MCC Daily Tribune
A Renewed Mandate for MCC's Mission
On behalf of the entire Monroe Community College Board of Trustees, I am proud to congratulate Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna on her reappointment as President of Monroe Community College. At our April 27, 2026, meeting, the Board unanimously affirmed her second five-year term—an action grounded in confidence, gratitude, and clear evidence of progress.
This reappointment recognizes not only what MCC has achieved over the past five years but also how those achievements have transformed lives—students, employees, families, and communities across Monroe County and the Finger Lakes region.
Impact That Reaches Everyday Lives
Under President Burt-Nanna’s leadership, MCC has reversed more than a decade of enrollment decline, achieving five consecutive years of growth and a 4.8% increase in unique headcount. Behind that statistic are thousands of individuals whose lives are changing for the better: adult learners returning to college through SUNY Reconnect, new Americans building economic security, and first-generation students finding a path to a degree and a career.
MCC now enrolls the most SUNY Reconnect students among all SUNY community colleges, welcoming adults back to higher education tuition-free. These students—many balancing work, families, and caregiving—are improving career mobility and building stronger futures for themselves and their children. Graduation rates have reached their highest level in two decades, meaning more students are completing credentials that lead to long-term economic stability, not just access but outcomes.
Workforce Alignment and Regional Prosperity
President Burt-Nanna has firmly anchored MCC’s mission to regional workforce needs. Enrollment has surged in high-demand programs critical to Rochester’s economic future: Optics and Photonics enrollment has grown nearly 2,500% since 2015; Precision Machining certificate programs have increased by more than 200%; and Health Science and Physical Wellness programs—such as Nursing and Dental Hygiene—have grown by 20%.
The forthcoming Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center, backed by more than $69 million in public investment, will double MCC’s capacity to train talent for advanced manufacturing and optics, both industries central to regional revitalization and New York State’s innovation economy.
MCC’s designation as the Workforce Component Lead for the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub further demonstrates the trust New York State places in the College. In this role, MCC is strengthening the regional talent pipeline for high-tech, high-wage industries, ensuring that local residents benefit directly from statewide economic growth strategies.
A College That Welcomes and Belongs
Equally important has been the evolution of MCC’s internal culture. President Burt-Nanna has emphasized collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility. The successful realignment of Academic and Student Services into Academic & Student Affairs (ASA)—achieved through shared governance—has strengthened institutional alignment, improved advising, and enhanced student success at every stage of the journey.
Through periods of change, President Burt-Nanna has worked closely with labor and shared governance partners, reinforcing trust, stability, and a collective focus on students. These labor-management relationships are not ancillary—they are foundational to MCC’s ability to innovate while honoring the people who do the work every day.
Employees across divisions now collaborate more intentionally, breaking down silos to serve students holistically. This cross-divisional approach is evident in redesigned advising models, improved gateway English and Math outcomes, and clearer program pathways that help students start—and stay—on a path to completion. As a result, general studies enrollment has declined from more than 40% a decade ago to just over 9%, ensuring that far more students begin with purpose and direction.
Strengthening Community, Donor, and Public Trust
Community and donor confidence in MCC has deepened under President Burt-Nanna’s tenure. In partnership with the MCC Foundation, the College awarded a record-breaking $2 million-plus in scholarships to 945 students in a single year—the largest amount in MCC’s history—removing financial barriers and expanding access on an unprecedented scale.
Public confidence is equally evident. Since May 2021, MCC has secured $2.4 million in additional sponsor support from Monroe County, reinforcing the County’s role as a committed partner in the College’s success. MCC also continues to secure and retain numerous multiyear federal and state grants that support TRIO programs, childcare access for student parents, STEM pathways, workforce training, and national research partnerships with the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology.
The College’s relationship with New York State has strengthened through leadership roles on the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, expanded SUNY initiatives, and MCC’s selection as the only New York institution in the Aspen Institute’s Unlocking Opportunity: Post-Graduation Success and Equity Network—a testament to its credibility and results.
Looking Forward with Confidence
Dr. Burt-Nanna is a nationally recognized leader, serving on the American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors and recently named 2025 Northeast Regional CEO of the Year by the American Community College Trustees. Yet what sets her leadership apart is not recognition alone—it is measurable impact rooted in mission.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am grateful for Dr. Burt-Nanna’s dedication to students, employees, and the community we serve. We look forward to working closely with her over the next five years as Monroe Community College continues to expand opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and change lives—one student, one family, and one community at a time.
Allen Williams
Chair, MCC Board of Trustees
05/05/2026