Photo of Ayaka Hibino with SUNY Chancellor, Dr. John B. King, Jr., and Genesee Community College President, Dr. Craig Lamb, courtesy of the State University of New York.
Press Release:
Genesee Community College is proud to announce that Ayaka Hibino and Ruby Hoyt have each received the prestigious 2025 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence (CASE), the highest honor bestowed upon SUNY students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership and community engagement.
Ayaka Hibino, originally from Omihachiman, Shiga, Japan, graduated from GCC in Fall 2024 with a degree in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management and an overall GPA of 3.90. As an international student, Ayaka distinguished herself not only through academic excellence but also through extraordinary campus involvement. She served as Vice President of the Student Government Association, President of the International Student Organization, President of Phi Theta Kappa, and President of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Ayaka was also the innovator behind GCC's inaugural Cultural Fusion Festival, a vibrant celebration of the college's diverse international community. Her commitment to cultural awareness and student leadership has left a lasting impact on the GCC campus. She was accepted into the Disney College Program for the Spring 2025 semester.
Ruby Hoyt, a Biology major from Brockport, NY, embodies the spirit of SUNY excellence through her accomplishments in academics, athletics and leadership. With a GPA of 3.74, Ruby has excelled in the classroom while also making her mark on the soccer field. She was named to the Region 3 Women's Soccer All-Region Team and the Mid-State Athletic Conference, and earned Academic All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American honors. Ruby is also deeply engaged in student leadership, serving as Secretary for the Athletic Leadership Committee, and as an active member of both Phi Theta Kappa and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
"Ayaka and Ruby represent the very best of Genesee Community College," said Dr. Craig Lamb, president of GCC. "Their dedication to academics, leadership and community service exemplifies the qualities we strive to cultivate in our students. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing all they will achieve in the future."
This year, 193 students from 63 SUNY campuses were recognized with the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. Recipients were honored at a special celebration where SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. commended them for their work ethic, determination and leadership.
Submitted photos.
Photo of Ruby Hoyt with SUNY Chancellor, Dr. John B. King, Jr. and Genesee Community College President, Dr. Craig Lamb, courtesy of the State University of New York.
On May 17 Genesee Community College celebrated its 57th annual Commencement Ceremony with a group of 7 students from area high schools and homeschools deserving special mention. They completed their GCC degree requirements concurrently with their high school diplomas or New York State High School Equivalency. These graduates participated in the seventh annual cohort of the Excel Program (formerly Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Enrichment Program) through GCC's Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Office.
These high-achieving individuals include the following:
Zoey Berggren (Attica)
Jeremiah Childs (Batavia)
Paige Harding (Oakfield)
Holden Kelly (Perry)
Tess McLaughlin (Perry)
Kenadie Patten (Albion)
Olivia Swyers (Perry)
The Excel program began in 2012 allowing the students to start their college studies as early as the seventh grade. In addition to their traditional schoolwork, they enrolled in college level coursework each year taking advantage of many academic opportunities and successfully completing all of the rigorous challenges of an associate degree.
"We are extremely proud of these 7 exceptional students who have not only earned their high school diplomas but also completed their GCC degree requirements. Their dedication and hard work demonstrate the power of early college enrollment and the opportunities it provides. They are truly an inspiration to future generations of students," said Ann Valento, director of Accelerated College Enrollment programs at Genesee Community College.
Kaitlyn Harloff, Excel program coordinator at Genesee Community College, added, "This program highlights the remarkable achievements of our students and their ability to excel in demanding academic environments. Their success is a testament to the effectiveness of the Excel Enrichment Program and the commitment of our faculty and staff to support and guide them."
Genesee Community College's 57th annual Commencement Ceremony was held at the Richard C. Call Arena and featured special guest Keynote Speaker Kate Welshofer. To view the ceremony, please visit: https://www.genesee.edu/commencement/.
For more information contact Director of ACE Programs, Ann Valento at 585-343-0055 x6316, or via email amvalento@genesee.edu.
The Building Champions Basketball Camp is set to return this summer, offering athletes in Grades 1 through 7 the opportunity to develop core basketball skills in a fun, structured environment. The camp will take place from July 7–10 at the newly designated location, Zambito Gymnasium at GCC, located at 1 College Road, Batavia.
Campers will receive training in fundamental basketball areas including dribbling and ball handling, shooting, passing and catching, defense, footwork, and movement. Each day, participants will have access to a hydration station and a healthy snack, with a pizza party planned as part of the experience. All athletes will receive a camp T-shirt and have the opportunity to be recognized as “Camper of the Day” or to win the “MVP of the Week” trophy.
Camp Schedule:
Grades 1 - 3: 2 - 4 p.m.
Grades 4 - 7: 5 - 7 p.m.
Registration Fee: $125
For more information, contact Camp Director Coach Zambito at 585-813-8592 or ciaci4zambito@gmail.com.
Kate Welshofer, former TV anchor and Communications Strategist for National Comedy Center. Photo courtesy of GCC
With a bio that shares how she uses humor at the heart of her storytelling to encourage, inspire and heal, commencement speaker Kate Welshofer had a lot on her plate Saturday during Genesee Community College’s 57th annual graduation ceremony.
It’s fair to say the Western New York native — a former television news anchor, reporter and producer who made an abrupt shift after 27 years to pursue a more creative path with the National Comedy Center — did not disappoint.
At the crux of her message was for graduates to locate their innermost free spirits and act accordingly.
“In the grand scheme of things, it's pretty easy to create an existence that looks good on paper, good grades, great internships, decent jobs, respectable salaries, prestigious awards and on and on and on. But how does it all feel in here? Where is your heart in all of it? When it comes to answering that question, I highly recommend consulting your inner weirdo. That little voice inside that makes you sometimes, maybe a lot of times, makes you feel like you have no idea what you're doing,” she said at the Richard C. Call Arena. “I will tell you I tried to mute mine for a long time, but she is incredibly persistent. The little weirdo in all of us can be a great guide. It is filled with very unique magic that is all yours.
"It is the best of you, trust it. It will carry you. And I know, because mine has carried and continues to carry and sometimes pushes me," she said. "Whether you realize it or not, your inner weirdo got you here. It has already helped you carve your unique place in this world, and it will continue to help you build what will be your life and eventually your legacy.”
She also cautioned them against rushing these fleeting moments, which are already fleeting enough. Along the lines of stopping to smell the roses, she suggested that they “celebrate, exhale, relax, and enjoy.”
Society seems to have a way of wanting to know “what’s next” after one reaches a milestone such as graduation, in a dash to find out what plans are in store for the next chapter. Welshofer encouraged these students, whom she addressed as scholars, as did her professor father, to take a pause for this special time before pressing onward with life’s demands.
“Often there’s pressure to do more and do better,” she said, sharing her father’s philosophy. “He saw education not as a means to an end, but as an opportunity. His approach to life was with a sense of whimsy and wonder. He was always asking questions, always.”
He taught her lessons outside of the classroom, including that life didn’t have to be taken so seriously; a little levity can go a long way to connect people, she said.
That’s advice she has apparently incorporated on her way to becoming an award-winning writer, speaker, content creator, owner of Welshofer Creative LLC, columnist, and more recently author of her book “You Monster! (That’s a Compliment),” released in December 2024, with a second one in the works.
Her father perhaps best demonstrated his devilish humor by listing a three-letter alleged degree on his bio in the GCC catalog. Tickled with himself, he flipped open the newly printed publication and showed her the page. After she gave up on what the letters S.F.B. stood for, he told her: Short, Fat, Bald. They each got a laugh out of that, though mom didn’t seem as pleased, Welshofer said.
“The things that make us us, those are the things that matter,” she said, asking that everyone lightly wrap their arms around themselves in a hug and close their eyes. “If no one has ever told you this before, you are the most wonderful miracle to anyone who has or will have the great pleasure of knowing you. Cherish this moment and all it took to get you here, knowing that you are and always have been, in good hands, yours.
"Give a little squeeze. Trust yourselves, trust your instincts. Trust that your joy, if you let it, will pull you in the direction of your very greatest potential," she said. "Whatever you do, don't let the what-if steal the infinite joy to be found in what already is.”
Being president of the Academic Senate and history professor at GCC has earned Charles Scruggs a continuing place at the podium, and this year he talked about learning the difference between gorillas and guerrillas. That early lesson led him down a path of seeking answers and unlocking one of the best gifts life has to offer: tuning into news and songs that aired on his blue portable Panasonic radio given to him by his parents in the early 1970s, he said.
The radio was a reward gift for his persistent spirit of finding out all he could about the five “gorillas” he had first heard about on the car radio with his folks and sister. They had taken over an airplane, and he couldn’t believe that the hairy animals would do that and was perplexed as to why. His dad, a teacher, used it for learning moments to define the difference between those creatures and the people who had hijacked a plane.
Scruggs had just turned 5, and his fascination with all that emitted from the radio grew after receiving his own device, he said.
“I held the magic of Marconi in the palm of my hand, and thanks to the miracle of my opposable thumbs, I could now dial in with an endless array of pop songs, live sporting events and business reports and pump up the volume or turn it down, as my heart desired. Even with my limited life experience, a lot of what I heard coming through that speaker spoke loud and clear and made a good deal of intuitive sense,” he said. “You don't tug on Superman’s cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off the Lone Ranger, and you don't mess around with Jim. I've come to think of these as the four noble truths of the late great Jim Croce.”
He waxed nostalgic as he took students on a trip to his childhood and back again, sharing bits and pieces of what he learned on the “racetrack of life” and how not to let it become an inevitable hamster wheel.
A few tips to keep in mind:
One, tap into the power of stories to instruct and inspire, using material that you know best, such as family.
Two, thank the people who are there to support you and cheer you on as you navigate the racetrack of life.
And three, run the race that allows your unique gifts to breathe. In other words, love what you’re doing rather than merely pursuing the big paycheck and material wealth.
As for his love of that little blue radio, it helped him to literally — and figuratively — discern the right direction for his own path while not losing a beat.
“It trained me to find the signal amidst the noise,” he said. “So, graduates, please follow my lead. Be sure to thank mom and dad and as you sturdy your ships and prepare to set sail from what is now the safe harbor of your alma mater, it is our hope at GCC that you make your own kind of music and sing your own special song. You can count on us to listen.”
GCC Foundation President Scott Gardner presented a posthumous Alpha Medal of Service award to Gillian Romano, wife of the late Russ Romano, who died in July 2024.
“This prestigious award is the highest honor bestowed by the Genesee Community College Foundation,” Gardner said. “It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary volunteer service and generous philanthropic support.”
Russ Romano served on the Foundation’s board of directors for 20 years, including two years as president, and also held leadership roles on the housing board of directors, stewardship committee and development committee.
"Through this work, Russ has guided others in strengthening the college's programs, mobilizing community support for capital initiatives, and making high-quality facilities available to students. Russ led by example and had engaged generously and selflessly with his financial resources in support of Foundation projects and created and funded the Russell and Gillian Romano scholarship to assist deserving students in their educational pursuits at GCC,” Gardner said. “Russ was deeply committed to the preservation and growth of our local communities.”
Romano was a founder of Genesee Cancer Assistance and an enthusiastic supporter of the community, and exemplified the “highest standards of volunteer service and inspired all those around him with his loyalty, commitment and honesty,” he said.
Photos courtesy Genesee Community College.
Professor Laura Taylor takes selfie with one of her students.
Mrs. Gillian Romano accepting the Alpha Medal of Service Award from Scott Gardner, president of the GCC Foundation on behalf of her late husband, Russ Romano.
Mikayla Yohon (middle) with her parents. Back: (l-r) Sara Stockwell, Ethan Heim. Photo by Gretchen Spittler.
Press Release:
On May 15, 2025, Byron-Bergen senior Mikayla Yohon committed to continuing her formal education after graduation at Genesee Community College (GCC) where she will compete as a member of the swim team. The official signing was witnessed by Byron-Bergen Le Roy Varsity Swim Team Coach Sara Stockwell, GCC Head Swim Coach Ethan Heim, and Yohon’s parents.
“I’ve coached Mikayla for 5 years,” said Stockwell. “She joined in the 8th grade. She is extremely talented, especially at the butterfly. It’s been a pleasure watching her swim and I’m going to miss her personality and the times when she really was a leader on the team.”
While at Byron-Bergen, Yohon participated in Varsity Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Swim Team, and Track. In her time on the Byron-Bergen Leroy swim team, she set three new team records and won countless events. Her fastest event times include the 100 Butterfly (1:05.5), 50 Freestyle (25.98), 100 Freestyle (58.76), and 50 Butterfly (27.50).
“I would like to thank both of my coaches, Fix and Stockwell, and my teammates for really helping me in the pool setting and making me the swimmer I am today,” said Yohon. “In addition, I want to thank my parents for helping me succeed and achieve my goals.”
Yohon plans to enter GCC’s Health Studies program with the intent of a career in nursing.
Genesee Community College hosted its 44th Annual Fashion Show on Saturday in the Richard C. Call Arena.
Presented by GCC’s Fashion Business Program, Masterpiece Unfolding, offers students an opportunity showcase their creativity, talent, and innovative spirit.
This year's show drew its inspiration from the world of fine art with each scene interpreting the elements and spirit of a specific art movement through fashion.
Beginning in October of this 24/25 school year, St. Paul Lutheran School, has had the privilege of partnering with Genesee Community College (GCC) Physical Education Department. G.C.C. students have worked with the St. Paul students to provide instruction for the Kindergarten through 6th Grades.
The freshman and sophomore students, under the direction of the Director/Professor of the Health and Physical Education Department, Rebecca Dzieken, and Krystal Forsyth, Instructor, Health and Physical Education Department, have planned the curriculum for the year.
Throughout the year they led classes in soccer, basketball, team building games, volleyball and exercise fundamentals. On Friday, May 2 they planned to lead the St. Paul students through the experience of a Field Day. The G.C.C. students had planned six different stations that will challenge the St. Paul students.
The G.C.C. students include Evan Frier, Cayden Lilleby, Cody Costello, Aaron Birkby, Ryan Winters, Saunders Mireault and Michael Hayes. The G.C.C. Physical Education class have done an amazing job interacting with the St. Paul students.
Photo of the 47th Annual Tom Hope Memorial Media Scholar Award Winners, Emma Sternberg is second from right, courtesy of Genesee Community College.
Press Release:
Genesee Community College (GCC) is proud to announce that student Emma Sternberg has received the prestigious 47th Annual Tom Hope Memorial Media Scholar Award presented by the Rochester Association for Film Arts and Sciences (RAFAS).
The award recognizes one outstanding media student from each of the Rochester area's ten colleges. Sternberg, a standout in GCC's Media Arts program, was nominated by GCC faculty for her exceptional academic performance, high character and the quality of her media work.
"Emma represents everything we strive for in our students - creativity, dedication and a passion for storytelling," said Barry Chow, director of Humanities, Global Languages and Media Arts at GCC. "Her work not only reflects her talent, but also her commitment to professional growth. We are thrilled to see her receive this well-deserved recognition."
As part of the Tom Hope Memorial Media Scholar Program, Sternberg participated in a professional portfolio review session in February, where she received feedback from practicing media professionals, collaborated with peers from other colleges and began building a local professional network. In April, she showcased her best media project at the annual Tom Hope Memorial Media Scholar Award Ceremony, where she was honored alongside other top scholars.
In addition to the recognition, Sternberg received a cash grant to support her continued education and media production goals. The award encourages recipients to pursue careers in the Rochester area and carry on the mentoring legacy of Tom Hope - a revered media professional and mentor whose impact spanned eight decades. To learn more about the Tom Hope Memorial Media Scholar Program, please visit: https://rafasny.org/resources/scholarships/
For more information contact Vice President, Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin M. Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
Genesee Community College is honored to announce that Kate Welshofer, an award-winning writer, speaker, content creator, and owner of Welshofer Creative LLC, will deliver the keynote address at GCC's 57th Commencement Ceremony. The event will take place on Saturday, May 17, at 1 p.m. at the Richard C. Call Arena on GCC's Batavia Campus.
Welshofer, a former television news anchor, reporter and producer, made the bold decision in December 2023 to leave her 27-year career in broadcast journalism to pursue a more fulfilling and creative path. Today, she works as a communications strategist with The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, while continuing to inspire audiences through her writing, storytelling, and artistic endeavors.
A Western New York native, Welshofer writes a weekly column for The Perry Herald in Perry, and contributes a monthly column to the online edition of Buffalo Spree magazine. Her work, including audio recordings of her columns, is also featured on the online writers' platform Substack.
In 2023, Welshofer launched the Secret Monster Project, a daily creative practice and Instagram account featuring lovable, hand-drawn doodles that grew into a full-fledged brand. The project has expanded to include merchandise, art installations, and most recently, her debut book, You Monster! (That's a Compliment), released in December 2024. With humor at the heart of her storytelling, Welshofer is passionate about using creativity to encourage, inspire and heal. She is currently working on her next book.
"We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Welshofer as this year's commencement speaker," said Dr. Craig Lamb, president of Genesee Community College. "Her journey is a testament to the power of embracing change, following one's passion, and using creativity as a force for connection and growth. We are excited for our graduates to hear her inspiring message as they embark on their own paths."
For more information, contact Vice President of Development, Admissions and External Affairs, Justin Johnston, at (585) 345-6809 or via email at jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
Genesee Community College is pleased to host the Virtual Business Trade Fair on Thursday, April 3. The trade fair will be set up in GCC's William H. Stuart Forum at the Batavia Campus from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for everyone to come and enjoy some virtual shopping.
The Virtual Business Trade Fair, facilitated and hosted by the Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Program, provides students enrolled in economics and entrepreneurship courses with a hands-on learning opportunity to apply the theories, practices and knowledge from their classroom learning to an almost-real innovative business venture.
The students work collaboratively to develop all the components of a successful virtual business. They begin by writing mission statements and conducting extensive research into product features and competition, and then culminate their work in building advertising pieces and their trade fair displays.
The students' trade fair goal is to sell their products or services and allow the attendees to make purchases with virtual dollars. Community members are invited to come, pick up virtual spending dollars, shop any of the companies and support our local students. Thousands of virtual dollars will be given out to attendees to "spend." At the end of the trade fair, the business or school with the most virtual dollars and virtual sales will be recognized.
As in years past, high schoolers from the GLOW Region counties will come to the forum and set up booths to "sell" their virtual products and services. This year will feature the following high schooler-created companies:
Batavia High School featuring Thrive; 5 Star VIP Apparel; Unique
Geneseo High School featuring Genny Merch; Boujee Beans
LeRoy High School featuring Snack Sphere; Gear-X; Adrenaline Apparel; Templar Fitness
Oakfield-Alabama High School featuring Marty's In and Out Cleaning
Pavilion High School featuring JumpStart; Candy Shack; Goat's All In One; Cosmic Cleats
Volunteer bankers from M&T Bank will be on-site to help the virtual businesses to track and manage their sales.
For more information about the Virtual Business Trade Fair please contact Director of ACE Programs, Ann Valento at amvalento@genesee.edu
Since its founding in 1966, Genesee Community College has improved the lives of residents in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) counties. Beyond the wide variety of educational services and community resources provided, Genesee has become one of the most significant economic engines in the region.
Genesee Community College is proud to announce the results of a recent study by Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics. The study highlights its significant contributions to the local economy and the return on investment for public funders, taxpayers and community affiliates. The analysis, based on fiscal year 2022-23 data, underscores GCC's pivotal role in driving economic growth and fostering social benefits within the GLOW Service Area.
"GCC's mission extends beyond education; we are an economic and social driver for our community," said Dr. Craig Lamb, President of Genesee Community College. "This analysis confirms the profound and lasting benefits GCC delivers to our students, taxpayers and the GLOW region."
Economic Impact Highlights:
$86.4 Million Added to the Local Economy: This represents 0.9% of the region's total gross regional product, supporting 1,163 jobs.
For Taxpayers: For every $1.00 spent in public funds, our community gains $7.70 in added income and social savings.
Student Spending Impact: Relocated and retained students added $2 million in income to the GLOW service area economy.
Alumni Impact: The net impact of GCC alumni currently employed in the regional workforce amounted to $57.5 million in added income.
Operations Spending Impact: GCC employed 412 faculty and staff, with a $24.7 million payroll largely spent locally. Additionally, GCC added $14.4 million in operational expenses.
Construction Spending Impact: GCC's capital projects generated $855,000 in additional regional income.
For more information, contact Vice President, Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
Photo of the winning logo design for the 2026 Tech Wars, courtesy of GCC.
Press Release:
Genesee Community College (GCC) proudly welcomed over 700 middle and high school technology students and their teachers from across the GLOW region to the 16th Annual Tech Wars. This competition provided a platform for students to showcase their skills and ingenuity through a variety of technology-based challenges.
Tech Wars is the culmination of a year's worth of preparation by students and educators, with each event carefully crafted and coordinated by the dedicated technology teachers of the GLOW region. The event receives significant support from GCC's Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Department, GCC faculty and staff, as well as many generous local businesses that sponsor the competition and actively participate in the day's activities.
This year, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, the Tech Wars organizing committee was able to award three $300 scholarships to deserving seniors from participating GLOW region schools. Scholarship recipients demonstrated outstanding dedication to technology and plan to pursue careers, apprenticeships or post-secondary education in technology-related fields. The 2024 scholarship winners were:
Catherine Staley - Geneseo High School
Kasey Pagels - Byron Bergen High School
Laylanna Oliveria - Pioneer High School
Sponsors for 2025 Tech Wars:
Gold Sponsors: Amada Tool America, Barilla America NY, Graham Corporation, I.B.E.W. Local 86, Liberty Pumps, Northeast Industrial Tech, Power & Construction Group
Silver Sponsors: Chapin International, Maple Moon Farms, Morton Salt, RTMA/FLYAP, Six Flags Darien Lake, Takeform & Traco Manufacturing
Overall Winners:
Middle School Division:
1st Place: Batavia Middle School (28 points)
2nd Place: Warsaw Middle School (16 points)
3rd Place: York Middle School (15 points)
High School Division:
1st Place: Geneseo High School (27 points)
2nd Place: Dansville High School (24 points)
3rd Place: Batavia High School (23 points)
Additionally, the winning logo design for the 2026 Tech Wars was created by Giana Strollo from Batavia High School.
Middle School Events: Bridge, Catapult, CO2 Cars (Concept & Race), Logo Design, Lumber Labyrinth, Makers Showcase, Mystery, Paper Airplanes, Rube Goldberg, Sculpture, Skimmer Cars & Technical Drawing
High School Events: Bridge, CO2 Cars (Concept & Race), Drone Racing, Logo Design, Lumber Labyrinth, Makers Showcase, Mini Sumo Bots, Mystery, Regatta Race & Theme, Reverse Engineer CAD, Robotic Tractor Pull, Sculpture, Skimmer Cars, SUMO Bots & Trebuchet
GCC extends its gratitude to all the students, teachers, sponsors, and volunteers who made this year's Tech Wars a success. We look forward to continuing this tradition of innovation and excellence in 2026!
For more information contact Vice President Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin M. Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu
Area technology middle and high school students and teachers, along with the GCC Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) department, and college community are working hard to prepare for the 16th GLOW Region Tech Wars!
The event will be held Wednesday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus.
The annual Tech Wars brings middle and high school students from all 24 of the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) region's school districts together in teams to demonstrate their technical expertise through innovative, mind-expanding competitions.
Tech Wars 2025 brings back some favorite events for high schoolers such as the Regatta, Bridge, CO2 Cars, Logo Design, Sculpture, Skimmer Cars, Sumo Bots, Tractor Pull and Trebuchet, and Lumber Labyrinth. Tech Wars event details, rules, and competition descriptions are available at techwarsgccny.org.
Any media planning to attend, please register with GCC's Marketing Communications Office at 585-343-0055 ext. 6116, or via email at marcom@genesee.edu and please sign in at the registration desk upon arrival.
For more information contact Vice President of Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
232 students from Genesee Community College named to Provost's List. Students honored on the Provost's List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce its Garth Swanson Memorial Scholarship for 2025. This scholarship was created in honor of Garth Swanson, who was the Stafford Town Historian, History professor at Genesee Community College, and a former board member and officer of the museum.
This $500 scholarship is open to any graduating senior in Genesee County planning to attend Genesee Community College, or current student attending Genesee Community College, and have an expressed interest in history, or plan on working in the history field in the future.
Completed applications should be mailed or emailed no later than May 1. They can be emailed to Ryan Duffy at duffyhollandlandoffice@gmail.com; or Mailed to Ryan Duffy, Executive Director, Holland Land Office Museum, 131 W. Main St., Batavia.
The application is available on both the museum’s website and social media pages. You can also contact the museum for the application or further information.
Every solid business venture starts with one thing - a pitch! Whether making a sale or convincing an investor, your business idea pitch has to be organized, well-thought out, powerful and convincing! Genesee Community College (GCC) is here to help get you prepared!
If you have a passion you would like to turn into a business, but you aren't sure if anyone else will think it's a good idea, consider participating in GCC's 7th Annual Business Idea Pitch Competition on Thursday, April 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus.
The competition is free and open to the public and prizes of $100 for first place and $75 for second place will be awarded to the most outstanding competitors in the "most likely to succeed" and "most creative" categories. Pitches will be judged by local business leaders.
"A solid business idea pitch is essential for every startup. This competition offers participants a valuable opportunity to acquire the skills needed to structure, refine, and present a compelling and persuasive business pitch.," said Dr. Lina LaMattina, director of Business Programs at GCC.
To participate in this event, please register for our Business Idea Pitch Competition by emailing Dr. Lina LaMattina, GCC director of Business Programs at lmlamattina@genesee.edu no later than Friday, April 4.
Among the leading causes for a new business startup failure is a lack of basic business experience. In lieu of losing thousands of investment dollars, today's entrepreneurs have found another way to gain that experience before launching their startup - education. Genesee Community College offers degree, certificate and micro-credential programs in Entrepreneurship to prepare emerging business owners and investors for success.
For more information contact Vice President, Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
Genesee Community College is pleased to announce The BEST Center has been awarded a $88,175 award for clean energy training by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The Clean Energy Training Program funded by NYSERDA will upskill incumbent workers and train new students seeking entry into the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) field.
GCC's Clean Energy Training Program will train individuals in high efficiency HVAC (including heat pumps) and energy auditing. program graduates also will be provided an opportunity to obtain their Home Energy Rater (HER) Certification through the industry standard Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) program. The GCC Clean Energy training program is a 10-week training course, with four cohorts over two years. The first classes will begin in Spring 2025 at the college's Batavia campus.
The NYSERDA Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology Training program awards activities such as technical training and experiential learning that supports New York State's path to inclusive clean energy economy. GCC's training program will contribute to expanding the capacity of skilled talent for Western New York's energy efficiency and clean energy labor market.
Adele Ferranti, director of Workforce Development and Training, NYSERDA, said, "Each day more New Yorkers are turning to sustainable building solutions to make their homes more comfortable and improve overall energy efficiency. To meet the growing demand for clean energy technologies, NYSERDA is pleased to support Genessee Community College's new program at the BEST Center that will ready the workforce with trained professionals to install and service the latest equipment."
"We are immensely grateful for the generosity of NYSERDA," said Jennifer Wakefield, executive director of Workforce Development at Genesee Community College. "This training grant will make a significant impact on the lives of incumbent workers, students entering the field of HVAC and the businesses who support the industry."
Businesses and individuals looking to take advantage of GCC's Clean Energy Training are encouraged to act now and contact The BEST Center at bestcenter@genesee.edu or call 585-345-6868.
The BEST Center at GCC is the recognized regional leader in developing the skilled workforce that powers local economic growth. The Center serves individual employees as well as businesses large and small with seminars, workshops, and trainings designed to improve the performance of people and processes.
For more information contact Vice President, Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
The Genesee Community College History Club is proud to launch its commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord with a special Historical Horizons Lecture on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in room T102. The event, titled A Single Blow: The Battles of Lexington and Concord, will be presented by renowned historian and author Phil Greenwalt and is free and open to the public.
In his lecture, Greenwalt will explore the pivotal events of April 19, 1775, which marked the beginning of open conflict between Great Britain and its thirteen North American colonies. Attendees will gain insight into the years of unrest that led to this historic moment and how it set the course for American independence.
Phil Greenwalt is the co-founder of Emerging Revolutionary War and is also a full-time contributor to Emerging Civil War. He is the author or co-author of five books on the American Revolution and the American Civil War. Phil graduated from George Mason University with a M.A. in American History and also has a B.A. in history from Wheeling Jesuit University. He is currently the Chief of Interpretation and Education at Catoctin Mountain Park. He has over 15 years of service in the National Park Service and has worked at De Soto National Memorial, Everglades National Park and Morristown National Historical Park before Catoctin. His first permanent ranger position was as a historian with the National Park Service at George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Thomas Stone National Historic Site. However, he started with the National Park Service as a historical interpreter intern in college at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
Copies of Greenwalt's book will be available for purchase through the GCC Bookstore, and attendees will have the opportunity to meet the author and have their books signed after the talk.
For more information, contact Vice President of Development, Admissions and External Affairs, Justin Johnston, at 585-345-6809 or via email at jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
