The Rockland County Legislature’s bipartisan Multi-Services Committee has voted unanimously to appoint two new members to the Rockland Community College (RCC) Board of Trustees. This measure is expected to be ratified by the full board during its next meeting on Tuesday, June 18.
County Legislator Dana G. Stilley and Legislative Fiscal Director Moshe Gruber have been appointed to the board. The RCC Board comprises 10 seats, with five appointed by the County Legislature. Of these five seats, four were already filled. Another board member’s term had expired, leading to the Legislature’s decision to introduce new members.
“We wanted to take action to address the concerns that have arisen at the college,” said County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood, Jr. “Many, if not all legislators, including myself, want to do what we can to assist the college as it works through the crisis it is facing. The new members offer expertise that can benefit RCC as it moves forward.”
Legislature Minority Leader Lon Hofstein highlighted the importance of RCC in the community. “Whether someone is starting out on a college or vocational path or looking to make a career change, RCC is a vital resource. It is my hope that will continue,” said Hofstein. “The college and its board face significant challenges that will require innovative solutions to preserve what we all fondly call the ‘Jewel of Rockland County.’”
Legislator Stilley holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Applied Mathematics from Brown University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management Science from Columbia Business School, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University. With extensive experience in the financial industry and higher education administration, Stilley is completing her tenure on the South Orangetown Central School District Board of Education, having previously served as president of the board. She was also the first African American woman elected to the County Legislature in 2023 and has served in various roles at RCC, including as Associate Vice President and Vice President.
“RCC is a vibrant and essential higher education institution in our community,” said Legislator Stilley. “I look forward to bringing my wealth of professional experience in higher education and educational training and expertise to assist the Board of Trustees and College navigate through this challenging time.”
Moshe Gruber, the County Legislature’s Director of Fiscal Affairs, is a Certified Public Accountant who has lived in Spring Valley his entire adult life. Gruber graduated from UTA Mesivta of Kiryas Joel and earned his Master of Science in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2018. He passed the uniform CPA examination in 2019, receiving the prestigious Elijah Watt Sells Award for his high score. Gruber has experience working with local public accounting firms, national firms in NYC, large real estate investors, and private equity funds.
“I look forward to assisting my colleagues on the RCC board and to working with faculty, students, and relevant stakeholders to ensure RCC continues to fulfill its mission of transforming the lives of county residents by offering quality educational programs to help them thrive in today’s rapidly evolving economy,” said Gruber.
The RCC Board of Trustees consists of 10 members: five appointed by the County Legislature, four by the governor, and one student elected by their peers. The board currently includes three legislative appointees, two pending legislative appointees, three gubernatorial appointees, and one student representative. County Legislature appointees serve five-year terms, while gubernatorial appointees serve seven-year terms.
With the appointment of Stilley and Gruber, Lynne S. Hilowitz, whose term had expired, will no longer serve on the board. “I thank Ms. Hilowitz for her service,” said Chairman Hood. “It is difficult to find volunteers willing to give so much of their time and energy to serving the public.”
Gubernatorial appointees include Martin Wortendyke, RCC Board Chair; Susan Oelkers-Ramos; and L’Tanya M. Watkins, Esq.