SUNY Rockland Community College has named a new president. The appointment comes six months after the last president and the college unexpectedly “parted ways,” as a university official said at the time.
William Mullaney was approved as the community college’s ninth president during a special meeting of the board of trustees on Dec. 2. SUNY approved the appointment on December 17.
A start date for Mullaney has not yet been set.
RCC board chair L’Tanya Watkins cited Mullaney’s academic credentials and deep commitment to equality. “We look forward to seeing his vision come to life,” Watkins said in a statement.
Short and difficult term of office of the last president
Mullaney technically replaces former SUNY Rockland Community College President Lester Edgardo Sandres Rápalo, who left the college on June 6, less than a year after becoming the college’s eighth president. Beth Coyle, who retired as RCC’s vice president of operations in 2023, was subsequently named Officer in Charge.
Rápalo’s short and difficult tenure included staff and faculty cuts and furloughs, and rate increases and program cuts, to address a “recurring” deficit estimated at some $4 million. Several university groups, including the faculty union and the Student Government Association, have issued statements of no confidence.
College officials did not provide details about Rápalo’s quick and unexpected departure.
Documents obtained through a freedom of information request showed that Rápalo received lump sum compensation amounting to approximately 70% of his $250,000 base salary.
The college launched a national search for a new president in the fall.
The Mullaney File
Mullaney, 60, most recently served as president of SUNY Corning Community College. There he instituted the university’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan and launched an Education Opportunity Program and the Corning Prison Education Program.
During his tenure at CCC, the university’s enrollment and graduation rates increased, RCC officials said.
William Mullaney was approved as the ninth president of SUNY Rockland Community College at a special meeting of the board of trustees on December 2, 2024. SUNY approved the appointment on December 17.
Mullaney had his own clashes at CCC. In 2021, a vote by full-time faculty yielded 82% stating they had no confidence in his leadership. The vote came in the wake of staffing and budget cuts amid the pandemic, the Elmira Star Gazette reported.
Mullaney said in 2020 that the cuts to the CCC were difficult and not made lightly. “Our priorities to serve students and remain fiscally responsible are strong as we move toward the future,” he said at the time.
SUNY Rockland Community College on October 24, 2023.
Mullaney had previously worked at Bergen Community College in New Jersey, including as vice president of academic affairs for the New Jersey College.
Mullaney represented community colleges at a White House roundtable in February 2024.
“Rockland Community College is an exceptional institution, and I am deeply honored to serve as its ninth president,” Mullaney said in a statement. “I express my sincere gratitude to the Board of Trustees for the confidence they have placed in me to lead RCC into the future. future. I look forward to working with the administration, faculty, staff and community leaders to build on the university’s proud legacy while ensuring our students have the tools, opportunities and support they need have to succeed. Together, we will continue to advance RCC’s mission of academic excellence, innovation and service to our community.”
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: SUNY Rockland appoints Corning Community College leader as new president
