Update from President Ramsammy

Stephen Kevlin

 

I’m pleased to offer this update on recent activities and college initiatives. As always, please reach out to me with any questions.

Academic and Workforce Development Initiatives

  • Guided Pathways: Seven community colleges, including Hudson Valley, were selected for the second cohort of SUNY’s Guided Pathways initiative. Now being implemented at a total of 17 SUNY campuses, the initiative focuses on providing structured educational experiences from high school through completion at the college level. SUNY’s Guided Pathways model is closely based on findings of the Community College Research Center and the work of the national Pathways Project led by the American Association of Community Colleges. More information will be forthcoming as campus discussions continue.
  • NACEP Accreditation: The Accreditation Commission of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) awarded full re-accreditation to our College in the High School program. This makes the college’s program one of only 112 select concurrent enrollment partnerships nationwide accredited through NACEP’s extensive peer-review process.
  • Micro-credential Policy: The Board approved a micro-credential implementation policy last week, making the college one of the first SUNY institutions to adopt such guidelines. SUNY-recognized micro-credentials offer a way to verify that students have achieved specific skills and competencies, in a shorter or more flexible time span than a degree or certificate program. Micro-credentials also can be “stacked” as students complete additional courses or levels of study.
  • Learn Where You Earn: Hudson Valley and the Capital Region Workforce Development Board teamed up with social services organization Northern Rivers Family of Services to offer a new “Learn Where You Earn” program. The partnership allows Northern Rivers employees to start their higher education by taking courses in Human Services at their workplace. The 31-credit curriculum is also slated to become Hudson Valley’s first micro-credential. We are now looking to replicate this on-site model with other businesses and organizations in the region.

End-of-Year Ceremonies

As we reach the end of the spring semester, I want to invite you to join us for the annual end-of-year ceremonies we will be celebrating on campus. This is a great way to support our students and your fellow faculty and staff members.

  • The 35th Annual Faculty/Staff Honors Convocation will be held on Thursday, May 9 from 4:30-6 p.m. in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre. Among those honored will be this year’s recipients of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching. Emeritus faculty, faculty promotions, merit awards, and certificates earned through the Center for Effective Teaching also will be recognized.
  • The Student Honors and Awards Ceremony will be held Friday, May 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the McDonough Sports Complex; please note that the time has changed from last year.  This ceremony recognizes the college’s highest achieving graduates who have earned a G.P.A. of 3.5 or above as well as special award recipients.
  • Hudson Valley’s 65th Annual Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 18 in the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Doors open at 9 a.m., and the procession of graduates begins at 10:15 a.m. There will be a Post-Commencement Celebration at the Student Pavilion area from noon to 2 p.m. with lunch, family-friendly activities and live music.

Recent Events Celebrating Students

  • Student Chancellor’s Awards: On Wednesday, April 24, I had the pleasure of assisting Chancellor Kristina Johnson as she presented four of our students with the 2019 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. This year’s recipients are Christopher Calicchia, Sayema Matin, Deborah Brannan, and Jamison Jarosz, who is the current president of the Student Senate. Congratulations to each honoree!
  • Scholarship Reception: The Foundation’s annual scholarship reception was held on Thursday, April 25. This event was a great opportunity to honor both student recipients and donors that make these scholarship possible.
  • Special Programs: On Friday, May 3, more than 250 students were recognized for their academic achievement at the 31st annual Special Programs Awards Ceremony. Special programs include the 24-Credit Hour Program; the Center for Academic Engagement; the Center for Access and Assistive Technology; the Educational Opportunity Program; and International Student Services. Congratulations to Suzanne Garhart, associate professor and academic advisor in the Individual Studies Department, who received the Special Program Committee’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

State Budget:

The New York State Budget was enacted on April 1, and this year’s plan includes some changes that will have an impact on the college as well as our students:

  • State aid to community colleges was increased to $100 per full-time equivalent student or 98% of the previous year’s amount of state aid, whichever is higher. We fall into the latter category, so this proposal will provide Hudson Valley with a modest increase of $105,000 compared to last year.
  • The Excelsior Scholarship program was fully implemented, with eligibility based on adjusted income rising from $110,000 to $125,000. This will allow greater numbers of students to qualify for the scholarship.
  • As a component of the State Budget process, SUNY will be initiating four task forces focused on special topics that could have financial implications in the future. They include: Concurrent Enrollment; Rental Aid; Chargebacks; and the Future of Community Colleges. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Summer and Fall Enrollment

  • In the final weeks of the spring semester, please continue to do everything possible to assist students seeking to enroll. Summer sessions begin on May 20 and July 1 with more than 450 courses available; 150 offered online. Fall semester Instant Admission events will be held throughout the summer as well, though prospective students may apply or enroll in classes at any time.
  • On Saturday, April 27, the 3rd annual “Enter The College Zone: Transformation through Collaboration” program welcomed more than 60 middle and high school students and parents, for a day of college preparation workshops and career exploration activities. If you have a suggestion for an enrollment effort, summer transition program or boot camp, please speak with Interim Vice President Louis Coplin.

College Planning and Campus Facilities

  • Strategic Plan Update:A draft of the Strategic Plan was shared with faculty and staff on Monday, April 8 and presented at the Academic Senate Meeting on Monday, April 29. As the Senate and Board review the plan’s priorities and goals at their May meetings, teams within the Steering Committee will begin to focus on implementation tactics for each of the plan’s six strategic priority areas: Commit to Student Success, Inclusion and Equality; Enhance Academic Programming; Optimize Enrollment; Encourage Faculty and Staff Excellence; Expand Partnerships and Community Engagement; and Reinvigorate Campus Culture and Infrastructure.
  • Master Plan: As I reported in my previous update, the college has been searching for a Facilities Master Plan consultant to examine necessary improvements to our campus infrastructure. In conjunction with the college’s 2019-24 Strategic Plan, this effort will guide campus renovations and construction activities to better serve our students and faculty in the years ahead. The contract for the consultant was awarded at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, April 30 to JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. of Glens Falls. Work will begin this summer.

Leadership

  • As announced last week, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. MaryAnn Janosik, who has served the college since October 2017, has resigned. Judy DiLorenzo, department chair for the Dental Hygiene Department, is now the interim vice president. Associate Professor Tammy Conway has taken over as interim department chair for Dental Hygiene. Also, George P. Raneri, assistant professor in the Automotive Department, is serving interim department chair for Automotive, Manufacturing and Electrical Engineering Technologies.

 

Published: Tue, 07 May 2019 12:34:33 +0000 by r.ramsammy