNY campus to be designated an Hispanic Serving Institution.
About All Within My Hands Foundation
AWMH is a non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the Foundation supports. Please visit: AllWithinMyHands.org for more information.
About American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for nearly 12 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s more than 1,000 member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all. boilerplate from AACC here.