Faculty

Another Honorable Mention for One of Our Professors: Iain Machell

by
Two trees stand in middle of the frame and are wrapped with paper that features prints if their bark. The paper extends out of the frame, as if rolling off the tree.

Iain Machell is one of many professors at SUNY Ulster that teaches and influences students with his artistic creativity and experience. SUNY Ulster is proud to have him on board! Machell was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and is currently a Professor of Studio Arts and formerly held the position of department chair of art, design, music, theatre, fashion, and communication and is now Co-ordinator of the Fine Art program.

Artist Iain Machell stands in front of a pencil drawing of what appears to be a ball of hay or twigs. He is smiling and holding a pencil.

This artist has been mentioned many times in various publications throughout his career; such as the New York Times, Saugerties Artists Tour, Chronogram, and more. One of his books can even be seen in the Museum of Modern Art/ Franklin Furnace/ Artist Book Collection. Most recently Machell was included as one of twelve skilled artists in a well known artist’s blog Vasari 21. Check out the fourth name on their “What is Drawing?” series part five, to see the shout out to this professor featuring his 2015 piece entitled “PEEL”, shown above.

Inspirations and Style

Machell creates what he calls “landscape interventions”
described as sculptures made of found materials like wood or stone that are removed from the natural environment. These things are altered in some way, often with text or signage from an unlikely source, and then replaced in the landscape. He also draws and paints other nature inspired creations in his home studio which could be said to represent the human impact on nature and vise versa. One site describes him as a Brit living in New York State’s Hudson Valley, who has been engaged in observing the battle between the human condition and the natural world for many years.

  • Not Again – 2006
  • Root Ball 31 – 2014
  • Sketch 17 – 2015
  • Sorry Not Sorry – 2005
  • Terra Interruptus 2 – 2012
  • Terra Interruptus 62 – 2013

Iain Machell’s drawings, book projects, paintings and sculptures  have been shown in galleries and institutions throughout the United States and United Kingdom notably The Drawing Center, The Sculpture Center and the Center for Book Arts in New York City and a handmade book is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art/Franklin Furnace/Artist Book Collection.

To find out more about this busy man or pick his brain, visit his website: iainmachell.com, his professor bio, or his open letter to all members of the arts community and Muroff-Kotler Art Gallery supporters. If you want to see him in action, watch a video of A Classroom Moment with Iain Machell – SUNY Ulster.

Tips and Encouragement for Graduates From Faculty

by
Graduation caps in midair

Congratulations to all our upcoming graduates! To help you Go Far, here’s some helpful quotes and tips from the faculty that have helped get you here:

Professor Mindy Kole:

“Be excited about your future, be optimistic.  Work hard, be passionate, engaged, and grateful.  The world is in your good hands.”

Professor Linda Farina:

 “ALWAYS follow your passion!”

Professor Vicky Burgh-Harris:

“Obtaining your Associate’s Degree is a major accomplishment. You should be as proud of yourselves as your family members, friends, and I are proud of you. This is the beginning of a new chapter in your lives, and it’s very exciting. It can also be scary and overwhelming, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. I want to wish you all the best with your future endeavors. Good luck, Graduates!”

Professor Dina Pearlman:

“The highlight of my year as an instructor at SUNY Ulster is to attend graduation and watch the students walk back from the podium with elation and delight written all over their faces.  Knowing some of the challenges many of them faced as they pursued their studies here, I am moved by their perseverance and accomplishments. That degree they are holding doesn’t just say ‘I’ve completed 63 credits of course work.’ That degree says: ‘I’ve overcome the challenges of work, family, discrimination, health and mental health issues, transportation, finances, or all of the above  PLUS I’ve completed 63 credits of course work.’  That degree says you can do anything you set your mind to. Congratulations, felicidades!”

Mentor Moment with Instructor Angela Kunz.

by
Angela Kunz surrounded by a fashion class

     On a warm and sunny autumn afternoon, I had a candid conversation with Fashion Design Adjunct Instructor Angela Kunz (or Mrs. K as she prefers to be called by students) on SUNY Ulster’s beautiful campus. We discussed what advice she has for students entering the field of fashion merchandising, design, and the evolving work force as a whole.

Follow SUNY Ulsters Fashion Department on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SUNYUlsterFashionDesign/
Follow SUNY Ulster Fashion Club on  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FDCSUNYUlster/

“What led you to a career in fashion instruction?”

“After studying fashion at Pratt Institute in Lower Manhattan I began working in the fashion industry in the 1990’s.”

After living in New York City and achieving what she thought was her ‘dream’- the success of celebrities and the members of popular television shows wearing her designs, Mrs. K felt herself dealing more with the business side of the industry and less with the creativity side that she loved. “I began feeling completely drained and unfulfilled – that’s when I moved up to the Hudson Valley and began to ask myself “How can I keep fashion in my life without being directly involved in it?””

A few years after moving to and working in the Hudson Valley an adjunct position in the Marist College Fashion Department opened up and as Mrs. K put it  “-it was a manifestation of working adjacent to the fashion industry and with students!”

“Would you change anything about how you got to where you are?”

Mrs. K quickly responded “No!-everything happened in a perfect transition right where I wanted to live and work-It’s all about finding the balance.”  

 “What would be your top advice to someone thinking of entering the fashion industry?”

  “Be willing to fail, and do not settle! Look at your options and find a way to keep your truest dreams alive, and always aspire to reach your full potential.”  

 “4 words you would use to describe a leader in your field?”

 Mrs. K paused and after a moment she said “Innovative, passionate, and simultaneously endlessly motivated about the field, and finally someone who is dedicated.”   

Mentor Moments highlights the mentors that help to make our college great!
Have a mentor you want to feature? Email Terriann at (smitht36@my.sunyulster.edu)

Faculty Achievements for Spring 2016

by
SUNY Ulster Achievements

Members of the SUNY Ulster faculty have been very active this spring! From publishing books to speaking internationally, the professors and staff have had quite a number of achievements. Here’s just a snapshot of what our talented faculty have accomplished over the past few months.

Judy Capurso Receives Recognitionjudy-capurso

The 2016 Twila Snead Commitment to Excellence Award was presented to librarian Judy Capurso at the Southeastern NY Library Resources Council Annual Meeting on Friday, June 3, at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. The SUNY Ulster librarians, as well as over 100 librarians from the region, were there to honor Judy for her years of service to the college community here at SUNY Ulster.

 

Richard Cattabiani Addresses John Steinbeck Society in Japancattabiani-2981-color
SUNY Ulster’s retiring professor of English and Founder and Director of the International Studies Program, Richard Cattabiani, ended his career on a high note, as he was selected to give the keynote address for the John Steinbeck Society in Kyoto, Japan on May 30th. Richard, who taught for 48 years, shared best practices and focused on Active Methods in introducing Steinbeck to students studying American Literature and Culture in Japan. Drawing an audience from all over the world, Richard addressed approximately 100 scholars and teachers.

Doug Furman Publishes Book on Mathematics

doug-furmanDouglas Furman, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Department Chair of Sciences, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), has announced that a book he co-edited, Writing the History of Mathematical Notation: 1483-1700 (Docent Press, 2015), has just been published. He has also been appointed as a member of Docent Press’ Editorial Board. His new book, through careful examination of additional texts, pushes the origins of many arithmetical notations further back in time. The book takes full advantage of recent large-scale digitization initiatives by including snippets from original texts that show the early usage and evolution of these notations.

Nichola Harris Presents Papers

Nichola-Harris-4698-1024x630

Dr. Nichola Harris, Associate Professor of European History and Coordinator of History and Political Science, recently presented at two Academic Conferences: the American Association for the History of Medicine from April 28 to May 1, 2016 in Minneapolis and the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Renaissance Society of America in Boston from March 31 to April 2, 2016. For the American Association for the History of Medicine, Dr. Harris chaired a panel discussion entitled ‘Global Connections in the History of Pre-Modern Pharmacology.’ As part of the panel, Harris presented her own scholarly work, entitled Early Modern Medical Consumerism and the ‘Secret’ Lapidary of Nicholas Culpeper.  In Boston, she was part of a panel entitled The Circulation of Plant Sources: Manuscripts, Prints, Herbaria in Modern Europe, 1400–1700 and her paper was “Popular Medical Advice & the Formulation of Herbal Remedies in Early Modern England.”

Jessica Moore Recognized as Outstanding Adjunct Professor

unnamedThe National Association of Geoscience Teachers Geo2YC Division, has named SUNY Ulster Adjunct Jessica Moore for the March 2016 Honoree for the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty award!  She was nominated for this recognition by Steven Schimmrich, and is being acknowledged for her work at SUNY Ulster.  She will receive a complimentary one-year membership to NAGT Geo2YC, and will be considered as one of four quarterly honorees for the Annual Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award to be determined in Fall 2016, which includes a stipend of up to $750 from Pearson Publishing to support classroom or professional development opportunities.

Sean Nixon Presents at Conference on Instruction & Technology

sean-nixon

Sean Nixon, Associate Professor of Art & Design and Coordinator of the Graphic Design Program at SUNY Ulster, presented “Real World Intercultural Classroom Collaboration via Social Media” at the Conference on Instruction & Technology (CIT) at SUNY Potsdam in early June. CIT is the State University of New York’s largest, most prominent event on instructional technology in education, drawing an average of 500 participants each year. Professor Nixon developed the program as a model for practical learning known as The Real World Classroom.™

Ray Raymond Lectures

ray_raymond_150pxDr. Ray Raymond, Associate Professor of Government and History and Director of the Katt Institute for Constitutional Studies, gave the February Dean’s Lecture at the US Military Academy West Point. In it, Dr. Raymond examined the various forces threatening the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom. In April, he gave the keynote address at the SUNY Ulster Spring Phi Theta Kappa induction. Entitled “Ignorance is a luxury we cannot afford,” Dr. Raymond’s address explained the basic principles that should govern the relationship between the US intelligence community and policymakers.

Dr. Lisa Schulte Achieves Her Doctorate

shulte-1178-2A longtime Associate Professor of Nursing at SUNY Ulster, Dr. Schulte, has been awarded a Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) degree from The Sage Colleges in Albany.  Dr. Schulte’s research focuses on supporting non-native English speaking students in associate degree nursing programs in New York State. Her passion is cultural diversity; last summer, Dr. Schulte traveled to Brazil with students from SUNY Ulster and Oswego to promote cultural exchange between the Americas. In addition to all this, she was the keynote speaker at the New York League for Nursing Conference on March 12th in Saratoga.

Kim Wozencrants

Kim Wozencraft Publishes Essay

English Department faculty member Kim Wozencraft has an essay in the tenth edition of The Prose Reader: Essays for Thinking, Reading, and Writing, published by Pearson Education.

 

 

Kathleen Bruegging and William Sheldon Win Positions in Mexican COIL Partnership

Kathleen Bruegging and William Sheldon won coveted positions in the Mexican COIL Partnership – the MCP Program where faculty from 18 Universities throughout 18 states in Mexico will embark in COIL collaborations with faculty from multiple SUNY campuses, as well as the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington. As part of the MCP Grant, William and Kathleen participated in a professional development opportunity in Cuernavaca, Morales, Mexico from June 20-24.

Suzy Jeffers, Ian Maichell, Dina Pearlman, and Pablo Shine Have Art Exhibits on Display

pablo_dina front_show_card_april

 

 

 

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.

SUNY Ulster President Dr. Alan Roberts

by
President Alan Roberts standing with Nick Carchidi

Occupation: SUNY Ulster President
Community College Attended: North Country Community College
First Generation Student

What made you decide to start at a Community College?
Convenience, Affordability, and Accessibility.

When did you figure out your career major?
I began as an accounting major in community college but once I furthered my education I found that I had a passion for more of the marketing and other fields involved with business.

What is the difference between Community College then vs. Community College now?
Technology, I just read that 70% of students need technology to study and 30% can’t leave their phone alone for 10 minutes. Now, with the Technology Revolution though, I can’t leave my phone alone either.

Describe your journey from Student to President.
I began studying Accounting at North Country Community College. Then I worked in the business field for years but wanted a more fulfilling job. I then started working as an Accounting professor at Indian River State College, moving up to a department head, a Dean and now as the President of SUNY Ulster.

What is your favorite thing about SUNY Ulster?
The Instructors: They are exactly what I was hoping faculty would be at every community college. They care about the students. The success of their students is number one in their mind and they go about & beyond in that they spend more time with students, they help, they mentor, they guide, and they love being here.

Pres15vertWhat are your Favorite Places on Campus?
I love the Music and Art Departments since I’m a musician.
The STEM Department interests me because of all the cool technology in the classrooms. And, of course, the Cafeteria because that’s where the students are and I love to interact with them.

What tips do you have for Students?
Start on day one: Get class scheduling, financial aid, book purchasing out of the way before the first day of class. Focus on your studies. Learn how to be a student: Figure out how to be independent and how the college system works while at community college.

Giving Thanks

by
Apple on open book in front of blackboard with math equation

Apply on textbook
Now that we are towards the end of the semester, there’s time take a look at your grades, your efforts and your teachers. I looked and realized that there was one adjunct professor that I really felt grateful to. I decided that it would be nice to give her a professional recommendation for her personal file. If there’s a teacher who you feel has gone above and beyond, you may do the same. Don’t worry about whether it’s geeky or not. Yes, being grateful may not look cool to your friends but it’s good karma and you can use all of that you can get, especially when you’re the one looking for a job later.

Here’s my letter, and yes, you may use the format or any style ideas from it to thank the professors who are making a difference for you.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter of recommendation for Heidi L. Ferry because I truly believe she needs some credit for being a terrific math teacher. She is currently teaching Basic Algebra 091 and is the only math teacher that I’ve ever had that could explain to me the “why’s” of the math operations clearly. She has a lot of patience and checks with us to make sure we are getting the concepts right. Before tests, she gives us reviews and for the first time in my life, I don’t feel like a hopeless dunce in math. I have an A average; me, the girl who in first grade was told nicely by my math/reading teacher that “It’s okay, not everybody’s a math person.” I thought she was being kind pointing out that it was just the way nature made me. My non-mathematic-English-artsy brain just couldn’t deal with all those number thingies.

Thirty some-odd years later, I’m happy to say she was wrong. It is with the help of Professor Ferry that I have this confidence. Most of my class and I wish she could stay our teacher throughout our college experience but know this cannot be the case. I hope my next algebra teachers will be as thorough and patient as her and I wish her all the best in her career.

A Very Thankful Student,

Jennifer Smith-Jamieson
SUNY-Ulster Community College

Thanks to Professor Heidi L. Ferry.

SUNY Ulster Adjunct appointed to new Chief of Police for the Town of Poughkeepsie

by
Ron Spero poses in front of American flag

Congratulations to Ron Spero who has been serving as an adjunct instructor in various SUNY Ulster’s Criminal Justice programs for almost 9 years.  As well as teaching face-to-face courses, Ron has been “instrumental in putting SUNY Ulster’s programs on the map with his online course development and engaging teaching.” says Jim Truitt, professor and chairperson for the Department of Criminal Justice & Human Services here at Ulster:

Ron was appointed as the new Chief of Police for the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department at a Poughkeepsie Town Board Meeting on May 20.  His new duties make him responsible for protecting and serving the 44,000+ residents and additional community members that make-up IBM Poughkeepsie, Marist College, Vassar College, and Dutchess Community College.

Jim Truitt, adds:

“Our criminal justice program students will continue to benefit from his expertise as he remains as one of our core online teaching faculty members.”

 

 

Mindy Kole Honored as an Outstanding Businesswoman

by
Mindy Kole standing with Senator Sam mascot and holding an "I love SUNY Ulster sign"

Mindy Kole Honored as an Outstanding Businesswoman

Mindy Kole, Director of SUNY Ulster’s Darlene L. Pfeiffer Center For Entrepreneurial Studies and Assistant Professor in the English, Business and Professional Studies programs, has been named an an Outstanding Hudson Valley Businesswomen by Hudson Valley Magazine. She is one of the honorees at the inaugural Women in Business Luncheon.