Westchester County Newsmakers, 9.15.2014

Purchase College ranked in top 10

PURCHASE COLLEGE-SUNY is listed as one of the TOP 10 PUBLIC LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES in the nation and a Tier 1 National Liberal Arts College in the 2015 edition of U.S. News & World Report”™s Best Colleges.

“When we look at how Purchase is consistently recognized by prestigious national ranking systems, we see the strength of our mission revealed. Ours is an institution driven to advance the creative process, open-minded engagement and academic excellence. The environment here is unique and supportive””dedicated to nurturing our students inventive spirits, ensuring our students”™ academic and personal success, as well as opening doors to professional opportunities,” says Thomas J. Schwarz, president of Purchase College-SUNY.

In addition to the U.S. News & World Report recognition, Purchase College has been included on a number of other highly significant college ranking lists:

Ӣ The Princeton Review named Purchase College in its Best 379 Colleges, 2015 Edition.

Ӣ The Princeton ReviewӪs The Best Value Colleges, 2014 edition selected Purchase College. Only 75 public and 75 private colleges were chosen.

”¢ Kiplinger”™s Personal Finance named Purchase College to its list of “100 Best Values in Public Colleges.” Purchase also was included on the list of the “Top 30 Best Values in Small Colleges.”

Ӣ Purchase was selected for inclusion in the 2014 edition of The Fiske Guide to Colleges, a selective guide that includes just over 300 colleges and universities.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “Again this year, we are proud to see so many of our SUNY campuses recognized as being among the best nationally by “U.S. News and World Report.” In every community across New York state, SUNY colleges and universities like Purchase College offer students top-quality degree programs and applied learning opportunities that prepare them for success in today”™s 21st-century global economy.”

Westchester pro to receive BoardSource credential

ROBERT E. MISS, a long-time philanthropy professional, has completed intensive training to become a BoardSource certified governance trainer. Specializing in nonprofit board development, board-staff relations and board retreats to help nonprofits get to the next level of mission fulfillment, Miss is now able to utilize BoardSource”™s training and curriculum to better serve clients.

A consultant to nonprofit organizations in the New York metropolitan area since 1996, Miss initially focused on fundraising and leadership training before transitioning to board recruitment and engagement. To date, he has worked with more than 60 boards in his practice, helping members clarify their roles, become more committed and develop more support for their cause, therefore increasing the overall success and visibility of the organizations they serve.

BoardSource focuses exclusively on good governance practices for nonprofits and serves as a resource for funders, partners and nonprofit leaders who want to magnify their impact within their communities. Only seasoned professionals are eligible to participate in the certified governance trainer program.

Bailey joins Greyston board

Following the election of ANTHONY BAILEY to the GREYSTON BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Steven Brown, Greyston”™s president and CEO said, “Anthony brings to the board technological acumen, a history of involvement in the Yonkers community and a passion to Greyston”™s mission of creating jobs and opportunities for Yonkers most underserved. We are excited to have him serve on Greyston”™s board.”

“The chance to work with Greyston in its mission to provide opportunities to Yonkers”™ residents through many avenues was an opportunity that I couldn”™t pass up,” Bailey said.

With extensive background in information technology, owner of an IT Consulting Firm, 24-7 Tech Solutions, and also a technical-service technician with Eileen Fisher Inc., Bailey, a lifelong resident of Yonkers, is a council member of the Yonkers PTA and has worked with various organizations in fundraising, developing awareness of public schools issues and created developmental workshops for high school students. Bailey lives in Yonkers with his life partner Karen and their three boys.

Greyston is a national model for comprehensive community development and is best known for the Greyston Bakery, which has provided jobs and opportunities for hundreds of individuals. The primary producer of brownies for Ben & Jerry”™s ice cream, Greyston reaches more than 5,000 community members annually through its programs.

Alemany named to WCC Foundation board

Attorney JOAQUIN (JACK) F. ALEMANY of Scarsdale has been named to the board of THE WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION. A member of the Alemany & Sheehan law firm in the Bronx, Alemany is a former member of the Silverman & Bikkal (White Plains) and Alemany, McLoone & Sheehan (Scarsdale) law firms and has served as an administrative law judge for the Westchester County Human Rights Commission and also the Westchester County Taxi and Limousine Commission (both in White Plains), and was acting Village Justice for Sleepy Hollow.

He has served on the Westchester County Hispanic Advisory Board and on the boards of the Westchester Hispanic Coalition and The Pre-Trial Services Institute of Westchester.

“I am delighted to have Jack join our board,” said Eve Larner, the college vice president of external affairs and executive director of the college foundation. “Jack has lived the classic immigrant story. Born in the U.S. to Spanish immigrant parents who worked hard to learn English and strongly encouraged Jack”™s education as the pathway to success, he truly relates to the struggles of our students and is very moved by the mission of the foundation,” she said.

The Westchester Community College Foundation annually ranks among the nation”™s leading fundraisers among community colleges. Its extensive fundraising efforts are directed toward support of both faculty and students; more than $1 million is distributed toward student scholarships each year.

Mental health group to honor three at benefit

THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF WESTCHESTER (MHA) has selected the honorees for its benefit slated for Friday evening, Oct. 24, at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains. The event, Denim and Dreams, will benefit and support mental health services in Westchester.

The honorees are ANNE KAUFFMAN NOLON, president and CEO, HRHCare, who will be recognized with the MHA On the Move Award for her visionary leadership in creating a cutting edge integrated health care system, which has transformed the way community health care services are delivered.

EDYE SCHWARTZ, director of systems transformation at the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) is receiving the MHA Lifetime Achievement Award in celebration of her decades of leadership and unwavering commitment to promoting excellence and innovation in services for people recovering from mental health conditions.

MARY NICOLICH, a CASA volunteer, will be honored with the MHA Spirit Award for giving tirelessly of her time and talent to MHA and the people it serves; demonstrating leadership, compassion and promotion of MHA and its mission.

MHA is a community-based mental health agency that has been helping Westchester County residents for 68 years through direct services, professional and community education and advocacy. It supports more than 25,000 individuals annually through a comprehensive array of mental health services.

Co-Communications receives women’s business certification

CO-COMMUNICATIONS, a public relations and marketing firm, has been granted status as a Women”™s Business Enterprise by the New York State Department of Economic Development, Division of Minority and Women”™s Business Development.

STACEY COHEN, founder, president and CEO of Co-Communications, has grown the Mount Kisco-based agency over the past 17 years and expanded the offices to locations in Farmington, Conn., and New York City. Co-Communications has a staff of 15 professionals and works with clients in the real estate, technology, law, health care and nonprofit industries.

“Successfully meeting the requirements to receive the Women”™s Business Enterprise title allows us to open more doors for Co-Communications and our clients,” said Jessica Lyon, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Co-Communications.

Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.