Honor York College President

Senate Resolution No. 1911 BY: Senator COMRIE CONGRATULATING Dr. Marcia V. Keizs upon the occasion of stepping down after 14 years of dedicated service as President of York College WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this great State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Dr. Marcia V. Keizs upon the occasion of stepping down after 14 years of dedicated service as President of York College; she will officially step down from this esteemed position on Saturday,

August 31, 2019, to return to teaching; and WHEREAS, On February 14, 2005, Dr. Marcia V. Keizs became the sixth president of York College in Jamaica, Queens; York, a senior college of the City University of New York (CUNY) established in 1966, enrolls more than 8,400 students in the liberal arts, career and professional programs on its modern 50-acre downtown Jamaica campus; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Dr. Marcia V. Keizs, York College has strengthened its academic programs by gaining national accreditations and creating new academic offerings in Aviation Management, Pharmaceutical Science, Journalism, Generic Nursing, Logistics and Supply Chain, and Health Sciences, and bolstered the college's partnership with the FDA; and WHEREAS, Credited with placing York College firmly on the path of excellence, Dr. Marcia V. Keizs has increased its full-time faculty by approximately 40% and established an Undergraduate Research Program and a collaborative Honors Program with the FDA, while structuring the College into three distinct schools: the School of Business & Information Systems; School of Health & Behavioral Sciences; and the School of Arts & Sciences; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, student enrollment has grown by 25% with freshman enrollment experiencing an unprecedented 61% growth over five years; and WHEREAS, During her illustrious tenure, President Keizs has led the completion of multiple facilities renovation projects which have enhanced the campus environment, including building an appropriate technology infrastructure; and WHEREAS, A firm believer in community service and academic citizenship, Dr. Marcia V. Keizs serves as the CUNY Representative on the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Council of State Representatives; and WHEREAS, In addition, she serves on the boards of the Morris Heights Health Center, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Jamaica YMCA, Regional Planning Association, and Governor Andrew Cuomo's Regional Economic Development Council; and WHEREAS, Dr. Marcia V. Keizs previously served on the boards of the NCAA Division III President's Council and the American Council on Education's Commission on Effective Leadership; she is also the founding editor of the New York Carib News; and WHEREAS, A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Dr. Marcia V. Keizs is a graduate of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada (B.A.), and Teachers College, Columbia University (M.A. and Ed.D); she holds a certificate in Educational Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education; and WHEREAS, With a career in education which has spanned more than 30 years, Dr. Marcia V. Keizs served as an English professor at CUNY before transitioning to administration; prior to her appointment as President of York College, she was the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Bronx Community College/CUNY for seven years; and WHEREAS, A significant contributor to education in New York State, Dr. Marcia V. Keizs has continually demonstrated an impressive dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered at York College for the benefit of its faculty and students, as well as for the entire community; and WHEREAS, In completing her service as President, Dr. Marcia V. Keizs leaves behind more than mere bricks and mortar; she leaves behind a legacy to the students of York College and to the residents of Jamaica, Queens; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Dr. Marcia V. Keizs upon the occasion of stepping down after 14 years of dedicated service as President of York College; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Marcia V. Keizs.