SUNY Ulster News Blog

This week’s #MadeitMonday goes out to Stefan Ryan

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023 by Kate Olivera

Stefan Ryan is a SUNY Ulster alum who graduated in 2014 with an associate’s degree in Engineering Science: Electrical Engineering. Stefan was familiar with the successful foundation SUNY Ulster provides students before enrolling here because both of his parents were also alumni! Stefan knew entering college he wanted to be an engineer, and he also knew the first two years of most college engineering programs were very similar. With this in mind, he made his decision to attend SUNY Ulster. He knew he “ would receive an equivalent education from SUNY Ulster as [he] would have at a 4-year University”.

After Stefan’s graduation, he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic University for a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. During his time at RPI, he worked part-time as an application developer at IBM. After graduating Stefan began working at Lockheed Martin, and while working full time, completed his Masters of Engineering from Cornell University in 2018. Eventually, Stefan made the decision to move from Electrical Engineering to Cyber Security and relocated to Orlando, FL.

Stefan says “The professors I had at Ulster were the biggest part of my success in education”. Reflecting on his time here, Stefan looks back fondly on Professor Plumb, Professor Mistry, Professor Douglas Furman, and “most of all Jules Albertini. They taught me the fundamentals of Engineering in Calculus and Differential Equations”.

Having been part of a family of SUNY Ulster graduates Stefan advocates for people to go to two-year colleges first. SUNY Ulster is a “great alternative to the growing pressure for all high school graduates attending a four-year college right after high school.” Stefan was able to pay for his entire associate’s degree and accrued zero debt before transferring to a four-year school.

Congratulations on your accomplishments Stefan!

SUNY Ulster Holds Spring 2023 Music Concerts for April and May

May 10, 2023April 17, 2023 by Dina Pearlman

April 17, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will hold its second and third ensemble concerts of the spring semester on Wednesday, April 26 and Wednesday, May 3 in the Quimby Theater in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the public.

The April 26 concert will feature the SUNY Ulster College/Community Band directed by Victor Izzo. Dr. Adam Fontana, director of Ensembles at SUNY New Paltz will be the guest conductor and will direct La Fiesta Mexicana by H. Owen Reed. Additional selections are:

- La Fiesta Mexicana – H. Owen Reed
- Conga del Fuego Nueva – Arturo Marquez
- Symphonic Dance No. 3 – Clifton Williams
- San Antonio Dances – Frank Techeli
- La Mezquita de Córdoba – Julie Giroux

La Fiesta Mexicana composed in 1954 and established a framework for many concert band compositions using Hispanic musical influences. Although each of the other pieces are unique in their melodic themes, there is a thread commonality that formed the basis for this program.

On May 3, the SUNY Ulster College Chorus directed by Janet Gehres and accompanied by Edward Leavitt will feature a diverse choral program of music from the Renaissance, Zambia, Vocal Jazz, operetta, and 21st Century America. Also performing is the African Drumming Ensemble directed by Paul Chambers, and will be played on traditional African instruments. In addition, this concert will feature performances by the spring 2023 Honors Recital Winners and The SUNY Ulster Jazz Combo Alumni Band.

For more information, please contact Janet Gehres at gehresj@sunyulster.edu.

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SUNY Ulster Presents Poet and Author, Kimiko Hahn 2023 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum

April 17, 2023 by Dina Pearlman

SUNY Ulster Presents Poet and Author, Kimiko Hahn 2023 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum

April 11, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster presents the 2023 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum with poet and author Kimiko Hahn on Thursday, April 27, at 10:15 a.m. in the College Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus.

The event, moderated by Dolores Quiles, Professor Emerita will include a reading, interview, and question and answer period. Books will be available for purchase.

Kimiko Hahn was born in Mount Kisco and grew up outside New York City. Hahn is a distinguished professor in the MFA Program in Creative Writing & Literary Translation at Queens College, The City University of New York. Hahn earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa before returning to New York to attend Columbia for her Master’s Degree in Japanese literature. Hahn has published ten poetry books including Foreign Bodies, Brain Fever, and Toxic Flora. In addition, she previously served as President of the Board of Governors, Poetry Society of America from 2016 to 2019.

To date Hahn has won the PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry, the American Book Award, and the Shelley Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America. She has also been awarded fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts, Guggenheim Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sponsored by the Ulster Community College Foundation, The Poetry Forum is an annual event that brings well-known and award-winning poets to SUNY Ulster for intimate question and answer sessions. In 2007, the program was renamed the Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum to honor the memory of Ellen Robbins (1952-2006) who was on the faculty at SUNY Ulster from 1994 until 2006, and Chair of the English department from 2002-2006.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kari Mack at mackk@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5214.

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SUNY Ulster Police Academy Information Session Scheduled for April 29

May 10, 2023April 14, 2023 by Dina Pearlman

Police Academy 2022v Graduates posing for photo

Next Police Academy Begins July 2023

April 14, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster’s Criminal Justice Department welcomes prospective students to attend a Police Academy information session on April 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This information session is mandatory for anyone interested in the upcoming academy class running from July 2023 to December 2023. The information session will be held at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster. The information session will also have a Zoom option. During the information session attendees will meet the academy staff, learn about physical fitness, understand academic requirements, and review academy rules and regulations.

At the completion of the Police Basic Training Certificate program, a student will be able to demonstrate working knowledge of New York State law including; penal law, family and juvenile law, mental hygiene law, vehicle and traffic law, and criminal procedure law. Students will also be able to demonstrate knowledge, actions and procedures required of police officers such as applying various laws to established police procedure and public safety response techniques.

The 30-credit hour certificate program is achieved through collaboration between SUNY Ulster and the Ulster County Law Enforcement Training Group (UCLETG) and incorporates all of the NYS approved pre-employment curriculum and objectives. Although the program does not guarantee admission into a police department, all requirements of a full-time basic police academy apply to this program, including physical fitness, para-military organizational development, attendance, and academics.

According to Jim Truitt, Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice & Human Services, “between 80-85% of our PBT program graduates consistently go on to be successfully employed in the policing field upon program completion. Most of the graduates find employment locally, but our students generally come from five to six surrounding counties.”

Registration is required: For more information, contact Mike Polcari at polcarim@sunyulster.edu or 845-688-1590.

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SUNY Ulster’s Spring Open House Returns to Campus May 6

April 11, 2023 by Dina Pearlman

Save the Date, Open House Satursday May 6 9am-12, Stone Ridge Campus

April 10, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will hold its Spring Open House on the Stone Ridge campus on Saturday, May 6 beginning at 9 a.m. Prospective and accepted students and their families are invited to attend this informative and fun event.

Attendees will be able to learn more about SUNY Ulster’s programs, athletics, student support services, campus life, and more. Visit our College Services Fair, take a campus tour, attend an academic program showcase presented by SUNY Ulster faculty in their academic departments, and learn everything you need to know about our college admissions and registration process.

Prospective students will be able to get help applying to SUNY Ulster, filling out their financial aid applications, and are encouraged to schedule a future one-on-one session with an Enrollment & Success Counselor for guidance through the entire admissions process.

Accepted students will be able to schedule an advisement and registration appointment to complete their fall schedule.

All open house guests will receive a discount on all SUNY Ulster Spirit Wear in the Senators Store, and there will be local Food Trucks on site with refreshments for purchase.

Registration is required for this event. For more information, please contact SUNY Ulster Admissions, Enrollment & Success Center at admissionsevents@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5022.

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This weeks #MadeItMonday goes out to Brennan Mulligan

April 11, 2023April 10, 2023 by Kate Olivera

Brennan posing pensively with hands together

Humanities / Philosophy 2005

Brennan Mulligan graduated from SUNY Ulster in 2005 with an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts: Humanities with a concentration in Philosophy. He continued his path of higher education to SVA, where he obtained his Bachelor’s in Film/ Screenwriting Direction. After graduation, he performed and taught at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, before joining the CollegeHumor cast!

Since joining CollegeHumor Brennan has been a sketch writer, performer, and now Gamemaster for their actual play web series, Dimension 20.

“I use the lessons I learned at SUNY Ulster, and specifically in philosophy classes with Professor Tom Davis, every single day! Philosophy and comedy are deeply intertwined, philosophy is one of the most practical degrees you could have in this line of work.”- Mulligan”

When asked what his overriding memory of SUNY Ulster was, he replied, “One of joy, engagement, excitement, and fun! I had an incredible time attending SUNY Ulster, getting involved with student activism for the first time, and expanding my horizons, both internally and externally.”

Brennan started here, and has definitely gone far!

Dr. Alison Buckley Joins Panel in 2023 AAUW NYS Celebration of College Women Presidents

April 4, 2023 by Dina Pearlman

April 4, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – The American Association of University Women has invited SUNY Ulster President Dr. Alison Buckley to participate on a panel in their 2023 AAUW NYS Celebration of College Women Presidents. This celebration will be presented via Zoom on Saturday, April 8; from 9:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Dr. Buckley will take part during panel II at 11 a.m. where she will discuss her unique experience as SUNY Ulster president, her mentors, and the challenges that appear with incoming academically unprepared students from 2020.

In addition to Alison Buckley, Ed.D., other panelists include Denise A. Battles, Ph.D. from SUNY Geneseo; Katherine S. Conway-Turner, Ph.D. from SUNY Buffalo State University; Kristine D. Duffy, Ed. D. from SUNY Adirondack; Amy Kremenek, D.M. from Tompkins Cortland Community College; Mary C. Toale, Ph.D. from SUNY Oswego; and Lisa Vollendorf, Ph.D. from SUNY Empire State College.

AAUW has been a national, non-partisan, grassroots organization promoting equity and education for women and girls since 1881. This organization advocates for women, helps women pursue graduate studies, and empowers women to challenge sex discrimination.

Dr. Buckley established her presidency of SUNY Ulster in July 2022. Before her role at SUNY Ulster, she served as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD. During her time there, Howard was consistently recognized for best practices in the field of enrollment management and had the strongest enrollment among Maryland’s community colleges. Following that Dr. Buckley was Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Connecticut State Community Colleges in New Britain, CT. In this role she was responsible for establishing the strategic enrollment management direction for the state’s community colleges and led the reform efforts for student affairs to ensure all community college students had the support and resources needed to be successful.

Dr. Buckley received a bachelor’s degree from Randolph College, a master’s degree in history and a postgraduate certificate in museum studies from the University of Delaware, an M.Phil. in women’s studies from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park, and a doctorate in organizational leadership studies from Northeastern University.

SUNY Ulster Named a Top Ten Gold Military Friendly School

March 22, 2023 by Dina Pearlman

SUNY Ulster Named a 2023-2024 Top Ten Gold Military Friendly® School Designation

March 21, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster announces it has earned a Gold top ten spot in the 2023-2024 Military Friendly® School designation. Military Friendly® is the designation that measures a school’s commitment to veterans, current military members, and their dependents.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2023-2024 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

“Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard,” reports Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®. Manuel Torres, SUNY Ulster’s Director of Military Affiliated Services, says,” Working together with our military affiliated students we design individualized programs to help the students reach their desired goals. This begins by providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere for the military affiliated students and providing up to date information on how to maximize their available benefits. We further support our military affiliated students by providing the necessary resources to help them succeed”.

Interested veterans and their families can learn more about SUNY Ulster’s military veteran opportunities by contacting Manny Torres at torresm@sunyulster.edu or call (845) 688-6003.

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SUNY Ulster Associate Professor Selected as a 2023

March 21, 2023 by Dina Pearlman

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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This week’s #MadeitMonday goes out to Alejandro M. Duran Sanchez

March 20, 2023 by Kate Olivera

Business Administration 2019’

Alejandro Sanchez graduated from SUNY Ulster in 2019 after completing his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. Sanchez’s road to success was not always easy but he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Alejandro’s decision was solidified when he found out his peers who had attended four-year colleges “had outstanding debt, well over $25,000” after their first two years.

After graduating from high school Alejandro Sanchez’s family was incredibly unhappy with his decision to attend a community college instead of a four-year college, but he insisted it was the right choice for his future. “To this day I’m happy with the decision I made in attending SUNY Ulster”. Once Alejandro completed his Associate’s Degree he transferred to SUNY Albany and in two years finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.

During his time at SUNY Ulster Sanchez remembers conversations with William Russell, a Library Assistant on campus. The two would meet weekly and Russell would share his wisdom with Alejandro. Alejandro specifically remembers a quote William Russell once said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

Alejandro Sanchez is currently the founder and CEO of Volna Unalign, a digital marketing agency located in the Hudson Valley. He acknowledges that being a business owner can be taxing but rewarding and believes he “wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for SUNY Ulster”.

Finally, Alejandro has his own words of wisdom for all students currently enrolled in SUNY Ulster, “Don’t give up, find your gift, and remember to share it with everyone.” He continues, “We all started somewhere, now it’s your turn to go far.”