Governor Kathy Hochul Appoints Bryant “Drew” Andrews and Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq., to the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees
March 12, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed Bryant “Drew” Andrews, of Kingston, and Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq., of Kingston, to the College’s Board of Trustees.
As the co-founder of the Kingston, NY-based Center for Creative Education (CCE), Drew Andrews originated the Artistic Director role in 1999 and has been serving as the Executive Director of the non-profit organization, whose mission is to enrich the social and cultural awareness of children, youth, and the community through arts, wellness, and education since 2016. A dynamic community leader, Drew has an unbridled passion for the arts and has dedicated his life to working and mentoring in the community through arts education and wellness. Bringing over 30 years of Human Services experience working with youth and advocating for the welfare of children and young adults, Drew joined the Board of Directors for the Ulster Community College Foundation in March 2020, serving through 2021.
A true philomath, Drew has enhanced his degrees in human services and youth counseling with professional development at Stanford and Harvard Universities.
He founded Energy Dance Company, winning national and international awards and recognition for over 25 years and DXF®, a high-energy community-based fitness program. Mr. Andrews was appointed as the Common Council member, Ward 7 Alderman, for the City of Kingston and also sits on the board of UPAC/Bardavon Theater. Drew was recognized by the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., as an honoree at the annual Gala, Community Impact In Motion, for his contributions as a dynamic individual leading his organization, building centers of opportunity for our community through philanthropy, public service, community engagement, and the arts.
Drew has shared, “At CCE, we envision every child having access to affordable, equitable, inclusive, and innovative programs, where students are mentored from early childhood through high school and beyond, building a legacy of confidence, integrity, intelligence, and creativity, developing their own voice and propelling them into the future leaders of tomorrow. I am eager to bring this focus and energy to my role as a Trustee at SUNY Ulster.”
SUNY Ulster alumnus Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq., specializes in Real Estate Law with an office in Kingston, New York. He represents clients throughout the Hudson Valley, primarily with the purchase and sale of residential and commercial real estate. Along with individual and corporate clients, Robert represents various local and national lenders in the mortgage closing process. He is also a licensed New York State Title Insurance Agent and is the owner and president of the Title Service Company, which is a registered agent with nationally known underwriter Westcor Land Title Insurance Company. He is admitted to practice law in both the states of New York and Connecticut.
A graduate of John A. Coleman High School, he received his Associate in Science in Business Administration from SUNY Ulster in 1998 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and his Juris Doctor from
Western New England University School of Law.
Mr. Jacobsen and his wife Carly, were recipients of the 2019 SUNY Ulster Distinguished Alumni Award! Robert has been serving on the City of Kingston Planning Board for the past 13 years and is a member of the New York State and Ulster County Bar Associations. He has served as a member of the Ulster Community College Foundation Board of Directors since 2019 and is a 2020 SUNY Ulster Alumni Hall of Fame inductee.
Mr. Jacobsen believes in the value of a community college education, “…SUNY Ulster is just the best financial decision one can make at the beginning of their lives. I have seen too many students and parents go into debt for college, and I strongly believe this debt is just crushing people before they can even get a start in life. Financial freedom in life is very important to allow people to continue to grow and take risks to better themselves either personally, financially, or creatively in both their personal and professional lives. It gives you the freedom to live and do what you want in life. I am honored to serve as a Trustee at SUNY Ulster.”
SUNY Ulster President, Alison Buckley, Ed.D., stated, “We are fortunate to have the support from Governor Kathy Hochul, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger in endorsing our newest Trustee appointments to serve our SUNY Ulster students and community of learners. Governor Hochuls’ advocacy and support of our Trustees to serve as community stewards to hold the commitment of ensuring access to affordable higher education has been paramount.”
SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees Chair, Deborah Briggs shared, “The SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees looks forward to working with Trustees Andrews and Jacobsen as we focus on the future of SUNY Ulster in our Ulster County community as we serve the needs of our residents.”
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