Rockland Community College appointed Cathlene Cruz to the position of Director of Admissions.
Cruz, Director of RCC's Liberty Partnerships Program from 2007-2012, is the first Director of Admissions appointed in several years. Her duties include developing and implementing student programs and outreach initiatives to promote the college. She will be working closely with the Dean of Enrollment Management to implement innovative methods for recruiting students such as utilizing new technology. Cruz said, "My goal is to help streamline admissions processes in an effort to maintain student enrollment." She most recently served as Interim Recruitment Specialist II at the College, with a focus on international students.
Under Cruz's leadership, the Liberty Partnerships Program, which provides academic and student support for educationally at-risk students from middle school through 12th grade, became a model for other state funded programs. Cruz is bi-lingual Spanish and co-chairs the Hispanic Heritage Month at RCC.
Cruz was born on Long Island and raised in the Bronx, the daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants. After high school, she worked to put herself through Lehman College and earned a BA, with a double major in Sociology and Philosophy. She earned her Master's degree in School Counseling from Long Island University, and is currently applying for her EdD at the University of Maryland University College.
Prior to coming to RCC, Cruz worked in New York City schools in Supplemental Educational Services, managing the operation of academically based after-school programs for economically disadvantaged youth.
Cruz and her husband live in Highland Mills. She has two boys and one stepson.
