Agendas and Minutes

Workshop + Meeting Agenda

Meeting Date: Monday, March 23, 2026
Time: 5:00
Place: Technology Center, Ellipse

1. Roll Call
2. Public Comment
3. Presentation: Resolution of Appreciation Honoring Martin Wortendyke
   
   • Resolution 09-2026 Resolution of Appreciation Honoring Martin Wortendyke
4. Presentation: Grants Update – Director, Debra Bouabidi
5. Discussion: Resolutions
6. Discussion: Policies
   • Curriculum Policy
7. President’s Office – President, Dr. William P. Mullaney
8. Division Highlights
   
   1. Academic Affairs – Chief of Staff, Dr. Ian Wolf
   2. Administration & Finance – Chief Financial Officer, Jonathan Batista
   3. Enrollment Management and Student Affairs – Vice President, Dr. Tinny Cheung
   4. Information Technology – Chief Information Officer, Andrea Wilson
9. Consent Agenda
   • Approval of the Previous Meeting Minutes: 3/2/26
   • Resolution 10-2026: Approving the Appointment of Dr. Melanie Rie, Vice President of Academic Affairs
   • Resolution 11-2026: Approval of Reappointment of Non-Tenured Faculty for Academic Year 2026-2027
   • Resolution 12-2026: Approval of Reappointment, Promotion and Grant of Tenure to Non-Tenured Faculty, for Academic Year 2026-2027
   • Resolution 13-2026: Entering Into A Standstill Agreement with Ellucian Company, L.P.
   • Resolution 14-2026: Entering Into An Agreement with SUNY ITEC for Campus IT Services
   • Resolution 15-2026: Approving a Retainer Agreement with Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, Jacobs, LLC.
10. Board Chair Report – Chair, L’Tanya Watkins
11. Board Secretary Report – Secretary, Ileana Eckert
12. Audit Committee Report – Trustee Moshe Gruber
13. Legislative Advocacy Report – Trustee Grant Valentine
14. Board Community Outreach Report – Community Liaison, Elana Yeger
15. Student Government Report – Trustee Christine Williams
16. Old/New Business – Chair, L’Tanya Watkins

Please note: Resolutions & Reports which require action by the Board of Trustees are fully discussed at the monthly Board Workshop. All meetings of the Board are open to the public.

Board Workshop + Meeting Minutes

The 857th board meeting of the Rockland Community College Board of Trustees was held on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Rockland Community College, Technology Center, Ellipse 145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901.

Trustees Present: L’Tanya Watkins, Board Chair; Ileana Eckert, Board Secretary; Moshe Gruber; Elana Yeger, Community Outreach Liaison

Also Present: Dr. William P. Mullaney, President; Jonathan Batista, Chief Financial Officer; Dr. Tinny Cheung, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; Dr. Karen Lewis, Executive Director, Development; Melissa Roy, Chief Diversity Officer; Andrea Wilson, Chief Information Officer; Dr. Ian Wolf, Chief of Staff. Dr. Melanie Rie, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Absent Was: Susan Oelkers-Ramos, (excused); Dana Stilley (excused); Grant Valentine (excused); Christine Williams, (excused); Kenneth Zebrowski, (excused).

The meeting was called to order at 5:12 pm by Chair Watkins.

• Roll call was conducted.
• Chair Watkins announced that a quorum was not present. As a result, a meeting will be scheduled later in the week to vote on the consent agenda.

Presentation: Resolution of Appreciation Honoring Martin Wortendyke

• Chair Watkins read Resolution 09-2026, the Resolution of Appreciation honoring Martin Wortendyke, and presented him with a certificate and a plaque that was created by our students.

President Mullaney congratulated the men’s basketball team on their performance this semester, noting their participation in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament—marking the College’s first appearance at the national level since becoming a Division II school.

Presentation: Grants Update – Director, Debra Bouabidi

• Provided an overview of the work of the grants office and reviewed the different types of grants.
• Answered trustees’ questions.

Discussion: Resolutions

Chair Watkins read the following:

• Resolution 10-2026: Approving the Appointment of Dr. Melanie Rie, Vice President of Academic Affairs
• Resolution 11-2026: Approval of Reappointment of Non-Tenured Faculty for Academic Year 2026-2027
  
  • Alexander (Sandy) Brown
  • Dominic Dimare
  • Nancy Chiocchi McMorrow
  • Rebha Sabharwal
  • Bert Shillingford
• Resolution 12-2026: Approval of Reappointment, Promotion and Grant of Tenure to Non-Tenured Faculty, for Academic Year 2026-2027
  
  • Amy Burgess
  • Stacy Casden
  • Jeannine Kennedy
  • Martha Krawczyk
  • James Lee
  • Clare O’Dowd
  • Nancy Rosen
• Resolution 13-2026: Entering Into A Standstill Agreement with Ellucian Company, L.P.
• Resolution 14-2026: Entering Into An Agreement with SUNY ITEC for Campus IT Services
• Resolution 15-2026: Approving a Retainer Agreement with Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, Jacobs, LLC.

The Board congratulated the faculty members and noted that all resolutions will be passed at the next board meeting.

Discussion: Policies

• Curriculum Policy
• No questions

President’s Report – President, Dr. William P. Mullaney

• Announced that the SUNY Reconnect program is gaining momentum, having served 210 students and awarded $320,000 this semester.
• Discussed ongoing advocacy efforts in Albany during the state budget season.
• Noted that the Governor is supportive of the Reconnect program and is increasing funding.
• Reported that RCC received an “A” rating from the Anti-Defamation League, making it the only SUNY institution to achieve this distinction. President Mullaney congratulated Melissa Roy and Christina Merriwhether for their work in achieving this recognition.
• Invited the Board to several upcoming events on campus.
• Dr. Wolf answered trustees’ questions regarding FOIL.

Department Highlights

1. Academic Affairs – Chief of Staff, Dr. Ian Wolf
   • Highlighted various faculty achievements.
   • Congratulated the Performing Arts Department for student participation in various heritage month events.
   • Provided an update from Economic Mobility and Workforce Innovation, noting the development of new programs and course modules.
2. Administration and Finance – Chief Financial Officer, Jonathan Batista
   • Reported that financial performance remains stable and aligns with the budget.
   • Reported that as of end of February, accounts payable totaled $2.26 million, with main liability IT services.
   • Noted that year-over-year revenue has increased.
3. Enrollment Management Student Affairs – Vice President, Dr. Tinny Cheung
   • Provided an enrollment update, noting that current enrollment is at 101% of the target.
   • Reported that the Financial Aid Department has disbursed $4.8 million in federal aid.
   • Announced that fall registration will begin on April 14, and the Spring Open House will be held on April 16.
4. Information Technology – Chief Information Officer, Andrea Wilson
   • Reported that the team is diligently working on IT security and is working with various departments to better serve their needs.

Board Chair Report – Chair, L’Tanya Watkins

• Along with Dr. Mullaney and Trustee Williams, attended the ACCT National Legislative Summit in Washington, DC, and will provide highlights at next month’s meeting.
• Discussed the successful Black History Month events held on campus.
• Reminded the Board of the Middle States reception on Sunday, March 29, and the meeting with the visiting team on Monday, March 30.
• Noted that the April Board workshop will focus on the budget.
• Announced that Dr. Wolf and Trustee Eckert are coordinating the upcoming Board retreat.

Board Secretary Report – Secretary, Ileana Eckert

• Met with Dr. Wolf regarding the Board retreat. A poll will be sent to identify the preferred date and topics for discussion.

Audit Committee Report – Trustee Moshe Gruber

• Reported that RCC has built a positive fund balance, and the cash position has improved significantly, primarily due to students paying outstanding balances and maintaining flat expenses.

Legislative Advocacy – Trustee Grant Valentine

• none

Community Relations – Trustee Elana Yeger

• none

Student Government Report – Trustee Christine Williams

• none

Old/New Business – Board Chair, L’Tanya Watkins

• none

The meeting ended at 6:15.