Rockland’s College Presidents Discuss Future of Higher Education

Rockland, a diverse community that is growing by leaps and bounds, is striving to provide the best educational outcomes for students who attend the county’s institutes of higher learning. The Rockland Business Association invited all three Rockland college presidents to attend the RBA September luncheon at Nyack Seaport to discuss the future of higher education in the county.

Dr. Manuel Martinez, newly installed president of Dominican University, was joined by Kenneth Daly, President of St. Thomas Aquinas College and Dr. William Mullaney, Rockland Community College’s new President, as the trio responded to questions from RBA President Ken Zebrowski as well as from members and guests in attendance.

All three presidents agreed that Covid was a game-changer, albeit an adverse one for in-person learning; however, the pandemic compelled campuses to ramp up online learning for students who could not attend in person. “I am pleased to report, however, that we have the largest incoming class, as well as the largest graduating class ever,” said STAC’s President Kenneth Daly. Daly stated that he believes the current generation will be the most resilient as a result of their endurance through major historical events such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

All three schools have accelerated their in-person and online programs as the result of a growing need to navigate the digital age. Martinez, the first secular President of Dominican University, told the audience the school has now instituted a program to award digital badges to students. Digital badges are verified indicators of skills or knowledge and are similar to a digital diploma. The school is also implementing microcredentials, which are short, hyper-focused “bootcamps” that many are using to boost education and resumes. Microcredentials focus on a range of subjects, from graphic design, to software development and coding, to leadership and mentoring.

In response to Zebrowski’s question about how colleges are helping students to receive funding, RCC’s Dr. Mullaney remarked, “Like Dominican University, we are a minority-serving institution. We encourage part-time students to continue studying because the longer someone stretches out their college career, the more difficult it will be to complete it. We have worked on several new initiatives that we are going to move forward with, although we did receive notice that funding will be cut next year.” 

However, because many decisions concerning funding education have been challenged and reversed since the administration change in Washington, all three campus presidents stated that they are continuing to work to improve programs and institute new ones until they receive definitive answers about financial assistance from the Department of Education.

The three college leaders agreed that skills in jobs such as cyber security, AI, and other careers that were not available five or 10 years ago are no longer seen as “add-ons” but have become necessities for the modern student. 

Marc Rossman, who represented Rockland BOCES at the event, was among the guests who spoke during the question-and-answer period. He thanked RCC for offering graduating P-TEC students two years of free tuition, saying it has been a tremendous benefit to those who might not otherwise be able to make the financial commitment.

  Dominican University, Dr. Manuel Martinez, Dr. William Mullaney, DU, Ken Zebrowski, Kenneth Daly, RBA, RCC, Rockland Business Association, rockland community college, st thomas aquinas, stac