Celebrating Women’s History Month

Since the 1980s, Americans have been celebrating March as National Women’s History Month and have honored the accomplishments and contributions women have made to our country. This year’s theme is “Women Change America” which pays tribute to the 85th anniversary of women’s right to vote.
Two women who exemplify the values we honor each year through their enormous strides for quality education are Dr. Marcia Keizs, President of York College, and Dr. Gail Mellow, President of Fiorello Lagaurdia Community College. Both women encompass the essence that has driven women in this country for almost a century to achieve the unachievable and personify the spirit behind our annual celebration of womankind.
Keizs, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, is a veteran educator recently named president of York College in Jamaica. “Serving as president is really a joyful challenge for me,” commented Keizs. “The buck stops with me and I am quite optimistic of what I can do.”
With the help and cooperation of the community, faculty and students, Keizs hopes to bring York College to the next level as an educational institution, solidify the academic identity of York College and push towards increasing enrollment and retention of students.
Keizs, a graduate of Teachers College and Columbia University, started her career in education back in 1971 as a English instructor at Queensborough Community College. Keizs went on to serve several other educational institutions in various administrative capacities including Laguardia Community College, Bronx Community College, and Borough of Manhattan Community College.
Throughout her career, Keizs has served as a mentor for young men and women. “I try to encourage young people to seriously pursue their educational goals,” says Keizs. “If you are prepared and have a degree and experience, then the door will eventually open for you. Just get in line and be a little patient.”
For the last 4 1/2 years, Gail Mellow, social psychologist and champion of higher education within the community college system, has been acting president at Fiorello LaGuardia Community College, one of the most diverse community colleges in the country. “I am happy to be a part of an educational institution that opens its doors to such a diverse community of students. I chose the path of administration because you are able to affect the context of which education is happening and really make big changes,” said Mellow.
Having co-authored two books on the inner workings of a community college and fulfilling various roles in community colleges in several states including adjunct and tenured faculty, academic dean, provost and president, Mellow is considered a leading authority within the educational field on the role of community colleges.
In addition to providing countless institutions and students with her expertise on education, Mellow is also active in community affairs. She has served in the New York Industrial Retention Network, to help maintain a diverse community, and various other boards of development and commerce.
As a community educational institution, Mellow wants to “expose her students to the best of world culture and provide quality education to all of western queens.”