Monthly Newsletter

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Monroe Community College Foundation will host the 33rd Annual Salute to Excellence at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. At the event we will present the Salute to Excellence Award to three leaders in the optics industry who were instrumental in transforming MCC's Optical Systems Technology Program:

Tom Battley
Executive Director, Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster
and The New York Photonics Industry Association

Richard A. Nasca (posthumously)
Manufacturing Associate, Corning Tropel Corporation
and Past President, American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association

James M. Sydor '71
Chairman, Sydor Optics, Inc.

In addition, we are honored to induct four outstanding alumni into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame. The members of the Class of 2024 are:

Kimberly J. Gaylord '98
President and CEO, Builders Exchange of Rochester

Michael P. Mandina '75
Chairman, Optimax Systems, Inc.

Sheila M. Strong '98, Ed.D. 
Director, Leadership Development and Equity, United Way of Greater
Rochester and the Finger Lakes

Tashanda D. Thomas '06, PHR, SHRM-CPS 
Senior Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer, Foodlink

Kim Gaylord (pictured left) is committed to improving the Rochester and regional construction industry. She is the first female president of the Builders Exchange of Rochester, a 135-year-old, not-for-profit association that has over 600 members representing all sectors of the construction industry.

Upon graduation from MCC with an associate’s degree in business administration, Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and management from SUNY Brockport. She is active in many community organizations throughout the Rochester area serving on the boards of Greater Rochester Enterprise, Rochester Rotary Charitable Trusts, MCC Foundation and the Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity. She is involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Kim was recognized as a Rochester Business Journal Woman of Excellence in 2024 and was the recipient of the Rochester Rotary Service Award in 2023.

Dr. Sheila M. Strong (pictured right) is a scholar, an inclusive leader and an advocate for social justice. She has over twenty years of executive-level experience in nonprofit and higher education. In her current position, she directs the United Way’s six longstanding leadership development programs and she launched the United Way’s first mentoring and coaching program.

Prior to joining the United Way, Sheila held positions as the assistant to the college president at SUNY Brockport and the executive assistant to the president of Monroe Community College. A lifelong learner; following her graduation from MCC, Sheila earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from SUNY Brockport. She completed her Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher University. Sheila has been recognized as a 2023 Colors of Success DEI Leadership Award finalist. She serves as a trustee of the Susan B. Anthony House and Museum, Inc., BoardStrong, Inc., the Center for Governmental Research and the Friends & Foundation of the Rochester Public Library.

Make your reservation for the Salute to Excellence today. Opportunities for underwriting support are available. Questions?  Please contact Karen Shaw (kshaw@monroecc.​​edu) or 585.685.6020.

MCC’s 18th Annual 5K Walk/Run for Scholarships was a huge success! Thank you to all of our participants and our donors for helping to raise over $22,000 on Homecoming Day! We had almost 350 participants and presented $5,000 in scholarships to MCC students. 

Homecoming Day was extra special this year not only with the 5K, tailgate lunch party and awards ceremony, and art gallery reception, but also with activities organized for the Fall Fest, including large scale inflatables, henna tattoo artists, face painting, tarot card reading, custom street sign creations and more.

While the 5K is over, our fundraising is not! We are currently accepting donations in support of the event, a favorite participant or team. Give to the 5K today. 

Make sure to save the date for our 19th Annual 5K Walk/Run for Scholarships that will take place September 27, 2025!