This Month from Cliff

My goal when I came to RCC in May of 2004 was to create a student-centered environment that put students and their learning and success at the center of the institution. I knew that for that to happen, there had to be transformation and change. And, since teaching and learning are the primary mission of the College, I knew that first we had to look at how we teach and how our students learn. Early in my tenure, I established the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) , and now, after more than ten years, CETL has thrived, and each year it has provided an array of programs to help and encourage our faculty. In addition to CETL, over the last several years, the State University of New York (SUNY) has charged its community colleges with looking at how they teach, especially in the areas of English and math, and to re-think remediation. RCC has emerged as a leader in both of these areas, and SUNY cites RCC as a model for its new math program called QUANTWAY and our develop...

Dear Dr. Wood, My father, Dr. Bert Cunin, my family, and I wanted to express our deepest appreciation for honoring my mother, Dr. Beth Cunin, at the recent memorial and tree dedication ceremony several few weeks ago. The different components of the ceremony, as well as what likely went into its planning, and the people connected to it, were reflective to us of who and what RCC was for my mother: a place of learning and growth, of caring, of comradery, of achieving goals and accomplishments in all sizes RCC was the entity that, in addition to her family, was her heart and soul. It is especially fitting at this time, commencement weekend, to recall how she loved graduation, to celebrate students and colleagues, reflect on the past and be hopeful for the future. If possible, we would so appreciate this being shared with any that a thank you is relevant to, especially including, but not limited to, Prof. Josephine Coleman and the Faculty Senate, Dr. Elaine Padilla and...

Since 735 BC with the beginning of the Roman Empire, the Latin phrase “In Memoriam” followed by a name has been used to honor one who is deceased. It is also used at the beginning of a play or a book to honor one who has passed. On Wednesday, April 19, Rockland Community College memorialized seven members of the college community who are deceased. This poignant event was sponsored by RCC’s Faculty Senate under the leadership of Professor Josephine Coleman who coordinated the event. Students from the Performing Arts Department provided a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and “Somewhere” from West Side Story . Each of the seven honorees had a plaque in his or her honor placed at the base of a tree in front of the Technology Center. The plaques were a gift from the Rockland Community College Federation of Teachers. A special thanks to RCCFT President Bill Baker, and to Eileen MacAvery-Kane, Art Faculty, who designed the plaques. Memorialized Faculty and Staf...

The goal at Rockland Community College over the last decade has been to create a student-centered environment that meets the needs of students and enhances their chances for success. It started with creating The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) to provide faculty with access to professional development and hands-on experience with the latest technology. Excellence in teaching has been a hallmark of Rockland Community College since its founding more than 50 years ago. Then came our Title III grant, which focused on strengthening support services for students. It enabled students to sign up online for one-on-one personal tutoring in all disciplines. Disability Services became Accessibility Services to meet the special needs of all students. RCC also expanded its veterans program and created a special Veterans Lounge where veterans can support one another. Financial Aid services have expanded, and the Herbert Kurz President’s Student Support Fun...

Rockland Community College is fortunate to have a chapter (Alpha Phi Sigma) of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. PTK is the largest international honor society for two-year colleges in the world. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. PTK’s mission is two-fold: to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students; and to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Each year, Phi Theta Kappa International and USA Today honor outstanding students from community colleges all across America. Each state’s ...

As a teenager, I loved the O. Henry story “The Gift of the Magi” because, like Whitney Houston’s song, it symbolized love as “the greatest gift of all.” Now, after 70+ years, I know that love can manifest itself in several ways, including the love one has for a spouse, a partner, a child and grandchild, and a friend. This became so clear to me last week when I returned my childhood home, Dallas, Texas, for the funeral of my close friend of more than 60 years, Dr. Richard Louis Cole. For more than six decades we have shared hopes, aspirations and life experiences. I said at the funeral that it gave me a little comfort knowing that there were things in my life I wanted to be kept secret, things only Richard knew. Now, a sigh of relief, with Richard’s passing the world will never know. Our road together began at JL Long Junior High and at St. John’s Methodist Church near my home. Richard’s family were members and I became a regular at their youth group. As high school senio...