Office of
the President
Dr. Michael A. Baston is the 7th President of Rockland Community College. A national leader who helps develop comprehensive supports that foster college completion, Dr. Baston’s work has been featured on MSNBC, and in The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Atlantic, The Community College Times, and Black Enterprise Magazine. Additionally, he’s a contributing author to Race, Education, and Reintegrating Formerly Incarcerated Citizens and The Handbook for Student Affairs in Community Colleges.
Dr. Baston was a member of the inaugural class of Aspen Institute Presidential Fellows for Community College Excellence where he explored systemic issues affecting the educational access pipeline and student success. As a national Guided Pathways coach for American Association of Community Colleges, he is noted for his work with college leadership teams around the nation, helping them integrate student success initiatives to advance college completion. Dr. Baston is the incoming Co-Chair of Jobs For The Future’s Policy Leadership Trust, a Commissioner of American Association of Community College’s Commission on Institutional Infrastructure and Transformation and member of the National Advisory Board of Center for Community College Student Engagement.
Dr. Baston began his career as a public interest lawyer representing various educational institutions and social justice organizations. His work with academic clients led him to pursue a second career in academia as both a professor of legal studies and business and a student affairs administrator. Dr. Baston holds a BA from Iona College, a JD from Brooklyn Law School, and an EdD from St. John Fisher College.Senior Administration
Board of Trustees
Media Relations
Steps Beyond Statements
Contact Information
Brucker Hall, Room 6205
845-574-4214
Dr. Michael Baston
[email protected]
Eileen Hughes
Office Manager
[email protected]
Ben Naylor
Chief of Staff
[email protected]
Jason Tomlinson
Confidential Assistant & Community and External Affairs Liaison
[email protected]
Dr. Baston Publications, Presentations and Appearances
Dr. Baston is a highly respected member of the higher education community. He is often asked to write articles, speak on panels and give presentations on various industry topics. Here are links to some of his recent work.
“A Conversation with Presidents: Building for Success in an Uncertain World”
Elllucian Live Online Panel
“Leadership for Equity in Community Colleges Panel Discussion”
National Center for Inquiry & Improvement
“Community Colleges, Covid, and Change"
The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Virtual Forum
“Back to School:Perspectives from the American Public on Post-secondary Education”
Strada Education Network
"Advancing Equity Through Guided Pathways Series Discussion Guide #9: Leading Culture Change to Promote Equity: Perspectives from a CEO of Color"
National Center for Inquiry & Improvement
"Steps Beyond Statements: Presidential Leadership in Building a Case for Inclusive Excellence"
Community College Daily, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
"High Hopes
Reimagining Hudson Valley's Opportunity Ecosystem"
Council of Industry’s HV Mfg
"Hard Realities, High Hopes: Reimagining the Higher Education Ecosystem"
University Business
Dr. Baston in the News
Dr. Michael A. Baston’s has been featured in many published works including, but not limited to, the following.
