Three Promotions in Student Affairs

September 9, 2021

Three staff members recently were promoted to the dean or associate dean level at Hudson Valley Community College.

Dr. Gayle Healy, the Director of the Center for Careers and Transfer, was promoted to Dean of Student Development.

Healy is responsible for managing and supervising the student development departments of the Student Affairs division, which include the Center for Access and Assistive Technology; Center for Academic Engagement; Center for Careers and Transfer; Center for Counseling and Wellness, and College Health Services.

She served as director of the Center for Careers and Employment and later as director of the Center for Careers and Transfer since joining the college in 2008. Healy received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 2020.

In her new role, she will be tasked with developing collaborative initiatives to enhance student support services and will work with academic departments to develop programs that improve student persistence and retention. The Dean of Student Development reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Ian LaChance, the college’s Registrar, was promoted to Dean of Enrollment Services.

LaChance is responsible for managing and supervising the enrollment service departments of the Student Affairs division, which include Admissions; First-Year Experience/Orientation and Testing; Registrar’s Office; as well as the college’s academic advisement and student outreach and retention efforts.

LaChance has worked at Hudson Valley since 2005 and served as the college’s Assistant Registrar, Associate Registrar and Registrar. He received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 2017.

In his new position, LaChance will work to create systems designed to develop and recommend new policies for a more efficient and effective admissions and enrollment process.

The Dean of Enrollment Services reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Matthew Howe, the college’s Director of Retention and Student Outreach Services, was promoted to Associate Dean of Academic Advisement and Retention.

Howe is responsible for developing programs and services to counsel, advise and provide guidance for non-matriculated and undecided students and collaborate with department chairs, academic coaches, faculty and advisors to develop, update and implement targeted interventions to increase student retention and success.

He has worked at the college since 2007 and served as Advising Specialist, Adjunct Instructor, Coordinator of Testing, Advisement and Academic Placement, and Director of Retention and Student Outreach Services during that time. He received the President’s Award for Excellence in College Service in 2015.

The Associate Dean for Academic Advisement and Retention reports to the Dean of Enrollment Services.

All three promotions were announced at the August meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees and were effective Sept. 1, 2021.