Registration Opens for SUNY Ulster’s Newest Microcredential: Pet Sitting, Training, and Grooming 

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

May 17, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – For anyone who loves working with animals, SUNY Ulster introduces a new microcredential, Pet Sitting, Training, and Grooming. In this microcredential, students will learn key skills and knowledge needed for pet sitting, training, and grooming services. Students will also learn how to successfully start a business to offer these services and the business skills they will need.

Microcredentials are short programs that provide relevant skills needed in today’s marketplace. They take less time to earn than a degree or certificate, achievable in one year or less. Once the requirements of a microcredential are achieved, you are awarded proof in the form of a digital badge that can be added to your resume or LinkedIn.

This microcredential is composed of four to five classes totaling between 9 and 12 credits. After the completion of this microcredential, students will be able to analyze strategies for dealing with pet behavioral issues, identify grooming tools and demonstrate understanding of their uses, and create a business plan for a pet business including start-up costs as well as the ongoing costs of running a pet business.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “About 80,900 openings for animal care and service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade”. In addition, animal care and service worker employment is projected to increase by 29% from 2021 to 2031.  As the number of pets in households rise, and travel becomes more accessible, there is an increasing need for animal caretakers.

To learn more about the Pet Sitting, Training, and Grooming Microcredential visit SUNY Ulster’s website or contact Admissions at admissions@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5022.

 

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Photo by John Halpern

Student with dog

SUNY Ulster Holds 59th Commencement on May 20, 2023

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SUNY Ulster Graduate holding up diploma

May 11, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster’s seventh President, Alison Buckley, Ed.D. will preside over the College’s 59th Commencement on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. on the SUNY Ulster Soccer Field/Louis Berger Athletic Fields on the Stone Ridge campus. President Buckley will present 130 students with a degree or certificate at the Commencement ceremony.

Graduates marching in academic regalia will receive four tickets each for guests to attend the commencement. The Soccer Field will be open for guest seating at 8:30 a.m., and the ceremony starts at 10:00 a.m. In the event of light to moderate rain, a decision for the outdoor ceremony to be moved inside will be made and communicated to graduates as soon as possible.

The event will be video streamed live for guests without tickets and can be viewed from any remote location as the ceremony occurs from our website at sunyulster.edu/graduation or from our YouTube channel . The graduating class consists of 429 students. Three hundred twenty-nine (329) will receive associate degrees and 100 will receive certificates. The youngest graduate is 17, and the oldest is 64. Of the class, 73 are graduating with highest honors, 145 are graduating with honors, 3 students are graduating with the Honors Studies program distinction, 7 students are being recognized with the President’s Medal of Highest Honor for earning a 4.0 GPA, and 57 are members of the national honor society Phi Theta Kappa. There are also 21 students graduating as nurses.

Tim Guinee, actor and environmental activist will give the keynote address. Tim Guinee is the President of Climate Action Now and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Commission on Accelerating Climate Solutions. As a leader in former Vice-President Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, he has given presentations on the climate emergency all over the U.S., Canada, and North Africa. He is also the founder of The Climate Actors and serves on the Leadership Council of Riverkeeper, the board of the Ashokan Center, and the board of Green Product Placement. He is the official climate change liaison for the town of Marbletown, NY with the Climate Mayors, and serves as the New York legislative action director for the New York Climate Reality Chapters Coalition. Mr. Guinee earns his living as an actor and has performed in hundreds of films, plays, and episodes of television.

Other speakers include Grand Marshal Kari Mack, Director of library studies, Faculty Marshal Kevin R. Stoner, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty; Deborah Briggs, Board of Trustees Chair; The Honorable Patrick K. Ryan, United States Congressman; The Honorable Michelle Hinchey, New York State Senator; The Honorable Sarahana Shrestha, New York State Assemblymember; The Honorable Jen Metzger, Ulster County Executive; The Honorable Tracey A. Bartels, Ulster County Legislature Chair; Christopher Mikesh, Esq., Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., Secretary; and Matthew Goodell, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, & Academic Senate Chair.

SUNY Ulster held an inaugural student speaker competition and Logan Erlwein was selected to deliver remarks to his fellow classmates and serve as student marshal.

The Reverend Allison Moore, Ph.D., of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, New Paltz, will deliver the invocation and benediction. Music will be performed by members of the College Choral Ensemble directed by Janet Gehres, and Old Capital Brass directed by Victor Izzo, Jr.

The security policy does not permit large bags and backpacks. Large purses and diaper bags will be checked. Guests will be asked to leave their strollers in a designated area on the soccer field.

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Rosendale Theatre hosts Public Screening of SUNY Ulster Student Work on May 18, 2023

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

May 8, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – The Fine & Visual Arts Program at SUNY Ulster announces the Rosendale Theatre will host a public screening of “We all have something to say” on Thursday, May 18 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. This screening is a collection of SUNY Ulster student work created in the Digital Visual Narrative course, which places emphasis on time-based art and storytelling.

Professor Sean Nixon will introduce his students and the selection of short stories that include, Simple Actions, Public Service Announcements, and Interviews including AI technology with a Q&A session to follow. Local filmmakers and professionals will attend to share their feedback.

Participating Students:

  • Ben Ambrosini
  • Hannah Bouck
  • Kaitlin Olivera
  • Kareena White-Dixon
  • Sierena Zeko

Professor Sean Nixon welcomes the community, “come view the stories, meet the students and enjoy your neighbors. What better place to tell a story than a theater. It’s where it happens.”

This event is free and open to the public; parking is in the back of the theater.

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SUNY Ulster Faculty Association Awards Six Students with Scholarships

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

May 4, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster Faculty Association (SUFA) awarded six students with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. SUFA President Dr. Nichola Harris, SUFA Vice President Chris Seubert, and Dr. Mkajuma Mbogho, Professor of Biology, were among some of the faculty who presented these awards. Kevin Stoner, Vice President of Academic Affairs gave congratulatory remarks and reflection. Candice Van Dyke, Associate Professor and Chief Diversity Officer closed out the third annual SUFA scholarship ceremony.

The following students were awarded scholarships:

Penelope Rose – “If I’m Not Human, What Am I?” – Poem

Roaa Aboueida – “Under This Roof In America” – Poem

Tandy St.Hill – “D.I.E.” – Poem

Ethan King – “My name Is Ethan and I am Christian” – Poem

Arianna Moore – “Transforming the Ancient Myth of Hades and Persephone” – Painting  

Ivy Quintero – “Jamaica, Queens: A Cultural Diversity Love Letter” – Poem

The Faculty Association is the collective bargaining unit for all faculty at Ulster County Community College. The Association negotiates the faculty contract and ensures that the contract is followed by both the faculty and the administration of the College.

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SUNY Ulster Faculty Association with students getting awardsPhoto caption: Faculty and student scholarship recipients at SUFA presentation

Two SUNY Ulster Students Receive 2023 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

April 26, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce Mark LaBorde and Arianna Moore, both of New Paltz, NY as the recipients of the 2023 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. This award recognizes students who have demonstrated academic excellence along with significant campus, community, or career accomplishments. A ceremony took place on Monday, April 24 at the Albany Capital Center in Downtown Albany, NY.

Mark LaBorde is a Music Major with a concentration in Voice and is President of the SUNY Ulster Music Club as well as a member of the Environmental Club. Mark is also a member of the Alpha Rho Delta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and currently holds a 3.6 grade point average and was named on our 2021 Dean’s list for both semesters and President’s list for fall 2022. After graduation this May, Mark plans to attend SUNY New Paltz.

Arianna Moore is a Fine Arts Major and is an active member of the SUNY Ulster community. Arianna is a member of the Student Government Organization as well as a member of the Alpha Rho Delta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. In addition to her extracurricular activities, Arianna maintains a 3.9 grade point average and her artwork has been accepted and displayed in the Chancellor’s Gallery. Currently Arianna is a student aide for both the Community Relations Department and the Fine Arts Department at SUNY Ulster. Due to her commitment and dedication to her academics as well as her community, Arianna has been recognized on the college’s past three President’s Lists, has been awarded the College Scholars Award, and the SUFA: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for both 2022 and 2023.

“SUNY Ulster’s award recipients are a tremendous source of inspiration,” said Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President. “Both Arianna and Mark, our 2023 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence honorees, serve as leaders within our institution, are engaged in student life, prioritize their academic coursework, and serve our community. Congratulations on your contributions to SUNY Ulster as you Start Here and Go Far!”

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, or career achievement. Each year, SUNY campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews the accomplishments of exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office for a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award.

“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and each of the students recognized today is an example of our extraordinary student body and their rich and diverse ‘SUNY stories,’” said Chancellor King. “Student success is at the core of everything we do, and I am honored to celebrate students from 63 SUNY campuses who are receiving this year’s Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence. Every student can find their community at SUNY, and I congratulate each of the CASE winners for making the most out of their college experience.”

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SUNY Ulster Holds May Fine Art and Fashion Design Student Exhibitions 

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

April 25, 2023 – Stone Ridge, NY – Students from the Fine Art: Visual Art and Fashion Design programs of SUNY Ulster will hold exhibitions of their work on the Stone Ridge campus. The Fine Art/Visual Art will be held on Friday, May 5 in the Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery from 4 – 6 p.m. and the Fashion Design Annual Exhibition and Runway Show will be held in the College Lounge Friday, May 12 from 5 – 7 p.m.

The Fine Art/Visual Art Exhibition will feature work from various art courses including Drawing and Composition II, Painting, Printmaking, Watercolor, Intro to Drawing, Photography, Intro to Design Foundations, Dimensional Design, and Digital Visual Narrative.

The Fashion Design exhibition will feature work from both freshman and sophomore students and include a runway segment. The runway segment will run from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and will display shirts, skirts, and other garments. In addition to the show, our student designers; Sarah Connolly, Anna Thomas, Mikyla Hough, Sophie McCarthy, Vera Hrab, and Monserrat Medina will be available to talk about their pieces and portfolios.

SUNY Ulster’s art programs provide students with foundation courses and career skills, taught by faculty who are working professionals in their fields. Students learn artistic, technical, and theoretical skills in addition to general education courses that prepare them for transfer to complete their four-year degree or enter the job market. Many of SUNY Ulster’s art graduates transfer to top art colleges such as Fashion Institute of Technology, School of Visual arts, SUNY New Paltz, and more.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information on the Student Art Exhibition, contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu. For more information on the Fashion Exhibition, contact Kristin Flynn at flynnk@sunyulster.edu. Refreshments will be available at the Fashion Exhibition.

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Art Photo

Title: Music; Artist: Margaret (Maggie) Melanson; Medium: Gouache, Ink, Oil Pastel on paper
Fashion Photo: Sophomore students – Sarah Connolly, Anna Thomas, Mikyla Hough, Sophie McCarthy, Vera Hrab, and Monserrat Medina

 

This week’s #MadeitMonday goes out to Stefan Ryan

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Headshot of Stefan in a suit

 

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. 

Stefan receiving and award

Congratulations on your accomplishments Stefan!

SUNY Ulster Holds Spring 2023 Music Concerts for April and May

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

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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Chorus Singers

Community Band

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

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Portrait photograph showing Kimiko Hahn's side profile

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 

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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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