Towns of Rockland County, NY

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RCC begins national search for the college’s 8th president

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(ROCKLAND COUNTY/May 4, 2022) — Rockland Community College (RCC) announced today that Dr. Michael A. Baston will be stepping down from his position as president of the College in July and has accepted a new position as President of Cuyahoga Community College located in Cleveland, Ohio. An interim president will be selected by the Board of Trustees for RCC and that individual will serve while a national search takes place to identify a successor.

“We are appreciative of Dr. Michael Baston’s leadership and inspiration during his time at RCC, especially in light of the unique challenges we faced over the past two years. We are committed to finding a new president for the College who will continue to amplify and expand on the mission and vision of RCC. Rockland Community College has been serving the surrounding community for over six decades providing educational opportunities for individuals at all ages and stages of life. We will continue to fulfill that mission while embracing and moving forward with many of the initiatives developed over the past several years. The next president will continue to carry forward the work we have always done in serving our diverse community,” stated Martin Wortendyke, Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Baston has served as president of Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York since 2017. He led numerous initiatives spurring growth and increasing educational pathways. Under his guidance, the College launched a new hospitality and culinary arts center, Career Skills and English Skills Academies to address middle-skills workforce needs, and secured $30 million in grants, capital and other funding including back-to-back Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institution awards, the largest grants in RCC history.

“This was a difficult decision.” stated Baston. “I have truly enjoyed leading Rockland Community College over the past five years and while the pandemic presented unique challenges, I believe the RCC campus community is stronger and more prepared for the future than ever before. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I know my successor will be welcomed with open arms and lead RCC into the next exciting phase of its history.”

St. Thomas Aquinas College Announces New Organizational Leadership to Support Strategic Vision

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(SPARKILL, N.Y. — May 3, 2022)  Leading with its student-centric innovative vision, St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) is proud to announce the appointment of its first-ever Dean of Experiential Learning and the appointment of a new Vice President and Dean of Student Development.

“At my Inauguration, I announced the development of the five key strategic pillars of our Strategic Vision, which included Experiential Learning and Student Engagement. Student success is core to our mission and is at the forefront of every decision I make,” said STAC President Ken Daly. “I am happy to celebrate the appointments of Denise Hopkins-Poselle as our first Dean of Experiential Learning and Kevin A. Nesbitt as Vice President and Dean of Student Development. Both Denise and Kevin have impressive higher education experience and a mission-driven focus that will directly benefit our students. I look forward to their visionary leadership in the future.”

Serving as the new Dean of Experiential Learning, Denise brings a demonstrated track record of over 25 years of student-centered and results-oriented leadership in higher education. Prior to serving STAC as Interim Vice President and Dean of Student Development, she assisted Hunter College with their Career Task Force launch, was Vice President for Student Life at Iona College, and was Executive Director, Career Services at St. John’s University. Denise will lead numerous new initiatives, including the expansion of the innovative “STAC Your Future” career program.

“I am deeply honored to be a part of STAC’s bright future in my new role,” said Denise Hopkins-Poselle. “I look forward to welcoming Kevin to campus, as he holds the STAC ethos of commitment to students first and a deep appreciation of diversity, inclusion, and equity. I am delighted that we will work together as close colleagues and partners in advancing student success as I transition to my new role leading Experiential Learning.”

As Vice President and Dean of Student Development, Kevin A. Nesbitt joins STAC with over 20 years of experience in higher education with a wide range of experiences in student success and engagement, focused on fostering inclusive environments for students with close working relationships and support from faculty, staff, and alumni. He has held senior positions at Hunter College, John Jay College, The New School University – New School for Social Research (“The New School”), and Columbia Law School.

“St. Thomas Aquinas College is a remarkable institution with essential connections to our local communities,” added Kevin A. Nesbitt. “I will arrive with deep commitments to access to affordable education, care for the whole student, and creating meaningful and transformative experiences for students. STAC’s commitment to lifelong learning, our 5th strategic pillar, speaks to my academic journey and values. I look forward to helping lead its transformation in the future.”

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