Senate Resolution No. 1005
BY: Senator GIANARIS
COMMENDING Dr. Gail O. Mellow upon the occasion of
stepping down after almost 20 years of dedicated
service to LaGuardia Community College in Long
Island City, Queens
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and
character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this
great State; and
WHEREAS, The result of many individual efforts, the excellence and
success of LaGuardia Community College is due in large part to the
efforts of Dr. Gail O. Mellow; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Dr. Gail
O. Mellow upon the occasion of her retirement after almost 20 years of
dedicated service to LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City,
Queens; she will officially step down in August of 2019; and
WHEREAS, Gail O. Mellow earned her Associate of Arts degree from
Jamestown Community College, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY
Albany, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa; she furthered her education
by obtaining both her Master of Arts degree and Ph.D. in Social
Psychology from George Washington University; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Dr. Gail O. Mellow became interested in
community colleges and the substantial role they play in our society;
she believes they open the doors of higher education to all, create
economic opportunity and strengthen our democracy; and
WHEREAS, A recognized expert on the history, development and future
of the American community college, Dr. Gail O. Mellow coauthored Minding
the Dream: The Process and Practice of the American Community College
and Taking College Teaching Seriously: Pedagogy Matters!, which explores
a groundbreaking digital model for improving faculty teaching to
increase student success; and
WHEREAS, With over 30 years of experience in the field, Dr. Gail O.
Mellow is frequently sought as a commentator on the changing landscape
of higher education, strategies for improving the nation's graduation
rate and the role community colleges play in strengthening America's
economy; she has been extensively quoted in a range of publications,
including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg
Businessweek and The Washington Post and has appeared on national radio
and television broadcasts on NPR, MSNBC and PBS; and
WHEREAS, Since 2000, Dr. Gail O. Mellow has served as President of
LaGuardia Community College; a member of the City University of New York
(CUNY) system, LaGuardia is a recognized leader among community colleges
for launching programs and teaching methods that have become pilots for
the nation; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Dr. Gail O. Mellow,
LaGuardia Community College has gained increasing recognition; the
College serves more than 57,000 credit and non-credit students each
year, with 60% of students born outside the United States representing
148 nations and speaking 90 languages, making its student body one of
the most diverse in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Dr. Gail O. Mellow has tirelessly
worked to increase funding, develop cutting-edge practices in the
classroom, and formed groundbreaking partnerships with employers and
communities; she has truly served as a trailblazer for community
colleges throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, Dr. Gail O. Mellow was appointed by Mayor Bill de
Blasio to the New York City Economic Development Council, and currently
serves on the boards of The American Council on Education, The American
Academy of Arts and Sciences Commission on Post-Secondary Education, and
Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning; and
WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to LaGuardia
Community College and to education as a whole, Dr. Gail O. Mellow was
the recipient of the 2017 TIAA Institute Hesburgh Award for Leadership;
and
WHEREAS, A caring, competent and committed leader, Dr. Gail O.
Mellow's character and integrity are the hallmarks of her life and work
as an educational leader, a community volunteer and as a person; and
WHEREAS, The Long Island City community is indeed fortunate and
blessed to have had such a dedicated and respected educational leader;
her wisdom and contributions to LaGuardia Community College have truly
made a difference in the lives of those lucky enough to have worked with
her; and
WHEREAS, A significant contributor to education in New York State,
Dr. Gail O. Mellow has continually demonstrated an impressive
dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for
the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered at
LaGuardia Community College for the benefit of its faculty and students,
as well as for the entire community; and
WHEREAS, In completing her service as President, Dr. Gail O. Mellow
leaves behind more than mere bricks and mortar; she leaves behind a
legacy to the students of LaGuardia Community College and to the
residents of the Long Island City community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Gail O. Mellow upon the occasion of stepping down after
almost 20 years of dedicated service to LaGuardia Community College, and
to wish her continued success in all of her future endeavors; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Gail O. Mellow.