Senate Resolution No. 2342

BY: Senator JACKSON

HONORING Dr. Victor G. Alicea, Founder, President,
and devoted advocate for higher education, upon the
occasion of Boricua College's 50th Anniversary

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have
been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the
young people of this noble empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Dr. Victor G. Alicea, Founder, President, and devoted advocate for
higher education, upon the occasion of Boricua College's 50th
Anniversary

WHEREAS, Dr. Victor G. Alicea, Founder and President of Boricua
College for five decades, has been a driving force in ensuring access to
quality education for underserved multicultural populations of New York
City since the college's inception in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Boricua College is a private, not-for-profit liberal arts
institution designed to meet the educational needs of Puerto Ricans,
Latino-Hispanic, and other students underrepresented in higher
education; and

WHEREAS, Located in New York City with its main campus in the
historic Audubon Terrace of Manhattan's Upper West Side, another campus
in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, and a new campus in the
Southeast Bronx, Boricua College typically enrolls over 1,200 full-time
students in programs leading to Associate in Arts, Associate in Science,
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts and Master of
Science degrees; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, under the able leadership of Dr. Victor G.
Alicea, Boricua College employs one of the largest concentrations of
Latino, bilingual professionals in New York City, including 60 full-time
faculty, and over 120 administrative and academic support staff; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Victor G. Alicea's recent inclusion in City & State's
2023 Higher Education Power 100 list is a testament to his unwavering
commitment to serving his community and advancing education; and

WHEREAS, As the longest-serving president of a private college in
New York State, Dr. Victor G. Alicea's legacy is one of transformative
leadership and a tireless pursuit of excellence; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable man's contributions extend beyond Boricua
College; in his role as Chair of numerous evaluation committees for the

Middle States Commission on Higher Education, he has been able to
provide valuable guidance to many Colleges along the Eastern seaboard
including Puerto Rico; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Victor G. Alicea has also served on the Board of
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, New York State
Council of Independent Colleges and Universities, and Chair of New York
State Higher Education Services Corporation among others, which speaks
volumes about his intellectual leadership and dedication to advancing
higher education and public service; and

WHEREAS, His visionary leadership has been instrumental in shaping
Boricua College's growth and development, fostering an inclusive and
affordable learning environment that benefits Puerto Ricans, Latinos,
and other marginalized communities; and

WHEREAS, A significant contributor to higher education in New York
State, Dr. Victor G. Alicea has continually demonstrated an impressive
dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for
the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered at
Boricua College; his legacy, intellect and leadership will continue to
touch the lives of his countless students, colleagues and all those who
aspire to such extraordinary success; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Victor G. Alicea, Founder, President, and devoted advocate for
higher education, upon the occasion of Boricua College's 50th
Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Victor G. Alicea, Founder and President, Boricua
College.