Westchester Community College

Westchester Community College

Former names	New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences (1946-?)
Type	community college
Established	1946
Affiliation	State University of New York
Students	12,000
Undergraduates	12,000
Location	Valhalla, New York, United States
Campus	218 acres (88 hectares, suburban
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.

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 (146-hectare) John A. Hartford estate in Valhalla and designated 218 acres (88 hectares) for the community college.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Honors

In 2008, Westchester Community College's Student Senate was awarded two of SUNY's highest recognitions: Best Student Government and Best Student Activities. The Student Senate and Student Forum merged that year in an effort to unite the student body and their respective governing boards forming the Student Government Association.

See also

State University of New York

External links

• Westchester Community College webpage
• Native Plant Center