SUNY RCC president and school part ways

SUNY Rockland Community College’s (RCC) Board of Trustees Friday evening issued a statement that confirms reports that had been circulating about Lester Rápalo no longer serving as the college’s president.

“Dr. Lester Edgardo Sandres Rápalo and the Board of Trustees of Rockland Community College have agreed to part ways,” the statement said. “Negotiations of the specific terms of that arrangement are ongoing.”

It had been reported that SUNY RCC has been facing a budget deficit and that there has been some on-campus dissatisfaction including the Faculty Senate at the school several weeks ago asking the Board of Trustees to remove Rápalo.

“The Board is now focused on ensuring a seamless leadership transition,” the Board of Trustees’ statement said. “Effective immediately Beth Coyle Ed.D. will assume the position of Officer in Charge. Beth Coyle served as Vice President of Operations at RCC from 2018 to 2023. She is an experienced leader and educator with expertise in a variety of senior-level academic and operational leadership posts and has a deep understanding of the College. Virginia Melendez Ed.D., who has been serving as Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at RCC, will assume the role of Chief of Staff.”

In the statement, the Board of Trustees said it “remains dedicated to maintaining Rockland Community College as a beacon of learning and opportunity, and we appreciate the community’s continued support during this period of transition.”

Rápalo had joined RCC as president on July 1 of last year. He had been the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bronx Community College, City University of New York (CUNY). In his role there he was described as being responsible for the total college budget and supervises five deans, 20 academic departments, 150 faculty, and 443 adjuncts. He previously served as provost at Union County College in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Last October, RCC released a statement saying, in part: “RCC is facing a budget deficit, and we are working diligently to identify measures that will alleviate this deficit without compromising the academic integrity and quality of our institution. Addressing such a challenge may necessitate making difficult choices.

“We understand the impact these cost-cutting measures may have on our community, and we are committed to providing resources and support to those affected. We are actively exploring ways to minimize the impact on our employees and maintain our core educational mission, as we continue to prioritize the success and well-being of our students and our institution.”

When joining RCC, Rápalo had been interviewed by the Business Journal and said, “I am doing what I call it the ‘listen-learning tour.’ I’m meeting with elected officials, politicians, meeting with faculty, adjuncts, staff, students’ leaders, and I’m learning as much as possible from each and every one from their perspective on what is working, what is not working, what can I improve and what can I modify. Right now, I’m trying to get the lay of the land, trying to understand as many things that makes RCC not only a strong institution, but a unique institution.”