MCC Daily Tribune

RBJ Publishes Profile of Dr. Douglas

The May 8 issue of the Rochester Business Journal includes a profile feature of Interim President Dr. Douglas.

The article, headlined "A problem solver," begins with a phrase attributed to Dr. Douglas that characterizes the strength of community colleges. "We are a community of problem solvers, and we do that incredibly well."

This theme is carried throughout the article, as Dr. Douglas discusses MCC's transition to distance learning, funding challenges and the downward trend of enrollment. She also talked about her rise through the ranks in higher education and her leadership at Corning Community College, where she spent eight years before retiring.

-- On her role at MCC:
"It was about providing continuity and stability. ... Mostly I believe it's about listening to the various individuals on campus in terms of what they want for MCC and how I can facilitate that."

-- On student enrollment:
"We should see an increase in enrollment. When people are unemployed we see people go back to training. ... Our applications are rising, our online registrations are rising."

-- On college personnel:
"In these times, we would look to hiring adjuncts and part-time staff" to avoid filling full-time positions that then have to be cut when student enrollment declines.

-- In praising the MCC Foundation for stepping up to purchase laptops for students:
"There's a reason they're one of the top 10 community college foundations in the country."

Please know that we are not permitted to attach or post RBJ articles on the MCC website, including in the Daily Tribune, as the RBJ prohibits distribution without obtaining circulation rights.

Hency Yuen-Eng
Government and Community Relations
05/11/2020