We asked a sampling of area college presidents about their schools”™ goals for the new year. Here are their replies:
Westchester
“In light of the tremendous economic pressures on individuals and families, we must continue to provide as much financial assistance as we can to help those who want to prepare for the career opportunities that will present themselves as we move forward. Our regional economy will regain its vigor and we need to make certain that we have prepared an educated, creative and informed citizenry to fill the jobs ”“ perhaps even create the jobs ”“ that will undergird our recovery. So what are the goals? They are to provide financial assistance while delivering high quality instruction to help individuals achieve their aspirations.”
”“ Sylvia Blake, dean and chief operating officer, LIU Hudson
“One goal is to move into our second stage of The Gateway Center. This landmark building will offer even more resources for traditional students, international students, and English as a second language students, in addition to an international film series. In terms of a college-wide goal, we intend to focus on health and sustainability, in and out of the classroom. We are now a tobacco-free institution, we have a student carpool program and the Gateway Center (the first county-owned green building) achieved USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) gold LEED certification. We are also expanding our instruction on sustainability issues in the classroom, and have opened a community garden.”
”“ Joseph N. Hankin, president, Westchester Community College
“As The College of New Rochelle embarks on an aggressive strategic agenda, including investment into both student and academic facilities and technology, anticipating current and future needs of our students remains at the center of our decision making. Recognizing the current economic challenges, reduction in federal and state financial aid, affordability and concerns over employment, the college remains committed to providing access to a quality education by limiting tuition increases and making available even more scholarships to our students.”
”“ Judith Huntington, president, The College of New Rochelle
“It is hard to narrow a university’s goals to just a few items ”“ we have many initiatives, all of them important ”“ but I shall try to be concise.
Fordham is in the second half of its $500 million fundraising effort, Excelsior | Ever Upward-The Campaign for Fordham, and has now raised more than $446 million toward the goal. We hope to be very close to $500 million before ringing in 2013.
Related to that previous goal, we hope to make college more affordable ”“ especially for students of immigrant backgrounds and students who are the first in their families to attend college. One important way to do so is to expand Fordham”™s endowment so that more funds can be put toward undergraduate scholarships.
Finally, in 2011, the University”™s adult and continuing education division was relaunched as the School of Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS), which encompasses adult bachelor”™s and post-baccalaureate students. In 2012 we hope to see PCS enlarge its mission by helping older students advance their knowledge in areas outside of the arts and sciences ”“ especially in subjects tied closely to employment growth. PCS has significant enrollment at our Westchester campus, and we expect greater demand this year.
Fordham is also expanding its reach in international programs, and creating new graduate degrees in business, theatre, and biomedical research, among others. As always, our ultimate goal is to better educate more students in the Jesuit tradition, students who will go out and change the world.”
”“ Joseph M. McShane, president, Fordham University
“At The College of Westchester we have three main goals for 2012. Our top goal, year in and year out, is to meet the needs of our students. As a career-focused college, the top priority, therefore, is to keep our curriculum current through employer feedback, while also maintaining close ties with those who employ our graduates. In these difficult economic times, I am proud that we continue to assist graduates with job security due to our longstanding relationships with area employers. It is a simple, humble formula. Second, having just launched fully online programs, we will also strive to bring our quality, career-focused education, to a broader audience, who seeks convenience yet wants to rely upon a local college with a longstanding history of involvement in the community at large. Finally, our faculty have developed and are seeking approval to offer additional bachelor degree programs during 2012.”
”“ Karen J. Smith, president, The College of Westchester
“The goals for Manhattanville College for this new year are to build on the college”™s traditional strengths and mission as we continue to refine our strategic plan. Manhattanville has a very strong mission which focuses on academic excellence, global outreach, and our great involvement in social consciousness and service. This year we have a number of renovations, part of a nearly $10 million initiative, geared toward maintaining and improving our attractiveness and functionality to remain competitive. And in the spring, we will launch a new branding campaign for the college. All and all, 2012 promises to be an exciting year for Manhattanville College.”
”“ Jon C. Strauss, interim president, Manhattanville College
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Fairfield
“Fairfield University has set an ambitious goal for itself, and that is to be a leader in the renewal of Jesuit higher education for the 21st century. Broadly speaking, this means creating the kind of learning environment that fosters the development of the ”˜whole person,”™ helping our young men and women to reach their intellectual, moral, and spiritual potential, and thereby preparing them to be leaders in a time of dramatic global transformation. At the same time our professional programs in nursing, business, education and engineering are infused with our commitment to be of service to the common good, and to form professionals who want to serve their fellow men and women. In addition, we are always looking for ways that we may be more fully engaged locally. The university strives to be integral to the intellectual and cultural life of the region and we are keenly interested in becoming a center of learning that serves the professional and business community in the area and helping our communities meet the challenges of the future.”
”“Â Jeffrey P. von Arx, president, Fairfield University
“As Southern”™s new president, I am excited about what the future holds for the next year. I hope to build upon the many accomplishments the university has made in numerous arenas as we position ourselves to address the ongoing challenges facing Southern and all state universities in these uncertain economic times. In this context, I look forward to working with our faculty, staff, alumni, and community and business colleagues to increase enrollment, improve our academic standards and begin working on a strategic plan to help us establish our priorities in the coming years. Southern is a major contributor to the regional and state economy with the vast majority of our graduates continuing to live and work in Connecticut. As such, it is important for us to enhance our students”™ preparation for success in the knowledge economy of the 21st century so that we can better meet the changing workforce needs of Connecticut (and beyond). In turn, this will help bolster Connecticut”™s competitiveness in an increasingly competitive world, and at the same, ensures that our students have the tools and knowledge they need to launch successful careers and become engaged citizens in our democracy.”
”“ Mary A. Papazian, president, Southern Connecticut State University
“The University of New Haven has been on an upward trajectory for the past few years with dramatic increases in enrollment, significant increases in the quality of the student body, and the completion of more than $110 million in new campus facilities. For 2012, we will strive to build on this momentum and further transform the university. This year, we anticipate securing funding for a new science building and a residence hall, continuing to work with New Haven on the preparation for the construction of a new $63 million engineering and science magnet school, and launching an innovatively redesigned EMBA program.”
”“ Steven H. Kaplan, president, University of New Haven
“In 2012, Quinnipiac University will begin to recruit the first class for the Frank H. Netter, M.D., School of Medicine, which is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2013. In addition, Quinnipiac will add engineering to its academic offerings this fall. The new engineering department, which will offer course in civil, mechanical, industrial and software engineering, will eventually grow into the School of Engineering.”
”“ John L. Lahey, president, Quinnipiac University
“Norwalk Community College”™s goals include building upon its solid foundation as an educational institution of excellence, and positioning the college to meet the needs of students and the community. We recently opened our new Center for Science, Health and Wellness ”“ a model of green building practices ”“ and are poised in the coming year to integrate advanced technology into all our health care programs. NCC is committed to providing excellence in academics, being responsive to workforce needs, utilizing innovative technology and engaging our community partners. We will carefully manage our campus growth while expanding our role in promoting environmental sustainability.” ”“
David L. Levinson, president, Norwalk Community College and interim vice president, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
“Since 1890, Post has been a resilient institution capable of continually adapting to a changing world. And if we have learned anything in the past seven years, it is that our ability to lead and manage change has resulted in a remarkable transformation from a financially troubled university to a thriving one. As we continue to evolve, our goals for the new year can be summarized in two words: quality and growth.
For Post, 2012 will be a time to build on the tremendous momentum we”™ve gained as a University. We will continue to better align our academic programs and support services, attract an even larger group of highly motivated and academically accomplished students, add new market-driven degree programs, respond to the growing number of institutions seeking our assistance in providing best-in-class online higher education options for working adults, continue to bring more good-paying jobs to the greater Waterbury area, and embark on an ambitious plan to rebuild, revitalize and invest in our campus and in Waterbury.
We look forward to an exciting year as we continue to respond to an increased demand for quality higher education that”™s offered on our campus and online.”
”“ Tom Samph, president and CEO, Post University
