Dina Pearlman

SUNY Ulster Launches Free Associate Degree Program for Adults

by
SUNY Ulster Press Release

SUNY Reconnect Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies Covered for Adults Ages 25–55 without a Prior Degree

May 19, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce the launch of SUNY Reconnect, Governor Kathy Hochul’s initiative to make college more accessible for adults aged 25 to 55 who have not yet earned a degree. Beginning in Fall 2025, eligible students can pursue an associate degree tuition-free in fields that lead to in-demand, family-sustaining careers.

Backed by the leadership of Governor Hochul, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., and the New York State Legislature, SUNY Reconnect is designed to support adult learners in achieving their educational goals while strengthening the regional workforce.

At SUNY Ulster, qualifying adults can pursue an associate degree for free in the following high-demand fields:

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Network Administrator
  • Nursing
  • Pathways to Teaching in shortage areas

“Expanding access to higher education is central to the mission of community colleges,” said Alison Buckley, President of SUNY Ulster. “Governor Hochul and Chancellor King’s leadership in launching SUNY Reconnect is a game-changer. This program aligns perfectly with SUNY Ulster’s commitment to empowering individuals, supporting families, and uplifting our entire community. We are excited to welcome more students into programs that lead to meaningful careers and brighter futures.”

Enrollment is open for the Fall 2025 semester, which begins August 25. Interested individuals are invited to learn more at an upcoming virtual information session on Thursday, May 22 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Registration for the session is available at sunyulster.edu/visit.

For full program details and eligibility, visit sunyulster.edu/freeCC.

# # #

SUNY Ulster GED Graduates Celebrate Milestone and Pursuit of Bright Futures

by
Press Release GED Grads 2025

May 5, 2025 – Kingston, NY – SUNY Ulster celebrated the graduation of 18 community members upon receiving their GED on April 25, 2025. The ceremony took place at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster.

Dressed in caps and gowns and attended by families, President Alison Buckley, Ed.D. and Vice President for Workforce, Economic Development, and Community Partnerships, Christopher Marx Ed.D., presented each graduate. Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq., Trustee, was present to represent the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees on the platform party. Curtis Turner, GED Coordinator was the Master of Ceremony, Chief of Staff, Jenn Zell sang the National Anthem, and Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Candice Van Dyke was the keynote speaker. The invocation and benediction were performed by the Reverend Gia Lynn Hall, Pastor of St. James Methodist Church in Kingston. Student reflections were given by graduates Shawn Michael Jackson and Aiden Ryan.

“It takes courage to go back and finish. Many faced obstacles yet all of the 18 students achieved their goal of attaining their GED. And, achieving this goal means opportunities lie ahead for these graduates in terms of continuing their education and gaining better jobs with higher salaries,” said Curtis Turner, GED Coordinator.

Of the 18 graduates, four are already enrolled at SUNY Ulster and seven more are exploring SUNY Ulster as the next step of their educational journey.

“We are inspired by our 2025 GED graduates and were honored to participate in the inaugural graduation ceremony at the KCSU. We look forward to their bright futures as they attain their goals.”  Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President, SUNY Ulster.

The next two GED sessions run from May 27 through July 3 and September 9 through October 16. To learn more, email Mr. Turner at turnerc@sunyulster.edu or call 845 339-2025.

# # #

SUNY Ulster Opens Registration for Four New Microcredentials Providing Skills to Advance Careers 

by
broadcasting

April 28, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is registering students for four new microcredentials to help local residents distinguish themselves in high-demand careers. These microcredentials allow students to gain highly focused skills aligned with the needs of businesses in the Hudson Valley or conducive to joining the gig economy as an entrepreneur.  Classes begin on August 25, 2025.

Digital Storytelling teaches students how to create powerful stories using a range of media and technologies. In four courses, students will be prepared for work in marketing, social media, and content creation.

Fashion Design combines the creative and technical sides of fashion design, providing a strong foundation in apparel design, construction, and the fashion business. Its focus on the practical skills empowering students with the knowhow to gain entry into this exciting career.

Medical Office Administrator adds the skills to students’ tool belts to keep things running smoothly in busy medical offices. As careers in healthcare administration grow, workers who know how to schedule appointments, manage patient records, and handle billing will be an asset to any medical office.

Music Therapy provides the expertise for students to make a meaningful impact in clinical and educational settings that facilitate personal growth, emotional well-being, and improved communications. This microcredential offers an added career opportunity for anyone with a music background.

SUNY Ulster currently offers 27 microcredentials in a wide variety of skills and career applications. Microcredentials are short programs of study that provide relevant skills needed in today’s marketplace. They take less time to earn than a degree or certificate, often achievable in one year or less. Once the requirements of a microcredential are achieved, students are awarded proof in the form of a digital badge that can be added to a resume or LinkedIn profile. All of the credits earned from completing a microcredential can be stacked toward a SUNY Ulster Associate’s degree at any time.

Online and professional education association, UPCEA, reports their recent study found nearly 100% of organizational leaders see benefits from employees earning microcredentials. Employers appreciate employees or prospective employees’ initiative in developing new skills and competencies.

 Learn more ,about SUNY Ulster’s microcredentials

# # #

The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at Invites Alumni to Submit Artwork for Exhibition

by

The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY Ulster Invites all Alumni to Submit Artwork for June 26 to July 24 Exhibition

April 29, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster’s Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery invites all alumni to submit their creative work for a juried exhibition from June 26 – July 24, 2025. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 16.

In addition to being an alumnus of the College, artwork must be completed after graduation, preferably within the last three years. Artwork can be two or three-dimensional, video-based, or installation-specific. Alumni can access the full Call for Artists on the SUNY Ulster Blog, which includes submission formats, how to deliver work, and presentation requirements, among other important details.

Juried by guest curator and alumnus, John A. DeGasperis, Esq. ‘02, this event is made possible by the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

Questions can be directed to Chris Seubert, Chair of the Art Department at SUNY Ulster, at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

# # #

About the Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery

The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery serves as a center for creative artistic activity at the College and for the outside community. It also functions as an environment for teaching, performing, and exhibiting.

The College’s permanent art collection enriches the cultural climate on campus by making additional works of high artistic achievement available to students and the community. In this manner, the collection serves as a permanent visual reference source.

The College believes that the acquisition of artworks and the presentation of different art exhibitions assist the College community in setting standards for judgment and perception.

Alumni Call for Artists

SUNY Ulster Holds Student Art Exhibition This May

by

April 25, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – Students from the Fine Art: Visual Art program of SUNY Ulster will hold a spring exhibition of their work on the Stone Ridge campus. The exhibition will run from Thursday, May 8 through Saturday, May 24. The opening will be held on May 8 from 4-6 p.m. in the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery in Vanderlyn Hall, room 265.

The Fine Art/Visual Art Exhibition will feature work from the graduating class of 2025. Displayed outside the gallery will be a curated selection of student work representing a range of art courses, including Drawing and Composition II, Painting, Printmaking, Watercolor, Introduction to Drawing, Photography, and Introduction to Design Foundations.

SUNY Ulster’s art programs provide students with foundation courses and career skills, taught by faculty who are working professionals in their fields. Students learn artistic, technical, and theoretical skills in addition to general education courses that prepare them for transfer to complete their four-year degree or enter the job market. Many of SUNY Ulster’s art graduates transfer to top art colleges such as Fashion Institute of Technology, School of Visual Arts, SUNY New Paltz, and more.

The event is free and open to the public. The Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information on the exhibition, contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

# # #

SUNY Ulster Named a 2025-2026 Top Ten Silver Military Friendly® School Designation

by
Press Release

April 24, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster announces it has earned a Silver Top Ten spot in the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation and a Military Spouse Friendly School designation. Military Friendly®  is the designation that measures a school’s commitment to veterans, current military members, and their dependents.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard.

The 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

“SUNY Ulster is committed to supporting our veterans, military personnel, and their families in attaining their educational goals.  With a broad array of College-wide support, we’re a community that ensures our students succeed and qualify upon graduation to begin their careers and earn family-sustaining wages.” Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President.

 “Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.” – Kayla Lopez, Vice President, Military Friendly®.

Interested veterans and their families can learn more about SUNY Ulster’s military veteran opportunities by contacting the SUNY Ulster Enrollment & Success Center at esc@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5022.

About Military Friendly® Schools:

The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

About Viqtory:

Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

# # #

SUNY Ulster Presents Annual Spring Concert Series

by
Press Release musical concert

April 16, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – The SUNY Ulster Music Department will present its second and third concerts of the spring semester on Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. The performances will be held in the Quimby Theater in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus. These concerts are free and open to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted.

The April 30 concert will feature the SUNY Ulster College/Community Band co-directed by Victor Izzo and Carla Newsome. Members include SUNY Ulster students, faculty, staff members, Community Members, Advanced Area High School and Middle School students, and Area Music Educators. They will be playing a variety of band literature including Cyrus the Great, Caccia and Chorale, Puszta, and Niflheim, and featuring Haven Kara Forte on marimba.

Also, on April 30, join us as we celebrate Victor Izzo, who has been the director of the College/Community Band since 2006. Vic may be stepping down as the long-time director of this concert, but he plans to continue to play with the group. He has had a tremendous impact on the SUNY Ulster music department, its instrumental music program, and music programs throughout Ulster County and beyond. His legacy will continue well into the future.

On May 8, the SUNY Ulster College Chorus, African Music Ensemble, and the Best Performances of the “Wednesdays@1:00” LIVE Music Series will take the stage. The performers are made up of primarily SUNY Ulster students, along with SUNY Ulster Faculty and Staff, as well as Community Members.

The College Chorus, directed by Janet Gehres and accompanied by Edward Leavitt, will feature an uplifting, eclectic program which includes music ranging from the English Renaissance to the Beatles, Folk Music from Ireland, French Canada, Kentucky, and music with texts from Native American poetry and East Africa. Paul Chambers and Anastasia Solberg are the special instrumental guests.

Also performing on May 8 is the Best Performances from the Spring 2025 “Wednesdays@1:00” LIVE Music Series voted by the Music Faculty.

The evening will conclude with the African Music Ensemble directed by Paul Chambers and will include Music from the Ivory Coast, Guinea, Ghana, and Nigeria, featuring the African instruments: Djembes, Ghanaian Bells, and Shakers.

For more information, contact Janet Gehres at gehresj@sunyulster.edu.

# # #

SUNY Ulster Nursing Program Vital Signs are Healthy with 100% NCLEX Pass Rate

by
nursing students

April 15, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster proudly announces that its most recent cohort of nursing students achieved a remarkable 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This achievement underscores SUNY Ulster’s success in preparing its students for this difficult test as well as for the demanding career of being a nurse.

For over 60 years, SUNY Ulster has kept up the highest caliber of teaching in the constantly evolving healthcare industry. From exceptional faculty and innovative curriculum to state of the art equipment and hands on learning students graduate into the workforce to provide critical care and support to community members. Students also receive on-site experience through our local hospitals.

“We are incredibly proud of our nursing graduates for their outstanding performance throughout their educational journey,” says Maria McCabe, department chair.  “Our commitment to training nurses who are not only clinically skilled but also have the ability to rise to whatever challenges may face them throughout their career is unwavering.”

In addition to the 100% NCLEX pass rate, the employment rate upon graduation is also 100%. Historically, the nursing pass rate was 95% in 2023 with 100% employment and 92.59% in 2022 with a 93% employment rate. SUNY Ulster has surpassed the 2024 NCLEX pass rate for New York State of 87.07% and 90.63% nationally.

“I applaud the work of our Nursing faculty in supporting the success of our students as they enter the workforce ready to serve residents in Ulster County and beyond in their critical role as nurses, touching the lives of their patients and communities,” Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President, SUNY Ulster.

For more details about SUNY Ulster’s nursing program, please visit https://bit.ly/ulsternursing.

#   #    #

Poet and Activist, Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre will read at 2025 Poetry Forum

by
Press Release Kyle Tran Guante and book cover

SUNY Ulster Presents Poet and Activist, Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre

2025 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum

April 8, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster presents the 2025 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum with poet and activist Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre along with student and faculty presenters on Thursday, April 17, at 1:15 p.m. in the College Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus.

Kyle Tran Myhre (aka Guante) is a poet and activist whose work explores the relationships between narrative, power, and resistance. He’s performed at the United Nations, been featured on a Grammy-winning album, been a member of two National Poetry Slam championship teams, and visited countless colleges, conferences, and festivals, using spoken word and storytelling as doorways into critical dialogue. His most recent book is “Not a Lot of Reasons to Sing, But Enough.” Learn more about Guante.

Whether writing about men’s roles in ending gender-based violence, challenging dominant narratives related to race and racism, or just telling stories about the different jobs he’s had, Tran Myhre strives to cultivate a deeper engagement with social justice issues, one based in both empathy and agency. An educator as well as a performing artist, Tran Myhre completed his Masters studies at the University of Minnesota with a focus on spoken word, critical pedagogy, and social justice education, and regularly facilitates workshops and residencies. He currently lives in Minneapolis.

Sponsored by the Ulster Community College Foundation, The Poetry Forum is an annual event that brings well-known and award-winning poets to SUNY Ulster. In 2007, the program was renamed the Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum to honor the memory of Ellen Robbins (1952-2006) who was on the faculty at SUNY Ulster from 1994 until 2006, and Chair of the English department from 2002-2006.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kari Mack at mackk@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5214.

# # #

Spring Open House & Accepted Students Day, Saturday, April 26

by
Press Re;ease

SUNY Ulster Holds Spring Open House and Accepted Students Day 2025 on Saturday, April 26

April 4, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will host its 2025 Spring Open House and Accepted Students Day on the Stone Ridge campus on Saturday, April 26. Check-in starts at 8 a.m., followed by Welcome Addresses at 8:30 a.m. Scheduled sessions and tours will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and run through 1 p.m.

Attendees will learn about SUNY Ulster’s academic programs, student services, campus life, athletics, and more. They’ll also have the chance to attend a College Services Fair, an Academic Program Showcase presented by faculty, and a campus tour led by Student Admissions Ambassadors.

Demos and hands-on experiences will also be featured, including art portfolio reviews, a digital media lab and podcast studio tour, a music-making session, a nursing simulation, a robotics lab demo, and more.

Prospective students will also receive guidance from our Enrollment & Success Center Team and other Student Services professionals through the Admissions process, an overview of SUNY Ulster scholarships, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and other important foundational resources to ensure student success.

In addition to the above activities, accepted students beginning their studies in the Fall 2025 semester will also attend special sessions designed to help students prepare and transition to college. They will also have the opportunity to schedule appointments with an advisor for a later date.

Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome for this event. Those who reserve their spot in advance will receive an individualized schedule for the day’s planned activities tailored to their interests and educational goals. A brunch buffet will be available at our college services fair and all guests will receive a discount on SUNY Ulster Spirit Wear in the campus bookstore.

To reserve your spot, visit sunyulster.edu/visit. For more information, please contact SUNY Ulster’s Enrollment & Success Center at admissions@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5022.

 

#   #    #