Celebration included book/blanket drive, literacy project, scholarship walk/run/ride
Anne M. Kress was inaugurated as Monroe Community College’s 5th president at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2010 in a formal ceremony open to the entire community in the Samuel J. Stabins Physical Education Complex at the college’s Brighton Campus.
Since assuming the MCC presidency in June 2009, President Kress has dedicated her initial efforts toward outreach—sponsoring a Listening Tour that included stops throughout the Greater Rochester area and meeting with local community and business leaders. “It's important for me to hear from all groups that we serve: small business employers, school board members, parents of current and prospective students, people thinking of changing careers who are looking to MCC…” said Kress. “The college draws its strength, relevance, and vitality from its responsiveness to the community. And, if to respond, we must first listen.”
In less than a year, President Kress has launched plans for an Honors College, a robust international education effort, a college-wide budget resource committee, and more collaborations with the Rochester City School District.
Her leadership has resulted in a recent grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to begin an Early College High School in collaboration with the city school district. She has also moved quickly to align MCC more effectively with area workforce and economic development needs, working closely with Greater Rochester Enterprise and the Rochester Business Alliance, testifying in front of the Governor of New York’s task force on diversifying the state’s economy through industry-higher education partnerships, and serving as a keynote panelist at the Rochester’s recent Eyes on the Future conference—which drew over 1,200 participants.
She currently serves as a member of the State University of New York (SUNY) Strategic Planning “Group of 200,” on the boards of Greater Rochester Enterprise, the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Institute for Community College Development, and as a member of M&T Bank’s Directors Advisory Council – Rochester Division.
Events associated with the inauguration reflect the commitment of Kress and MCC to community service and sustainability. These include:
· Book and A Blanket Drive to benefit Rochester schoolchildren (Pre-K through Second Grade)
Monday, April 5 through Saturday, April 10
MCC Brighton and Damon City campuses
· Celebration of Literacy Project to benefit Students at the World of Inquiry School No. 58
Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8
World of Inquiry School No. 58, 200 University Avenue, Rochester
· The Kress Inauguration Run/Walk or Ride to benefit The Snowflake Scholarship Fund at MCC
8 a.m., Saturday, April 10
MCC Brighton Campus
· Composting Effort
Saturday, April 10
MCC Brighton Campus
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Before assuming the MCC presidency, Kress served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla. Kress, a Milwaukee, Wis. native, attended the University of Florida where she earned a doctoral degree in higher education administration, master's and bachelor's degrees in English, and a bachelor's degree with honors in finance.
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