Long Island City, NY—October 29, 2009—Dr. Gail O. Mellow, President of LaGuardia Community College and a nationally recognized expert  on the history, development and future of the American community college, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

“President Mellow provides one of several important and necessary voices for community colleges on the Carnegie Board as we support the Foundation's work in this sector of higher education,” said Carnegie Board Chair David Tatel, a United States Court of Appeals judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. “She has been on the forefront of the national discussion on the future of community colleges and has worked fearlessly to ensure that LaGuardia is the door to success for so many students. Most recently, she has been a vocal advocate for stronger state financial support, articulating how essential it is for our nation’s success that community colleges continue to keep those doors open. We're fortunate that she accepted our invitation to join the Carnegie Board."

“I am truly honored to join this venerable board that is dedicated to developing innovative approaches and ideas that will enhance learning in the nation’s schools,” said Dr. Mellow. “And help students reach their full potential.”

Judge Tatel said that the Foundation is currently addressing one of the nation’s most significant educational improvement problems: the extraordinarily high failure rates among students in developmental mathematics in community colleges.

"For quite some time, Carnegie has worked with community colleges to improve student success," he said.

The goal of the Foundation is to get as many students as possible, as quickly as possible, to the kinds of mathematical understanding and education attainment that will serve them well in further education, work and life.

Dr. Mellow comes to the board with a vast knowledge of the community college system. She is the co-author of Minding the Dream: The Process and Practice of the American Community College, a definitive examination of the successes, failures and potential of community colleges to positively impact the lives of Americans.

To learn more about Dr. Mellow’s expertise, visit: www.laguardia.edu/gailmellow 

During her nine-year tenure, LaGuardia has won numerous awards for innovative educational programs and approaches. LaGuardia won the 2007 Bellwether Award for Exemplary Instructional Programs and Services. It was named one of the top three large community colleges in the National Survey of Student Engagement; and cited as an Institution of Excellence by the National Policy Center for the First Year of College; and the recipient of a Hesburgh Certificate of Excellence in Undergraduates Education by TIAA-CREF.

Before assuming her position at LaGuardia, Dr. Mellow served at community colleges in Maryland, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, as a faculty member, academic dean, provost and president. In addition, she was the director of the Women’s Center at the University of Connecticut and the director of the Project on Women and Technology.

Dr. Mellow is in demand as a speaker on issues facing American community college and the vital role they play in educating students for a global economy and spurring job creation.

She has shared her expertise before national and international audiences. Dr. Mellow was the second community college president to deliver the prestigious Robert H. Atwell Lecture in its 90-year history to nearly 1,500 higher education leaders at the American Council on Education Conference. Earlier this year, she joined senior White House staff, researchers, foundation officers and nonprofits in a Brookings Institution forum in Washington, D.C. to discuss how investments in community colleges can strengthen the American economy, in addition to serving as a panelist at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s first annual summer conference with nationally recognized educators and newly nominated undersecretary of education for the U.S. Department of Education Dr. Martha Kanter.

Dr. Mellow received an associate degree from Jamestown Community College, a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany, and a master’s and Ph.D. from George Washington University.

Located in Long Island City, Queens in New York City, LaGuardia Community College, part of the City University of New York, is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges. Founded in 1971, the College is recognized as an innovator in educating students who are under prepared for college work and/or are not primary English speakers. A catalyst for development in western Queens and beyond, LaGuardia serves New Yorkers and immigrants from 163 countries through over 50 majors and certificate programs, enabling career advancement and transfer to four-year colleges at twice the national average. Visit www.laguardia.edu  to learn more.