Dr. Beth A. Coyle, Officer in Charge
Dr. Beth A. Coyle has more than 35 years of higher education experience, focusing on academic, administrative, operational, and auxiliary enterprises in both the public and private sectors. She has led academic and administrative teams at public and private universities and has served in consulting roles for a variety of higher education institutions, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Coyle is an experienced leader and educator with expertise in a variety of senior-level academic and administrative leadership posts. Her areas of proficiency encompass project planning and management; operations, including facilities and emergency management, business continuity, and planning; development and alumni affairs; auxiliary services; and academic affairs. In the academic realm, she has expertise as an MSCHE Peer Reviewer, in faculty affairs, online academic administration, online teaching and learning, records and registration, and academic success.
Dr. Coyle previously served as Vice President of Operations at Rockland Community College and resides with her family in Rockland County. She received her bachelor’s degree at The College of New Jersey and earned a master’s degree with distinction from Rider University. She was the recipient of a graduate fellowship from Nova Southeastern University’s Programs for Higher Education where she earned a doctoral degree.
Dr. Tinny Cheung, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Dr. Tinny Cheung is an accomplished higher education professional with a profound commitment to advancing student success. She holds an EdD in Educational Leadership from Rowan University and is a dynamic leader with over 15 years of experience in higher education.
As the Assistant Dean of Student Success at Union College of Union County, New Jersey (UCNJ), a Hispanic and minority-serving institution, she oversaw their one-stop student service centers on multiple campuses, along with advising, career, and transfer services. UCNJ has consecutively ranked in the top 150 U.S. community colleges by the Aspen Institute, beginning in 2021, and achieving a top 25 position in 2023. The recognition is partly credited to the success of institutional graduation initiatives Dr. Cheung led, including Operation Graduation and Project Achievement. She has achieved remarkable milestones, tripling the graduation rate within five years and quintupling rates for African American male students in first-time, full-time cohorts.
Beyond administration, Dr. Cheung brings a wealth of teaching experience, having served for over 15 years as an adjunct professor at both two-year and four-year institutions, covering courses in health, psychology, and social sciences. Her dedication extends to industry volunteer work, contributing as a Middle States Commission on Higher Education peer evaluator, NASPA annual conference program reviewer, and peer reviewer for the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.
Known for her enthusiasm, team-oriented leadership, and unwavering commitment to a student-centered environment, Dr. Cheung leads with an equity-minded philosophy. She lives in New Jersey with her wife and cat. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and playing the board game Catan.
Gary Holeman, Chief Information Officer
Belinda Kodgis, Interim Executive Director of Human Resources
Dr. Virginia Meléndez, Interim Chief of Staff and Strategic Initiatives
[email protected]
Dr. Virginia Meléndez serves as Rockland Community College’s Interim Chief of Staff and Strategic Initiatives. In this role, Dr. Meléndez serves as a trusted advisor and principal aide to the Officer in Charge. She is also responsible for oversight of all operations of the President’s Office and ensures effective implementation of campus initiatives. Serving as a member of the executive cabinet, she also directs the government relations functions at RCC.
Prior to joining RCC, Dr. Meléndez served in various roles in the public and private sectors in Higher Education. With more than twenty years of experience in Higher Education Administration and as a Board Professional, her work includes Strategic Planning, Student Success Initiatives, Diversity Taskforce, Middle States accreditation, Budget Management, Board Liaison, Project Management and much more. Dr. Meléndez is committed to professional development and being a lifelong learner. She was a recent fellow in the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute, was selected to participate in the second cohort of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leadership Academy, La Academia de Liderazgo, and served as part of the inaugural class of the Emerging Leaders Program of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).
Dr. Meléndez holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Saint Peter’s University, a master’s degree in Urban Education from New Jersey City University, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and associate’s degree in Office Systems Management from Berkeley College.
Melissa L. Roy, JD, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion / Chief Diversity Officer
[email protected]
845-574-4758
Melissa L. Roy, JD is the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at SUNY Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York. In that capacity, she works to ensure that the College’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is reflected in all its policies, work, and practices. She previously served in various roles at the College where she was the Equal Employment Opportunity officer, the Title IX coordinator, and the Middle States accreditation liaison officer.
Prior to joining Rockland Community College, Ms. Roy practiced corporate and securities law at the law firms of Hogan Lovells (previously Hogan & Hartson LLP) in both its Washington, DC and New York offices; Eversheds Sutherland (previously Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan) in its Washington, DC office; and Goodwin (previously Goodwin, Procter & Hoar LLP) in its Boston, Massachusetts office.
Ms. Roy is active in the local community. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Valley Cottage Library and the Mount Moor Cemetery Association. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Westchester Alumnae Chapter, and the American Association of University Women, Rockland Chapter, and a Lifetime Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Nyack Branch. She previously served on the Board of Directors of the African American Historical Society of Rockland (2009-2018), the Board of Directors of the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund, Inc. (2001-2014), and the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, Founders Affiliate ~ Tri-County NY Region (2010-2013).
Ms. Roy earned a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law and Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University. She holds a certification in Collective Bargaining from Cornell University’s ILR School. She was selected as a member of the Leadership Rockland Class of 2007 and Rockland County’s Forty under 40 in 2005.
Christian Salisbury, Senior Advisor for Finance and Budget
Dr. Victoria Ukachukwu, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Victoria Ukachukwu is a distinguished research scientist and educator with over 20 years of experience as a seasoned academic leader in higher education. Holding a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. Ukachukwu has a wealth of experience developed from her various roles as a research scholar, chemistry faculty member, and academic administrator. A published author of an organic chemistry book and several scientific research papers, she brings a depth of technical expertise in her new role as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rockland Community College.
Dr. Ukachukwu joins Rockland Community College from her previous position as Dean and Provost of the Plainfield Campus at Union College, in New Jersey, where she adeptly oversaw all campus operations and provided visionary leadership for faculty and staff in teaching, curriculum development, technology, and assessment. She developed innovative partnerships with community and local organizations and provided leadership for social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the community.