O bserve R FALL 2019/WINTER 2020 MONROE Saint Lucia Campus Celebrates October Commencement with Local Dignitaries.............. 2 Monroe Hosts ACBSP Regional Conference ... 2 Honors Students Give Back to Our Local Communities .............................................. 2 Conference Held for Schools to Share Success Strategies ................................................ 2 Q&A about Monroe’s Corporate Partnership Program ........................................... 3 Middle States Accreditation Team: Monroe is a “Beacon of Light”! ...................................... 3 Monroe Hosts Guests for International Day of Peace Event ...................................................... 4 Bill Bernard Joins the College as CFO............... 4 News Around Campus ........................................ 4 In Memoriam ...................................................... 4 INSIDE I t was a wonderful day in midtown Manhattan on June 12th as Monroe celebrated the Class of 2019 at Radio City Music Hall, the site of the College’s annual Commencement in recent years. Two ceremonies were held to accommodate as many guests as possible. Even so, it was a full house as the families and friends of the 2,628 graduates packed the renowned art deco theater to hear the names of their loved ones announced. New York State Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo gave the keynote address for the morning ceremony, while New York City Council Member Ritchie J. Torres did the same at the afternoon’s ceremony. More than 80 countries were represented by the graduating class. In addition to students from the U.S. and its territories, there were large groups from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, India, Jamaica, Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Nepal. The planning committee is already busy working on the arrangements for the College’s return to Radio City Music Hall next year. Monroe’s 87th annual Commencement will take place on June 10, 2020. n CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2019 2,600 Students. 84 Countries. 1 Amazing Day.
Transcript
ObserveRF A L L 2 0 1 9 / W I N T E R 2 0 2 0
M O N R O E
Saint Lucia Campus Celebrates October Commencement with Local Dignitaries ..............2
Monroe Hosts ACBSP Regional Conference ...2
Honors Students Give Back to Our Local Communities ..............................................2
Conference Held for Schools to Share Success Strategies ................................................2
Q&A about Monroe’s Corporate Partnership Program ...........................................3
Middle States Accreditation Team: Monroe is a “Beacon of Light”! ......................................3
Monroe Hosts Guests for International Day of Peace Event ......................................................4
Bill Bernard Joins the College as CFO ...............4
News Around Campus ........................................4
In Memoriam ......................................................4
I N S I D E
I t was a wonderful day in midtown Manhattan on June 12th as Monroe celebrated the Class of 2019 at Radio City Music Hall, the site of the College’s annual Commencement in recent years.
Two ceremonies were held to accommodate as many guests as possible. Even so, it was a full house as the families and friends of the 2,628 graduates packed the renowned art deco theater to hear the names of their loved ones announced.
New York State Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo gave the keynote address for the morning ceremony, while New York City Council Member Ritchie J. Torres did the same at the afternoon’s ceremony.
More than 80 countries were represented by the graduating class. In addition to students from the U.S. and its territories, there were large groups from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, India, Jamaica, Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Nepal.
The planning committee is already busy working on the arrangements for the College’s return to Radio City Music Hall next year. Monroe’s 87th annual Commencement will take place on June 10, 2020. n
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 20192,600 Students. 84 Countries. 1 Amazing Day.
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Saint Lucia Campus Celebrates October Commencement with Local Dignitaries
While June is the traditional month for Commencement in New York, our Saint Lucia campus graduates have their big day in October.
The Honorable Dr. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, delivered the keynote address before the 65 graduates and their families and friends.
Since 2007, approximately 1,200 students have earned their degree through Monroe’s Saint Lucia campus in Castries.
The College also operates the International Hospitality Training Institute in Vieux Fort and Millet in partnership with the Saint Lucian government. Now in its second year, the Institute prepares local residents for entry-level hospitality positions with cruise ships, hotels, resorts, and restaurants. It held its own graduation ceremony in October for the third class of students to participate in the program. n
Honors Students Give Back to Our Local Communities
Monroe is proud of its long history in the local communities that are home to its campuses. The College has been part of the Bronx since 1933, and part of Westchester County since 1983. The St. Lucia campus opened in 2007.
The wonderful support received throughout the years from its neighbors has been instrumental to the College’s success.
To demonstrate its ongoing appreciation, the College hosts a number of special events each year to give students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to volunteer their time and talents on local groups’ charitable and goodwill projects.
One of those events is the annual Community Service Weekend, which is held in October. Approximately 200 members of the College community participated this year. The Honors Program once again organized and led the event.
In addition to assisting at senior centers and working with children in organized activities, such as reading, art projects, and playtime games, Monroe’s volunteers also contributed to the work of Operation Gratitude, a national organization that spreads cheer to veterans and those on active duty by organizing care package deliveries and letter- and greeting card-writing campaigns. Other activities included Hurricane Dorian relief assistance, park restoration work, creating toys for cats and dogs in local shelters, and helping with a community clothing bank. n
Monroe Hosts ACBSP Regional Conference
In October, Dr. Ahmed Eshra, the dean of our School of Business and Accounting, chaired ACBSP’s annual
northeastern regional conference at the College’s New Rochelle campus. ACBSP is the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
The theme of the conference was “Teaching in a Student-Centered World.“
Attendees from colleges across New York and neighboring states enjoyed three days of productive workshops, networking events, and top-notch Monroe hospitality.
Dr. Ahmed Eshra currently serves as the ACBSP Region 1 Chair. n
Conference Held for Schools to Share Success Strategies
IIn keeping with the College’s work to partner with the greater educational community on ways to advance
student success, Monroe was proud to recently host the 3rd Annual “Beating the Odds: Building Opportunities for Students in Poverty” Conference.
Nearly four dozen elementary and high school principals, as well as other key senior administrators and education advocates, convened on the New Rochelle campus for the day-long conference.
The presentations focused on winning strategies that under-resourced public schools are using to effectively close the achievement gap between their low-income students and more affluent peers.
The annual conference was presented by Better Outcomes, an educational research organization led by Monroe College faculty member Dr. Manya Bouteneff. n
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Q&A with Pamela DellaPorta, Head of Monroe’s Corporate Partnership ProgramIn 2007, Monroe launched an innovative new program. Initially intended to forge mutually beneficial relationships with local companies, the program has since expanded to include regional and national employers.
The Observer recently spoke with Pamela DellaPorta, Monroe’s Vice President for Corporate and Community Outreach, to learn more about this important program.
What is the Corporate Partnership Program?
Through the Corporate Partnership Program, Monroe essentially opens its doors to employers. It gives them access -- to find interns, to find employees, to network, attend job fairs, and even participate in career panels and workshops. In addition to helping our graduates find a place in an employer’s organization, it helps that employer’s existing staff members find their place in ours – as a student. There is an educational grant available to Corporate Partner employees that makes going to college – whether for a first or second degree – much more appealing and affordable.
Why did Monroe begin this program?
The College has been part of the Bronx community for nearly 90 years. We know the impact that a quality education has on
one person and, collectively, the exponential impact a well-educated workforce has on an entire community. That’s exciting to us, and something we always want to support. This program is part of that ongoing commitment.
What does it take to become a Corporate Partner?
We simply require a shared desire to help amazing people – whether our students or their employees – reach their full potential. There’s no fee, no contract, no obligation. It’s a mutually beneficial affiliation that’s done on a handshake.
Tell us a little about the type of employers in the program.
There are more than 400 employers in the program. Some are local companies, while others operate regionally or even nationally. They represent a diverse range of industries that, understandably, are closely aligned with our degree programs. Among our Corporate Partners: NYPD, FDNY, 1199SEIU, Northwell Health, NYC Health + Hospitals, Eataly, Whole Foods, Duane Reade, Modell’s Sporting Goods, Aflac, TD Bank, Walgreens, Grand Hyatt New York, and The Mark Hotel, just to name a few.
You must have heard some wonderful career success stories from alumni who first came to the College through the program. Can you share one with us?
Absolutely. A few years ago, I visited Jacobi Hospital to speak with them about the program and see if they’d like to join. My meeting was with a terrific person named Serena Vivian. As I started to talk about who we are and what makes us special, she started to grin. The smile got larger and larger. Finally, she stopped me and said, “I know Monroe well. I graduated there with my Associates degree 10 years ago. In fact, I got the job offer to work at Jacobi after doing my internship right here in this department!” Needless to say, the hospital became one of our Corporate Partners that day -- and Serena came back to earn her bachelor’s degree. Her success story is a classic Monroe story. Our graduates are everywhere! n
Middle States Accreditation Team:
Monroe is a “Beacon of Light”!
Monroe has been accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1990.
Every eight years, the College is required to undergo a comprehensive assessment of its academic programs, support services, and initiatives to deliver a quality education and help students succeed. A visit to campus is an important part of this process.
In October, Monroe welcomed the site evaluation team for its on-campus assessment work.
Dozens of students, faculty, and staff interacted with the team during two days of meetings.
A few weeks after their visit, the evaluation team issued its report. They were suitably impressed by what they learned during their visit, as evidenced by the following passage from the concluding remarks:
”We were so impressed by what we have witnessed during our visit to Monroe College. They are a beacon of light for the underrepresented and underserved population. Monroe College has created a unique high-touch learning environment grounded in a personalized approach to student success…”
While their report is not the final word on the College’s re-accreditation, it is certainly a most welcome step in that direction. The decision is expected in early 2020. n
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We Welcome Your Thoughts!We welcome story ideas from students, faculty, and staff. Please contact Dr. Donald Simon at [email protected] if you are interested in contributing a story or photo for the next issue of the Observer.
If you know someone who is interested in a Monroe College education, please ask them to call our Admissions team at 1.800.556.6676.
In Memoriam
It is with saddened hearts that the College shared news about the passing of several members of the College community this year. Our students, faculty, and staff extend heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, colleagues, and all
who knew and loved them.
4�Bruce Berlin (Math Department, 2001-2011)
4�Helene Burzi (General Education, 2004-2018)
4�Robert Cole (English Department, 1994-2016)
4 Conrad “Connie” Goldberg (former dean of King Graduate School and chair of the Math Department, 2003-2019)
4 Gregg Hodge (Adjunct, School of Allied Health Professions, 2016-2019)
4�Renee Kupchin (General Education, 1978-2018)
4�Chef Gerard Molloy (School of Hospitality Management and CINY, 2010-2019)
Their commitment to Monroe’s students will never be forgotten.
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News Around Campus4�Division 1 Soccer Programs Compete at the National Championship
The Mustangs’ Men’s and Women’s soccer teams competed at the NJCAA National Championship held in Hutchinson, Kansas over the Thanksgiving holiday. The men’s soccer team won the national title and the women’s team emerged as the runner-up in their big game. It is the first national title win in the history of the men’s program, which ended the season undefeated with an 18-0 record. The women’s team won the national title last year; they finished their season this year with a 14-1 record.
4�School of Criminal Justice Hosts Important Talk on Domestic Violence On October 3rd, the College proudly hosted “DiVA Talk 2019,” an important event that brought together domestic violence experts, survivors and support advocates for a discussion on helping those in abusive relationships. The town hall meeting coincided with the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
4�CINY Competition Team Competed at Nationals Monroe’s culinary competition team competed at the ACF National Championship in August. In addition to guiding the student team, Dean Frank Costantino competed in the professional category for Chef of the Year. Although the top trophies went to other competitors, the Monroe did performed extraordinarily well.
4�Monroe Hosts Bronx Summer Debate Institute Over the summer, Monroe hosted the Bronx Summer Debate Institute, a program run by the New York City Urban Debate League. This week-long program gave 40 junior high school students the opportunity to learn the art of debate and, in doing so, develop their skills in public speaking, persuasion, cross examination, critical thinking, research, and argumentative writing through the art of debating.
4�Mustangs Recognize Local First Responders The Mustangs held the College’s first annual First Responders Recognition Day this fall. The event served to express the College’s appreciation and admiration for the work that the New Rochelle police, fire, and EMS professionals do every day. At halftime, members of the three departments were asked to stand and be recognized, with commemorative plaques presented to their leadership to mark the special day. n
Bill Bernard Joins the College as CFO
Monroe welcomed a new Chief Financial Officer to the College community in October.
William “Bill” Bernard is responsible for overseeing the Finance organization, and will work closely with the College’s Financial Aid, Bursar, Human Resources, IT, and Facilities teams.
He joined the Finance team with significant finance and operations experience, including 16 years within higher education. Among his earlier professional roles, Bill served as the CFO at two colleges in the northeast. n
Monroe Hosts Guests for International Day of Peace Event
The College hosted a special event in Gaddy Atrium this fall in conjunction with the International Day of Peace, a United
Nations-sanctioned holiday held each year on September 21st. The day is designed to protect and promote peace throughout the world.
Distinguished guests on the front lines of humanitarian efforts to help those impacted by war, conflict, and natural disasters were invited to campus to speak with students. The School of Criminal Justice hosted the event.
Dr. Ani Kalayjian, a recognized expert on the psychological effects of trauma on disaster victims, was the keynote speaker. She gave a compelling presentation on: “Transforming Victimhood to Victorhood Through Forgiveness and Meaning-Making.” n
