Baston
SUFFERN – A new president of Rockland Community College has been appointed to replace the retiring Dr. Clifford Wood, who has been at the helm of the two-year school for the last 13 years.
Dr. Michael Baston will start on the job on July 1 at an annual salary of $225,000.
SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall said Baston has “precisely the right balance of professional qualifications and strategic vision to lead Rockland Community College into its next chapter.”
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said Baston is “an advocate for students.”
RCC Board Chairman Marty Wortendyke said Baston is “a visionary and compassionate educational administrator.”
Baston has held executive leadership positions at LaGuardia Community College in the City University of New York. Most recently, he served as acting provost and vice president for academic and student affairs.
Prior to his working at LaGuardia, Baston services for 10 years as the dean of student development and campus life for the New York campuses of Berkeley College. He also served as senior associate at Dougherty and Associates, presenting Iona College and other educational corporations.
Baston earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Iona College, a Juris Doctorate degree from Brooklyn Law School, and an Education Doctorate in executive leadership from St. John Fisher College.
