Meet Michelle Moore

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image of floral fabric designed by michelle moore

Michelle Moore is a SUNY Ulster alumnus and now an adjunct faculty member at SUNY Ulster. Here is her recent interview with Bold Journey Magazine:

Michelle, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

Creativity like all things in life needs nurturing and care. There will be periods of high activity and periods of dormancy. I have learned that when I am in either state that I have to be mindful that it will not last forever.

The creative mind needs rest in order to come up with new ideas and be to be inspired. The only way to keep it thriving is to listen, and give it what it needs when it needs it.

On the other side of that is when the “creative spark” hits, I know I have to act on it, and move the idea forward in order to keep my advancing my work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hi! I am an Artist, Surface Designer and Art Educator located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

I am currently focused on the use of natural dyes using homegrown flowers and botanicals for textiles and artwork. I spent the last ten(ish) years experimenting with this craft and have honed in on the specific area of hammered flowers and leaves on cloth and paper. Over that time I have worked with major retail brands to bring naturally dyed goods to the commercial market. I have designed natural dye kits that have been sold across the US, and have taught many workshops to share this art form with others.

Over the last few years I have been writing a book about my hammered flower process that is due to publish at the end of the year. Keep an eye out!

I also teach art courses at my Alma Mater – SUNY Ulster. I teach courses in drawing, 2D Design, graphic design foundation.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

  1. Digital design. I decided early on in my artistic journey that it was as important if not more to learn how to Floral wall hanging use CAD programs, as well as create my own website in order to showcase my artwork. We live in the world of tiny screens and limited attention spans. You need to grab your viewers attention quick, and the best way is through great photos and presentation of the work your invested so much time creating.
  2. Stop comparing yourself. This is indeed a learned “skill”. It doesn’t matter what everyone else around you is doing. Just keep focused on what you are doing and it will in time evolve organically the way it i supposed to. Everything good takes time, energy, and consistency. Keep chipping away.
  3. Don’t focus on what you “don’t know”. I think the biggest challenge sometimes is getting started. We often think we don’t know enough to make progress. The truth is that you need to start somewhere. Be curious, make mistakes, lean into the process. The more experiments you do, the more knowledge you will gain.Keep at it. It gets easier.Continuing to show up for yourself is best quality you can have.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I’m always looking for new ways to share my work with the world!

I’d love to do collaborations with my hammered flower art specifically.I’d love to work with an eco friendly stationery or home goods brand to bring these designs into the retail market in small batches. I also would love to work with a fashion designer to create a really beautiful hammered flower garment for something special.

I’m also looking to exhibit more of my original artwork this year.

More flowers on everything!

Contact Info:

SUNY Ulster Presents Annual Spring Concert Series

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Press Release musical concert

April 16, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – The SUNY Ulster Music Department will present its second and third concerts of the spring semester on Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. The performances will be held in the Quimby Theater in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus. These concerts are free and open to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted.

The April 30 concert will feature the SUNY Ulster College/Community Band co-directed by Victor Izzo and Carla Newsome. Members include SUNY Ulster students, faculty, staff members, Community Members, Advanced Area High School and Middle School students, and Area Music Educators. They will be playing a variety of band literature including Cyrus the Great, Caccia and Chorale, Puszta, and Niflheim, and featuring Haven Kara Forte on marimba.

Also, on April 30, join us as we celebrate Victor Izzo, who has been the director of the College/Community Band since 2006. Vic may be stepping down as the long-time director of this concert, but he plans to continue to play with the group. He has had a tremendous impact on the SUNY Ulster music department, its instrumental music program, and music programs throughout Ulster County and beyond. His legacy will continue well into the future.

On May 8, the SUNY Ulster College Chorus, African Music Ensemble, and the Best Performances of the “Wednesdays@1:00” LIVE Music Series will take the stage. The performers are made up of primarily SUNY Ulster students, along with SUNY Ulster Faculty and Staff, as well as Community Members.

The College Chorus, directed by Janet Gehres and accompanied by Edward Leavitt, will feature an uplifting, eclectic program which includes music ranging from the English Renaissance to the Beatles, Folk Music from Ireland, French Canada, Kentucky, and music with texts from Native American poetry and East Africa. Paul Chambers and Anastasia Solberg are the special instrumental guests.

Also performing on May 8 is the Best Performances from the Spring 2025 “Wednesdays@1:00” LIVE Music Series voted by the Music Faculty.

The evening will conclude with the African Music Ensemble directed by Paul Chambers and will include Music from the Ivory Coast, Guinea, Ghana, and Nigeria, featuring the African instruments: Djembes, Ghanaian Bells, and Shakers.

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

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SUNY Ulster Nursing Program Vital Signs are Healthy with 100% NCLEX Pass Rate

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nursing students

April 15, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster proudly announces that its most recent cohort of nursing students achieved a remarkable 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This achievement underscores SUNY Ulster’s success in preparing its students for this difficult test as well as for the demanding career of being a nurse.

For over 60 years, SUNY Ulster has kept up the highest caliber of teaching in the constantly evolving healthcare industry. From exceptional faculty and innovative curriculum to state of the art equipment and hands on learning students graduate into the workforce to provide critical care and support to community members. Students also receive on-site experience through our local hospitals.

“We are incredibly proud of our nursing graduates for their outstanding performance throughout their educational journey,” says Maria McCabe, department chair.  “Our commitment to training nurses who are not only clinically skilled but also have the ability to rise to whatever challenges may face them throughout their career is unwavering.”

In addition to the 100% NCLEX pass rate, the employment rate upon graduation is also 100%. Historically, the nursing pass rate was 95% in 2023 with 100% employment and 92.59% in 2022 with a 93% employment rate. SUNY Ulster has surpassed the 2024 NCLEX pass rate for New York State of 87.07% and 90.63% nationally.

“I applaud the work of our Nursing faculty in supporting the success of our students as they enter the workforce ready to serve residents in Ulster County and beyond in their critical role as nurses, touching the lives of their patients and communities,” Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President, SUNY Ulster.

For more details about SUNY Ulster’s nursing program, please visit https://bit.ly/ulsternursing.

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Poet and Activist, Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre will read at 2025 Poetry Forum

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Press Release Kyle Tran Guante and book cover

SUNY Ulster Presents Poet and Activist, Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre

2025 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum

April 8, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster presents the 2025 Ellen Robbins Poetry Forum with poet and activist Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre along with student and faculty presenters on Thursday, April 17, at 1:15 p.m. in the College Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus.

Kyle Tran Myhre (aka Guante) is a poet and activist whose work explores the relationships between narrative, power, and resistance. He’s performed at the United Nations, been featured on a Grammy-winning album, been a member of two National Poetry Slam championship teams, and visited countless colleges, conferences, and festivals, using spoken word and storytelling as doorways into critical dialogue. His most recent book is “Not a Lot of Reasons to Sing, But Enough.” Learn more about Guante.

Whether writing about men’s roles in ending gender-based violence, challenging dominant narratives related to race and racism, or just telling stories about the different jobs he’s had, Tran Myhre strives to cultivate a deeper engagement with social justice issues, one based in both empathy and agency. An educator as well as a performing artist, Tran Myhre completed his Masters studies at the University of Minnesota with a focus on spoken word, critical pedagogy, and social justice education, and regularly facilitates workshops and residencies. He currently lives in Minneapolis.

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. 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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Spring Open House & Accepted Students Day, Saturday, April 26

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Press Re;ease

SUNY Ulster Holds Spring Open House and Accepted Students Day 2025 on Saturday, April 26

April 4, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will host its 2025 Spring Open House and Accepted Students Day on the Stone Ridge campus on Saturday, April 26. Check-in starts at 8 a.m., followed by Welcome Addresses at 8:30 a.m. Scheduled sessions and tours will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and run through 1 p.m.

Attendees will learn about SUNY Ulster’s academic programs, student services, campus life, athletics, and more. They’ll also have the chance to attend a College Services Fair, an Academic Program Showcase presented by faculty, and a campus tour led by Student Admissions Ambassadors.

Demos and hands-on experiences will also be featured, including art portfolio reviews, a digital media lab and podcast studio tour, a music-making session, a nursing simulation, a robotics lab demo, and more.

Prospective students will also receive guidance from our Enrollment & Success Center Team and other Student Services professionals through the Admissions process, an overview of SUNY Ulster scholarships, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and other important foundational resources to ensure student success.

In addition to the above activities, accepted students beginning their studies in the Fall 2025 semester will also attend special sessions designed to help students prepare and transition to college. They will also have the opportunity to schedule appointments with an advisor for a later date.

Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome for this event. Those who reserve their spot in advance will receive an individualized schedule for the day’s planned activities tailored to their interests and educational goals. A brunch buffet will be available at our college services fair and all guests will receive a discount on SUNY Ulster Spirit Wear in the campus bookstore.

To reserve your spot, visit sunyulster.edu/visit. For more information, please contact SUNY Ulster’s Enrollment & Success Center at admissions@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5022.

 

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Instant Admissions Week April 14 – 18

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Press Release with students

SUNY Ulster Hosting Instant Admissions Week April 14 – 18

A Quick and Easy Way to Go From Application to Accepted & Enrolled on the Spot

 

April 2, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is hosting Instant Admissions Week from April 14-18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where prospective students can apply, test, and register for the Fall 2025 semester—all in one day with assistance from Enrollment and Success Counselors. For anyone interested in attending SUNY Ulster in Fall 2025 this is a good opportunity to benefit from the hands-on experience of admissions representatives and others who can answer questions.

Attendees should bring their official, sealed high school transcript, original GED certificate or original IHIP Letter of Substantial Equivalency, and any official college transcript (if applicable). Participants will be guided through the entire process by admissions counselors. Financial aid reps will also be on hand to assist with the financial aid process.

Please note that most Ulster County High Schools will be closed for Spring Break during our Instant Admissions Week. Those planning to participate in Instant Admissions Week during April 14-18 are encouraged to plan ahead by ordering their official high school transcripts in advance. Participants can also order any official college transcripts in advance through their former college’s Registrar’s office. SUNY Ulster accepts official college transcripts electronically through Parchment and/or National Clearinghouse.

SUNY Ulster offers students over 60 academic programs that lead to either transfer to a four-year college or entry into the job market. To best help students afford college, the Ulster Community College Foundation awards $1 million in scholarships annually to entering, continuing, and transferring students.

Reservations for an Instant Admissions appointment are preferred but not required. REGISTER NOW!

For more information, contact the Enrollment & Success Center at esc@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5022.

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Elizabeth Gross Horticulture Lecture Features Ecological Garden Designer, Rebecca McMackin, April 8

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Rebecca McMackin with f flowers

April 1, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster invites members of the community to Adventures in Ecological Horticulture, a lecture by Rebecca McMackin on April 8 at 2 pm in the College Lounge on the Stone Ridge Campus.

Perfect for gardeners, photographers, architects, and landscape admirers, among others, the Elizabeth Gross Lecture series at SUNY Ulster is sponsored by the Ulster Garden Club and made possible by the Ulster Community College Foundation. The event is free and open to the public.

For ecological horticulturist Rebecca McMackin, biodiversity is central to landscape management. In her 10 years as Director of Horticulture at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Rebecca oversaw 85 acres of diverse, organic landscapes, all managed to support birds, butterflies, and soil microorganisms.

 Learn how to use ecological insight and experimentation to develop new management strategies – and why careful observation and documentation of the insects, birds, and other wildlife in your gardens is crucial to their success.

The Elizabeth Gross Horticultural Series at SUNY Ulster is made possible through a bequest received by the Ulster Garden Club from long-time club member and Kingston resident, Mrs. Elizabeth Gross. The Ulster Garden Club made a charitable gift to the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. to establish the lecture series in her honor.

 The series presents expert lecturers in the fields of horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, forestry, city planning, land management, botany, conservation and environmental studies.

The Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization providing enhanced educational and cultural opportunities at SUNY Ulster. Fundraising initiatives support scholarships, arts and culture, technology, and innovation in academic programs.

For further information, please contact Pat Clarke at (917) 817-3246 or Anne Shultz at (845) 419-9870.

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Community/College Band & Stissing Mountain High School Presents their first Exchange Concert

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Press Release musical concert

SUNY Ulster Community/College Band & Stissing Mountain High School Presents their first Exchange Concert in April

March 27, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – The SUNY Ulster Music Department’s College/Community Band with the Stissing Mountain High School Band will perform an exchange concert on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School, 2829 Church St., Pine Plains, NY.

Exchange concerts are an opportunity for two musical ensembles to perform for both each other and their respective audiences. It’s a chance for them to make music for and with each other and a fantastic opportunity for all parties involved to share their love of music and keep it alive and thriving which is the end goal.

The April 10 concert will have approximately 100 musicians and feature the SUNY Ulster College/Community Band co-directed by Victor Izzo and Carla Newsome. The Stissing Mountain High School Band will be directed by Erin Marlow.

The SUNY Ulster College/Community Band will perform “Strange Humors” by John Mackey and feature Paul Chambers on djembe and “Vesuvius by Frank Ticheli.” The Stissing Mountain High School Band will perform Selections from “The Greatest Showman”, including “The Greatest Show, A Million Dreams, Never Enough, This is Me and From Now On”, musical arranger Paul Murtha. The combined bands will perform “First Suite in E-Flat” by Gustav Holst and “Rippling Watercolors by Brian Balmages”.

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

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Celebrating National Public Health Awareness Month with New York Blood Center Blood Drive in April

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Press Release

SUNY Ulster Celebrates National Public Health Awareness Month with New York Blood Center Blood Drive in April

March 25, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster’s Student Government Organization is donating blood with the New York Blood Center to celebrate National Public Health Awareness Month. The blood drive will be held on Thursday, April 3 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Student Life Dining Hall in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge Campus.

Schedule an appointment to guarantee your time, however walk-ins are welcome. In preparation for donating, please bring a photo student ID or government-issued ID, eat well and hydrate before your appointment, and be symptom free of any sickness.

 Donating blood provides numerous benefits for both the donor and the recipient. We all know donating blood saves lives and donations are essential for medical procedures, surgeries, and emergencies. Recipients are provided life-sustaining treatment and blood transfusions can help patients with blood disorders, injuries, and chronic diseases.

Donating blood is a great way to get involved in the SUNY Ulster community and make a positive impact. This is a feel-good-factor that can provide a sense of purpose knowing you are helping others. Help the Student Government Organization make an impact. All students who donate will receive 1-hour of community service from the Office of Student Affairs.

For more information, contact Samm Chambers at chambers@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-1560. This event is free and open to the public.

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SUNY Ulster Athletics Scores New Golf and Women’s Basketball Coaches

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March 10, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster and Athletics Director, Ryan Snair, announce Vinnie Manginelli as its new golf coach and Omar Morales as the new women’s basketball coach.

Vinnie Manginelli is a PGA of America Golf Professional and has coached the SUNY Ulster men’s and women’s golf team since 2016. He is a writer and editor for PGA Magazine, managing content for five of its digital publications. With more than two decades of golf coaching and instruction under his belt, Coach Manginelli looks forward to growing the SUNY Ulster golf program after several recent individual player and team successes. He holds a Master’s Degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and is a member of the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association.

 Omar Morales is a passionate basketball coach at SUNY Ulster, where he brings years of experience as both a player and coach to inspire the next generation of student athletes. A lifelong basketball player, he previously coached the women’s team at SUNY Ulster and was named 2019-20 Region XV Coach of the Year. In addition to his role as Head Basketball Coach at Ulster he currently serves as the Varsity Boys Basketball Assistant Coach at New Paltz High School. A proud Hudson Valley native, Omar attended SUNY Ulster where he played basketball and baseball, later transferring to finish his academic studies at SUNY New Paltz. Coaching at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels has helped deepen his connection to the local community. He prides himself on developing relationships and connections with his players, helping to mentor and coach them as individuals, students, and as athletes. Outside of coaching, he enjoys playing a variety of sports and cherishes time with his four children.

 The golf team will begin practicing indoors soon with the first match taking place in April 2025. The women’s basketball season runs from October through March.                                                                     

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Golf Guys
Vinnie Manginelli (left) Omar Morales (right)