Faculty

SUNY Ulster Athletics Names Bob Tempestilli as New Head Softball Coach

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women playing softball

February 13, 2026 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is pleased to announce the hiring of Bob Tempestilli as the College’s new Head Softball Coach.

Tempestilli brings eight years of experience as a travel softball head coach, where he developed a reputation for strong organizational leadership and the ability to make decisive choices in high-pressure environments. His experience guiding competitive teams and building cohesive programs positions him well to lead SUNY Ulster’s softball program into its next chapter.

Throughout his coaching career, Tempestilli has focused on developing programs that promote both the safety and growth of student-athletes. He is known for fostering a supportive, team-oriented environment where athletes can thrive on and off the field. His coaching philosophy emphasizes collaboration, discipline, and athlete development, while balancing performance goals with long-term growth.

Tempestilli’s systematic and highly organized approach to coaching enables him to effectively manage team dynamics and ensure that players are aligned, informed, and prepared. His leadership style reflects a deep commitment to team-building and creating a positive culture centered on accountability and excellence.

“I am eager to bring my passion for coaching to SUNY Ulster and contribute positively to the development of young athletes,” Tempestilli said. “I look forward to building a competitive and supportive environment for our student-athletes.”

SUNY Ulster Athletics is confident that Tempestilli’s experience, leadership, and commitment to student-athlete success will strengthen the softball program and continue to build pride within the College community.

For more information about SUNY Ulster Athletics,  visit the Athletics website. 

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Bob Tempestilli portrait

SUNY Ulster Presents “time Again” an Exhibit of Drawings, Paintings, and Sculpture by Marie Mastronardo and B. Robert Johnson at the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

October 7, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – The Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY Ulster is proud to present “time Again”, a two-person exhibition featuring the diverse works of Marie Mastronardo and B. Robert Johnson. The exhibit runs from October 16 through December 4, with an opening reception on October 16 from 4-6 p.m. This exhibition is sponsored by the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

“time Again” brings together selected works of Johnson and Mastronardo on the 50th anniversary of their first exhibition together at the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery in 1975.

“time Again” images by Marie Mastronardo and B. Robert Johnson

Marie Mastronardo is showing sculptures, sculpted in clay, coil built, and some done in plaster reliefs. Voluminous, yet fragile, her pieces take shape one thin coil at a time from the ground up and evolve into free-flowing figurative vessels and sculptures. Ms. Mastronardo holds a B.A. in art from Hunter College followed by a year’s travel in Europe, a decade long association with the Art Students” League, studying drawing with Marshall Glasier, painting with Julian Levi, and sculpture with John Hovannes. She has participated in both solo and group shows in New York City and upstate New York.

Robert Johnson is a multidisciplinary artist who describes his paintings and drawings as geometric landscapes and interpretations of the natural world, balancing realism and abstraction to represent the essence of beauty that nature possesses. Mr. Johnson holds a B.F.A. from Pratt Institute and is the Director of Graphic & Printing Services at SUNY Ulster, designing award-winning visual communication publications for the promotion of the College. In addition, he serves on the Exhibition Committee for the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery, was a past board member of the Art Society of Kingston, curated the city-wide outdoor Sculpture Biennial in 2011, and has been making art cars for the Kingston Artists Soapbox Derby since 1999.

“time Again” reflects both artists’ life-long commitment to art making and the way art invites the viewer to return, reconsider, and see their work anew.

For more information, please contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

About the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery

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

About the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

Since 1976, the Ulster Community College Foundation has been committed to advancing student success, academic excellence, and community impact at SUNY Ulster. Rooted in a mission to bridge opportunity with action, the Foundation has awarded over $8.5 million in scholarships to more than 8,700 students. Each year, the Foundation offers almost $1 million in scholarships, enabling students to pursue degrees across disciplines ranging from Nursing and STEM to Business and the Arts. The Ulster Community College Foundation’s impact extends far beyond scholarships. The organization invests in cultural enrichment, academic innovation, teaching technologies, and student-centered programming. The Foundation also plays a pivotal role in alumni engagement, donor cultivation, and positioning SUNY Ulster as a hub of innovation and opportunity in the Hudson Valley.

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SUNY Ulster Director of New Start, Arie Drewes Named SUNY Basic Needs Champion

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

October 3, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce that Arie Drewes, Director of New Start, has been named a SUNY Basic Needs Champion, one of only five honorees selected from across SUNY campuses statewide. The recognition was announced on September 18, 2025, by SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. King, Jr. during the SUNY Basic Needs Summit in Albany.

The Basic Needs Champion award honors faculty and staff who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to removing barriers to student success by advancing holistic support services. Honorees are recognized not only as advocates, but also as leaders who help foster a culture of care and equity across the SUNY system.

Drewes joined SUNY Ulster in April 2021 and has served in various academic administration and program development roles. Since June 2023, she has led New Start, an opportunity program designed to promote academic success and economic mobility for adult and parenting students. She brings a strong academic and professional background, holding advanced degrees and credentials from studies spanning Boston University, Trinity College Dublin, Berklee College of Music, New York University, and Dutchess Community College. Drewes is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Adult Learning at Empire State University.

“For students to succeed, their basic needs—housing, food, childcare, and transportation—must be met. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues in our community, at SUNY Ulster, and across the SUNY system, who are committed to making this possible and work with me to connect students with essential resources. This recognition is truly a testament to that collective effort,” said Arie Drewes.

“Arie’s work reflects the very best of SUNY Ulster—putting students at the heart of everything we do,” said Alison Buckley, Ed.D., president of SUNY Ulster.  “She is relentless in removing barriers, amplifying student voices, and ensuring that every learner has the resources to thrive. This recognition affirms the impact of her leadership and the culture of care she is helping to build at our college.”

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Arie Drewes portrait

 

SUNY Ulster Announces Faculty Promotions

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September 18, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce the promotion of four distinguished faculty members, recognizing their outstanding contributions to teaching and service to the College and their respective fields.

Dr. Jennifer Guiher, Christopher Seubert, Dr. Mark Stewart, and Dr. Ellen Tangney have been promoted in recognition of their continued excellence and dedication to the College and their students.

Dr. Jennifer Guiher, Professor and Coordinator of the Environmental Studies program, predominantly teaches Environmental and Biology courses. She holds a PH.D. in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior from the CUNY Graduate Center. Dr. Guiher was instrumental in gaining a National Science Foundation grant, allowing the College to add a field research component with the Department of Environmental Protection to the Environmental Studies program.

Christopher Seubert, Professor and Chair of the Art Department, teaches drawing, painting, 2-D design, and portfolio development, among other topics. He holds a Master in Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Art in Painting and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration from Pratt. Chris Seubert actively exhibits and has participated in group exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among other museums and galleries.

Dr. Mark Stewart is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Engineering Science program. He holds a PH.D. in electrical engineering from Lehigh University and a Bachelor degree in Physics and Applied Mathematics from Drew University. Dedicated to helping students become world class engineers, he teaches courses in Statistics, Digital Logic, Engineering, and Electric Circuit Analysis.

Dr. Ellen Tangney, Professor of Nursing, is lead professor for Nursing Three and Four, teaching theoretical content as well as clinical and practicum experiences in the therapeutic setting.  She has also taught in the laboratory setting introducing new skills and procedures to students. Dr. Tangney holds a dual Master’s degree in adult health with a focus on gerontology and nursing education as well as a Doctorate in Nursing Science, Leadership and Education from Sage College.  Dr. Tangney holds a current nursing license and practices as a critical care nurse at a local hospital.

“These promotions reflect the high caliber of our faculty and their unwavering dedication to advancing knowledge and supporting our students,” said Alison Buckley, Ed.D., president of SUNY Ulster. “We are honored to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to their continued contributions.”

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faculty
Dr. Jennifer Guiher, Christopher Seubert, Dr. Mark Stewart, and Dr. Ellen Tangne

SUNY Ulster Fine Art Faculty Exhibit at Stone Ridge Library

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

September 8, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster fine arts faculty is participating in a group exhibit at the Stone Ridge Library during the months of September and October 2025 in the library’s activity room.

Included in the exhibit are Les Castellanos, Joan Ffolliott, Michelle Moore, Sean Nixon, Cassiopeia Ottulich, Rick Price, Seth Rubin, and Chris Seubert. Each of these faculty members are working artists who not only display their work regularly but bring technical skills, mentorship, creative inspiration, and professional guidance to their classes.

For more information, contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

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artwork
Left to right: Seth Rubin, Cassiopeia Ottulich, Joan Ffolliott,

SUNY Ulster Faculty and Staff have been awarded the 2025 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

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 May 29, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce four members of the faculty and staff have been awarded the 2025 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. These members include; Dr. Mark Stewart, P. Matthew DeLaMater, Rebecca Mercado, and Kirk Maisch.

The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are system-level honors conferred to acknowledge and provide system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence. These programs underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good. Through these awards, SUNY publicly proclaims its pride in the accomplishment and personal dedication of its instructional faculty, professional and classified staff across its campuses.

Dr. Mark Stewart, Assistant Professor of Engineering and Coordinator of Engineering received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. A colleague stated, “Mark is always active beyond engineering, helping in math. He’s a pleasure to work with and is kind to our students.”

Matthew DeLaMater, Adjunct Instructor, Social Sciences, History & Education received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. A peer stated, “Matthew started teaching here in the midst of the Covid pandemic in 2020 and proved adept at teaching remote, online, and HyFlex courses.  He always makes time for his students and treats them with dignity and respect.”

Rebecca Mercado, Enrollment & Success Counselor received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. A colleague stated, “Rebecca is such a vibrant light and positive force at SUNY Ulster. As an Enrollment and Success Counselor, she treats every prospective student with the utmost respect, care, kindness, and consideration. She is an excellent co-worker and team player, always lending a helping hand to her colleagues.”

Kirk Maisch, Campus Maintenance Specialist, Maintenance & Plant Operations received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. A peer commented, “Kirk wears many hats here on campus. What some people do not realize is that when Kirk works, he gives 100% of himself to the job. That is the way he shows us he cares and his only reward is to see you smile when he has completed his job.”

Individuals selected for this tribute are the SUNY community’s role models in their respective areas. In acknowledgment of their selection, recipients will be given recognition for the particular award received in the college catalog, a letter, certificate, and a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence Medallion are also bestowed to commemorate selection. Each individual has long lists of impressive professional achievements in addition to their remarkable comradery with the campus community. Even more telling is the high praise they have received from colleagues for their dedication, commitment, and inspiration to students and our College community. SUNY Ulster applauds their hard work and effort in going above and beyond for both their colleagues and students.

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Photo caption: Dr. Mark Stewart, Rebecca Mercado, and Kirk Maisch. No photo included for P. Matthew DeLaMater.

Meet Michelle Moore

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image of floral fabric designed by michelle moore

Michelle Moore is a SUNY Ulster alumnus and now an adjunct faculty member at SUNY Ulster. Here is her recent interview with Bold Journey Magazine:

Michelle, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

Creativity like all things in life needs nurturing and care. There will be periods of high activity and periods of dormancy. I have learned that when I am in either state that I have to be mindful that it will not last forever.

The creative mind needs rest in order to come up with new ideas and be to be inspired. The only way to keep it thriving is to listen, and give it what it needs when it needs it.

On the other side of that is when the “creative spark” hits, I know I have to act on it, and move the idea forward in order to keep my advancing my work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hi! I am an Artist, Surface Designer and Art Educator located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

I am currently focused on the use of natural dyes using homegrown flowers and botanicals for textiles and artwork. I spent the last ten(ish) years experimenting with this craft and have honed in on the specific area of hammered flowers and leaves on cloth and paper. Over that time I have worked with major retail brands to bring naturally dyed goods to the commercial market. I have designed natural dye kits that have been sold across the US, and have taught many workshops to share this art form with others.

Over the last few years I have been writing a book about my hammered flower process that is due to publish at the end of the year. Keep an eye out!

I also teach art courses at my Alma Mater – SUNY Ulster. I teach courses in drawing, 2D Design, graphic design foundation.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

  1. Digital design. I decided early on in my artistic journey that it was as important if not more to learn how to Floral wall hanging use CAD programs, as well as create my own website in order to showcase my artwork. We live in the world of tiny screens and limited attention spans. You need to grab your viewers attention quick, and the best way is through great photos and presentation of the work your invested so much time creating.
  2. Stop comparing yourself. This is indeed a learned “skill”. It doesn’t matter what everyone else around you is doing. Just keep focused on what you are doing and it will in time evolve organically the way it i supposed to. Everything good takes time, energy, and consistency. Keep chipping away.
  3. Don’t focus on what you “don’t know”. I think the biggest challenge sometimes is getting started. We often think we don’t know enough to make progress. The truth is that you need to start somewhere. Be curious, make mistakes, lean into the process. The more experiments you do, the more knowledge you will gain.Keep at it. It gets easier.Continuing to show up for yourself is best quality you can have.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I’m always looking for new ways to share my work with the world!

I’d love to do collaborations with my hammered flower art specifically.I’d love to work with an eco friendly stationery or home goods brand to bring these designs into the retail market in small batches. I also would love to work with a fashion designer to create a really beautiful hammered flower garment for something special.

I’m also looking to exhibit more of my original artwork this year.

More flowers on everything!

Contact Info:

SUNY Ulster Faculty and Staff have been awarded the 2024 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

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Chancellor's Award Medal

May 23, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce four members of the faculty and staff have been awarded the 2024 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. These members include; Rachael Pompeii, Alfred Ragucci, Jamal Lis-Simmons, and Elaine LaBoy.

The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are system-level honors conferred to acknowledge and provide system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence. These programs underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good. Through these awards, SUNY publicly proclaims its pride in the accomplishment and personal dedication of its instructional faculty, professional and classified staff across its campuses.

Rachael Pompeii, Assistant Professor of Developmental English, English, Languages, & Philosophy received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. A peer stated, “She really cares about both her students and the tutors she manages. She goes beyond her job title to make sure that they get the help that they need.”

Alfred Ragucci, Adjunct Faculty, Business & Professional Studies received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. A student stated, “…my Principles of Management teacher has shown great passion for his field and interest in us as students.  Every day, he is attentive to our ideas and guides discussions in an intelligent and respectful manner even though he may disagree.”

Jamal Lis-Simmons, TRIO Counselor received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. A colleague stated, “Jamal is a dedicated Senior TRIO Counselor/advisor and coach of the top ranked SUNY Ulster Men’s Soccer Team. His advising skills and rapport with students are exceptional. Jamal is also an enthusiastic staffer who is always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with TRIO staff, and others. He exhibits a positive attitude every day. Jamal is a SUNY Ulster staffer who truly supports students and embodies the belief that SUNY Ulster students start here and go far.”

Elaine LaBoy, Administrative Aide/Typist, Enrollment & Success Center/Admissions received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. A peer commented, “She is the cornerstone of the entire enrollment process; she goes above and beyond working tirelessly and is always helpful to our colleagues.”

 Individuals selected for this tribute are the SUNY community’s role models in their respective areas. In acknowledgment of their selection, recipients will be given recognition for the particular award received in the college catalog, a letter, certificate, and a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence Medallion are also bestowed to commemorate selection. Each individual has long lists of impressive professional achievements in addition to their remarkable comradery with the campus community. SUNY Ulster applauds their hard work and effort in going above and beyond for both their colleagues and students.

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chancellor's awardees with VP Stoner, President Buckley & Jenn Zell

Expert and Author, Tia Brown McNair helps kick-off Opening Day

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Buckley and McNair on campus

SUNY Ulster Opens Faculty/Staff Professional Development Day with
National Higher Education Equity Expert and Author, Tia Brown McNair

August 28, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – To kick-off SUNY Ulster’s 2023-2024 academic year, SUNY Ulster President, Alison Buckley, Ed.D., invited Dr. Tia Brown McNair, Vice President in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Student Success and Executive Director for the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in Washington, DC, to join the College community for professional development and engagement centered on equity and purposeful action.

Focusing on Am I a Student-Ready Leader? Vision, Purpose, and Practice for Student Success, McNair highlighted promising strategies for designing and leading student success efforts that are guided by the question, “What does it mean to be a student-ready leader, and why does it matter?” The goal is for SUNY Ulster to promote a shared vision with a defined purpose that translates into practices that are relevant, transparent, and effective for our students who represent a diversity of identities.

“I am honored to have Dr. Tia Brown McNair join us as our keynote speaker.  I know she will help our institution focus our work this academic year on strategic planning, accreditation and diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, through the examination of: Are we doing the right thing?; Are we doing it well?; and Why does it matter?, said, Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President.

SUNY Ulster’s community of faculty and staff had access to two of McNair’s publications, “From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education” and “Becoming a Student Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success,” for advanced reading and reflections.

Following her address, college-wide discussion groups reviewed key principles from the second edition of Becoming a Student-Ready College and From Equity Talk to Equity Walk. Faculty and staff then identified key steps for examining and establishing equity-centered goals that support student engagement, retention, and success.

As the College enters its 60th anniversary year this September, utilizing Dr. McNair’s work among our resources for strategic planning as we plan for the growth and future of the College will provide a wealth of information in the area of DEI and facilitate more robust conversations with colleagues.

President Buckley stated, “SUNY Ulster serves as an important public higher education partner in Ulster County, and it is paramount that we meet the changing workforce needs in emerging industries by serving the citizens of Ulster County through upskilling and on and off-ramps to affordable access to higher education, leading to successful employment in a career with family-sustaining wages. We look forward to supporting students as they attain their educational degrees/certifications and meet their employment goals.”

For more information, contact Jenn Zell, Chief of Staff at 845-687-5049, or zellj@sunyulster.edu.

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SUNY Ulster Associate Professor Selected as a 2023

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Portrait Photograph of Jennifer Guiher

SUNY Ulster Associate Professor, Jennifer Guiher, Selected as a 2023 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition Honoree 

March 20, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – This month the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has announced their 2023 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition Honorees, among that list is Dr. Jennifer Guiher. Named in honor of former AACC President and CEO Dale P. Parnell, this designation has been established to recognize individuals making a difference in the classroom. Recipients for the faculty distinction recognition demonstrate passion for the students and the classroom and show willingness to support students, inside and outside of the classroom. In addition, individuals awarded the Dale P. Parnell also go beyond what is required to ensure that students are successful in their academic endeavors.

Dr. Guiher received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology in 2005 and her Master’s in Biology in 2007 from The College of Staten Island, NY.  She finished her formal education at CUNY Graduate Center in New York after achieving her Ph.D. in Biology; Evolution, Ecology, and Animal Behavior in 2013.  An Associate Professor of Biology at SUNY Ulster and Coordinator of the Environmental Studies program, Dr. Guiher teaches courses such as Microbiology, General Biology, Environmental Themes, Human Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology. In addition to her classes, Dr. Guiher is an advisor of the SUNY Ulster Environmental Club.

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents more than 1,000 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions and nearly 12 million students. The AACC strives to provide a national voice and advocacy for the community college mission as well as create opportunities for peer networking and interaction at all levels, professional initiatives, dialogue, and community-building.

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