Month: March 2020

SBDC OFFERS BUSINESSES COUNSELING AND SUPPORT

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

SUNY Ulster’s Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Offers Businesses Counseling and Support in Applying for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

March 23, 2020 —Stone Ridge, NY— SUNY Ulster’s Mid-Hudon Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster is offering counseling and support to businesses affected by the COVID-19 virus that are interested in applying for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Because New York State has been designated a disaster zone for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations may be eligible for up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Loan amounts are based on actual economic injury and company financial needs. Businesses that believe they might qualify can apply online.

Arnaldo Sehwerert, regional director of the Mid Hudson SBDC affirms, “This is not the first time our region has had to deal with disaster and SUNY Ulster’s Small Business Development Center is putting in place all the experience and expertise gathered after 9/11, Super storm Sandy, and the downturn of 2008. This time around, we are called to face up to a challenge that affects all types of business, at all levels, including our own personal lives. We will be doing our best to bring sensible realistic answers to our clients’ problems by working as a team with the College, the Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange Chambers and the County Executive offices of Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange.”

SBDC has a long standing track record for providing Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, Greene, Delaware, Schoharie, and Dutchess counties with award-winning one-to-one counseling, training, and research services to assist with small business start-ups, expansions, or turnarounds. Since its inception in 1985, the advisors of the Mid-Hudson SBDC have worked directly with over 20,000 businesses, helping them to invest nearly $690 million in the area’s economy, and create or save over 19,000 jobs.

To request SBDC services, interested parties should make a request for an online appointment with one of our counselors at http://www.nyssbdc.or/appointment.html

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Online Classes For All

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illustration of college grad with computers

At 44 years old, with minimal technological ability, I was going back to school after an 18 year hiatus. One of my first classes was an online class – Technical Writing and I was not confident. I would not only be expected to master the subject matter of the course but the online learning system, Blackboard. How does it work? Who would answer my questions?

Everything You Need To Succeed

I discovered I was unnecessarily worried. The first thing I did was open Blackboard on my SUNY Ulster Student Portal. I explored every clickable item so I knew where to find things. Thank goodness they have a Blackboard Tutorial! After completing the tutorial I felt much more confident about using the online tools available.

However, I still didn’t understand how it would all work. Enter my amazing professor, Kimberly Wozencraft. First, she reached out by email and explained in  detail how she ran her class. She explained her expectations,  assignment submissions, and discussion forums. She then outlined her calendar for the class which included readings, discussions, assignments, and due dates. Each assignment submission contained a detailed description of what was required for the assignment and how to submit it.

Supportive Faculty

Any time I had a question or was unsure how to manipulate any facet of Blackboard I simply sent Professor Wozencraft a message through Blackboard Messaging. She always responded quickly with a detailed explanation. One of the main technical issues I experienced was opening Blackboard in Internet Explorer. I had some problems with functionality. Professor Wozencraft informed me that Chrome would work better. I followed her advice and had no problems after that.

In addition, we used a Discussion Forum to share thoughts, ideas, and research topics and findings. It was very helpful because the whole class was giving each other feedback on assignments and participating in real world discussions.  Professor Wozencraft participated in our discussions and made her presence known in every aspect of the class.

I was amazed at the thoroughness of the lectures and the prompt grading of assignments. Each assignment was returned with a personal breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses, as well as a kind word on participation and progress.  I finished the class with an “A” and did not hesitate to register for another online class this semester. All of the staff and faculty at SUNY Ulster want us to succeed. Never hesitate to reach out!

Stay Focused

At the start of the class I realized I was new to time management. It was easy to forget to log into my class. When life is busy,  you have to stay focused and make time. Just as we get up each day and go to campus, we have to set aside time each day to do our online classes. I set aside a set time for each class and found a quiet nook to do the work. On the bright side, you can do it all in your pajamas at 2 am if that’s what will make you successful!

Stay Focused…

Stay Organized…

Stay Safe!!!

SUNY Ulster Marks 10 Years As Top Military-Friendly Institution

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SUNY Ulster Marks 10 Years As Top Military-Friendly Institution

March 11, 2020 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster has been named a Top 10 Military Friendly® School for 2020-2021 in the community college category, marking ten consecutive years earning this distinction.

According to VIQTORY, the sponsoring organization, Top 10 schools are the guidon bearers for military/veteran programs and initiatives, setting the standard for other designations with programs that improve every year.

Military Friendly® is the designation that measures a school’s commitment to veteran and veteran dependent recruitment, retention, and advancement. These are assessed through an analysis of graduation/career outcomes, academic policies, admissions/orientation, culture/commitment, financial aid, and military student support.

SUNY Ulster’s veteran and veteran family member student population has been growing, particularly in dependents and vocational rehab veteran students. These veteran students benefit from a broad array of College-wide support services as well as a number of support services specific to veterans as they work toward their degree:

  • An accredited part-time Veterans Service Coordinator on campus who provides help navigating the application process for benefits earned through service
  • A Battle Buddy Center located on campus which offers a quiet place for student veterans and veteran family students to connect and work on projects
  • The Veterans Club

Ulster is an approved educational institution under the Veteran’s Educational Assistance Act (GI Bill) and the Dependent’s Act. SUNY Ulster also cofounded the Veterans Consortium of the Hudson Valley for Higher Education, which is a culmination of 14 colleges working together  on best practices for veteran students. This past June 2019 SUNY Ulster was also awarded a Top Military Spouse Friendly designation.

Manuel Torres, SUNY Ulster’s Veterans Service Coordinator, says, “We work one on one with veterans to maximize the use of benefits to ensure they are able to reach their desired goal. We also work with outside agencies to address any problem our veterans may encounter, from homelessness to mental health issues.  By providing the necessary resources we maximize veterans’ chances for success.”

Interested veterans and their families can learn more about SUNY Ulster’s military veteran opportunities by contacting Manny Torres at (845) 688-6003 or torresm@sunyulster.edu.

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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SUNY ULSTER YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS

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Registration Now Open for SUNY Ulster Youth Summer Camps

March 9, 2020 – Stone Ridge, NY – The Office of Continuing & Professional Education announces the return of Camp Ulster this summer. Camp Ulster offers day camps at SUNY Ulster’s Stone Ridge and Kingston Campuses. The camps are for participants between the ages of 7 and 16. Camp Ulster offers a wide variety of topics in both half and full day sessions. SUNY Ulster faculty and alumni generally lead these sessions with additional support provided by SUNY Ulster students.

This year’s offerings include returning favorites, Figure Drawing and Painting, Make Your Own Fabric, Fashion Design Camp, Non-Toxic Printmaking, Senators Soccer, Tay Fisher’s Basketball, Summer Jazz Institute. A couple of new camps have been added this year. Chess Wizards Camp caters to all levels of chess ability. Each child is challenged by fun games and lessons from real Wizard teachers. Also, Recycle Arts & Mixed Media Camp where kids explore innovative ways to create up cycled art, creatively recycling, recreating, and reusing items of all kinds from old, new to natural elements.

Camps fill up very quickly. For camp descriptions, additional camps or clinics, updates, instructor bios, and health forms visit www.sunyulster.edu/campulster, or email campulster@sunyulster.edu or call (845) 339-2025.

 

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2020 Own It! Welcomes Carly-Ann Fergus, Fashion Innovation Ecosystem Builder as Keynote Speaker

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2020 Own It! Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference at SUNY Ulster Welcomes Carly-Ann Fergus, Fashion Innovation Ecosystem Builder as Keynote Speaker

Early Bird Registration Open for Sixth Annual Own It! Scheduled for June 4, 2020

March 4, 2020 – Stone Ridge, NY – Own It! Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference at SUNY Ulster announces its keynote speaker for the all day conference on June 4th, 2020 as Carly-Ann Fergus. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Stone Ridge campus of SUNY Ulster. Early Bird registration at $48 is now open and includes workshops, continental breakfast, lunch, and networking.

Ms. Fergus is an innovation ecosystem builder who served as the Director of XRC Labs, a retail fashion accelerator launched in partnership with Parsons School of Design at The New School. The companies she helped select within the accelerator assist traditional retail and fashion companies rethink the way they manufacture, distribute, and sell products to consumers. In her multifaceted career in the fashion industry she has worked with established companies such as Tommy Hilfiger to startup brands such as Nahm.

Her keynote talk, ‘The Transformative Power of Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ will highlight her career journey in fashion and how she found her purpose in the industry. Sitting at the intersection of fashion, technology, and retail, Ms. Fergus will offer attendees tips based on lessons learned about entrepreneurship from her experience running the startup accelerator program.

The Theme for this year’s Own It! Entrepreneurial Conference is 2020 Foresight. The conference runs two tracks of workshops: one for small business owners ready to grow their enterprises and one for those in the startup stage. The day is packed with 15 workshops, as well as a conversation with Darlene L. Pfeiffer, first female KFC franchise owner in the U.S., moderated by Lauree Ostrofsky from Hudson Valley Women in Business.  Workshops include topics such as Pathway to Entrepreneurship, Marketing to Diverse Populations, Cold Calling for the Terrified, Building Your Support Network, and Selling on Amazon.

The complete conference schedule and a link to register can be found at www.sunyulster.edu/ownit. Last year, just under 200 women business owners attended with more expected this year.

The sixth annual Own It! Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference is presented by the Darlene L. Pfeiffer Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at SUNY Ulster, the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., and the NYS Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center.

For more information about Own It! Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference, contact Mindy Kole, Director of the Darlene L. Pfeiffer Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at SUNY Ulster at 845-688-6041 or kolem@SUNYUlster.edu.

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Sharing My Stones: One Mother’s Journey of Overcoming Grief after the Loss of Her Son

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SUNY Ulster Presents Sharing My Stones: One Mother’s Journey of
Overcoming Grief after the Loss of Her Son Presentation and Book Signing, March 17

March 2, 2020 – Stone Ridge, NY – The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee in conjunction with SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and SUNY Ulster will be sponsoring a presentation by Marianne Angelillo, national speaker and author on Tuesday, March 17, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. in the College Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall, Room 203, on the Stone Ridge campus.

Ms. Angelillo gives a compelling presentation about her journey to overcome the grief of losing her 17-year-old son in a crash involving underage drinking. With courage and strength, she recounts her family’s journey and ultimately shows the transforming powers of grief, love, and faith.

Marianne will be available to sign her book, Sharing My Stones, which can be purchased on the day of the event.

This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Please contact Linda Farina MPS, CASAC-G at 845-687-5192 to register.

 

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