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MCC Daily Tribune

Last Call for Special Faculty/Staff Rate for Salute to Excellence

Join the MCC Foundation in celebrating the success of the newest members of the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame: Christopher L. Collins '79, Barbara Deane-Williams '75, Gladys Pedraza-Burgos '9 and Joseph L. Wesley '83. These inspiring alumni will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 28th annual Salute to Excellence dinner on Thursday, November 16 at the Kodak Center. Following are brief descriptions of their professional achievements and the ways they support Monroe Community College and our community.

Tickets to the Salute to Excellence are available. To reserve your ticket at the special $50 faculty and staff rate, contact the MCC Foundation at x3680 or email India Stallworth at istallworth@monroecc.edu by Friday, November 10. The event reception will begin at 5:30 p.m.; the dinner and award ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Christopher L. Collins '79
Chris earned an associate in applied science degree in business with a focus on marketing at MCC, followed by a bachelor's degree in marketing from the Florida College of Busness and Finance. He started his career as a flight attendant which sparked his interested in airline operations. With more than 30 years of domestic and international aviation experience, Chris led two successful airline start-ups, including JetBlue Airways. In his current position at Thales InFlyt Entertainment and Connectivity, as the Chief Operating Officer, Chris is responsible for all strategic and operational initiatives as well as the launch of the company's European business operation. Thales brings together air travel with satellite television and connectivity. He gives back to his local community through his support of Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Club and the chamber of commerce.

Barbara Deane-Williams '75
In August 2016, the Rochester City School Board of Education unanimously appointed Barbara Deane-Williams as the superintendent of schools for the Rochester City School District. She is the first woman to permanently lead the district. A Rochester resident, Barbara earned an associate of applied science degree in liberal arts and sciences from MCC. She is a member of the State Council of School Superintendents and serves on the State Commissioner of Education's Advisory Council. She gives back to MCC through strategic partnerships that put students on the pathway to college and through support of the MCC Foundation.

Gladys Pedraza-Burgos '91
Gladys Pedraza-Burgos was the first in her family to graduate from high school and earn a college degree. She is a respected community advocate who serves as the chief operations officer for Ibero-American Actional League where she is responsible for the administration and day-to-day operations of all departments, programs, activities and resources. A Rochester resident, Gladys earned an associate in applied science degree in liberal arts from MCC, followed by bachelor of science degree in communication studies from the College at Brockport and a master of science degree in counseling and human development from the University of Rochester's Warner School of Education. She gives back to MCC by partnering with MCC on recruitment-related efforts, including the annual Ibero Scholar's Award and Gala.

Joseph L. Wesley '83
Joseph "Joe" Wesley remembers well the diversity of students he met as a student at MCC and credits MCC as providing an excellent foundation for his career and current role as director of strategic workforce development for Wegmans Food Markets. Joe earned his associate degree in accounting at MCC and a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. John Fisher College before beginning his career at Wegmans more than 30 years ago. He serves as the lead Wegmans representative on the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative at the United Way of Greater Rochester. He also serves on Governor Andrew Cuomo's Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council where co-chairs the Pathways to Prosperity workgroup that promotes skill development, job growth and efforts to reduce poverty in the region.

Emily Marullo
MCC Foundation
11/06/2017