The Board of Trustees consists of ten members who are appointed in compliance with Section 6306 of the New York State Education Law. BOT has the responsibility of periodically reviewing and evaluating the policies and procedures of the College and amend where appropriate.
There are ten members of the Board of Trustees. One is elected by the students to serve as their representative for a one-year term. Five are appointed by the Rockland County Legislature to serve a five-year term. Four are appointed by the Governor to serve a seven-year term.
Trustees
L'Tanya M. Watkins, Esq., Chair
L’Tanya M. Watkins, Esq., was appointed to the Rockland Community College Board of Trustees by the Honorable Governor Kathy Hochul for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. Ms. Watkins attended Rockland Community College prior to transferring to Pace University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1994. She then attended and graduated from New York Law School in 2004 and was admitted to practice law in the Courts of the State of New York.
Ms. Watkins began her legal career as a Legal Secretary with the Law Offices of Mitchell P. Schecter where she worked for approximately 18 years during which time she completed her undergraduate and law school studies.
In 2006, Ms. Watkins opened her own private practice law office in New City, New York where she continues to represent clients with criminal, personal injury as well as family court matters. Ms. Watkins is a lifelong resident of Rockland County having been born in Good Samaritan Hospital and currently resides in Nanuet, New York. Ms. Watkins is the proud mom of 3 adult daughters and 12 grandchildren.
Ms. Watkins is a Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and serves in the following community organizations: Co-Chair of the Mental Health Committee of the Rockland Coalition to End the New Jim Crow, Member of RCENJC; Member of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus; former Co-Chair of the Rockland County Police Reform Committee for the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department, former NAACP Legal Redress Chairperson; founding Member of the Rockland County Black Bar Association and former Candidate for Rockland County Executive in 2021.
Prior to the honor of this appointment, Ms. Watkins briefly served as an Adjunct Professor in the Legal Studies Department at Rockland Community College. She gained a great appreciation for the RCC students who worked hard every day to obtain their college education while working, attending school and caring for family responsibilities and now looks forward to helping the RCC students get ready for what’s next.
She looks forward to using all of her experiences in life and her profession to help the Rockland Community College community.
Dr. Dana G. Stilley, Vice Chair
Dana G. Stilley, PhD, was appointed by the Rockland County Legislature for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. Dr. Stilley holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Applied Mathematics from Brown University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management Science from Columbia University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University.
Dr. Stilley has years of experience in the financial industry, higher education leadership and administration, and teaching. In 2023 Dr. Stilley was elected to the Rockland County Legislature, representing District 17. On the Legislature she chairs the Government Operations Committee, is the vice-chair of the Minority & Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) and is a member of the Budget & Finance and Public Safety Committees.
In addition to serving on the County Legislature, Dana is the President of the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund, and continues to serve on the Venture Together and Meals on Wheels Boards of Director. She is also a member of the Rockland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
“RCC is an outstanding educational institution that is vital to the future success of many students in our community. I look forward to sharing my expertise and experiences to advance the College and ensure its stability and sustainability.”
Dr. Stilley and her husband, Derrick, live in Piermont with their one son.
Ileana Eckert, Secretary
Mrs. Ileana Eckert was appointed by the Rockland County Legislature to the RCC Board of Trustees on December 3, 2015. She was appointed to finish the uncompleted term of Dr. Penny Jennings, who resigned to focus on her professional responsibilities. In July 2018 she was reappointed to a second full term that expires in June 2023.
Eckert has served as superintendent of the North Rockland Central School District since 2009, following tenures in the district as a teacher, department coordinator, director of secondary education, assistant principal and assistant and deputy superintendent. She got a head start on her college education by taking 12 credits over two semesters at RCC while still a senior at North Rockland High School. She was able to earn an undergraduate degree in three years, from St. Thomas Aquinas. She also holds a master’s from Kean College and a professional diploma from SUNY New Paltz.
The RCC Board appointment is an extension of the work Eckert and her predecessors have done in fostering close ties with the College. North Rockland High School currently offers more than 10 college-level courses to its students through RCC and uses the College’s Haverstraw campus as a summer school location.
“I am excited to bring a K through 12 perspective to the College,” said Eckert, of Garnerville. “I have great respect for the RCC Board and administration, and a very good relationship with Dr. Cliff Wood. I expect the collaboration between North Rockland and the College to become even stronger.”
Eckert and her husband, Peter, have two grown children and two granddaughters and are deeply involved in community activities. Eckert is active with the North Rockland Rotary, Haverstraw Police Athletic League, and numerous professional associations in education.
Elana L. Yeger, Esq., Community Outreach Liaison
Elana L. Yeger, Esq., was appointed by the Rockland County Legislature to complete the term vacated by Mendel Taub, ending June 30, 2025. Ms. Yeger attended Binghamton University, a State of New York (“SUNY”) college, so she understands both the educational and fiscal value of a public college education. She then attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School, graduating in 1995. Unlike many of her colleagues there who pursued careers at large law firms and major corporations, Ms. Yeger has devoted her entire legal career to public service.
Ms. Yeger began her career in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office. When she made the decision to move her family from New York City to Rockland County, she left for a job in the NYC Corporation Counsel. She later worked in the Ramapo Town Attorney’s Office and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office before accepting the invitation to serve as Senior Legislative Counsel to the Rockland County Legislature.
Ms. Yeger holds a keen interest in RCC, as her two older children have attended RCC and her youngest child plans to enroll there as early as this summer.
Ms. Yeger constantly fields phone calls for legal advice and/or representation from organizations that serve children at risk in Rockland County. Many of these young adults have ended up attending RCC to advance their personal goals and to become productive members of society. Ms. Yeger is proud of her children, those she has helped, and all RCC students. She is also proud that Rockland has RCC to help its residents achieve their goals. She looks forward to assisting RCC to accomplish just that.
Moshe Gruber
Moshe Gruber serves as the County Legislature’s Director of Fiscal Affairs. He is a Certified Public Accountant who has lived in Spring Valley for his entire adult life. After graduating from UTA Mesivta of Kiryas Joel, Moshe earned his Master of Science in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2018. In 2019, he passed the uniform CPA examination, his high score earning him the prestigious Elijah Watt Sells Award. He has worked with a local public accounting firm for both profit and not-for-profit entities, and with several national firms in NYC where he worked with large real estate investors and private equity funds.
Susan Oelkers-Ramos
Ms. Susan Oelkers-Ramos, a Stony Point businesswoman, was appointed by Governor George E. Pataki in January 2004 to serve as a member of the SUNY Rockland Community College Board of Trustees for a term to expire on June 30, 2010, as successor to Mr. Isidro Cancel. She was reappointed in July 2010 for a term to expire in June 2017. Ms. Oelkers-Ramos is the sole proprietor of Environmental Construction of Stony Point, a position she has held since 1988. Originally from Manhattan, Ms. Oelkers-Ramos earned her General Education Diploma and attended classes at SUNY Rockland.
Ms. Ramos has served the community in many capacities. She recently donated time and equipment towards the restoration of Nyack’s Memorial Park, and was responsible for the renovations to Emanuel Welder Park in Monsey. She was a 2003 recipient of Partner for Growth award from Orange & Rockland Utilities and belongs to the Lions Club of Stony Point.
Grant Valentine
Helping RCC students enroll in college, attain their degrees and find meaningful careers are the top priorities for Grant Valentine. The Rockland County Legislature appointed Valentine in February 2015 to serve the remainder of the five-year term of the late Dr. Sonya Shapiro, who died in May 2014. He was reappointed in July 2016. The term expires June 30, 2020.
Valentine brings a wealth of experience in government relations, criminal justice and education to his Board duties. During a 30-year career with the New York State Division of Parole, he rose to Assistant Director of Operations and Director of Strategic Planning, and has played an integral role in shaping public safety re-entry standards for the state.
At RCC, Valentine has assisted with various events for African American History Month. As Chairman of the Edmund and Susan Gordon Upper Charter School, President of the CEJJES Partnership and a member of the Rockland Youth Advisory Board, he has strongly advocated for expanding students’ opportunities for academic advancement.
“The retention rate for students is very important, to have the ability not just to enter college but to complete college,” Valentine said. “I believe we have an obligation to provide RCC students the financial and emotional support to help them be successful as they mature. I want to help the younger generation have the opportunities I was afforded.”
Valentine, a New York City native, earned BS degrees in Social Work and Biology from Queens College, CUNY, and an EJD from Concord Law School, which allows him to hold any law position not requiring bar admission. In the political arena, he twice ran unsuccessfully for the New York State Senate and is a Trustee for the Village of Chestnut Ridge. Valentine lives in Chestnut Ridge with his wife, Linda, and has four children and four grandchildren.
Martin Wortendyke
Mr. Martin C. Wortendyke was reappointed in July 2013 to the Rockland Community College Board of Trustees by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to serve a second seven-year term ending in June 2020. He was originally appointed in July 2006. Mr. Wortendyke served as Board Vice Chair from 2010-2014 and was elected as Board Chair in September 2014, September 2016 and again in September 2018.
A Rockland County native, Mr. Wortendyke is widely recognized for his strong commitment and benevolence to the Rockland community. He is a member of the Helen Hayes Hospital Board of Visitors and Vice Chairman of the Architectural Review Board for the Village of Upper Nyack. He has been honored by several local organizations including Nyack, Helen Hayes and Good Samaritan hospitals, Camp Venture, Boy Scouts of America, and the Center for Safety and Change.
In partnership with his brothers, Mr. Wortendyke founded Cal Mart Enterprises Inc. in 1972. The Congers-based company is one of the largest and most successful construction firms in Rockland, with extended business interests in the car wash, climate-controlled storage and real estate industries.
Mr. Wortendyke lives in Upper Nyack with Elizabeth, his wife of more than 30 years. They have a daughter, Krista.
Hafiza Swire-Hosein, Student Trustee 2024-2025
Hafiza Swire-Hosein is a 19-year-old RCC student majoring in graphic design on the animation track. Last year, she served as Vice President of the Student Government Association and as President of the Muslim Students Association (MSA), with plans on running for president of the MSA again this year. She was elected to serve as the Student Trustee of Rockland Community College in 2024.
Meeting Calendar and By-Laws
2024-2025 Board Workshop & Meeting Calendar
Workshop Meetings – 5:00 pm in the Student Union, Room 3214
Board Meetings – 6:00 pm in the Student Union, Room 3214
- Monday, September 23, 2024 (Workshop to begin at 5:30 pm)
- Monday, October 28, 2024
- Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 12:00 pm in the President’s Conference Room (Brucker Hall, 6205)
- Monday, December 2, 2024 (combined Nov-Dec meeting)
- Monday, January 27, 2025
- Monday, February 24, 2025
- Monday, March 24, 2025
- Monday, April 28, 2025
- Monday, May 19, 2025
- Monday, June 23, 2025
- Monday, July 21, 2025
- Monday, August 18, 2025
- Monday, September 29, 2025
- Monday, October 27, 2025
- Monday, December 8, 2025 (combined Nov-Dec meeting)
By-Laws of the Board of Trustees
First Adopted by Board of Trustees: April 21, 1960
Last Amended by Board of Trustees: September 27, 2018
Contents
- ARTICLE I NAME OF THE COLLEGE AND LOCATION
- ARTICLE II SPONSORSHIP OF THE COLLEGE AND AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD
- ARTICLE III COMPOSITION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- ARTICLE IV RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- ARTICLE V RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEE
- ARTICLE VI MEETINGS
- ARTICLE VII QUORUM AND VOTING
- ARTICLE VIII ELECTED OFFICERS
- ARTICLE IX STANDING COMMITTEES
- ARTICLE X CONFLICT OF INTEREST
- ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION
- ARTICLE XII AMENDMENT AND SUSPENSION OF BY-LAWS
- ARTICLE XIII REPEAL OF PREVIOUS BY-LAWS
- ARTICLE XIV PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
ARTICLE I
NAME OF THE COLLEGE AND LOCATION
The official name of the College shall be:
ROCKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Located at:
145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901
ARTICLE II
SPONSORSHIP OF THE COLLEGE AND AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD
The College is sponsored by the County of Rockland and operating and administered by the Rockland Community College Board of Trustees pursuant to New York State Education Law.
ARTICLE III
COMPOSITION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees consists of ten members in compliance with Section 6306 of the New York State Education Law. (Appendix I)
ARTICLE IV
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees of Rockland Community College as the policy-making body has the responsibility to review periodically and evaluate the policies and procedures of the college and amend where appropriate.
The duties and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees of Rockland Community College are set forth in New York State Education Law, section 6306, subdivisions 2 through 8-a (Appendix I) and 8NYCRR, section 604.2 (Appendix II).
ARTICLE V
RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEE
It is the responsibility of individual Trustees:
- To act as a body through resolution and no trustee can act or bind the college;
- To refer immediately to the office of the President for consideration and possible action any important inquiries or complaints that are raised directly with an individual Trustee regarding the operation of the College;
- To attend all Board Meetings. If a board member is absent three (3) or more consecutive board meetings Public Officers Law, section 30, paragraph 3 will be invoked. (Appendix III) If a member is going to be absent, it is his/her responsibility to notify the Chair of his/her absence and will be noted as excused in the minutes.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
The meeting schedule for the Board of Trustees will be as follows:
Section A
Regular Meetings
- The Annual meeting will be held at the September meeting
- All meeting agendas will be determined by the Board Chair in consultation with the President and will include trustee suggestions.
- Regular meetings shall be held at a place in the county to be decided upon by the Board.
- Adjourned meetings may be adjourned by majority vote held as the business of the Board requires. At the time of adjournment, the date, time, and place of the continuation of the meeting shall be determined and announced.
- Executive sessions of the Board may be called to discuss specific personnel matters, contract negotiations, litigation and other matters consistent with the Public Officers Law, Article 7, section 105 (Appendix IV). Public Bodies may vote during properly convened executive session; any vote to appropriate public monies must be taken in public.
- The Board may change the dates, times, and places of any regular meetings provided at least one week notice is given to all Trustees, the President of Rockland Community College, other agencies and media as required by the New York State Open Meetings Law.
- In accordance with the New York State Open Meetings Law, members of the Board of Trustees may consult by phone, but the Board of Trustees cannot validly conduct meetings, vote or make determination by telephone or e-mail.
- The Board of Trustees may request a representative from another agency or group to serve as a participant to the Board of Trustees. Such a participant may be invited by the Chairperson Per Se of the Board to attend public meetings and executive session meetings of the Board of Trustees and to participate in discussions and to present materials, upon request. Such a participant, however, does not have a vote on the Board of Trustees.
Section B
Workshops
The Board shall hold regular Workshop Meetings as the Committee of the Whole. The Workshop agenda will be determined by the Board Chair and the President. The Workshops will give in-depth information on College programs, curriculum review, policy proposals, etc. The Workshops will be attended by all Trustees and chaired by the Board of Trustees Chairperson or his/her designee. The Board may change the dates, time, and places of any future Workshop meetings provided at least one week notice is given to all Trustees, the President of Rockland Community College, other agencies and media as required.
Section C
Special Meetings
The Board shall hold special meetings upon the call of the Chairperson or upon the call of three voting members, provided, however, that written notice or telephone notice directed to each trustee’s home or business address of such meeting shall be given not less than 48 hours in advance of such meeting and shall state the matters to be considered. Only if an emergency meeting is called, is less than forty-eight hours notice allowed. No matters shall be considered at said meeting except those stated in the notice unless the members of the Board of Trustees present at such meeting, by majority vote, decide to consider other matters.
Section D
Notice of Time and Place of Meetings
A notice of the hour and place of all meetings shall be communicated in writing to every Board member at least seven (7) days prior to such meeting. Such notice shall identify the matter or matters to be presented to the Board for its consideration at the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
QUORUM AND VOTING
A majority of the members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum, but in no event shall less than six trustees constitute a quorum. Six affirmative votes are necessary for approval of any formal Board action.
ARTICLE VIII
ELECTED OFFICERS
Section A
Elected Officers
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Community Outreach Liaison will be deemed the Elected Officers of the Board of Trustees.
Section B
Voting and Election
At the annual meeting, the Board of Trustees shall elect a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Community Outreach Liaison by majority vote of the Trustees. The Elected Officers will perform such duties as listed in this Article and as may be delegated or required pursuant to law. All Elected Officers can vote at all times.
Section C
Term of Office
All officers shall be elected for a two (2) year term at the annual meeting. In the event of a vacancy in an officer’s position, a special vote will be held at the next scheduled meeting of the Board to fill the vacancy by majority vote (six out of 10 Board members).
Section D
Duties of the Chairperson
The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees and serves ex-officio on all committees of the Board.
The Chairperson is the official public sole spokesperson for the Board.
The Chairperson shall have a vote at any time and be counted in Quorum.
The Board Chairperson shall appoint Trustees to all standing, special and Ad Hoc Committees of the Board and designate the Chairperson of such Committee unless otherwise determined by the Board of Trustees. The Chairperson shall appoint such Ad Hoc Committees as may be necessary. Such Committees shall be terminated at the completion of their appointed task and/or their work is accepted by the Board. The Chairperson shall coordinate all Board activities. The Chairperson shall represent the interests of the Board in working with the President and shall be the designated Board member to work in an official capacity with the President. It is the duty of the Chair with consultation with the Board to provide an evaluation of the President as per the President’s contract.
Section E
Duties of the Vice-Chairperson
The Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and other duties delegated by the Board Chairperson.
Section F
Duties of the Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for assuring the proper and accurate recording of all minutes of all meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Secretary shall review the minutes for accuracy and content. The Secretary shall also see to the security of all minutes, records, files and documents of the Board. The Secretary with the aid of the President will enlist a member of the administrative staff to aid in the performance of these duties.
The Secretary shall review meeting notices, meeting agenda and the previous Board meeting’s minutes prior to transmitting to each Board of Trustees member, as per Public Officers Law (Appendix III), seven (7) days in advance of the next meeting. The Secretary shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Board Chairperson.
Section G
Duties of the Community Outreach Liaison
The Community Outreach Liaison shall be responsible for ensuring that the College is appropriately represented within the community, as well as in College lobbying efforts, and will recommend from time to time ways in which the College can better be integrated with community interests.
ARTICLE IX
STANDING COMMITTEES
The standing committee of the Board of Trustees shall be
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee shall consist of three (3) to four (4) Trustees with the Chief Financial Officer as an advisor. The Audit Committee shall receive and examine the audit of the College finances and make such recommendations as it may deem appropriate. The committee shall meet as necessary and furnish to the Board of Trustees minutes of their committee meetings.
ARTICLE X
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
A trustee shall be considered to have a conflict of interest if (a) such Trustee has or appears to have existing or potential financial or other interests which impair or might reasonably appear to impair such member’s independent, unbiased judgment in the discharge of his or her responsibilities to the College, or (b) such Trustee is aware that a member of his or her family (which for purposes of this paragraph shall be a spouse, parent, siblings, children, partner and any other relative if the latter resides in the same household as the Trustee), or any organization in which such Trustee (or member of his or her family) is an officer, director, employee, member, partner, trustee, or controlling stockholder, has such existing or potential financial or other interest. All Trustees shall disclose to the Board any possible conflict of interest at the earliest practicable time. No Trustee shall vote on any matter, under consideration at a Board or committee meeting, in which such Trustee has a conflict of interest. The minutes of such meeting shall reflect that a disclosure was made and that the Trustee having a conflict of interest abstained from voting. Any Trustee, who is uncertain whether a conflict of interest may exist in any matter, may request the Board of Trustees to resolve the questions by majority vote.
The Board of Trustees shall comply with all applicable state or local laws dealing with conflicts of interest, including Sections 800-808 of the General Municipal Law and the County Code of Ethics.
The Board of Trustees will adopt procedures to identify as early as possible all interests of individual Trustees which may conflict with their obligations as Trustees and require Trustees to announce potential conflicts of interest with respect to any matter being considered by the Board of Trustees as soon as possible so that appropriate action may be taken to avoid problems.
ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
Indemnification is provided to Board members pursuant to Section 6308 of the Education Law. (Appendix I)
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENT AND SUSPENSION OF BY-LAWS
The By-Laws may be suspended at any meeting of the Board, for specific purpose by an eight-member vote of the Board.
An amendment to the By-Laws may be adopted by a majority of the members of the Board (six out of 10 members) at any regular or special meeting of the Board succeeding the meeting at which it was proposed. Thereafter copies of the proposed amendment must be mailed to each member of the Board of Trustees at least ten (10) calendar days before it is voted upon, together with a statement of the name of the introducer and with a notice of the date, time and place of the meeting at which it is to be acted upon. Such prior notice may be waived if all members of the Board of Trustees consent thereto at or prior to such meeting and said written waiver shall be appended to the minutes of said meeting.
ARTICLE XIII
REPEAL OF PREVIOUS BY-LAWS
The By-Laws of the Board of Trustees in effect at the time of the adoption of these By-Laws are repealed and these By-Laws shall be effective on and from the date the same are adopted.
ARTICLE XIV
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
The Board shall be governed in its procedure by parliamentary rules and usage as set forth in Roberts’ Rules of Order newly revised, except as otherwise provided by New York State Law.