Westchester Community College
Coordinates: 41°04′04.39″N 73°47′25.88″W / 41.0678861°N 73.7905222°W
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This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (March 2009) |
| Westchester Community College | |
|---|---|
| Motto in English | "Building Minds, Building Futures" |
| Established | 1946 |
| Type | community college |
| Academic affiliation | State University of New York |
| Students | 12,000 |
| Undergraduates | 12,000 |
| Location | Valhalla, New York, United States |
| Campus | 218 acres (88 hectares, suburban |
| Former names | New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences (1946-?) |
| Colors | Navy & Gold |
| Website | sunywcc.edu |
Westchester Community College is a public, two-year community college in Valhalla, New York, sponsored by Westchester County, New York, and the State University of New York (SUNY). The college is one of 30 community colleges affiliated with SUNY.
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[edit] History
The college was founded in 1946 as the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in White Plains, New York. In 1957, Westchester County purchased the 360-acre (150 ha) John A. Hartford estate in Valhalla and designated 218 acres (88 ha) for the community college.[1]
[edit] Admissions
Although it does not require SAT Reasoning Test scores, placement exams are required in mathematics, reading and writing.
The college's Admissions Office has a staff of counselors who work with students on their academic choices. There is an international student office (the student body includes individuals from dozens of countries) and a disabled student offices.
[edit] Academics
The college's curriculum is registered and approved by the New York State Education Department and offers associate degrees in forty areas and certificates in twenty. Courses are offered during spring and fall semesters as well as two sessions during the summer.
In addition to courses leading to associate degrees or certificates, the college offers a range of non-credit courses for students of all ages to sharpen their skills and broaden their interests.
The student body numbers 12,000.
[edit] Continuing Education
The college has one of the largest Divisions of Continuing Education in the entire 64-campus SUNY system. Non-credit programs, a variety of non-credit certificate options, and specialty programs such as Mainstream (for mature adults) and the Professional Development Center (for corporate clients) are also offered.
[edit] Volunteer Opportunities
More than two hundred volunteers currently assist with various programs at the college including mentoring, tutoring, board openings, and the Conversation Partner Program. The latter helps those learning English to become more comfortable speaking and writing this second language.
[edit] Locations
In addition to the Valhalla campus, the college provides instruction at twelve other off-campus locations including extension centers in Peekskill, Ossining, White Plains, Mount Vernon and Yonkers. In addition, it offers classes in Shrub Oak, New Rochelle, Mahopac and Port Chester. Other classes for programs such as "Mainstream" (for mature adults) are offered at various locations throughout the county. The Educational Opportunity Center is in Yonkers.
[edit] Clubs and student organizations
Extracurricular and co-curricular activities at Westchester Community College include varsity, club, and intramural athletics; student publications; a variety of special interest clubs; a student government association; a student run programming board called the Westchester Events Board (WEB), who plans major social events; and a full range of cultural events. These activities complement students’ academic work and offer opportunities to form new friendships and develop leadership and other transferable skills. Participation can give a sense of community with the rest of the college and help make education a memorable experience with the 66 clubs to choose from. Noteworthy clubs/organizations include: The Viking Newspaper, Alpha Beta Gama, Drama Club, Dance Club, Urban Poets Society, Black Student Union, The Italian Club, The Brazilian Club, WARY, and Gays, Lesbians and Others of Westchester (GLOW).
[edit] Native Plant Center
The Native Plant Center (NPC), a non-profit project of the Westchester Community College Foundation, is an affiliate of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas. The NPC, with the goal to educate the community on the value of native plants, presents various educational programs including workshops and conferences, is responsible for two demonstration gardens on the main campus, offers trips to gardens and horticultural displays, and coordinates an annual plant sale.
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Orio Palmer, Battalion Chief of the New York Fire Department who died while rescuing occupants of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "About the College", Westchester Community College official website, undated. Accessed June 1, 2009.
[edit] External links
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