It is a bittersweet moment for LaGuardia Community College president Dr. Gail O. Mellow, who announced that she is stepping down after more than 20 years of service to the institution.
A champion for community colleges and their work to educate, graduate and boost the social mobility of underserved students, Mellow’s tenure as president has been marked by significant increases in domestic and international student enrollment, new and innovative degree and workforce programs and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, notably in faculty hiring.
She will step down in August 2019.
“I will miss this place tremendously,” Mellow said in an interview with Diverse. “It has just been the honor of my lifetime to serve the incredible colleagues and these amazing students here.”
Mellow, who began her presidency in 2000, added that her departure is also an opportunity to reflect on LaGuardia’s accomplishments and successes over the years.
During her tenure as president, LaGuardia has become a national leader for community colleges to holistically serve their students through academic, professional and personal development opportunities. The college saw a 64 percent increase in enrollment for degree-seeking students and a 155 percent increase in non-credit students. Investments in faculty development have increased, and faculty diversity increased from 30 percent to 44 percent, Mellow added.
In addition, LaGuardia’s nearly 50,000 learners gained access to 50 new academic majors under Mellow’s tenure, including in the fields of computer science, electrical engineering, environmental science, industrial design and philosophy.
