Chancellor King Announces $2.4 Million NYS Grant to Increase Enrollment and Student Success at SUNY Westchester Community College
January 27, 2023
State Investment to Improve Access, Increase Retention, and Boost Completion Rates for Students and Adult Learners at One of SUNY's Most Diverse Campuses and Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Funding from Governor and Legislature Builds on Successful Programs Including Viking ROADS, Supports Applied Learning Opportunities, and Expands Mental Health and Wellness Resources
Valhalla, NY – To support actions to increase enrollment and ensure student success at SUNY Westchester Community College, State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. today announced a $2.4 million state award to improve accessibility, increase retention, and boost completion rates for its students. The proposal being funded was proposed by SUNY WCC which is one of SUNY's most diverse campuses and is a US Department of Education-designated Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution.
The funding, provided by Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers in the 2022/23 Enacted Budget, builds on SUNY WCC's successful academic programs and wrap-around services, including its successful Viking ROADS (Resources for Obtaining Associate Degrees and Success) program, which is demonstrating early success in helping students complete their degree in three years or less.
The announcement was made at campus today alongside SUNY WCC President Belinda Miles, SUNY Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Cesar Perales, officials, and faculty, staff and students during Chancellor King's first visit to the campus since starting January 9.
"Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institutions are unique because of the remarkable opportunity and excellence that they can provide students, regardless of background. We are proud that SUNY WCC has both federal designations," Chancellor King said. "With this investment, SUNY WCC is poised to take further action to reach more students and adult learners in the community, help them succeed while here, and leave with a degree in hand. It will also expand existing academic programs. We thank Governor Kathy Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, and lawmakers for their commitment to public higher education."
SUNY Board Vice Chairman Cesar Perales said, "Higher education must be accessible to all, but too many see it only as a significant economic challenge rather than an opportunity. As one of SUNY's most diverse colleges, this funding will help Westchester Community College continue to increase accessibility for those from disadvantaged communities and to help prospective students see that a college education is something they can pursue. Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul, SUNY WCC will be able to expand on existing programs like Viking ROADS to help students complete their degrees on time and ensure continuous student success."
SUNY WCC will also develop a Spanish-language website to more effectively reach the large non-English speaking segment of the county's population. In addition, these funds will be used to expand existing academic programs, hire faculty, and purchase new equipment for updated laboratories. Another area that will be supported through this funding are mental health services including the continuation of their Interactive Screening Program for Suicide Prevention, TogetherAll membership, and Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) subscription.
SUNY Westchester Community College President Belinda Miles said, "SUNY WCC is highly regarded nationally as an incubator of innovative, next-generation student success initiatives among community colleges, and our impressive outcomes are the result of scaling evidence-based practices to broader populations. This critical funding from SUNY will expand and enhance our ability to deliver personalized case-managed services to increasingly diverse populations, especially as part-time enrollment continues to expand and Westchester families look for accessible, affordable pathways that provide economic mobility."
Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, "I am extremely pleased that SUNY Westchester Community College (WCC) has received this important grant to increase student enrollment and success, using funds appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose. We must continue every effort to make quality higher education accessible and affordable, and WCC continues to be a leader in this work. Every year, WCC does a superb job of preparing its graduating class to enter the world as independent, hard-working, diverse thinkers and this grant will ensure more students have the resources they need to thrive. This is an exciting advancement, and I look forward to seeing New Yorkers gain the opportunities and resources that they deserve."
Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, "SUNY Westchester Community College is a gem in Westchester County and I'm so pleased it is being supported with this substantial NYS grant. Supporting those who speak English as a second language, accessibility, and mental and physical well-being are keys to student success! I'm proud to support WCC which continues to embrace what it takes to make college attainable for a diversity of community members in all stages of their lives."
Assemblymember Steve Otis said, "WCC is one of the most innovative and dynamic community colleges in the state. Their programs serving Westchester's diverse students seeking to advance their education and career opportunities are exceptional. We're thrilled by Chancellor King's announcement of additional resources to support this mission."
Assemblymember Nader Sayegh said, "As a graduate of WCC in 1972 I understand and appreciate the wonderful learning opportunity WCC provides to our Yonkers and Westchester County community. With additional State Funding and Tuition Assistance, many more students from our diversified population will have the opportunity to successfully complete their college education and prepare for productive careers."
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.3 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2021, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit suny.edu.
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