Colleagues,
As I mentioned at our State of the College meeting last month, I will be reaching out with regular communications throughout the year as we navigate this time of transition and opportunity. Below are some recent updates and upcoming events I wanted to share with you this month.
STUDENT SUCCESS
I was pleased to join several New York State elected representatives and SUNY officials earlier this month to open our new Student Success Center in the college’s Siek Campus Center. The center is home to specialized programs, including Advancing Success in Associate Pathways and Success Among Student Parents, and offers guidance and support to all students by connecting them with both on- and off-campus resources.
Staff also work with the Healthy Alliance Network and the college’s Foundation to provide students with access to additional resources, such as food assistance; housing and shelter; mental health evaluations and support; education and employment assistance; and substance abuse treatment, among others. Please refer students if they need our support.
ENROLLMENT UPDATE
I’m pleased to report that we have seen enrollment growth across the board this semester, with a significant increase in several areas, including a notable jump in students returning to campus and transferring to Hudson Valley from other institutions. We are also seeing more non-matriculated students too, which includes those studying outside a major or in a high school program. As a result, I am pleased to share that the college has exceeded its budget projection for last year and continues to be a fiscally strong institution.
Please help us keep the momentum going! Encourage returning students to register for upcoming classes as soon as possible. Registration for Winter Session and the Spring semester begins on Thursday, Oct. 31. Also, I hope you’ll urge prospective students to attend our Open House on Saturday, Nov. 9.
LUNCH AND LEARN MEETING
If you are able, please attend our first Lunch and Learn meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from noon to 1 p.m. in the BTC meeting rooms. We will discuss the college’s enrollment trends, regional expansion efforts, our new strategic plan, new academic programs and updates, and more. An open question and answer period will follow the presentations. Boxed lunches will be provided, so RSVP online by close of business on Friday, October 25.
PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH UPDATE
My sincere thanks to all those who took the opportunity to contribute to the presidential search process by participating in listening sessions and filling out the survey that was sent out earlier this semester. Our presidential search firm, RH Perry, is now working in consultation with SUNY, the college’s Board of Trustees, and our search committee to develop an executive profile based on the feedback they received. Our goal is to begin advertising the position in early November. As always, I will provide updates as the process continues; there will be many more opportunities for campus stakeholders to have their voices heard.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
As many of you know, we welcomed our new Director of Public Safety Michael Eaton to the college following the retirement of Fred Aliberti this summer. He will help us launch a new safety committee in November to examine ways we can strengthen our commitment and reduce risk throughout the college. The committee will include representatives from various campus groups, and it will begin its work by reviewing procedures and policies, enhancing technology and training, and learning about how we can do more to keep our campus safe.
CLOSING THOUGTHS
Finally, I’d like to thank each of you for your hard work as we launched the fall semester and the new school year. You’ve all done an excellent job, as usual, in helping our students get adjusted, find their way, and succeed in their studies. Please continue to go the extra mile to help them get connected with support services, and do what you can to ensure their experience at Hudson Valley is a positive and productive one. Your efforts are always appreciated, and truly make a difference for our students.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions, concerns or input. I am happy to be of assistance where possible, and I am thankful for your collaboration and support. You can reach me at l.coplin@hvcc.edu.
Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Louis Coplin, Officer in Charge