RCC Celebrates Fourth Annual Unity in Community Festival

Rockland Community College is hosting the fourth annual Unity in Community: Rising as One Festival. Running from April 22 – May 7, the festival features a range of events and activities aimed at highlighting and honoring the collaboration, passion and compassion that boosts RCC’s community spirit.

“I am honored to witness the incredible support and enthusiasm from our RCC community,” said a Co-chair of the Organization Committee, Professor Patricia Maloney-Titland, Program Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Rockland Shakespeare Company, and a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor. “This event would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of the organizing committee, whose tireless efforts have brought our vision to life. Together, we look forward to inspiring connections and fostering a sense of belonging for all who attend."

The concept of Unity in Community was born in 2021 through the vision of Professor Maloney-Titland. Today, the college upholds her vision, fostering a celebration that brings together colleagues and students to share empowering stories and journeys, shaping and uniting our proud legacy. Unity in Community includes theatrical performances, food festivals, historical event discussions, and more. Events and activities will also highlight the creativity of RCC students, faculty, staff, and the community.

"We are thrilled to once again host the Unity in Community: Rising as One Festival at Rockland Community College,” said Dr. Lester Rápalo, President of RCC. “This event embodies the spirit of collaboration and compassion that defines our campus community. We look forward to coming together to showcase the creativity and talent that enriches our college experience and strengthens our bonds as a community."

This year’s event kicked off for the Rockland County community with a Unity in Community Kick-off Fundraiser on April 20, 2024 at the Kendra Scott Outlet Store-Woodbury Commons. In conjunction with Kendra Scott, the Visual and Performing Arts department hosted a special fundraiser for RCC Visual and Performing Arts and student scholarships.

Unity in Community 2024: On-Campus Kickoff is April 22 from 12 pm – 1 p.m. in the Cultural Arts Center Atrium. RCC is celebrating Earth Day Honoring Earth by announcing the winners of the Earth Day Art and Writing Contest. RCC is showcasing performances from students in the Contemporary Music Ensemble of the Visual and Performing Arts department. [More about the event.]

The festival will culminate with the “I am Bilingual/Trilingual/Multilingual!”: An RCC EXL and International Student Panel Discussion on May 7 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in RCC’s Technology

Center, Room 8175. Join moderators Dr. En-Shu Robin Liao and Professor Krista Quinn for a panel discussion in which ESL and international students will share their cross-lingual and cross-cultural learning experiences in their classes. Come and hear their stories about coming to the US as non-native speakers, building resilience, and maintaining a positive mental attitude while facing many academic challenges on their journeys. [More about the event.]

Most of the events are free (unless otherwise noted on the webpage) and open to the public. For more information and details about all the events, visit https://sunyrockland.edu/media/unity-in-community/

For more information about Rockland Community College visit their website or follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and more: sunyrockland.edu/socialmedia.

About Rockland Community College, State University of New York

Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose-driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCC’s institutional collaborations.

RCC also provides career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and microcredentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high-demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.