2014-2015 Year in Review
Academic Highlights Advance our Educational Mission
in December 2012, the SUNY Trustees passed a resolution regarding their intention
to implement seamless transfer of students between SUNY institutions. Under this
mandate, associate degrees in all academic programs are required to consist of 64
credits or fewer. in addition, all A.A. and A.S. programs must comply with “transfer
paths” crafted to align community college curricula
with their four-year counterparts. Under my leadership,
the office of Academic Affairs worked closely with
Student Affairs, College administrators, program
faculty, staff, and governance bodies to meet SUNY’s
seamless transfer expectations. Members of the college
community completed this monumental task in less
than a year. i applaud the professionalism and expertise
demonstrated by everyone during this period. As they
have shown time and again, our faculty and staff can
always be counted on to come together and attain
the best results, when those efforts will benefit our
students. of the College’s 77 programs and program
options, 66 required some level of revision. All affected
programs made sound, necessary curricula revisions in
time to meet the December 2014 deadline set by
SUNY. New students are now being accepted under
the new seamless transfer parameters; continuing
students are able to choose between following their
existing program requirements or switching to the new
streamlined requirements. Messaging was developed
and shared with students, counselors, and faculty
advisors who are now engaged in the process of assisting students in making degree
completion decisions.
e 2014-2015 academic year began with the College’s annual Academic
Convocation featuring a keynote address by alumnus eric Martinez (Class of ’86),
JD, CPA. Mr. Martinez spoke about growing up in a single parent household and
how his Suffolk experience allowed him to believe in himself and his ability to become
successful through dedication to hard work and a disciplined approach to education.
His message resonated very well with the over 300 students, faculty, alumni and staff
in attendance. Professor (ret.) Bud Macy presented the College’s ceremonial mace as
the current President of the College’s retirees Association, an alumnus of the Class of
’68 and a retired Professor of Mechanical Technology. Presidential medallions were
bestowed upon Mr. Martinez and Professor Macy. During the afternoon program, the
College honored three new professors emeritus: John Hamilton, Jean Ann Scharpf,
and Marianne McAuley.
As the largest community college in the SUNY system, we often are expected to
provide leadership in areas that will enhance teaching, learning and innovation. i
encourage this role and we continue to work with our SUNY partners to accomplish
great things. As an example, we have been chosen to assist with the pilot for
Quantway Pathway, which is an accelerated program to move students through
developmental mathematics sequences quickly and successfully. e College is one
of five SUNY institutions participating in the pilot, which includes having members
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2014-2015 Review of Accomplishments
Alumnus Eric Martinez (’86) joined me in welcoming
the students during Convocation.
rough SUNY Seamless Transfer, academic program
requirements will change this fall.
