Schools

Hankin to Retire from WCC Presidency

Officially on a year's leave as of Jan. 1, 2014, Dr. Hankin will be assisting in the search for a successor and working on Westchester Community College development projects.

Joseph Hankin, the longtime president of Westchester Community College, has announced his retirement.

Hankin celebrated 40 years at the helm of the prestigious community college in 2011.

Quiet and unassuming in person—and driven in practice—Dr. Joseph N. Hankin holds the distinction of being the longest serving community college president in the nation.

He also began as the country's youngest, starting as president of Harford Junior College in Bel Air, MD, at the age of 26.

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He served in that capacity for almost five years and then assumed the presidency of Westchester Community College in 1971.

"After an extraordinary tenure at the college, spanning more than four decades, Dr. Hankin shared details of his retirement at the college’s annual President’s State of the College address to the college community today, and his retirement was officially accepted at this afternoon’s Board of Trustees meeting," said WCC spokesman Patrick Hennessey.

In 2011, Hankin talked to Patch about his tenure at WCC. His stewardship has resulted in the creation of one of the nation’s largest educational institutions, with over 60 academic programs offered on the college’s main campus in Valhalla, at five extension centers in the county, and at dozens of locations where the college offers classes throughout Westchester.

And it is precisely this expansion of educational opportunities of which Dr. Hankin was most proud.  “Accessibility is my most important achievement. When I first came to the college, there was a barbed wire fence around it. After I accepted the position, one of the first things I did was tear that fence down so we would be more accessible to the public,” he told Patch.

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In a statement today issued by the college, Hankin said, “For the past 42 years, it has been my honor to serve the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, staff, student body, and residents of Westchester County in the position of President of Westchester Community College. 

"The accomplishments achieved over the past four decades have been realized because of the joint effort of a team of individuals,” Hankin said at today’s annual State of the College address to faculty, staff and administrators. “I am now announcing my retirement. The Board of Trustees has granted me a leave of absence from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.” 

Dr. Hankin will help the college search for a successor and will continue his work on the college's outreach and development programs.

Hankin's wife, Carole, who spent 23 years as Superintendent of the Syosset School District, retired at the end of October.

In their statement, college officials also said: 

A search committee will be formed and a national search for a permanent successor will take place. A national search firm will be hired to assist in the search. The search may last a full year. An interim president will be named after the Board of Trustees confers with the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.  

WCC Board of Trustees Chair Timothy Carey said: “Dr. Hankin has been the ‘soul’ of the institution and his achievements have spanned decades. We are pleased that he will be assisting in the transition to a new President."



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