GRDC Member News and Kudos

MCC Director of EOP Recognized for Excellence
Ethel Lewis, director of Monroe Community College's Educational Opportunity Program, has received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

Lewis has been at MCC for 21 years and has always enjoyed helping students make positive changes in their lives. "I've worked with many students who have educational and financial disadvantages," she says. The Educational Opportunity Program serves students who are academically and educationally disadvantaged.

Over the years, Lewis has helped many students overcome overwhelming obstacles to get their degrees. "Students succeed who can keep going despite setbacks," she says. Many of her former students still keep in touch and are an inspiration to the Louisiana native.

Lewis has also found fulfillment through her work with children at the Baden Street Settlement. "It is very rewarding to think you can give a little bit of yourself to help students achieve their goals," she adds.

Lewis plans to retire at the end of the summer and return to Louisiana to be near her family. She'll also be looking for some kind of job working with young people because she "loves to be around them."

Monroe Community College is a unit of the State University of New York. In addition to offering over 80 different career, transfer and certificate programs, MCC enrolls more online students than any of the more than 50 colleges and universities that make up the SUNY Learning Network.