Relationship between colleges, business community discussed
TROY, N.Y. » A panel of five area college presidents united for a conversation on Wednesday about the impact of higher education as an economic driver in the greater Capital Region.
Andrew Matonak of Hudson Valley Community College, Havidán Rodríguez of the University at Albany, Carolyn Stefanco of The College of Saint Rose, James Baldwin of Excelsior College and Edward Coughlin of Siena College all gathered for a panel discussion moderated by Guha Bala of Velan Ventures.
The discussion, part of a breakfast event hosted by the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, was held early Wednesday morning at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy.
During the event, each of the college presidents shared a bit about their academic communities, and their futures within the regional economic ecosystem.
Taxes, student debt, international diversity and fake news were some of the topics the panelists covered during the public conversation, which drew a large turnout despite inclement weather.
Much of the discussion focused on the relationship between these higher education institutions and the region’s business community, from which many leaders were in the audience at the chamber event.
That relationship is an important one, the panelists said. The colleges in the region offer a diversity of educational opportunities, and those who stay in the region after school become the area’s workforce.
Through a quick show of hands in the room, Matonak pointed out that despite all of the institutions around, many local employers have difficulty finding talented, skilled workers to employ.
This is why Hudson Valley Community College is planning to build a new advanced manufacturing center that will double the capacity of the already- existing program.
By communicating and partnering with companies looking to hire, colleges can adapt to the needs of the community, Matonak explained through this example.
“We want to be serving your needs,” Stefanco said to the business crowd. In addition to serving the needs of the students, it’s imperative to serve the needs of the marketplace too, she said, mentioning The College of Saint Rose’s lauded music industry program.
Educating students in programs that will land them wellpaying jobs is also one solution to the student debt problem that can be executed by colleges keeping up with the times.
“We’re always challenged to evolve,” Coughlin said, telling of the school’s emerging programs. “We’re being transformed.”
Rodríguez, who started at the University at Albany about six months ago, spoke of strategically changing and expanding for this purpose. “We need to continue to think about the future of education,” he said.
Across the panel, each of the presidents agreed that they’re always aiming to be accessible and affordable for students. Excelsior College, like many others, is doing everything it can to keep costs down, Baldwin said.
Whether a student is starting out at a two-year school like Hudson Valley, adult learners completing a degree at Excelsior College, pursuing a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a private school like Saint Rose or Siena or joining the thousands of State University of New York students at the University at Albany - these college all want to give students an opportunity.
Matonak said, “We want to help them achieve their dreams.”