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Ousted RCC President Lester Edgardo Sandres Rápalo Gets $175,000 Settlement Plus Additional Benefits
Dr. Lester Edgardo Sandres Rápalo, the former Rockland Community College president, will receive $175,000, plus 24 vacation days, 4.5 sick leave days and 1 personal day, as part of a settlement with the college.
Last month, Rápalo and the Board of Trustees of Rockland Community College issued a statement that said the two agreed to “part ways,” but at least one insider with knowledge of the situation said the former embroiled college leader was shown the door.
Rápalo’s chief of staff, Irene Delgado has also left the college.
The former president had a five-year contract, which could be “terminated for cause,” said a source, adding that breaking the contract would trigger a six-month severance clause. According to documents on the SUNY website, Dr. Rápalo annual salary was $250,000.
Rápalo began his job a year ago.
Beth Coyle, who served as RCC’s vice president of operations until 2023, has been made Officer in Charge.
St. Thomas Aquinas College and Leading Consortium Secures $3.5M National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant to Advance Minority Participation in STEM
St. Thomas Aquinas College has secured a $3.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program.
Over the course of five years, this grant will fuel efforts to increase the presence of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields across seven member institutions of the Lower Hudson Valley Catholic Colleges and Universities Consortium (LHVCCUC), a coalition comprising ten private Catholic colleges and universities in New York State.
This collaborative endeavor aims to nurture a new generation of STEM leaders and innovators by addressing the unique challenges faced by underrepresented minority students, a press release says.
Along with St. Thomas Aquinas College, the alliance includes Molloy University, Manhattan College, Mount Saint Mary College, St. Francis College, St. John’s University, and St. Joseph’s University New York. St. Thomas Aquinas College President Ken Daly will serve on the initial advisory board in recognition of his extensive experience and leadership in STEM education and workforce development.
“We are delighted to receive our first-ever National Science Foundation grant and are deeply committed to the value of diverse learning experiences to the future of STEM education,” said Daly. “Joining this groundbreaking collaboration has been an honor, and we are now excited to work with our higher education colleagues in this LHVCCUC alliance.”
The LSAMP program will employ frameworks of intersectionality and a sense of belonging to create an inclusive and supportive environment for students. These frameworks will help address systemic and institutional barriers, ensuring that all students feel connected, valued, and supported within the campus community. Key components of the program include faculty-led research experiences, peer mentoring, individual and group tutoring, workshops and seminars, book and materials stipends, and support for internships, careers, and graduate school progression.
“Our participation in this initiative underscores our commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM,” said Dr. Bianca Wentzell, Dean of STEM at St. Thomas Aquinas College. “By leveraging the unique strengths of each member institution, we aim to create a robust support system that will empower underrepresented students to thrive in STEM fields and pursue advanced studies and careers with confidence. We see this as a visionary program to help lead and grow the future of STEM.”
Hudson Gateway REALTOR® Foundation Donates $3,000 to Center for Safety and Change
The Hudson Gateway REALTOR® Foundation (HGRF), the charitable arm of the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS®, has presented a $3,000 check to Center for Safety and Change in New City.
For the past 45 years, Center for Safety & Change has been offering programs and services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes. The Center provides a 24-hour hotline and residential services at a confidential location. This is Rockland County’s only domestic violence emergency shelter. The Center is also the only crime victims’ serving organization in Rockland.
In-person support, support groups, advocacy and counseling are also available for those in need. In addition, the Center established the “Paws for Safety” program in 2011 to provide safe haven for pets of clients who utilize the residential and non-residential services and need care for their pets.
The Center also provides community outreach, school-based education, sexual harassment prevention training for businesses, as well customized community, and work-based training programs.
“The Center is grateful to the HG Realtor Foundation for generously supporting victims and survivors to navigate and secure housing,” said Elizabeth Santiago, the Center’s CEO. “Housing for victims of domestic violence is a constant challenge, as many victims/survivors are forced to leave and relocate. Victims often encounter additional challenges after leaving, such as work insecurities due to time off for court appearances and children adapting to a new environment, school, and friends.”
Established in 2004 and relaunched in 2013, the HG Realtor Foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities and non-profits throughout the Hudson Valley. As concerned members of the communities we work in, the Hudson Gateway REALTOR® Foundation participates in qualified community-based charities who serve the housing, hunger, health, happiness, and humane needs of citizens everywhere.
For more information or to apply for funding from the Hudson Gateway REALTOR® Foundation, visit www.hgrealtorfoundation.com.
Garner Historic District of NY Wins NYSTIA 2024 Excellence in Tourism Stewardship Award
The Garner Historic District of New York was named Rockland County’s winner of the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) 2024’s awards.
Garner snagged an award for “Excellence in Tourism Stewardship: Shaping a Better Future”
“The New York State Tourism Excellence Awards recognize the very best in destination marketing, management, and stewardship that is so critical in supporting the Empire State’s economy for the betterment of visitors and residents alike,” said Corey Fram, Board Chair of the New York State. “Congratulations to our recipients and sincerest gratitude to all nominees and those working every day to share our great New York State and make it a more enjoyable place to live, work, and visit.”
The recipients of the 2024 New York State Tourism Excellence Awards were revealed on Tuesday, July 2 by the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA). The outstanding work of New York State’s destination marketing organizations, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses in all forms of marketing, destination management, and stewardship are recognized through this annual awards program. The recipient organizations, businesses, institutions, and individuals will be honored at a special ceremony and reception hosted by Advance Media New York in Saratoga Springs, New York on Thursday, September 12, 2024.
The New York State Tourism Excellence Awards are open to all New York State tourism marketers and are juried by an impartial panel of industry experts under the auspices of the New York State Tourism Industry Association. This year’s pool of nominations exceeded 2023’s extraordinary total by 18%, marking another year of competitive judging. Nominees spanned every corner of New York State and judges were once again challenged by the diversity and quality of the entries.
