FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: August 7, 2008

CONTACT: Zipora Reitman

(845) 574 - 4595

SUNY Rockland Community College President Nominated for CEO Leadership Award

Suffern, NY - The President of SUNY Rockland Community College, Dr. Cliff L. Wood, was nominated by the College’s Board of Trustees for the prestigious CEO Leadership Award given annually by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), an organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States.

Nominees are considered first for a regional award. The national winner is selected from the regional finalists. The winners will be announced at the 39th Annual ACCT Leadership Congress to be held October 29-November 1 in New York, N.Y.

"The Board of Trustees was motivated to nominate Dr. Wood in recognition of his outstanding leadership," said Dr. Arlene Clinkscale, Chair. "In four years as Rockland’s President, Dr. Wood transformed an institution beset by challenges to a highly respected model of educational excellence."

Dr. Cliff L. Wood assumed the presidency of Rockland Community College in May 2004, culminating a career dedicated to community college leadership. He had previously served for 17 years as vice‐president for Academic Affairs at Morris County Community College in New Jersey, and in several faculty and senior leadership positions at community colleges in Maryland, Virginia and Texas.

At Rockland, Dr. Wood initiated innovative programs, brought in millions in new funding, successfully launched major construction and facilities projects, and established as his mantra, "community is our middle name."

Noteworthy among Wood’s achievements are creation of a consortium of SUNY colleges that teach emergency preparedness, the revitalization of Rockland’s nationally renowned honors program, and leadership of the College’s first major donor campaign, raising more than $700,000 to ensure accessibility for needy students.

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Rockland Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, is located 25 miles northwest of NYC. The majority of its students transfer to four-year colleges, and many find immediate employment upon earning their associate's degree or certificate. The College also offers others, from preschoolers to senior citizens, the opportunity to simply learn something new. Quality education...at a price you can afford.