Community college leader to retire
Westchester Community College president Joseph Hankin is retiring after 42 years as leader of the State University of New York in Valhalla.
The nation”™s longest-serving community college president, Hankin announced his retirement at his annual State of the College address to faculty, staff and administrators.
The college board of trustees granted him a leave of absence in 2014, during which he will assist trustees in the college”™s search for a new president. A college spokesman said the long-time campus leader also will assist in WCC”™s “visibility and outreach efforts” as well as other program and services development projects.
“The accomplishments achieved over the past four decades have been realized because of the joint effort of a team of individuals,” Hankin said in his address.
Those accomplishments during a presidential tenure that began in 1971 include the formation of a faculty and professional staff that has received more SUNY Chancellor”™s Awards for Excellence than any similarly-sized institution, according to WCC spokesman Patrick Hennessey. Hankin”™s support for an expanded continuing education division has helped make it the largest such program in New York. And he was instrumental in the fundraising successes of the Westchester Community College Foundation.
In accepting Hankin”™s retirement, WCC board chairman Timothy Carey called him “the ”˜soul”™ of the institution.”
SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said Hankin for more than 40 years “has led Westchester Community College with the highest level of distinction, fostering productive and impactful connections with students, faculty and staff on campus and elevating the college”™s presence and partnership with the local community. The college will be forever defined by President Hankin”™s tenure, and his many contributions to SUNY and to New York state throughout his leadership will benefit generations to come.”
The college plans to hire a national search firm to assist in the hunt for his replacement, a process that could take a full year, Hennessey said. WCC trustees will name an interim president after conferring with the SUNY board of trustees.