Jefferson Community College is pleased to announce the appointment of Rocco R. Cappello as the newest dean of students. The dean of students is responsible for leading several student life functions at Jefferson Community College including residence life, student activities, judicial affairs, counseling, and health services, directly reporting to the vice president for students. Mr. Cappello comes to us with over a decade of collegiate student affairs experience in various positions, most recently as the interim vice president for student affairs, dean of students and director of housing and residence life at Darton State College in Albany, Georgia.
In the student-affairs position, he toured multiple college campuses nationwide, both in-person and virtually, he co-chaired four operational working groups in a number of areas, indirectly supervised nine different offices, assisted in enrollment management, supervised and maintained the C.A.R.E. program and completely supervised the student-conduct process at Darton State College.
As dean of students, he oversaw all housing-related facility and maintenance concerns. He also was responsible for the direct oversight of the Campus Life office, which covered student activities, campus recreation, intramural programs, student government, campus partners and registered student organizations. He also trained, selected and supervised members of the campus’ behavioral assessment and response team. Mr. Cappello also served as the contact for all student-affairs matters, including Title IX and FERPA. He developed training for faculty and staff in regard to Title IX.
“We are thankful that Dean Cappello has joined Jefferson Community College,” said vice president for students Betsy D. Penrose. “His leadership and broad experience with residence life, student conduct, and student support services will strengthen our Student Affairs team. He has such an enthusiastic and a positive attitude, the students already feel connected to him.”
Among Mr. Cappello’s professional affiliations are memberships in the Association for Student Conduct Administration, the National Association of Student Affairs Administrators, the American College Personnel Association, the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association and the Federal Emergency Management Agency – Emergency Management Institute. He holds his bachelor of science in music from C.W. Post, Long Island University in Brookeville and his master of education studies from Manhattanville College in Purchase.
“I look forward to utilizing my experience and working directly with the students, faculty and staff at Jefferson,” said Mr. Cappello. “Coming back to New York State and working at JCC is exciting for me personally and professionally. I am confident that I can do my best to serve Jefferson’s dynamic student body.”
Mr. Cappello joined Jefferson on November 7, 2016.