Alumni

Ready, Set, Fashion! Calista’s Journey to Entrepreneurship

by
A green sewing machine works on a blue cloth with a spool of red thread sitting next to a pair of scissors

Coauthored by Calista E.

A fair skinned woman with light colored hair, profile shot.
Calista Allen, SUNY Ulster Class of 2018

Another person has started here, to go far in the community with her newly learned skills. Calista chose SUNY Ulster over a well-known private college and says it was “it was one of the best decisions I have ever made” as she knew she wanted to be an involved part of a small business and remain local.

Calista has been designing and sewing for about ten years now. She credits her grandmother for teaching her garment creation basics before her time in college. Saying that her grandmother has been one of her biggest supporters and inspirations.

Most recently, she has turned her long time love of sewing and designing into a blossoming career. Thanks to the real world experience gained from her time in the fashion design program.

SUNY Ulster, Here to Help.

The fashion curriculum at SUNY Ulster has provided continuous opportunities that have shaped Calista’s life, livelihood, and career. The professors on campus encouraged and emboldened Calista to explore her talents and perfect her skills. She enhanced her design methods, portfolio building and interview skills to graduate at her highest potential as a result. Along with the well planned curriculum, the program offered Calista many internship opportunities that were vital to learn the industry first hand. Therefore she interned with brands you might know like: the Robert Tonner Doll Company, Eleven Six Knitwear, and Karina Dresses.

A sewing mannequin stands with a tape measure wrapped around it's top

Calista was proud to say that this school guided and molded her into a networking queen! To clarify she recalls one of the most impactful parts of her educational journey; that SUNY Ulster “provided endless opportunities to meet new people and interact with other local businesses and entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.”

A woman stands in a white dress with leather sleeve and belt accents
The Robin Dress ( made of chiffon with leather details).

After completing her internship with Karina Dresses, the company offered her a full time position. They realized the vigor and passion she had started to hone in on and wanted her skills to stay at their business. Calista has been working there for almost three years as the Social Media Manager and Junior Design Assistant for the brand located in Uptown Kingston. She continues gaining skill and experience while starting ventures of her own in the world of fashion.

Her design aesthetic is athletically inclined clothing with an elegant flair; a mix of sporty and sophistication. In her own words “I enjoy playing with style lines and geometric shapes to create a unique style.” She has used that as a base for a children’s clothing line, entirely of her own making, coming soon.

What’s Next for Calista?

Blue/White Gingham Dress
Cali Bee Kids Spring Line

Calista was happy to express how grateful she is for the fashion program at SUNY Ulster. The way it offered various tools and resources to kickstart her passion, and build strong relationships that continue to support and guide her future to this day. In addition, this driven young entrepreneur has started her own Spring kid’s clothing line. It’s called Cali Bee Kids and is set to launch this August! To check it out for yourself click here: http://bit.ly/CaliBeeKids

When asked what her best memory of her experience here was, she responded: “I don’t have a specific favorite part of earning my degree at SUNY Ulster, because I loved everything!”


Writing a Resume When You’re Fresh Out of College

by
Resume, coffee, and laptop on desk

If you’re applying for jobs or internships after finishing college, you will probably need to provide a resume. While it’s commonly required, it can be confusing to write one yourself. Which jobs should you include? How much detail should you get into? What is “relevant experience” anyway? These tips can help you fit everything you need onto that page.

Write About Your Education

Include your time at Ulster and any other colleges you have attended. Often, you include the years you attended, your graduation month and year, your major and the type of degree you received, and any awards you received during your time there, including academic and merit-based awards. Some people choose to include their GPA if it is particularly high.

Add Jobs

List the jobs you’ve held over your life. If this is a short list, you will want to include them all and give a brief description of what you did at each. If it’s longer, you can be selective and include only the most relevant ones. Generally, it helps to add a brief description of your activities in each position, especially if it is unclear what the job entailed from your job title alone.

Internships

If you’ve had any internships, be sure to list them and what you did during your time at the internship. These are often valuable, particularly for recent college graduates who may not have traditional work experience in the field they’re applying to.

Relevant Experience

Need some more things to add? Especially if you’re trying to get a job related to your major, it never hurts to discuss relevant class and extracurricular activities you have taken part in. COIL projects, SGO positions, and research projects you’ve done in class are all excellent activities to mention that highlight intercultural, leadership, and other skills you’ve developed during your college years.

Volunteering

Potential employers love to see that you’ve been involved in the community! If you have participated in any volunteer efforts over your lifetime (particularly long-term volunteer efforts), it’s great to add to your resume. Not only does it show you’re active in your community and care about giving back, but it also gives you a chance to showcase skills you’ve gotten from doing so. For example, volunteering in an animal shelter could be an excellent source of experience for a graduate looking for jobs as a vet tech.

Get More Help Here!

Don’t forget that Career Services can give feedback on your resume and offer assistance with other steps of the job-finding process. Contact them by phone at 845-687-5091, stop by their offices in VAN 119, or email careerservices@sunyulster.edu.

The SUNY Ulster Community Remembers Dino Rende

by
Dino Rende walking at graduation

On November 13, 2017, ’16 Ulster graduate and current student Demetrio “Dino” Rende passed away. As an art major almost finished with his second degree, the loss of the 63-year-old Marlboro resident was particularly felt among members of the art department, but students and faculty throughout the Ulster community knew and cared for him. Since his passing, many faculty members, staff, and students have shared their stories and remembered the various ways he impacted their lives. Here are just a handful.

Dino looking at a statue at the Met

From Professor Iain Machell, Fine Art Program Coordinator: “The semester the Fine Art majors took a bus trip to the Met, everyone was free to roam the museum with assignments and recommendations. I asked Dino where he was interested in going and he said, ‘I just wanna hang with the Professor.’ So he and I toured the galleries, ending up in the European galleries (interrupted only by a burger at a vintage soda fountain on Lexington Ave.) and discussed the technical skills of the sculpture, the importance of the human figure throughout history, and the primacy of drawing. All the while Dino was like that famous little kid looking in the candy store window, amazed by everything and energized at the human creative spirit and the need to express ourselves. I could not have had a better museum companion.”

 

Dino's name with a cartoon

From a student: “He was headstrong and stubborn, but that was only part of his charm, and it will be sorely missed. Dino had a way of brightening up my day when I needed it most, and would endlessly compliment and encourage me in my own work. If I was feeling down on my art, he would lift my  spirits back up. May Dino rest in peace, and I hope now more than ever that the space whale murals remain a part of Ulster for many years to come.”

 

Dino posing with a hat and his classmates

From a student: “He’s part of the reason I applied to SAIC, and I’ll never forget how he boasted about me and my work to that School of Visual Arts portfolio reviewer; that was incredible. He watched our graduation in the spring, too, specifically to cheer for us when we walked. He was more supportive than most of my family and friends.”

 

Dino painting in an art class

From Professor Dolores Quiles: “I always enjoyed his Italian flirtations. We were two of the many college community who played a role in Spoon River Anthology. He was always positive and silly. I will miss his energy.”

 

Selection of Dino's artwork in Vanderlyn

From Jane Kithcart, Director of Academic Support Services/Learning Center: “Dino will truly be missed in the Learning Center, but he will be with us forever because he created a work of art that we have on display. Rest in peace my friend.”

 

Please share your own Dino stories in the comments below as we celebrate the life of this amazing student!

 

Katherine Dubosh, Double Graduate

by
Katherine Dubosh standing on Campus in graduation cap

For 2016 graduate Katherine Dubosh, a college degree came before a high school diploma! That’s because she graduated from Rondout Valley High School with honors in June, over a month after turning her high honors tassel at SUNY Ulster.

Katherine decided to attend Ulster in the 10th grade. Lucia Pecore, SUNY Ulster Assistant Director of Admissions, remembers being skeptical about Katherine’s application two years ago, but she quickly realized that this ambitious student was determined to get her Associate’s degree when she graduated from high school. Katherine has not regretted her decision. She says, “Attending SUNY Ulster is one of the best decisions I made for myself in high school.”

“Being in high school and college was definitely a challenge. I think the biggest challenge was time management, especially during my junior year. I stayed in high school until 2:20 and then took night and online classes during my free time.” Katherine told us. Despite the difficulties she experienced while maintaining her busy schedule, Katherine says she was elated to cross the commencement stage on May 18th, adding, “I felt like my hard work had finally paid off.”

Katherine is attending SUNY New Paltz  for their pre-med program, which involves a 7 year BS/DO degree.  We wish this motivated alumna all the best for her future at New Paltz and beyond!

Volleyball: Lady Senators will go far this season

by

Our very own Ulster Senators are working hard for an impeccable season this year with the guidance of Coach Glenn Warnock, and Assistant Coaches Kerry Malak and alum Jessica Muller. Their hard work and dedication to this year’s team has shown in the 3-2 ongoing record, with losses against Orange and Queensborough Counties.

D2 Ulster Women's Volleyball
D2 Ulster Women’s Volleyball

The starting Senators consist of veterans Carrigan Buhler, Cianna Vigrass, Erica Prindle, Marianna Mena, Katie Slater and with new additions Valentina Villa, and Lindsey Harder. Practicing everyday after classes, our lady Senators are training hard to proliferate their talents and cooperate as a team to go far this season. The girls already have an obvious bond, while only knowing each other for just a few weeks, and have already established a familial connection, which is hard to see, as well as attain within a group of girls. Their dedication and common love and passion for volleyball is seen on and off the court, as many of the girls will spend their off time in the gym just peppering and practicing. It has become very uncommon to see any these girls around campus without a volleyball, and you just know that if they keep up this focus, they will get very far this season. With upcoming away games at Dutchess Community College and Westchester Community College this week, the girls are working hard, as well as keeping their studies in check, giving us a reason to keep fueling our pride to be Ulster Senators.

GO SENATORS!

Lucia Pecore: Helping Students Start Here at SUNY Ulster

by
Lucia Pecore with SUNY Ulster merchandise

Lucia Pecore

Assistant Director of Admissions

Communication and Media Studies ’94

Why did you choose to start out at SUNY Ulster?

I initially had my eyes on a four-year private out-of-state university for theater, but my mother had suggested that I begin my education locally. This was not the answer I wanted to hear at all, but I quickly realized how great SUNY Ulster and the Theater Department was here. While I enjoyed the classes and experiences from the stage, after some time in the program I realized that I was not going to be a leading lady, at best comic relief.  So I redirected my creative energies into another area and was able to graduate with everything I needed to move on to transfer smoothly as junior to SUNY New Paltz. In the end, SUNY Ulster was the best decision my mother ever made for me.  I really grew both academically and emotionally.  I was able to discover my passion and direction, without paying a hefty tuition.

What called you back to SUNY Ulster?

I’d been working in Higher Education in development and alumni affairs in offices that employed a number of student aides. These students seemed to naturally connect with me asking for advice and guidance on their next steps after graduation. I found that I really enjoyed mentoring these students. It just happened that SUNY Ulster had an opening in Admissions, It seemed like it would be a natural fit for me, so I applied and the rest is history.

What do you enjoy about meeting incoming students at High School college fairs and Open Houses?

The high school students I meet with are at a pivotal point in their lives and it’s a lot of responsibility to take on. I have the opportunity to help them bridge the gap between high school and college, and I help them formulate informed decisions about choosing the college that is right for them. As an Alumna, it feels great to help students in the way that I was helped when I was planning to attend SUNY Ulster.

What are your tips for incoming students?

Early Bird Gets the Worm: The earlier you make the connections, the more prepared you will be before you start your studies.

Take the Time to Visit Us… And Visit Us Again: We live in an area rich with college and universities. At the end of the day, you need to visit all of the colleges you’re considering, because you have to find that right fit for you.

Once you’re a Students here—Don’t Just Go to Class, Get Involved: Take advantage of all the community activities at SUNY Ulster. Learning doesn’t just involve the classroom; it’s also about the experiences you will have and the connections you make for your future.

What are some of your favorite things about SUNY Ulster?

The fact that so many of my colleagues are SUNY Ulster Alumni themselves! The number of Alumni that have come back to work here really shows just how much we all believe in this institution. As Alumni, this is our opportunity to pay it forward—and because of this the support and sense of community here really makes us stand out among our community college peers.

Contact Lucia Pecore by email at PecoreL@sunyulster.edu or by phone at 845-687-5000.

Cleaning Up Your Social Media for Graduation

by
Person holding cell phone with two hands, sitting between two other people

According to the Pew Research Internet Project, approximately 74% of those with access to the internet use social media. Included in that 74% are recruiters, headhunters, and hiring managers looking to get a better view of who you are as a person. Companies are becoming more interested in the whole life of their employees, either to help create company culture fits or to weed out those that may not fit from the start.

The reality is that some of those Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram posts can land you in serious hot water. Let’s remember the young woman who was fired before her first day at a pizza place because she decided to complain about it on her Twitter account. It’s your choice to share, but keep in mind you could be risking your chances of getting a new job or even keeping the position you already have.

Your social pages are basically your personal advertisements. You’re building a brand here, people!

  • Be outgoing.
  • Be yourself.
  • But be conscious.

What’s your end goal? Are you on these channels to network with desired industry insiders? Socialize? Either way, people are looking, from friends to the public. Don’t let your social media channels hold you back.

Pay close attention to these tips on what to leave off the web – for good:

Complaints About Your Current Job or Internship

This is one of the worst offenses someone can make. If you’ve had a bad day, week, or month, the last place to vent is online. Your current employer may never see your comments, but there’s always the chance a future employer will. Or worse – a fellow employee with a chip on his or her shoulder. Also, recruiters and hiring managers will look at how you present yourself online during an internship or work you currently and form an opinion about how you may act online in the future.

Also, the way you interact with your school, professors, and administration online will be watched as well. To sum it up, how you interact with people is important as it does reflect on your personality and ability to blend into community culture.

Takeaway: Save yourself the drama, and address the situation head-on in person but not online. Even if you and your manager don’t end up seeing eye-to-eye, you’ve earned their respect in the workplace.

Passive Aggressive Comments

There’s a lyric to go with every mood, person, and situation. That doesn’t mean you need to put those cryptic words on blast to your 700+ Facebook friends when someone at work crosses you. Nine times out of ten you’ll delete this post later, making it seem like you can’t handle your emotions.

Takeaway: Leave the salt for your food. Grudges can only last so long, but your social-savvy friends and coworkers will always remember the time you called them out – not so discreetly.

Inappropriate Photos and Videos

While you may have already deleted all your Facebook albums after starting to read this article, don’t forget to look at your tagged photos as well. These are often overlooked – but not by employers or recruiters. If you have public accounts, employers can use these images as a benchmark of how you’ll perform on the job. Private accounts are not as private as you think. Photos and videos can be shared, and screenshots can be made. Some very popular memes were created from private photos.

Takeaway: Snap your best foot forward. What if your Instagram was filled with such great food shots, your manager hires you to be the official ‘grammer’ of the company? Leave your options open. Keep it clean, folks!

In The End, Do You.

If you’re thinking, filters be damned – I’m posting whatever I want, whenever i want, then make your page private. Most social media platforms allow for customized privacy settings.

Our tip? Use social media, but use it wisely. Put the same efforts into your posts as you do in choosing the right Instagram filter. And if you currently have a job – don’t use social on your shift.

Alumna Highlight: Leanna White, Graphic Design

by
Close up photo of Leanna White, SUNY Ulster Alumni

Leanna White is a SUNY Ulster Alum, Class of 2012 with an A.S. degree in Advertising Design and Graphic Technology. Her career since graduation has been the very definition of “Start Here. Go Far.” Leanna has taken her classroom knowledge into the real world to excel in her chosen career as a professional Graphic Designer.

The SUNY Ulster Graphic Design program is not only instructional, it also prepares students to work with clients. While in the program, students work on professional projects to prepare them for a career in graphic design immediately after graduation.

Among other projects, Leanna worked on the design of the Ulster County Sheriff Patrol cars.

K9_Front-Back K9-Car

Recently, we sat down with Leanna to discuss her accomplishments since graduating from SUNY Ulster.

What have you accomplished since graduating from SUNY Ulster?

Since graduating in 2012, I have had nothing short of a colorful career. Shortly after graduating, I was offered a job at Pictoura (start-up travel company) where I retouched over 30,000 beautiful images from locations around the world.

YTWT_Jan-2015-CatalogLater that year, I was offered an in-house position as a graphic designer for Naturtint, an international leader in natural hair dye. The advertisements I designed could be found around the U.S. and Canada in top publications like Women’s Health, Dr. Oz and The Good Life.

Womens-Health_Nov2014

After parting ways with Pictoura in 2013, and Naturtint in 2014, I was offered a position as creative director for We Are Triumphant (Records) in Fall 2014. My job was to manage all of the company’s creative material including artwork for individual artists and bands on the label.  Plus I had the great opportunity to work directly with Victory Records to have my work produced for their online store.

While I still work on-and-off with We Are Triumphant, most of my time is currently occupied with design work for Yankee Trails World Travel. Some of my many tasks include designing travel catalogs, printed advertisements, e-mail campaigns and more. All the while, I have maintained a bustling freelance career where I work with awesome people from around the world.

You can see Leanna’s portfolio online at: www.leannawhite.com

How has the SUNY Ulster graphic design program assisted you in your career? 

Even though I did some design work before attending SUNY Ulster, The ‘Real World Classroom’ with its controlled setting really helped prepare me for what to expect in the design world. The field is extremely competitive and this gave me a head start.  With the help of the program’s real-world projects and competitive student atmosphere, I quickly adopted a work ethic that has helped me produce some of my best work yet.

Do you have any advice for current Design students?

  • Always have a contract.

One thing that I think needs some serious mentioning is design contracts. If you are a freelance designer dealing with money of any kind, you must ALWAYS have a written agreement between both parties. I cannot stress this enough. More often than not, people will try to take advantage of  you if a contract is not set in place. If you cannot afford a lawyer to write a contract for you, do your research and alter an existing contract to suit your needs.

  • Be competitive.

To survive in the design world, you absolutely have to be driven and committed. Never stop learning, never stop improving. Keep up to date with current design trends and constantly perfect your skill and technique. Most clients are looking for a one-stop-shop, which means you need to be a multi-disciplined and multi-faceted individual with a lot to offer. If you’re not giving it your all, expect that someone else will. This career is not for the light of heart.

  • Take a break.

As with most creative professions, your brain needs a break from creative thinking. Working long hours on a project will leave you feeling blind and without direction.  That is never a good feeling, especially when someone is relying on you to make something great. Know when to close down Adobe for the night and try not to stress about your creative block – tomorrow’s fresh eyes are exactly what your design needs.

Interested in more information about the SUNY Ulster, Graphic Design Program?

Check out: https://www.sunyulster.edu/academics/credit_programs/advertising_design/

 

Almunus Fulfills Dream of Helping Immigrants

by
Victor Cueva, 2009, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor at a NYC Bar Association event.

Victor Cueva, Liberal Arts Humanities and Social Science ’09, is eager to give new immigrants in the Hudson Valley the help his family did not receive when they came to Kingston from Lima, Peru more than a decade ago.

Cueva, who recently earned his juris doctorate degree from Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, is fulfilling his dream of helping immigrants with legal services as a fellow in the Immigrant Justice Corps, an ambitious, still-developing fellowship program begun in New York City last year.

Cueva will work in Catholic Charities’ Poughkeepsie and Newburgh offices part of the week, and the other days in Manhattan at 26 Federal Plaza, New York’s immigration court, serving clients from the lower Hudson Valley region.

His achievements were recently included in a New York Times article on the Immigrant Justice Corps.

After graduating from SUNY Ulster, where he was a former Admissions Ambassador and played soccer for then-coach Hall of Famer George Vizvary, he graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany. He attended Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law as a select number of E. Nathaniel Gates scholars.

Cueva, 25, fondly remembers SUNY Ulster as a close-knit college community with professors who both challenged and supported him academically, and other international students and fellow soccer players who became his friends.

“Never give up. Perseverance is a great quality to have and SUNY Ulster helped me develop that quality,” he said.

For his success story, click here.

Engineering Student Wins Clarkson Transfer Scholarship

by
Jacob Berryann stands in front of white wall

Starting at SUNY Ulster has paid off big for Jacob Berryann who has earned Clarkson University’s Transfer Leadership Award, the University’s highest honor.

The excelling engineering student from Kerhonkson will receive $15,000 per year to attend the tech university in Potsdam. Berryann says he was initially speechless and then ecstatic when he learned of the award.

Berryann credits Director of Transfer Kate Smith for opening his eyes to considering transferring to Clarkson or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and his engineering professors, including Dr. Robert Cassidy, for giving him a good foundation in organic chemistry needed for his future studies in chemical engineering.

“A lot of students look past community colleges,” he says. “Community colleges are an experience you can’t get anywhere else. There’s a close atmosphere at SUNY Ulster and it’s easy to connect with anyone on campus.”

Berryann is looking forward to getting good exposure to the chemical and biomedical engineering fields at Clarkson and wants to one day own his own plant or business. He also aspires to play lacrosse at the college.

Both Berryann and his older sister, Kelsey, came to SUNY Ulster through the College Scholars Program that provided full-tuition for ranking in the top 10 percent of their graduating classes at Rondout Valley High School. Alum Kelsey, 2012, transferred to SUNY Cortland and is pursuing a teaching career.

A member of Phi Theta Kappa, Berryann was involved with the chess, math and physics clubs. He also has volunteered at the Rochester Reformed Church, where he sings in the church choir, and coaches boys and girls in the Kerhonkson Basketball Association (KBA).