SUNY Ulster News Blog

Tips and Encouragement for Graduates From Faculty

June 25, 2018May 15, 2018 by SUNYUlster

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!”

Epic Diversity Web Page Launch!

June 2, 2022April 17, 2018 by SUNYUlster

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!

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.”

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!

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.

The Value of Attending Open House

April 23, 2019April 17, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Prospective students looking at materials during Open House

If you’re a high school or homeschooled student thinking about college, you are probably wondering where to begin your search. While you have to start with finding a college, the next step, naturally, is visiting it! There are many reasons to do this. I recommend visiting the college at least twice before committing: once during an open house and again when it’s a regular school day for students. There are many reasons to attend an open house, including how you can:

Experience Campus Life

The importance of seeing the campus before committing to a college cannot be overstated. There’s something called campus culture that you can only see and feel when you’re at a school and interacting with the people there. For some colleges, the culture is fun and quirky, for others, rigorous and academic, and for some others, sports are the only thing that matters. Know which is the case, so you can tell if the college will be a good fit for you!

Meet the Faculty, Staff, and Fellow Students

Similar to campus culture, it’s important to find out what kind of people work and go to the school. Most colleges, like SUNY Ulster, have a diverse culture and community. However, if the college has a particular niche (say it is almost entirely filled with athletes or mostly filled with business students), it helps to know beforehand, so you can decide if that niche is right for you. It also helps to meet some people and establish relationships before classes begin. It makes you feel less alone on the first day!

Explore Majors and Careers

Many incoming college freshmen have no idea what they’re interested in studying. That’s fine! Attending an open house offers students the opportunity to see what majors are offered and what they can do for careers with those degrees.

Get Financial Aid and Scholarship Advisement

Possibly the biggest concern about college is how to fund it. Open houses have someone on staff who can help you find out how much college will cost for you, as well as how you can obtain financial aid and scholarships. They can also determine a rough estimate of how much financial aid you’ll receive.

Get Application Assistance

If you’re ready to apply, there are admissions officers on campus during an open house that can help you complete an application! This can be a great help when there are questions on the application that you’re not quite sure how to answer.

Attend Today!

SUNY Ulster is having its own Open House on Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the Stone Ridge campus, where you can experience all the things mentioned above and more! For more information and to reserve online go to: www.sunyulster.edu/visit.

SUNY Ulster COIL Scholarship Recipients Travel To Mexico!

August 8, 2018April 11, 2018 by SUNYUlster

COIL students from Mexico greet SUNY Ulster students

SUNY Ulster Students Travel to Mexico!

During the week of March 16th, 2018, SUNY Ulster students Kia Ward-Fashion Design Major, Kailey Campbell-Human Services Major, John Bove-Independent Studies/Fashion Major, and Natasha-Pico Aulicino-Business and Entrepreneurship Major all traveled to Obregon, Sonora, Mexico (the second largest city in northern Mexico) as recipients of the Sheldon COIL Academic Travel Scholarship!

The Students Arrival!

The recipients were welcomed by students, professors, and staff of Universidad de la Salle NoroEste! The recipients had already met some of these students when 25 of the ULSA students traveled to SUNY Ulster to meet their COIL collaboration team in October 2017.

SUNY Students In The Classroom.

The SUNY Ulster students spent their week in Mexico attending classes and presenting projects to the Universidad de la Salle NoroEste classes they had COIL-ed with previously. The time outside the classroom was spent sightseeing and making lifetime friends with their host families! This was a great opportunity to dive deep into the wonderful and diverse Mexican culture, as well as utilize global citizen skills as ambassadors of SUNY Ulster.

A huge thank you to all the hardworking individuals who helped to make this trip a possibility!

5 Great Summer Session Classes to Take in 2018

April 4, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Woman reading a book while dog is nearby

Summer will be here before we know it! With summer at SUNY Ulster comes Summer Sessions, our yearly offering of on-campus and online classes. This year, there will be several Summer Sessions to choose from: those occurring from May 21-July 2, from May 21-July 31, and from July 5-August 15. We’ve already talked about the benefits of summer session classes, but you may not know what specifically is being offered! Well, there’s a comprehensive list on our site. And to give you a preview, here are just a few great options for you to pick from this year, out of over 80 classes offered between the three sessions:

ENG 216-Science Fiction Masterpieces

Offered Online May 21-July 2

Spend your summer days reading by the pool, and get college credit for it! As long as you’ve taken ENG 102 and LIB 111 you can take this fun course, in which you read and analyze some of the great science fiction authors’ works.

COM 105-Public Speaking

Offered On Site July 5-August 15

Let’s face it, none of us really want to do public speaking, but we all have to, either in the form of Public Speaking or Oral Communication (which are basically the same thing). Why not get it over and done with during the summer? It’s also usually a smaller class. This course is taught by Jennifer Patterson.

ART 130-Photography

Offered On Site May 21-July 2

What better time to learn how to take good pictures than in the summer, when you can explore nature and take lots of photos of the great outdoors? This fun class lets you explore your creative side and learn helpful photo editing skills along the way.

ESC 114-Geology of the National Parks

Offered Online July 5-August 15

Learn about our National Parks from the comfort of your own home (but maybe take the time to visit one before the fall semester starts!) This course is designed for non-science majors, so as long as you’ve finished your English requirement you can take the class.

And last but not least…

Any Math Class

MAT 098, 100, 105, and 115 (and even a few beyond!)

Offered Both Online and On Site During Most Times

Math can be a challenge for many students (even for some of you STEM majors; it’s okay to admit it). Because it can be tough, why not take a summer class where you can focus solely on fractions, graphs, and quadratic equations with the help of an instructor? Burn through the rough stuff this summer so you can head into the fall semester ready to tackle the next class up, or, if you finish, enjoy the rest of your time at Ulster math-free. See the full listing to find out what all are available.

Students Artwork Selected For Exhibit in Albany!

March 12, 2026March 14, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Painting of the upper back of a slender and sad woman in a steam filled shower.

6 Visual Art Majors Selected for Exhibit in Albany.

Early March 2018 it was announced that 6 Visual Art Majors from SUNY Ulster have been selected to have their work showcased in the Spring 2018 SUNY Student Exhibit in Albany. This exclusive exhibit only happens twice a year to highlight the best student work making its way through the SUNY system. This exhibition is held in the Plaza Gallery on the ground floor of the SUNY Plaza in Albany opened by the SUNY Chancellor. The show runs from March to late May 2018 with a special reception held for the featured artist and their families with a date to be announced.

We want to extend a special congratulations to the selected artist from SUNY Ulster.

This is a huge opportunity for the six students selected. In the past students art work that has been selected for this particular exhibition has then traveled across New York State to various other associated exhibitions and galleries as well as award shows.

Abena Nkrumah – Fine Art/Visual Arts Student.

Gwen Lawlor- Fine Art/Visual Arts.

Elyssa vanBenschoten- Graphic design class of 2017.

Jayne Casey-Photography

Elizabeth Galeano-Graphic Design.

Brittany Hannah-Individual Studies/Fine Art.

Get Ready to Graduate!

April 4, 2018February 14, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Graduate smiling and holding balloons at graduation

For a number of you, it’ll soon be time for celebrating your achievements at Ulster with friends and family at graduation! You’re busy with finishing your current classes and getting ready for life as an Ulster graduate, but don’t forget about graduation itself. Here’s a few important things to keep in mind.

Apply for Graduation

The deadline for your graduation application is March 2, 2018. If you don’t submit the application, you cannot attend graduation or receive your diploma on time. Make sure it’s submitted by the 2nd, and check its status afterward!

Attending the Ceremony? Get Your Gear!

The deadline to order your regalia generally comes within a month or two after your graduation application. In order to attend graduation, you will need to dress in the basic regalia, but you will also have the option to purchase added tassels and sashes if you are in a special club or are an honors student. All parts of the regalia are purchased through the bookstore.

Attend the Practice Ceremony

A few weeks before graduation, there will be an information session for you to attend that will explain what will happen on graduation day. It’s important that you attend this, as you will learn how the graduation will proceed, find out where you should be at certain times, and get your last-minute checklist for what you will need.

Don’t Forget the Diploma

On graduation day, you receive your diploma cover, but not the actual diploma. That shows up at the registrar’s office in mid-June, whether you went to graduation or not. Don’t forget to make sure you receive it. You can stop by the registrar’s office to pick it up or have it sent to you, but make sure you specify in case you’re moving or won’t be at your mailing address after graduation. The diploma cover is no fun without the diploma inside!

Tips for Saving Money While in College

April 4, 2018January 24, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Spoon holding potato on one end and money in the other while balanced on a calculator

As you already know, being a college student is both time-consuming and costly. However, if the stereotypical ramen noodle lifestyle is not for you, there are several ways to lessen the financial burden. In some cases, you can even receive some benefits for being a college student! Read on to learn how.

Look for Student Discounts

You know that little ID card you get after registering for the first time? It’s good for more than just taking out library books and using the printers. Showing your student ID can often save you money at various restaurants, stores, entertainment venues, and more. Check for policies in person and when shopping online to save some money with your student status. Don’t be afraid to ask about student discounts if one isn’t listed, especially if you’re making a major purchase (like for tech).

Focus on Class

Paying attention in class and getting good grades can be great for many reasons, as people probably tell you constantly. But financially, performing well in college and finishing classes can be the difference between whether you complete your degree or not. Passing classes efficiently means you don’t have to retake classes and add more semesters before graduating, which saves you money now and down the road. Federal financial aid often stops coming in after you’ve failed too many classes at Ulster. Passing classes is necessary for keeping your aid, and getting good grades is an added bonus that can earn you additional scholarships and aid. Attend class, pay attention, and do your work!

Take Advantage of Campus Opportunities

Save some money and get more out of your college experience by utilizing the fitness, social, and entertainment opportunities already available for free on campus. Want to see a concert or theatrical production? Check our events calendar. Want a good fiction book or movie? Check out our library catalog, we have many and can order more through interlibrary loan. If you want to start a regular workout regimen, try our gym (yes, we have gym equipment in that building!). All these things are free to our students.

Apply for Scholarships

Whatever your GPA, you should apply for Ulster’s scholarships when they become available. Even if you don’t have a 4.0, many times scholarships are available based on criteria like your major or the school you graduated from. You should always fill out the General Application, and look for other scholarships in the community as well. Check out our post all about earning scholarships to learn more.

Use a Finance Tracker

It’s a Fitbit for your money! See how your expenses add up by using a finance tracker. A student budget calculator is available online to see how you’re doing overall, and popular finance tracker apps to use for longterm budgeting include Mint and Wally.

Writing A Great College Transfer Essay

January 4, 2018 by SUNYUlster

Many upcoming graduates are trying to get into their desired four-year schools before their last semester at Ulster begins. While GPAs and letters of recommendation are important, the deciding factor in students getting accepted is the admissions essay. Considering that many students may have never written one before, here are a few tips on how to craft an essay that will earn that coveted acceptance letter.

Focus On the Main Prompt

Many admissions essays have one or more prompts for you to answer. If there isn’t a main prompt, typically you should address why the college is right for you. To help with this, be sure you stick to the required word count. If there isn’t one given, a common range is 250-1000, with the ideal being 400-700. Organize by paragraphs appropriately. No matter what the prompt is, you should be able to make it unique to you and your experiences.

Write in a Natural and Engaging Way

The people reading your admissions essay will naturally expect professionalism and proper grammar, but remember that you also need to make your essay unique and absorbing. This shouldn’t read like a term paper. Use conversational, effective language. It should sound natural and showcase you in some way. Remember, you’re essentially selling your value as a student to them. Use description and examples to engage the readers. Personal anecdotes relevant to the prompt, especially in the introduction, can be a great way to hook the readers and give them a good picture of you. Be honest about why you want to attend and why you think their school is right for you.

Revise, Edit, Proofread

You can’t be too careful with this part of the writing process, as you know already as a college student. If you’ve let your writing flow and stuck to the prompt, you will often have to trim off a number of words. Edit your essay to be impactful and to the point. It’s then important to proofread, since you will be expected to have mastered English 101 style during your time at Ulster. Asking someone else (or multiple people) to proofread the paper and give you their opinion can also be helpful.

Tips For Transferring from Community College to University

April 4, 2018December 27, 2017 by SUNYUlster

Right now, many of you are getting ready to graduate and then go on to a four-year school. You might be feeling overwhelmed by the selection and application process, but even if you haven’t been planning your transfer since you started here, there’s still time and plenty of options! Read on to learn about what you can do (starting now, before your last semester begins!) to ensure the next two years are as successful as your time at Ulster has been.

Talk with Your Advisor and the Transfer Advisor

No matter when you plan on graduating, it’s wise to have a conversation with both your individual advisor and Ulster’s transfer advisor, Kate Smith. Discuss your options, make sure your credits are on track, and get tips from both advisors on what schools could be good for you and your major. This can get you started on the decision-making process and can offer good leads to schools you may not have considered. Remember, academic advisors are available during their office hours year-round; you don’t have to wait for the narrow window of registration to have a chat with them about your plans! In fact, they often prefer you don’t wait until then. To get in touch with the transfer advisor, email smithk@sunyulster.edu or stop by her office in VAN 119M.

Find Some Great Schools

If you aren’t sure yet where you want to go, do some research! For further tips on how to find your match, check out this post on discovering your perfect school. Most importantly, be sure you check each school out carefully. You should always visit if you can. Remember to apply to several schools you’re interested in attending, so you have some options when the time comes to make your decision.

Make Sure Your Credits Transfer

Ulster has articulation agreements with many schools and also offers SUNY Guaranteed Admission to schools within the SUNY and CUNY systems. That said, you should still check to make sure your credits transfer properly! Knowing ahead of time if one school on your list will take an extra semester to graduate from can make a huge difference in your decision (and save you time and money). You can often find lists on school websites of class credits from other institutions that transfer to theirs. You can also ask someone at the transfer school to look over your credits to get a more personal analysis.

Know What Financial Aid Will Be Available

While it’s easy to find the annual tuition cost at an institution, that price doesn’t figure in your financial aid, including federal aid and transfer scholarships you may receive if eligible. Make sure you know how much you will be getting beforehand, so you know what, if any, you will realistically be paying out of pocket during your time at the school. If they are not offered up front, ask someone at the transfer school about scholarships you can apply for. And don’t forget to apply for scholarships here before you go! Scholarships offered through the Ulster Community College Foundation can usually be sent to other schools if the student is in their final semester at SUNY Ulster and intends to transfer.