Student Life

Mission: Student life is the combination of clubs and leadership experiences our students have outside of the classroom that make us a vibrant, thriving community. Our student life initiatives provide opportunities for learning, leadership development, civic engagement, and community building.

Activities/Clubs may vary by semester/term.

Allied Health Club

Students interested in the medical fields are encouraged to participate in this club which involves study groups, field trips, guest speakers, and an annual health fair. The club aims to further develop understanding and build camaraderie in the business of healthcare.

Alumni Association

Maintaining close ties with our alumni is an important goal of our college. We encourage graduates to remain active by gathering with fellow graduates for recreational outings, serving on an alumni steering committee, speaking to CW classes, becoming involved with our Career Services Department, and attending alumni meetings. Lifetime placement is also available to alumni and many of our alumni take advantage of this service.

Brothers/Sisters United (BSU)

The mission of BSU is to promote self-awareness, confidence, knowledge, and leadership among students. This club will challenge students to be the best possible version of themselves while also teaching what it means to be a proper mannered individual through round table discussions, self-awareness seminars, and most importantly their actions.

ENACTUS (The Business Club)

Gaming Club

The Gaming Club gives a platform for students to participate in open-sourced, non-competitive games during weekly meetups. Students relax, have fun, form friendships and build confidence through exploring a variety of games in a friendly, casual setting. We emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, strategic thinking and community building.

Just Dance Crew

The mission of JDC is to build an interest in each student to take care of themselves and stay in shape while going to school and balancing a busy life. Aside from weekly sessions, the Just Dance Crew performs at college events.

Network Technologies Association   Tech Doctors

This group provides a community for students interested in Information Technologies to gather and exchange ideas and to learn more about the field, as well as to socialize with others who share a common interest. The Networking Club also sponsors the “CW Tech Doctors” which offers reasonably priced computer services throughout The College.

Sharp Shooters Photography Club

Student Government Association

SGA exists to support and stimulate the academic, cultural, social, and physical welfare of all students at CW and serves to make decisions on behalf of the entire student body. The SGA is highly regarded by both faculty and students. It gives students the opportunity to exercise leadership, express opinions, and work together toward achieving common goals.

CW Honors Program
The Honors Program for Associate Degree students at The College of Westchester offers an enriched course of study for exceptional students. Eligibility is based upon performance in high school or college and a personal essay. To qualify a student must have a high school and/or college grade point average of 3.0 or better. Students may apply at any point during their associate program and must complete it by the end of the program. Once students are accepted into the Honors Program, they will complete three research papers of choice while pursuing their degree. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in order to maintain membership in the Honors Program. Honors Program graduates wear a stole over their gowns at Commencement.

Baccalaureate Honors (The Honors Research Seminar)
This honors seminar is designed to introduce high-achieving bachelor-level students to research. This credit-bearing course provides select students with an opportunity to conduct original research under the supervision of a faculty researcher. Bachelor-level students will learn about the academic research process through presentations, guest lectures and research assignments. At the conclusion of the seminar, student researchers will showcase their research projects at college sponsored colloquia. Eligibility includes junior status, a minimum of a 3.5 grade point average, demonstrated research ability, and recommendations from bachelor-level faculty. Successful completion of this course will culminate distinction at graduation.

2024

The commitment to knowledge and personal growth shines brightly at The College of Westchester. Our students consistently stand out, not just as learners but as pioneers of change. Julie Lopez, our BBA Accounting major set to graduate in 2024, exemplifies this spirit, and has been chosen as one of the exclusive 25 students nationwide to become an i3 Scholar.

The iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3) is a unique venture. More than just an undergraduate research program, it stands as a beacon for inclusion and empowerment. Specifically designed to prepare students from underrepresented populations for graduate studies and careers in the information sciences, the program offers an unparalleled learning experience. The program consists of a combination of rigorous training, summer institutes, extensive research, and most importantly, the chance to initiate positive change in the wider community.

For Julie, the i3 opportunity signifies more than just a program. She sees it as a platform to “experience new opportunities, working online with people from around the country.” Beyond academic enrichment, Julie is learning the essentials of modern-day work: managing remote teams, navigating time zone differences, and mastering diverse project management styles.

When reflecting on her experiences at the summer institute, Julie speaks warmly of the camaraderie and relationships she built. “I thought it would take me a week or more to make friends since I’m shy,” she candidly shares. However, the welcoming atmosphere at i3 meant her reservations faded in just a day. It wasn’t solely about academia, but also about forging bonds that might last a lifetime.

The program’s emphasis on mentorship, research experience, and professional development opens several doors. Julie is especially animated about her research journey, saying, “When I first heard that we could publish our research project, I was shocked and excited.” She is enthusiastic about her group’s research focus on the struggles of the BIPOC community in higher education, aiming to harness technology to better support these students in their academic endeavors.

In today’s evolving work landscape, the program’s emphasis on distributed team management is more relevant than ever. “We have all gained experience working remotely through the COVID-19 lockdown,” Julie notes. To ensure seamless collaboration across different time zones, her team uses tools like Slack and “When2meet.”

One of the standout features of the i3 program is its gateway to myriad opportunities – be it the chance to publish research, earn academic credits, or prep for graduate school. For Julie, it’s the preparation for grad school that she finds most enticing. It’s not just about the degree but the spectrum of possibilities it unveils. Interactions with alumni and diverse university representatives have Julie contemplating her academic journey beyond CW.

As Julie reminisces about her enriching summer experience, she speaks not just of academic growth, but personal enrichment. From kayaking to exploring new cuisines and even thrifting, her time as an i3 Scholar was diverse and fulfilling. “I believe this experience helped me step outside my comfort zone,” she concludes.

Julie’s story stands as a beacon of inspiration. It underscores the power of dedication, the right opportunities, and the transformative essence of programs like i3. To every CW student, her journey conveys a powerful message: Embrace challenges, pursue your passions, and believe in your potential. The horizon is limitless.

For more information on i3 Scholars, visit: http://www.i3-inclusion.org/

2019

CW students, Joseph Gonzalez and Eric M. Lopez, were selected to participate in the iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3) Scholar Undergraduate Research Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information. The undergraduate program focuses on research and leadership development for the underrepresented populations across the country to lead to graduate studies and careers in the information sciences.

The admittance process into the program is very competitive and students are evaluated for qualities beyond GPA. Only 25 students from across the country are selected each year! Since 2012, The College of Westchester now has 15 students accepted into the prestigious i3 Scholars Program. As part of this program, Joseph and Eric will undertake a yearlong experience that includes two summer institutes and a research project spanning the year. The i3 program prepares students for the rigors of graduate study and serves as a pipeline for i3 Scholars into internationally recognized information schools – the iSchools. Most importantly, the i3 empowers students to create change and make an impact on the people around them. i3 Scholars receive full funding for program expenses including travel and GRE test preparation.

2018

CW Students Amy Castillo, Naika Saint Preux, and Desiree Scretching were selected to participate in the i3 Scholar Undergraduate Research Program at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Information Sciences. The undergraduate program, supported in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, focuses on research and leadership development for underrepresented populations across the country and may lead to graduate studies and careers in the information sciences. Only 25 students from across the country are selected each year. Since 2012, CW has had 13 students participate in for the i3 Scholar’s program including this year!

Amy is looking forward to the summer experience, “I’m very excited about the i3 program, and I am really looking forward to taking the information that I learn in Pittsburgh and applying it to what I have planned after I graduate.” The i3 program prepares students for the rigors of graduate study and serves as a pipeline for i3 Scholars into internationally recognized information schools – the iSchools. Most importantly, the i3 empowers students to create change and make an impact on the people around them.

“Participating in the University of Pittsburg’s i3 Scholars Program for the past six years has been of tremendous benefit to CW’s students. As we look toward the future, we see a continuing relationship and expanding partnership with the i3 program, its other sponsors, and the elite institutions, which are also participants,” says Dr. Warren Rosenberg, Vice President and Provost of Academic Affairs at CW. We are honored to be included as one of the founding sponsors of the 1st Annual BUILD Summit at the University of Pittsburgh and look forward to assisting in this program’s growth and service to students.

2017

CW Students Courtney Cochancela, Kelly Gomez, Kadeem Pitkin, and Tommy Tolentino, participated in the i3 Scholar Undergraduate Research Program at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Information Sciences. The undergraduate program, supported in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, focuses on research and leadership development for the underrepresented populations across the country to lead to graduate studies and careers in the information sciences. Only 25 students from across the country are selected each year.

“What I liked the most about the program were the workshops. Meeting professionals from all ethnicities and backgrounds, showed me that its possible to achieve whatever it is you want. It taught me that you cant put a ceiling on your success, you have to keep pushing yourself to achieve bigger and better goals,” said Tommy.

2016

David Guerrero and Darnell Dixon, were selected to participate in the i3 Scholar Undergraduate Research Program.

The program will took place at the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences. The undergraduate program focuses on research and leadership development for the underrepresented populations across the country to lead to graduate studies and careers in the information sciences. The admittance process into the program is very competitive and students are evaluated for qualities beyond GPA. Only 25 students from across the country are selected each year!

As part of this program, David and Darnell went through various workshops and took a fully packed schedule of classes for the month of June. During the second phase, responsibilities included a yearlong research project and two summer institutes hosted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences. “The i3 program is an amazing opportunity for those seeking to go to graduate school. It is also a chance to explore the information sciences in a wide array of fields ranging from artificial intelligence to medical informatics,” said David.

The i3 Scholars Program is supported in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and it includes students who are empowered to create change and make an impact on the people around them. Darnell had an exciting summer experience, “I am prepared for this task. I plan to network to create new relationships through the i3 program. This is a great way to help me move toward starting a graduate program.” David also had clear and specific goals at the i3 Program, “I hope to get a glimpse of graduate school life and obtain a strong foundation in the information sciences to further my dream of becoming an interior sustainability designer. The College of Westchester’s course load has given me a strong work ethic to go headfirst into the i3 program with confidence.” Past i3 Scholars have majored in information science, computer science, public policy, economics, business, and engineering, among others.