President's Executive Leadership Team

The Executive Leadership Team works closely to ensure the smooth operation and continual pursuit of the mission, vision, values and goals of DCC. They serve as an advisory council to the president as opportunities and challenges arise, and provide direction and guidance to the campus within their areas of individual expertise.

About our Leadership

Dr. Raymond M. Houston

Dr. Raymond Houston has served as the vice president for instruction and learning at DCC since 2023, bringing over two decades of experience in higher education at both two- and four-year institutions. Throughout his career, Dr. Houston has focused on fostering student success and expanding access to education for underrepresented learners. He has contributed at every level of the college system, from faculty and academic support to administration. In 2016, he was honored with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award in recognition of his impact on student success and the educational community.

As an advocate for innovative approaches to education, Dr. Houston has collaborated with faculty, staff and industry partners to develop and enhance academic programs, build articulation agreements to facilitate smooth transfer pathways and create lifelong learning opportunities. His leadership at SUNY Westchester, prior to joining DCC, included revitalizing existing offerings, introducing new initiatives and expanding community outreach efforts.

At DCC, Dr. Houston has emphasized the significance of faculty support and learning tools in promoting student achievement. He has championed the College’s investment in professional development and classroom technology, including workshops and courses designed to enhance teaching effectiveness. Dr. Houston has also been instrumental in highlighting the vital role of the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC), which provides essential resources for both faculty and students, fostering a collaborative and enriching learning environment.

Dr. Houston holds a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Point Park University and a doctorate in mathematics education from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University. 

Dr. Susan L. Rogers

Dr. Susan Rogers has been a vital part of DCC since 2018, initially serving as associate dean of academic affairs for curriculum and assessment and has now served as chief of staff and vice president for institutional effectiveness since 2022. She additionally held the role of interim vice president of instruction and learning (CAO) for eight months beginning in May 2022. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, she brings a wealth of expertise in leadership, administration, teaching, grant evaluation, faculty development, campus initiatives and assessment.

Before joining DCC, Dr. Rogers spent eight years at SUNY Sullivan, where she served as both a faculty member in psychology and as division chair, overseeing a large multidisciplinary division within the college. In 2014, her contributions were recognized with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service.

As associate dean of academic affairs at DCC, Dr. Rogers led initiatives such as the implementation of microcredentials, the expansion of Open Educational Resources (OER), the successful acquisition of the SUNY Guided Pathways grant and co-chairing DCC’s Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Self-Study steering committee. Her efforts were instrumental in securing full accreditation reaffirmation for the College through the 2030-31 academic year.

In her current role as chief of staff and vice president for institutional effectiveness, Dr. Rogers oversaw the development and grand opening of the Mechatronics Lab at the Center of Excellence for Business, Industry & Innovation held in October of 2023, an event that featured First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona. Additionally, she collaborated with DCC’s Human Services department, SUNY and the NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to launch DCC’s direct support professional microcredential program, which opened in fall 2023 with great success.

Dr. Rogers holds a bachelor’s in psychology from SUNY New Paltz, as well as a master’s and a doctorate in educational psychology and methodology from the University at Albany. She also holds a graduate certificate in educational research (UAlbany), and has earned the NYS Student Success Coaching certification from SUNY along with other professional development certifications. In her free time, Dr. Rogers pursues interests as an avid outdoorswoman, martial artist and published author.

Scott Schnackenberg

Scott Schnackenberg joined DCC in 2017 as our director of institutional research, planning and assessment, bringing over three decades of experience in institutional and enrollment research and academic planning, including over 20 years at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where he served as director of institutional studies and later as director of enrollment research.

Upon stepping into the role of acting vice president for enrollment and student success in 2022 Schnackenberg spearheaded several successful initiatives. These included negotiating a robust transfer pathway to SUNY New Paltz, optimizing unused residence hall space by renting rooms to the Culinary Institute of America, aligning the division with the Guided Pathways framework, and developing a Strategic Enrollment Management Plan for 25+ and underrepresented students. He also co-chaired DCC’s Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE) Self-Study steering committee, leading to the College’s full reaffirmation of accreditation through the 2030/31 academic year. 

In 2023, Schnackenberg was appointed vice president for enrollment and student success, continuing to advance the division and DCC’s 2023-28 Strategic Plan. Among these efforts has been a focus on supporting College’s wildly important goal (WIG) of increasing the overall headcount in credit-bearing coursework to 5,000 students by 2028. Under his leadership, the College saw its first enrollment increases in over a decade, with a 6% rise in fall 2023 and an additional 5% in 2024, totaling over 400 more students in two years.  

Schnackenberg holds two bachelor’s degrees from Clarkson University, one in computer science and a second in sociology with a minor in statistics. He attended SUNY Stony Brook and completed all but the dissertation toward a Ph.D. in sociology.

Diana Pollard

Diana Pollard has dedicated more than two decades to advancing the mission of the DCC Foundation. As associate vice president of institutional advancement and executive director, she has played a key role in expanding opportunities and strengthening the College’s philanthropic efforts. In addition to expanding traditional scholarship opportunities,  she has expanded the Foundation's portfolio to include wraparound support services, student housing support, campus and facility improvement support, funding for student technology and professional development funding for faculty and staff. Under her leadership, the Foundation’s net assets have grown from $3.7 million in 2005 to more than $18 million in 2024, ensuring vital support for students and institutional initiatives. 

Pollard’s career in fundraising and institutional development spans more than 30 years. She began at the Foundation as coordinator of annual fund and special events before rising through the ranks to assistant director and later executive director. Known for her innovative approach, she often finds creative ways to engage donors and expand support, securing the Foundation’s single largest gift and leading successful fundraising campaigns and strategic initiatives. Her leadership has earned widespread recognition, including the prestigious 2020 Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award. Under her guidance, the Foundation received the 2019 Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Educational Fundraising Excellence Award, highlighting its success in donor engagement and philanthropy. 

A respected leader in the advancement field, Pollard has served on the SUNY Council for University Advancement board of directors and has co-chaired the annual retreat for SUNY’s Community College Chief Advancement Officers group for more than a decade. She has presented at national conferences for SUNY, AFP and CASE, chairing the 2025 CASE conference for community colleges. 

A proud DCC alumna, Pollard (’97) earned associate degrees in business administration and liberal arts and sciences. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and an MBA in marketing. 

Felicia Ellzy-Smith

Felicia Ellzy-Smith joined DCC in January 2025 as director of diversity and compliance, bringing extensive experience in diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice (DEISJ) leadership across multiple sectors, including higher education, K-12 education and social services. With expertise in curriculum development, policy compliance, faculty and student training, and institutional retention efforts, she provides strategic guidance to foster an inclusive and equitable environment throughout the College.

Prior to joining DCC, Ellzy-Smith served as director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at McDaniel College, where she oversaw institution-wide policies, expanded multicultural student organizations and developed programs to support student engagement and retention. She also launched faculty and staff training programs, secured grant funding to support institutional DEI initiatives and strengthened equity-focused policies and practices. Under her leadership, the department earned the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award.

Beyond higher education, Ellzy-Smith has been a curriculum director, teacher supervisor, instructor and drug and alcohol counselor. She has created programs for first-generation students, facilitated professional development for educators and led community outreach efforts to promote equity and student success.

Dedicated to fostering a culture of belonging, she ensures institutional policies align with best practices and provide meaningful support for students, faculty and staff. Her work in compliance includes leading Title IX coordination and collaborating with academic and student affairs teams to advance DEISJ initiatives.

Ellzy-Smith holds a master’s in education and a bachelor’s in history from Bloomsburg University.

Dr. Irene Okwang

Since February 2024, Dr. Irene Okwang has served as associate vice president of human resources at DCC, leveraging more than a decade of leadership in labor relations, employee engagement and organizational strategy. A lifelong educator and advocate, she began teaching as a teenager in Ghana before continuing in New York after college graduation. Her work in human resources started in 2013, when she moved from direct support care to human resources at Greystone Programs in Poughkeepsie.

Her most recent roles were at SUNY New Paltz and Vassar College, where she led initiatives to improve hiring processes, streamline HR operations and strengthen labor relations. At SUNY New Paltz, she developed policies to increase efficiency and enhance service delivery, while at Vassar, she played a key role in labor negotiations, employee engagement and professional development programs.

Dr. Okwang’s expertise extends beyond HR operations to workforce development, compliance and change management. She has a strong background in navigating complex labor environments, designing training programs and implementing strategies that support both institutional effectiveness and employee well-being. These strengths have been valuable to DCC as she builds upon her previous successes, focusing on operational efficiency, strengthening employee support systems and enhancing recruitment and retention efforts.

At DCC, she works closely with campus leadership to develop HR policies that align with institutional goals while fostering a workplace culture rooted in equity, transparency and professional growth. She is particularly committed to cultivating an inclusive environment where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to advance in their careers.

Dr. Okwang holds a Doctor of Education in organizational leadership and management from St. Thomas University, a Master of Science in human resources management from Stony Brook University and a bachelor’s in linguistics from the University of Ghana.