Press Releases, 2016

Left to right: SUNY Trustee and Chamber of Commerce President Bob Duffy, state Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle, Town of Brighton Supervisor Bill Moehle, SUNY Empire State College President Merodie A. Hancock, state Sen. Joe Robach. Photo credit: SUNY Empire State College

New Environmentally Sustainable, Technologically Advanced Facility Dramatically Advances SUNY Empire State College’s Specialized Statewide Mission

Posted November 17, 2016

Members of the SUNY Empire State College community were joined by state and local elected officials, business and community leaders and the general public for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the college’s new $10 million, two-story, 30,000 square foot, technologically advanced, environmentally sustainable and handicapped-accessible facility. ... MORE

Jane W. Altes presents Bidhan Chandra with the 2016 Altes Prize. Photo/Empire State College

Professor Bidhan Chandra Receives Altes Prize for Exemplary Community Service

Posted November 7, 2016

Professor Bidhan Chandra has been presented with the Altes Prize for Exemplary Community Service for promoting global cultural diversity awareness initiatives throughout SUNY Empire State College and beyond the state’s borders. ... MORE

Marian Conway '01, '04 has been named chair of the Empire State College Foundation Board of Directors. Photo/Empire State College

Marian Conway ’01, ’04, Named Chair of the Empire State College Foundation Board

Posted October 31, 2016

Conway also is a past president of the Empire State College Alumni Student Federation Board of Governors, which governs alumni/student clubs and groups and provides guidance to the college’s Office of Alumni and Student Relation, and is the first person in the college’s history to serve as president of both boards. ... MORE

UPCEA honors SUNY Empire State College with gold awards for two marketing campaigns.

UPCEA Recognizes SUNY Empire with Marketing Awards for Two Campaigns

Posted October 18, 2016

The University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) has recognized two SUNY Empire State College marketing campaigns, its first-ever Statewide Open House and its 24-Hour Giving Challenge, as category winners at the gold level. ... MORE

SUNY Empire student Patricia MacLeod, holding her ACT scholarship award, is supported by Frank Pagano, SUNY Fredonia ACT member, and Mary Caroline Powers, the college’s vice president for communications and government relations and liaison to ACT. Pagano organized the ACT award event. Photo/ Joe Putrock for SUNY

Student Patricia MacLeod a 2016 SUNY ACT Scholarship Recipient for her “SKIN” Initiative

Posted October 18, 2016

The SKIN initiative bridges the cultural gaps between the largely white, long-term residents of Cobleskill, N.Y., and its surrounding areas, and newcomers, as well as the faculty, students and staff of SUNY Cobleskill. ... MORE

Pathways to Total Health Community Summit

Prevention and Early Detection of Prostate, Colorectal Cancers are Topics of Pathways to Total Health Community Summit

Posted October 11, 2016

The summit takes place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14, at SUNY Downstate’s Basic Science Building, 395 Lenox Road, Brooklyn, N.Y. ... MORE

Two-time Olympian and alumna Ashley Caldwell '14 raises the FIS World Cup. Caldwell is the 2016 world champion in freestyle skiing, women's aerials. Photo/ USSA/Gary Heuer

Ashley Caldwell ’14, Current FIS World Cup Champion, to Speak at Student Academic Conference

Posted October 11, 2016

A two-time member of the U.S. Olympic Team, and three-time U.S. national champion (2014-16), Caldwell placed 10th at both the 2014 and 2010 Winter Games and is a 2014 recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. ... MORE

La Raza: Embracing Diversity

Posted September 23, 2016

SUNY Empire State College will present La Raza: Embracing Diversity, a fine art exhibit showcasing the work of graduate students sharing their views, experiences and contribution to the Latino culture. ... MORE

Elliott Dawes, Named Chief Diversity Officer for Institutional Equity and Inclusion

Posted September 19, 2016

Dawes begins at SUNY Empire on Monday, Sept. 19, reports to President Merodie A. Hancock and serves as a member of her leadership council. ... MORE

Faculty and Staff Garner ITTG Funding for Innovative, Collaborative Research in Online Teaching and Learning

Posted July 29, 2016

Research projects submitted by SUNY Empire State College faculty and staff again have garnered Innovative Instructional Technology Grant funding. ... MORE

Anastasia Pratt Receives Chancellors Award for Excellence in Faculty Service

Posted June 23, 2016

Anastasia Pratt is considered by her colleagues to be a leader among the SUNY Empire faculty in providing extraordinary service to the School of Graduate Studies and to college governance in the key areas of undergraduate studies academic policy study, recommendations and policy approval. ... MORE

Sewon Kim Receives SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities

Posted June 24, 2016

Sewon Kim, an assistant professor of management at SUNY Empire State College’s Queensbury location, has been recognized with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. He received the award at the SUNY Empire State College commencement in Albany on June 11. ... MORE

Mitchell Wood Receives SUNY Chancellors Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching

Posted June 23, 2016

Mitchell Wood, an adjunct professor of humanities at SUNY Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning, has been recognized with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He received the award at the SUNY Empire State College commencement in Albany on June 11. ... MORE

Duncan RyanMann Receives SUNY Chancellors Award for Excellence in Teaching

Posted June 22, 2016

RyanMann, a professor of management at SUNY Empire State College’s Troy location, has been recognized with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He received the award at the SUNY Empire State College commencement in Albany on June 11. ... MORE

Sarah Rose Receives SUNY Chancellors Award for Excellence in Classified Service

Posted June 21, 2016

Sarah Rose, an office assistant 2, student services, is a recipient of the 2016 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. Rose, who works at SUNY Empire State College’s Latham/Albany location, has been with the college for eight years. The award was given at the Northeast region graduation ceremony on June 11. ... MORE

Statement from President Merodie A. Hancock on the Departure of Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher

Posted June 1, 2016

“Chancellor Nancy Zimpher’s leadership, initiatives and accomplishments have strengthened teaching, learning and scholarship throughout the SUNY system for the great benefit of the students, faculty and communities SUNY serves throughout the state." ... MORE

Four Members of the Class of 2016 to Receive the School for Graduate Studies Dean’s Medal

Posted May 27, 2016

In addition to the medal, each graduate will be presented with an academic “hood,” which represents their standing in the academic community. ... MORE

Class of 2016 Commencement Speakers Announced

Posted May 3, 2016

In keeping with the college’s long-standing tradition, graduate and undergraduate students will provide commencement remarks at each event. ... MORE

President Merodie Hancock and Faculty Mentor Greg Edwards presented Patricia Isaac with the 2016 Empire State College Foundation Award for Excellence in Mentoring at the All College Conference. Edwards is the 2015 award recipient.

SUNY Empire State College Excellence in Mentoring Award Goes to Patricia Isaac

Posted April 11, 2016

Patricia Isaac, an associate professor with SUNY Empire State College’s School for Graduate Studies' MAT program, was awarded the Empire State College Foundation Award for Excellence in Mentoring at the All College Conference held in Saratoga Springs in March. ... MORE

Dee Britton receives Susan H. Turben Mentoring Award at All College

Excellence in Professional Service Award Goes to Laurie Seamans

Posted April 14, 2016

Laurie Seamans, assessment specialist for the Central New York region, has received the Empire State College Foundation Award for Excellence in Professional Service. She received her award during the All College Conference at the end of March in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. ... MORE

President Merodie Hancock, at far left, and Professor Rhianna Rogers, last year’s award recipient at far right, join the recipients of the James William and Mary Elizabeth Hall Award for Innovation, Carl Burkhart, Brett Sherman, at center, and Stephen Simon, at the 2016 All College Conference.

Three Receive Hall Award for Innovation

Posted April 11, 2016

Three staff members, who created an automated early-alert system to identify at-risk students at the beginning of the term and provide follow-up intervention, are the recipients of SUNY Empire State College’s Hall Award for Innovation. They are Carl Burkart, director of student and academic services, Metropolitan region, Brett Sherman, director of academic support, Metropolitan region, and Stephen Simon, assistant director for new applications and hosted systems, Information Technology Services. ... MORE

Dee Britton Turben Chair in Mentoring

SUNY Empire State College's Susan H. Turben Chair in Mentoring Goes to Dee Britton

Posted March 30, 2016

Dee Britton, academic area coordinator in Social Science with SUNY Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning and Central New York region, is the 2016 recipient of the Susan H. Turben Chair in Mentoring. Britton was recognized for the award during an All College Conference in March. ... MORE

President Merodie Hancock and Alec Meiklejohn presented Joan Johnsen with the 2016 Empire State College Foundation for Excellence Award in Professional Service at the All College Conference. Meiklejohn the 2015 award recipient.
Professional Service Award

Joan Johnsen Receives Excellence in Professional Service Award

Posted April 2, 2016

Joan Johnsen, director of academic review for the Northeast region of SUNY Empire State College, has received the Empire State College Foundation Award for Excellence in Professional Service. ... MORE

Provost Ntoko, Jaime Lopez, Eric Schultz, Kim Russell and President Hancock at a lunch honoring the 2016 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence recipients.

Five Selected to Receive The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence

Posted April 5, 2016

Provost Ntoko, Jaime Lopez, Ericamarie Schultz, Kim Russell and President Hancock at a lunch honoring the 2016 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence recipients. Recipients Layla Abdullah-Poulos and Omar Richards, not seen, also were recognized by Chancellor Nancy Zimpher at the SUNY event in Albany. ... MORE

Jeannine McCanney Excellence Support Services Award

Posted April 2, 2016

Jeannine McCanney, a secretary at the SUNY Empire State College’s Ft. Drum, location is the 2016 recipient of the Empire State College Foundation Award for Excellence in Support Service ... MORE

Professor Roxana Toma, left, and President Merodie Hancock present Professor Julie Shaw with the 2016 Susan H. Turben Award for Excellence in Scholarship. Toma is the 2015 award recipient.

Julia Penn Shaw Receives the Susan H. Turben Award in Excellence in Scholarship

Posted April 2, 2016

Julia (Julie) Penn Shaw is the 2016 recipient of the Susan H. Turben Award for Excellence in Scholarship. She is an associate professor and the academic coordinator for Human Development at SUNY Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning ... MORE

Bidhan Chandra Recognized with Altes Prize for Exemplary Community Service

Posted March 28, 2016

Bidhan Chandra, a long-time Business, Management and Economics mentor at SUNY Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning, is the recipient of this year’s Wally and Jane Altes Prize for Community Service. Chandra’s specialty is international business and much of his work focuses on intercultural communication and competence in a global economic environment. ... MORE

President Merodie Hancock and Mentor Heidi Nightengale present Mentor Mindy Kronenberg, center, with the 2016 Empire State College Foundation Award for Excellence in Part-time Mentoring. Nightengale is the 2015 award recipient.

Mentor Mindy Kronenberg Recipient of Award for Excellence

Posted March 28, 2016

Mindy Kronenberg, a part-time professor in Cultural Studies with SUNY Empire State College’s Long Island region, has received the Empire State College Foundation Award in Part-time Mentoring. ... MORE

Valeri Chukhlomin

"iMOOC102: Mastering American e-Learning" Opens for Enrollment

Posted March 1, 2016

iMOOC102 is a competency-based, skill-building course, which raises awareness and understanding among incoming international students about how American education systems function. ... MORE

Mitchell Wood is a 2015-16 recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching

Mitchell Wood ‘02, ‘06 Recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching

Posted February 29, 2016

Wood, adjunct professor of humanities, teaches SUNY Empire students online and has been the recipient of many positive comments by students for his dedication to their success. ... MORE

Desiree Drindak, interim director of the college's Office of Veteran and Military Education. Photo/Empire State College

Desiree Drindak Named President-elect for NYS Advisory Council on Military Education

Posted February 24, 2016

Drindak will serve for one year as president-elect, one year as president and one year as immediate past president. ... MORE

Cathleen Sheils, executive director for SUNY Empire State College's Western New York Region. Photo/ © Cornell University ILR Rachel Philipson

Cathleen Sheils Joins SUNY Empire State College as First Executive Director for the Western New York Region

Posted February 23, 2016

As a regional executive director, a new position at the college, she is taking on responsibilities for regional student recruitment and retention programs, as well as day-to-day operational management of the college’s 15 western New York state locations. ... MORE

Ashley Caldwell '14 raise the FIS World Cup. Photo/USSA / Greg Heuer

Ashley Caldwell ’14 Wins Final Event and FIS World Cup in Women’s Aerials

Posted February 20, 2016

Caldwell ’14 took home the FIS World Cup in women’s aerials on Feb. 20 by winning the final event of the season in Minsk, Belarus. ... MORE

SUNY Empire State College Press Release

New Individual Career Brand Management Specialization Available on Coursera

Posted January 29, 2016

SUNY Empire’s “Career Brand Management Specialization” series, which begins Tuesday, Feb. 9, is designed for people interested in career development and self-management as a way of differentiating themselves in an increasingly competitive, global job market. ... MORE

Military Advanced Education and Transition Guide 2016: SUNY Empire State College a Top School

Military Advanced Education and Transition Guide 2016: SUNY Empire State College a Top School

Posted January 21, 2016

More than 600 institutions, from all sectors of higher education, participated in the survey MAE used to produce their guide. ... MORE

Christopher Markham

Christopher R. Markham Joins SUNY Empire State College as Technology Officer and Assistant Vice President for Information Technology Services

Posted January 19, 2016

Markham, 33, has a combined 15 years of relevant higher education, corporate and U.S. military experience, and previously served as the chief information officer for Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Department of College Information Technology Services. ... MORE

The 2016 State of the University Address

Statement of Support by SUNY Empire State College President Merodie A. Hancock for Stand with SUNY and the 2016 State of the University Address

Posted January 11, 2016

“SUNY Empire State College is proud to stand with Chancellor Zimpher, the SUNY Board of Trustees, all campuses and citizens throughout the state to help to achieve the systemwide goal of awarding 150,000 degrees every year by 2020," said Hancock. ... MORE