BMCC DEAN NAMED FIRST RECIPIENT OF LEADERSHIP AWARD FROM THE NEW YORK CONTINUING EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
December 12, 2002
Acté Maldonado, dean of Adult and Continuing Education at Borough of Manhattan Community College, received the first-ever Leadership Award from the Continuing Education Association of New York.
Maldonado received the award for “extraordinary leadership in uncommon times.” The presentation on October 23 marked the first time the association bestowed the award.
The September 11 attack on the World Trade Center left the BMCC Adult and Continuing Education Department without office space, meeting space, equipment, classrooms, database, files and records, including contact information for students and teachers. Despite these enormous obstacles, Maldonado mobilized and inspired her staff to act quickly, creatively, and decisively.
Within 10 days, she had reopened the Adult and Continuing Education Department, and had classes up and running again. To do so, she had to first contact the students, the teachers, and find alternative classroom space, especially scarce computer laboratories. “Our long-established relationships saved the day,” Maldonado explained.
“This didn’t just happen. It’s the result of relationship building and leadership development in our department,” Maldonado said. Her colleagues at other colleges offered space, and her staff responded immediately to her call for help. “This is teamwork,” Maldonado said. “Without exception, every single member of my staff showed up for work when I asked them to even though they were themselves traumatized, and many had fled through Lower Manhattan covered with debris on September 11.”
“I think this is an award that is very well deserved. It highlights her exceptional accomplishments and services to the City of New York,” said Antonio Pérez, BMCC President.
Maldonado lives in Chelsea.
