All-College meeting brings solutions for success to the forefront

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Saloma Ayoub

Staff Writer

Students and faculty discussed answers to solving campus issues during the All-College Meeting by Campus Labs at the Maureen Stapleton Theatre on Monday, Feb. 4.

The Campus Labs speakers Will Miller, Ph.D. and Nicole Melander, Ph.D, informed Hudson Valley Community College attendees of the strategic plan to improve the college’s enrollment strata.

“From the top down, [we find] a place where all the voices meld, to create the best possible plan,” Melander said.

The meeting drifted from the conventional hour that President Ramsammy spends briefing the campus on what he does in his office. Instead, President Ramsammy illuminated his approach to help Hudson Valley Community College surpass its capacity to keep moving forward.

To begin planning for the future, the cycle starts by examining the at-hand situation and seeks to review and tailor this to the vision everyone brings. The implementation began and as a gauge, they have to look back and study the impact these changes had.

The project of improving Hudson Valley Community College will be handled with data documents, “opportunity identification” and on-campus conversations.

In terms of data documents, Hudson Valley Community College is categorized with other “data-informed” peers. In other words, institutions that share similar demographics and dynamics inside the frame of institutions that are Aspen Institute Award qualifiers.

The Aspen Institute defines the parameters of community college excellence in recognition of high achievement with the limelight directly shone on student success.

The success of the student population relies on the progress towards degree completion, accessibility for minorities and employment as well as earnings for alumni.

Campus Labs completely turned the tables as Miller explained his confidence in the success of this experimental change, relying entirely on the student body.

“The faculty and students can decide what is important [as they envision] for the next 5, 10, 15 years,” Miller said. “Then again, how are they going to hold themselves accountable, what are they holding themselves accountable for?” he asked. “And what are you going to do to make sure you get there?”

Campus labs recommends three tools to achieve progress; collaboration, transparency and responsiveness.

“[For me] the goal is [to] bring the campus community together to have some of that conversation amongst themselves,” Miller said.

“We shepherd the process through which some of that conversation [can occur].”

Communicating together allows all the individual pieces we bring to fall into place to complete a vision that reaches Hudson Valley Community College’s potential. The opportunity we have is to capitalize on our strengths.

Dr. Miller and Dr. Melander brought with them experiences from larger institutions, with a vast perspective and capacity to employ their knowledge under a flexible perimeter.

What are your goals Hudson Valley Community College?