4 Business and Community Leaders Join MCC Alumni Hall of Fame
December 5, 2023
Inductees recognized for professional achievements and continued connections to the college
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Four individuals will be inducted into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame at the Monroe Community College Foundation’s 32nd Annual Salute to Excellence dinner to be held Wednesday at the Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The inductees will be honored for their leadership, professional achievement, support of Monroe Community College, and giving back to their respective communities. Their stories reinforce how their respective MCC experiences opened doors to careers in business, nonprofit, human services, and community engagement.
Inductees are Angelica Perez-Delgado ’97 (Irondequoit), Joseph M. Rizzo ’79 (Rochester), Patricia Flynn Soltys ’72 (South Carolina), and Alyssa S. Whitfield ’90 (Rochester and California).
Angelica Perez-Delgado ’97
Angelica “Angie” Perez-Delgado
Through her work as Ibero-American Action League president and CEO, Angelica “Angie” Perez-Delgado is all about opening doors for others. She has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, beginning her career as a substance abuse therapist before transitioning into administration in the past decade. She describes herself as one of the “lucky ones” from Rochester’s North Clinton neighborhood. Despite experiencing poverty and trauma and dropping out of high school, she was able to turn her life around through the services she leads today.
“I attended MCC as a young mom and high school dropout. I initially enrolled in the 24-hour credit program to earn my GED,” she said. “It transformed my educational experience and encouraged me to continue my education at MCC as a member of the first graduating class at the Damon City Campus.” She holds an associate degree from MCC, a bachelor’s from SUNY Empire State University, a master’s from Roberts Wesleyan University and an advance certificate in theology, scripture and ministry. Perez-Delgado is an active grassroots Latino community organizer in the city’s northeast side, participates in various advisory groups and serves on the board of directors for Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School, Center for Governmental Research, University of Rochester Medical Center and RochesterWorks.
Joseph M. Rizzo ’79
Joseph “Joe” M. Rizzo
Joseph “Joe” Rizzo’s family instilled in him the importance of strong values. He fondly remembers his father, Vincent, who understood the importance of education and the value it brings in life, telling him, “No one can ever take away your degree; it is yours to keep throughout life.” After graduating with an associate degree from MCC, Joe went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology and complete RIT’s Advanced Management Program. “The education I received at MCC was the foundation for my future education and eventual employment at RG&E. The engineering science program was very challenging,” he said. “I was blessed with excellent professors, and it was a true wake-up call to really prioritize my daily activities for both my studies and employment.” Currently manager of economic development for NYSEG and RG&E, Joe began his career with RG&E in 1979 through an RIT co-op program. He later held marketing and management roles before joining their Economic Development department in 2003, serving in management positions in economic development for the Greater Rochester region and community relations before assuming his current role. Joe serves on the board of directors for several economic development organizations, including Rochester Downtown Development Corporation, Greater Rochester Enterprise, Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation, and NextCorps.
Patricia Flynn Soltys ’72
Patricia “Patti” Flynn Soltys
Currently residing in South Carolina, Patricia “Patti” Flynn Soltys serves as commissioner for the Hilton Head Public Service District and is an entrepreneur. With a goal of helping students similarly situated to her status as an MCC student succeed, she stays connected to Rochester and gives back by supporting MCC students through scholarships. Before graduating from MCC, Soltys was hired to join Eastman Kodak Company’s human resources team. She was later promoted to various management roles in operations and real estate and to a key position in Washington, D.C., all while representing Kodak on the New York State Board of Regents and serving as chair of the New York State Future Business Leaders of America. After more than two decades with Kodak, she left the company in 1995 and established a management consulting business, PARS Consulting, Inc., in 2000.
“I am eternally grateful to MCC for giving me the start I otherwise would not have had,” she said. “I love my continuing association with the college and work with our selected scholars. I am honored to be part of this legacy.” After graduating from MCC, Soltys earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Rochester and an MBA through the university’s Simon Business School. She served on several boards in Rochester, including the Ibero-American Action League and what was then called Alternatives for Battered Women.
Alyssa S. Whitfield ’90
Alyssa S. Whitfield
Founder and CEO of Dress for Success Rochester and The Whitfield Collective, LLC, Alyssa Whitfield has dedicated her career to making a lasting impact on the community. Her career in the nonprofit sector spans nearly two decades, serving in leadership positions at the Youth Lifeline Foundation, Encompass and the American Red Cross before founding Dress for Success Rochester in 2015, with the mission of helping unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence. Since its inception, her organization has helped more than 1,000 women along their career journeys. In addition, she launched The Whitfield Collective, a consultancy providing coaching to individuals and leadership development to nonprofits nationwide.
“The opportunities I was able to explore during my time at MCC were instrumental in my academic and personal growth,” she said. “The supportive and encouraging atmosphere instilled in me a strong sense of self-confidence and resilience. I learned to navigate challenges and persevere through difficult moments, which has been invaluable in my journey beyond college.” Whitfield serves as a board member for the Rochester Area Community Foundation, board president for You Can’t Fail, Inc. and a member of the Harbor Area (Calif.) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
The MCC Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to honor the outstanding achievements of MCC graduates. Go online for a list of 118 hall of fame members, including the newest inductees.
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