LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Dr. Kristine M. Young upon the occa-
sion of her inauguration as the eighth President of the State University
of New York Orange County Community College

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, It is also the practice of this Legislative Body to take note
of and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and
character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this
great State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Dr. Kristine M. Young upon the occasion of her inauguration as the
eighth President of the State University of New York Orange County
Community College; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on
Friday, April 29, 2016, at Orange County Community College, Diana Phys-
ical Education Center, Middletown Campus; and
WHEREAS, Prior to beginning her Presidency at the State University of
New York Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) on June 8, 2015,
Dr. Kristine M. Young had been serving as Vice President for Academic
Services at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Dr. Kristine M. Young earned
her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Muhlenberg College in
Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1996; two years later, she earned her Master
of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, Through the Community College Executive Leadership Program,
Dr. Kristine M. Young completed her Doctorate in Education from the
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2007; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, Dr. Kristine M. Young began as a full-time Chemistry
Instructor at Parkland College and steadily progressed through the
faculty ranks; she accepted her first formal leadership role in 2001,
when she was elected Assistant to the Department Chair in the Natural
Sciences Department while continuing to teach; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Dr. Kristine M. Young was elected as Chair of the
Natural Sciences Department; three years later, she was named Interim
Vice President for Academic Services before being named to the post
permanently in February of 2008; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kristine M. Young provided leadership for 180 full-time
faculty members, more than 400 part-time faculty, and 65 staff and
administrators in academic services in support of more than 160 degree
and certificate programs, and several academic support units; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kristine M. Young served as Chair of the College's Diver-
sifying Faculty Task Force, co-created the Parkland Pathway to Illinois,
a multi-faceted dual admissions and dual enrollment program with the
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and established the Develop-
mental Education Council, an advisory group which supports and coordi-
nates the implementation of innovative academic and student support
improvements throughout the developmental education program; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Kristine M. Young was instrumental in devel-
oping a comprehensive First Year Experience program for new students, as
well as leading the reorganization of the College's academic services

and the creation of an Early College and Career Academy which estab-
lished dual credit career-technical education programming with local
high schools; and
WHEREAS, Over her final eight years, Dr. Kristine M. Young led Park-
land College's creation of two college-wide strategic plans, along with
the development of multiple strategic plans for career and technical
areas at the college; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to her profession, Dr. Kristine M. Young is a past
President of the Illinois Community College Chief Academic Officers
Organization and served as the Vice President of the Board of the
National Council of Instructional Administrators, an American Associ-
ation of Community Colleges affiliate council; she served on the AACC
Commission for Workforce and Economic Development and was active at the
state level in Illinois, especially on issues of articulation, work-
force, career and technical education, and higher education policy; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Dr. Kristine M. Young
has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the
respect and admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Kristine M. Young upon the occasion of her inauguration as the
eighth President of the State University of New York Orange County
Community College; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Kristine M. Young.