Rockland Community College Announces the Selection of New President

Rockland Community College today announced the selection of the College’s ninth president, Dr. William P. Mullaney. At a special board meeting on December 2nd, the RCC Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Mullaney. He was then approved by the State University of New York, on December 17th. The date he will begin serving as President has yet to be determined.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Mullaney to Rockland Community College as our ninth president. We are confident he will lead RCC toward an exciting and promising future. His impressive academic credentials, deep commitment to equity, understanding of the significance of community engagement, and his leadership experience align perfectly with our goals for the college. We look forward to seeing his vision come to life,” said L’Tanya M. Watkins, Esq., Chair of the RCC Board of Trustees.

The announcement concludes a national search that launched this Fall with a Presidential Search Advisory Committee, and with the assistance of search firm Isaacson Miller. The final three candidates recently visited the RCC campus and met with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and students.

“Rockland Community College is an exceptional institution, and I am deeply honored to serve as its ninth president. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Trustees for placing their trust in me to lead RCC into the future. I look forward to collaborating with the Board, faculty, staff, and community leaders to build on the college’s proud legacy while ensuring that our students have the tools, opportunities, and support they need to succeed. Together, we will continue to advance RCC’s mission of academic excellence, innovation, and service to our community,” stated Dr. Mullaney.

Dr. William P. Mullaney became the seventh president of SUNY Corning Community College on July 1, 2019. Previously, as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Bergen Community College, he increased graduation rates by 7% over three years, launched the college’s first early college program, and introduced new academic programs, including fashion design, paramedic science, and sports management. With roots as an English faculty member, Dr. Mullaney is deeply committed to student success, equity, and the role of community colleges in economic and social progress.

Under Dr. Mullaney’s leadership, SUNY CCC adopted an equity-focused approach, implementing the college’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan and launching programs like the Education Opportunity Program (EOP) and Corning Prison Education Program (CPEP). He also helped increase the African-American student population by 3% and co-developed the SUNY PRODiG+ Program to recruit and retain diverse faculty across the system.

By successfully executing a Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, SUNY CCC saw its first enrollment increase in over a decade (+2.3% in 2023-24), and its three-year graduation rate rose to 40%, the highest among SUNY community colleges. Dr. Mullaney also oversaw the development of new programs, including Mechatronics, Digital Design, Automotive Technology, Battery Technology, and multiple healthcare-related certificates, with Optical Technology and Surgical Technology set to launch in 2025.

Nationally, he represented community colleges at a White House roundtable in February 2024, where he advocated for their role in strengthening the U.S. workforce.

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 RCCs 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.