Who You Help

Gifts from our donors provide direct assistance to hundreds of students each year, allowing them to continue with their studies and complete a long-awaited degree. These are just a few of their stories.

In 2023, Donna Carmody completed her BS in business administration and graduated with honors. As she walked across the stage during the commencement ceremony in Albany, NY, she reflected on that hard-won accomplishment and the support she has received at SUNY Empire.

Anne Culler '22

Due to family obligations, Anne had to postpone her dream of attending college until later in life. "I always felt something was missing because I had not attended college. My parents never attained higher education, and I always wanted to fulfill this dream for myself and for them."

Luis Torres

Luis Torres was drawn to Empire State University for its flexibility and the commitment of its faculty. He also had the endorsement of a close friend, another student. “I view SUNY Empire as a hidden gem,” says Luis of Brentwood, NY. “It offers a high quality, affordable education and boasts a dedicated staff.”

Zoe Bonaparte

Zoe Bonaparte ’23 had an ambitious 10-year plan to get her associate degree in two years, her bachelor’s in three, and her master’s in five. Five years in, she’s still on track, with plans to become a family nurse practitioner.

Matthew Berge

When I earned my associate degree at SUNY Suffolk, I excelled in online classes. That made SUNY Empire appealing. After learning about the ability to design your degree plan and options to take independent study courses, I knew Empire was the right choice for me.