Michael Baston ’97 Named President of Rockland Community College

05/30/2017

Michael Baston ’97 has been appointed president of Rockland Community College. Baston will begin the new position on July 1.

Baston previously served as acting provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York. Prior to that, he spent 10 years as dean of student development and campus life for Berkeley College’s Midtown, Lower Manhattan, and Westchester campuses. He also has served as an American Association of Community Colleges Pathways coach, supporting community college presidents and executive teams around the country, and on numerous advisory boards including Jobs for the Future Policy Leadership Trust for Student Success, the National Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers National Community College Advisory Group, and the National Association for Development Education Expert Panel.

“Dr. Baston has precisely the right balance of professional qualifications and strategic vision to lead Rockland Community College into its next chapter,” said SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall. “I look forward to working with Dr. Baston as we continue to build upon the college’s strong foundation of academic excellence, workforce development, and community service.”

Baston earned a BA in political science from Iona College, J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, and doctorate in executive leadership from St. John Fisher College.

Before entering the education field, Baston was a senior associate at Dougherty & Associates, where he represented Iona College, Christian Brothers Institute, and other educational organizations.