Student Clubs

Get Involved Outside of the Classroom

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Students playing Jenga outside

You’ve probably gotten used to life as a college student, but by now you may be looking for more ways to expand your horizons and get the full college experience. Even though Ulster doesn’t have students living on campus, we still have a great campus culture and many ways to get involved! Here are just a few:

Join a Club

SUNY Ulster offers many clubs for students to take part in. There are major-related clubs like Biology, Art, and Human Services, which are often open to students outside of the majors as well, and there are interest-related clubs like Multicultural, FOCUS, and Writing which are open to all students. Learn more about what each club does and consider attending a meeting or two!

Get an On-Campus Job or Consider Volunteering

There are many opportunities on campus for employment, which not only help you get better acquainted with the college and students, staff, and faculty, but also help you earn a bit on the side to help fund your college career. If the department you’d like to work in doesn’t have any openings, you can also consider volunteering to get involved. Some departments, such as Theatre, can always use extra help when it comes to putting on productions. Volunteering gets you involved and meeting new people, looks great on a resume, and could lead to employment in the department down the road depending on the situation. Talk to Career Services for more information, located in VAN 119, either in person or via email at careerservices@sunyulster.edu.

Attend Events

There are many activities going on around campus throughout the year! There are social events like the annual Spring Carnival, game days, and talent shows, and there are also informative and interesting events like concerts, discussions, and more that take place throughout the year. Keep an eye on the campus spotlight in the portal, our social media profiles, and the spring and fall events fliers located around campus to find out what activities and events are coming up.

Become a Student Leader/Ambassador

Students can become Student Admissions Ambassadors, Campus Connect Leaders, or members of the Student Government Organization if they want to take a leadership role or share and improve their campus experiences. Student Admissions Ambassadors share their personal experiences as SUNY Ulster students with prospective students at events, and their activities include volunteering at Admissions events, assisting at local college fairs, and participating in Open House. Campus Connect Leaders help run Campus Connect and assist new students with learning about the campus. SGO officers help plan and run student events and listen to the needs of students to make a more enjoyable campus experience for all. All of these are great options for getting to know the school and other students!

Don’t Just Attend Class and Run

The most important thing you can do if you’re looking for new opportunities and new friends is to hang out on campus outside of classes. Many things happen in the cafeteria and around campus that you only discover if you take the time to stick around and see what’s happening.

Give a few of these opportunities a shot, or just hang around campus for an extra hour or two each week. You never know who you’ll meet or what might happen!

Epic Diversity Web Page Launch!

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hoto of 5 students in their graduation cap and gowns with smiles on their faces with their left hands in the air.

Did you know SUNY Ulster has its very own Diversity Web Page now? Check it out today!

Cultural Diversity Day promotional poster of the Statue of Liberty's glowing torch.

Explore the Diversity Web Page at: http://www.sunyulster.edu/campus_and_culture/diversity.php

Our Mission.

The launch of this web page for the college is highly anticipated and includes the official SUNY Ulster statement on diversity that in part reads: “Our mission is to encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion through on-campus programs and activities, and to welcome a variety of voices, viewpoints, and backgrounds on campus.”

Photo of the main campus, and "Ulster County Community College" sign during the autumn.

Diversity Video Series.

Featured on the diversity web page are SUNY Ulster students’ own stories and experiences of diversity on campus in our “Voices on Diversity” videos series. We are proud to have SUNY Ulster students of various backgrounds speaking about the importance of culture on the college campus. Everyone has a story to tell, and you will surely be inspired by the stories of the individuals who you pass by in the hall and sit next to in class everyday!

You can share your SUNY Ulster Pride on Facebook by using our specially designed “We Are One. SUNY Ulster” Facebook page overlay! 

Photo of 5 students in their graduation cap and gowns with smiles on their faces with their left hands in the air. Join us in adding this frame to your Facebook profile picture as we learn and grow together as one campus community.

Official Campus Resources:

Chief Diversity Officer: Lorraine Lopez-Janove at lopezjal@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5131, VAN 212.

Affirmative Action Coordinator: Jennifer Mullan at mullanj@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5101, CLI 213.

Director of Accessibility: Eric Fortune-Reader at disability_services@ sunyulster.edu  or 845-687-5121, VAN128E.

Office of Public Safety and Security: publicsafety@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5023, HAS 134.

TRIO Offices: TRIO@sunyulster.edu or 845-688-6054, VAN 101.

SUNY Ulster’s Campus Clubs

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Front of library in fall with SUNY Ulster's campus clubs written in sky

You’ve been here a while now, and you’ve probably adjusted to classes and college life, but you may not feel really connected to Ulster yet. You may also be struggling to meet new people outside of class. How do you fix this? Well, one easy way is to try one of our many active clubs here on campus! Clubs are organized and run by your fellow students, with help from a faculty advisor. Here is a preview of some of the many interesting clubs on campus:

BIOLOGY CLUB

The Biology Club often works with the Environmental Club to plan and take part in events. The clubs have held panels and events on topics such as the effects of chemical spraying on farms, on the environment, and on consumers. This semester, the club hopes to take part in community volunteering, volunteering on local farms, hosting a blood drive, and possibly holding a bake sale as a fundraiser for those affected by the hurricanes. They are also trying to find a museum or event  to attend. Due to many overlapping interests, the environmental and biology club meet together in HAR 211 on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Contact Nancy Decker at deckern@sunyulster.edu for more information.

BUSINESS CLUB

The SUNY Ulster Business Club presents an opportunity for students to experience and learn from various business-related activities. With speakers, club trips, and many club events, the Business Club can be a fun club for students pursuing a career in any field. Some of their past trips include a tour of YouTube studios and a tour of Wall Street. The meetings are held every Wednesday from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in HAS 208. For more information, contact Mindy Kole at kolem@sunyulster.edu.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CLUB

In the past, the Criminal Justice Club has gone to NYC to the “Bodies” exhibit and to the NYPD museum.  They have also had K9 officers and their partners come to school for a demonstrations. The Criminal Justice Club starts a charitable drive to help the less fortunate. They normally meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. in HAR 118. For more information, contact Thomas D’Amicantonio at damicant@sunyulster.edu.

DRAMA CLUB

Members of the Drama Club use their meetings to produce student written work, work on improvisation, and play theatre games. Their writing and acting has been on display at a number of improv shows and student productions put on for the campus community. They meet on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. in the Vanderlyn Rehearsal Room. For more information, contact Stephen Balantzian at balantzs@sunyulster.edu.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB

The Environmental Club focuses on educating the campus and surrounding community on environmental issues. They participate in community volunteer cleanup opportunities when possible, such as trail maintenance on I Love My Park Day, preparing the community garden with the Kingston YMCA Farm Project, and cleaning and restoring Kingston Point Beach. This work was recognized by SUNY’s 30 Days of Giving. They also raise money to donate to environmental groups and to preserve rain and cloud forests in areas considered to be most at risk of development. On campus, they have hosted events such as the film showing of “Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds” followed by a discussion panel, a talk by Larissa Walker on the importance of pollinators, and an Earth Day event in which they invited guest speakers and environmental groups. This semester, they will be hosting a forum on food security and the importance on getting food from our farms to the food pantries that need it. They meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays in HAR 211. Contact Jennifer Costello at costellj@sunyulster.edu for more information.

FASHION CLUB 

The Fashion Club promotes fashion awareness on campus and does fundraising events for field trips. In the past, they have made club t-shirts and planned fundraisers. They meet in the HAS 202 Sewing Room at 4:30 one Wednesday a month. Contact Kristin Flynn at flynnk@sunyulster.edu for more information.

FOCUS

FOCUS (Fellowship Of Christian University Students) aims to encourage spiritual growth among the college community, create an atmosphere of studying the Scriptures, establish opportunities for community service both on and off campus, and equip students with skills and experiences that will further develop leadership skills. In the past, club members have sponsored a coffee house and passed out Final Exam Survival Pack goodie bags to the campus community. The club meets on Wednesday afternoons from 1-2 p.m. in the Dining Hall, where they pray together and do a Bible study. Contact Dr. Hans Vought at voughth@sunyulster.edu for more information.

HUMAN SERVICES CLUB

The Human Services club puts their classwork into practice by helping those in need throughout the year. This year, they will be working in collaboration with the Nursing Club to do activities with older adults in a local nursing home. They also plan to help a soup kitchen prepare and serve meals on Thanksgiving Day and host a talent show in the spring. In the past, they have worked together to buy gifts for children who otherwise wouldn’t receive gifts on Christmas. The Human Services Club meets every Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Hardenbergh 117a. Interested students can contact Vicky Burgh-Harris at burghhav@sunyulster.edu.

NURSING CLUB

The nursing club is very active on campus and the local community. Members have held health fairs, blood drives, holiday card signing, health walks, and collected and distributed food for the food pantry. They also run the Salvation Army holiday angel tree that pops up in Hardenbergh every Christmas. This year, they will be running a session of holiday arts and crafts at a local nursing home around Thanksgiving. They meet at 1 p.m. the first Monday of every month in the nursing lab. Nursing students interested in participating can contact Ellen Tangney at tangneye@sunyulster.edu.

SUAA

SUAA (SUNY Ulster Art Association) gives students the opportunity to develop personal work for their portfolios.  Last year SUAA painted the mural in Vanderlyn outside of the Vice-President’s office. In the past, they have gone on a museum visit to Boston, made cards at the Woodstock School of Art, and visited the Storm King Art Center. They meet in VAN 261 at 1 p.m., typically on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. For more information, contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

VET TECH CLUB

The Veterinary Technology Club’s primary goal is to help animals in the community. They have hosted pet owner education at SUNY Ulster, raised money for Kevlar vests for Kingston’s Police K-9 unit, donated new instruments to the UCSPCA, paid for students to attend continuing ed seminars by the NYS Association of Veterinary Technicians, and hosted internationally known speaker Temple Grandin in 2012. Students have also volunteered in a TNR program for feral cats with the UCSPCA and arranged rabies and microchip clinics held at SUNY Ulster. They won an award for Collegiate Philanthropy from the Mid-Hudson Fund Raising Professionals Chapter in 2011.  The club meets every other Wednesday (when SGO doesn’t meet) in HAR 207 at 1:15 p.m. Interested students can contact Beth Alden at aldenb@sunyulster.edu or Sandy Wiltshire at wiltshis@sunyulster.edu.

WRITING CLUB

The Writing Club meets every week to share the creative writing of its members. They respond to prompts and bring in their own work for discussion and critique. Some members have published work workshopped at meetings. The club meets in DEW 104 on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Interested students can contact Nicholas Haines at hainesn@sunyulster.edu.

Meet our Student Admissions Ambassadors

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Here at SUNY Ulster, we have an elite team of student ambassadors that are in charge of portraying the persona of the student community. They are in charge of helping prospective and new students gain special insight into the SUNY Ulster experience through a student’s own perspective. Student Ambassadors are available to help a prospective student make an informed decision about the college, by sharing their own personal experiences with them.

Being a Student Admissions Ambassador will help a SUNY Ulster student earn valuable experience to boost their resume, help them develop excellent communication and leadership skills, make important connections for their future, get SUNY Ulster gear to wear for Admissions events, and most importantly, get to know other SUNY Ulster students. One of the most attractive benefits of being a Student Admissions Ambassador is that one can serve as an Admissions Tour Guide and receive payment in the summer for service.

In order to become a Student Admissions Ambassador, one must have excellent communication skills in one-on-one and group settings, good listening skills, be organized, possess excellent time management skills, and be able to work with a diverse group of students with different needs. They should have a positive attitude, be outgoing, enthusiastic, dependable15281014_10207618412525417_617954290_n, and in good academic standing. Anyone can be a Student Admissions Ambassador, from someone with a history in community service and volunteerism to having a strong interest in public relations and marketing. They serve as volunteers at various Admissions events, are able to help staff with recruitment efforts at local college fairs and community events, contribute to social networks, set up to assist prospective student, participate in open houses, lead campus tours for prospective students and visitors, and best of all, earn college credit as an intern.

It’s a great way to become involved right off the bat and immerse the average student in the college experience, as well as the local community. They meet on Wednesdays at 1pm in the Dining Hall. In order to become more involved myself, I met with one of the Student Ambassadors in person and asked her about the experience. Mariana Mena, an outstanding student athlete who has won Scholar Athlete of the Year, majors in Independent Studies and is due to graduate this upcoming spring of 2017. When asked why she likes the experience, she said, “It’s allowed me to learn a lot about communicating with others, and I overcame my shyness when it comes to talking to strangers. It taught me great leadership qualities, and allowed me to become more aware of the events around campus. Personally, getting involved with open houses was fun, and you could see the appreciation in people’s faces when they got to learn about the school through a student’s perspective.” She encouraged me to join as well, because SUNY Ulster gives you an opportunity to learn about college life before you move onto a huge college, get involved and educated, and allows you to meet people you probably wouldn’t have classes with. Best of all, it looks great on a college resume!

To learn more about becoming a Student Admissions Ambassador, contact Lucia Pecore at pecorel@sunyulster.edu.

If you want to talk to a Student Ambassador firsthand, Mariana Mena can be contacted at menam44@my.sunyulster.edu.

And, if you want to schedule a campus tour with a Student Admissions ambassador, go to the Visit page on our website to set up an appointment.

Nursing Club

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Student and professor during nursing class

Here at SUNY Ulster, we have an active Nursing Club that’s always looking out for our health! These hardworking students do a great deal to help each other and the community, so we contacted them to learn a little more about what they do.

Previous Work: Last spring, the club teamed up with the LGBTQ Club to host a speaker on giving optimal health care to LGBTQ patients. They have worked with the College Health Services to run a health and wellness challenge. Some students may have seen their annual Angel Tree pop up in the Hardenbergh Breakfast Café, which helps provide a Christmas for struggling families in Ulster County. Every April, the club holds a cancer awareness campaign. In the past, they have raised funds for the American Cancer Society.

Plans for the Year: The club will be doing their annual cancer awareness campaign next month, during which they will hold an item and fund drive to help Ulster County Cancer Support. They are also hosting an all-day nursing symposium regarding career options for nurses on April 30th; this event is open to students and nurses from surrounding colleges and nursing facilities as well. The club hopes to take a trip to the Bodies Exhibit in New York City sometime this year.

See Them On Campus: Nursing Club makes an appearance at all campus events involving clubs and attends all SGO meetings. They also have a table during open houses.

As A Club Member: Members of the Nursing Club work hard and encourage each other to be the best nursing students they can be. Active members practice their nursing skills, seek to improve the health of the campus and community, and have the opportunity to become better leaders, all while being supported by their fellow nursing students.

Join In: Are you a nursing student or interested in becoming one? Attend a club meeting! Nursing Club meets on the first Monday of every month at 12:15, in HAS 101. You can also email club advisor Pam Pierce at piercep@sunyulster.edu for more information.

 

First-Time Student Leader Makes a Difference

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Akram Abdulla receving award from Donald Katt

“I wish SUNY Ulster was a four-year school. I wouldn’t leave to transfer.” Akram Abdulla, business administration major and SGO leader, expected graduation spring 2016

Business administration major Akram Abdulla describes a hero as someone who goes beyond to do good for a greater purpose.

He counts his older brother as well as the professors, faculty and administrators at SUNY Ulster among them.

But those that know him say the word is a description of Abdulla who has selflessly given his time and energy to student government and campus life to make SUNY Ulster a better place. Abdulla is currently serving as Student Government Vice President and previously was SGO Treasurer. He also is a Campus Connect leader.

A first-generation college student born in Yemen who came to the U.S. in 2004, Abdulla, 22, is staying focused on his studies and many involvements on campus – despite worries about the safety of his mother, fiancée and other family he still has in the country that is under seize.

For his many accomplishments, he was recognized with a 2015 President’s Award for Excellence in Student Leadership.

Abdulla enrolled at SUNY Ulster in 2014 after taking time off to work and travel. In a year, he’s come a long way in his leadership – going from never being involved in any extra curriculum activities and being intimidated asking 25 fellow students to sign a petition putting him on his first ballot.

But being in the right supportive environment surrounded by encouraging faculty and friendly students with similar interests motivated Abdulla to take a first step into getting involved in the Business Club and volunteering as the club’s representative to SGO.

“I saw how well connected the students were in SGO and how they had a voice,” he says. “It gave me a purpose.”

The many relationships he forged online with students got him nominated as CEO of the award-winning Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project between SUNY Ulster and Fatec Americana in São Paulo, Brazil.

He represented SUNY Ulster at a COIL conference in New York City and the SUNY Student Assembly spring conference in Binghamton. Abdulla even has a voice in who will lead the college’s future as a student representative on the Presidential Search Committee.

Abdulla is putting his leadership skills and business acumen to real-world use in his family’s grocery store, Rondout Market, and plans to transfer to get a bachelor’s degree in business after getting married in October and graduating from SUNY Ulster next spring.

“SUNY Ulster has opened up so many doors that I never thought I could achieve on my own,” he says. “And it is all because of professors and administration that have put student success at the top of their list.”

Math Rocks At SUNY Ulster

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Group photo of SUNY Ulster's Math Team in 2015

It’s not every day you hear of students volunteering to take tests. But that’s what has happened year after year with the New York State Mathematics Association of Two Year Colleges (NYSMATYC) statewide test.

This year, more than 30 students took the spring exam, continuing a trend of strong interest over recent years. Our team placed 8th in the state and Jacob Arduino came in third overall in the competition, vying against students from 32 other community colleges, including large ones in New York City.

While SUNY Ulster consistently performs high in the rankings and took top honors in the state in 2011-2012, what’s most impressive to the faculty is the voluntary participation. SUNY Ulster Math Professor Jules Albertini couldn’t be prouder of the students and campus culture here that has made math accessible to all and fun.

“These students voluntarily gave their time to work on problem solving skills, test taking strategies as well as mathematics,” said Albertini, also faculty advisor to the Math Club. “They represent a community of learners.”

Students participating were:

Caroline E. Alsdorf, Jacob Arduino, Nolan Bastianelli, Jacob Berryann, Samantha Bruck, Carrigan Buhler, John Campbell, Victoria Cymbal, Paddy Defino, Luke Duffy, Tara Fitzgerald, Juravell Fontes-Janusz, Isaac Goldowitz, Joe Gust, Kevin Hayes, Elyssia Johnan, Lia Krempl, Benson Lam, Sean McCabe, Lauren Mead, Mario Mena, Eric Milczewski, Christian Pavlov, Nathan Potolsky, Nick Ramsell, Christopher Reffelt, Alexis Ricci, Amy Rogers, Dave Rothe, Phway Sandi San, Myles Santiago, Cassidy Schuman, Thiha W. Shein, Brandon Spang, Nicole Spizzo, Ryan Staffiero, Jeremy Tremper, Maxwell Van Kleeck, William Weronick and Nicole Wronkoski.

Engineering Student Wins Clarkson Transfer Scholarship

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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).

 

SUNY Ulster’s Environmental Club Recognized

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SUNY Ulster Environmental Club digging a hole

SUNY Ulster’s Environmental Club is working to make sustainability a bigger part of the college’s mission. The student group would like to see more specific sustainability goals added to the mission statement and will present its recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

Environmental Club President Aidan Ferris and Vice President Alex Lemus met with President Don Katt to share the club’s ideas and will make the presentation on Dec. 16. The club is recommending numerous new initiatives, including the formation of a sustainability committee, working with food service to reduce waste and increase recycling, and implementing a sustainability tracking and rating system.

The members would like to see the college use the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) conducted by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), which is used by SUNY Orange and hundreds of other community colleges.

The club also has been active in community work. Six members along with faculty advisor Jennifer Costello donated their time to restore, protect and beautify a Hudson River park. The group spent half a day planting native plant species at Kingston Point Beach, working with Kingston Parks and Recreation Department, UlsterCorps and Volunteer New York on the service project.

Want to get involved? Contact Jennifer Guiher at guiherj@ sunyulster.edu to find out more!