Conveniently located just 25 miles from New York City, Rockland Community College, part of the State University of New York, provides an affordable, high quality education that focuses on guiding each student to reach for and achieve their highest success. Named one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation, RCC has again earned the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
RCC’s vibrant campus life benefits from a strong sense of fellowship and community among a diverse student body of 7,000 students, including many international students from around the world. Participation in student leadership training and community service projects is high. The average class size of 22 students and the dedicated professional faculty all help foster an engaged, stimulating academic environment. Mentoring, guidance, tutoring programs and non-academic support services assist students from admissions through every step to their degree completion.
Preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s careers, RCC’s degree and certificate programs offer a range of transfer and specialization options. Articulation agreements offer seamless transfer, and most RCC graduates do continue their bachelor’s degrees at 4-year colleges. RCC also offers workshops, counseling, practice interviews and real world internships to help students define and fulfill their personal and career goals.
RCC recognizes the high demand to fill “middle skills” jobs — jobs that require more education than a high school diploma, but less than a college degree. Career Skills Academy was created to meet that demand. The philosophy is that success is attainable through all levels of training and education. Students can gain workforce certifications in a few short months providing an opportunity to start, change or enhance their careers. Jobs in these fields have typical starting salaries of $45,000–$55,000. These programs have also been designed to provide future opportunities to obtain industry-specific certifications. Currently, RCC offers courses in IT Support, Social Media Branding and Marketing, CAD Drafter/3D Modeler, Gas Pipeline Operations, Professional Bookkeeping with QuickBooks, and Professional Medical Call Center Representative. Visit TakeChargeRCC.com/csa to learn more.
The College is a designated military friendly institution with specialized counselors assisting student veterans throughout their studies at RCC. Veteran-centered services include a dedicated lounge, career workshops, financial literacy training, as well as social events and trips aligned with student veterans’ unique perspective. For students with work or family obligations returning to an academic path or taking courses to transition to a new career, RCC provides many conveniences to support their educational re-entry including on-campus childcare, and weekends/evenings or online classes.
Students can earn college credits at Rockland Community College even without having a high school diploma. The College website provides information about earning a high school diploma through New York State’s 24-credit High School Equivalency Program or TASC testing. Qualified high school students may also enroll in RCC courses delivered at their high school, or by applying for the Early Admit program and attending RCC full or part-time. Early entrants may even attend RCC’s acclaimed Honors Program.
The Sam Draper Honors Program offers a rigorous liberal arts or business curriculum for students seeking the opportunity to achieve excellence and transfer to premier academic programs. Honors students receive close mentoring from a faculty member with expertise in the student’s chosen academic discipline. Honors graduates have been welcomed at institutions including Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania. Honors students may also participate in a summer program at Cambridge in England.
Located in the scenic Hudson Valley, Rockland Community College offers a safe, picturesque campus with views of the surrounding mountains. In addition to the main campus in Suffern, it operates the Herbert Kurz Automotive Technology Center in Orangeburg, a center in Haverstraw, and the newest location, the Hospitality & Culinary Arts Center in Nyack. The campus’ Cultural Arts Theater and Fieldhouse offer the finest facilities in the area and welcome the larger community to events and performances including a summer Shakespeare tradition. Students take advantage of nearby historical, cultural, and recreational attractions. Public transportation from the campus provides local access and can connect to the unique resources of New York City. Students can explore their interests and develop their skills on campus with more than 40 student clubs, honor societies, and a range of activities that include career networking, heritage celebrations, cultural events and fitness. Rockland Community College’s Hawks athletic teams compete in the Mid-Hudson Athletic Conference.
For more information visit sunyrockland.edu.