environmental

Help Protect Our Planet with an Environmental Studies Degree

by
Environmental Studies students working in a stream with nets and buckets

Do you love the outdoors? Are you passionate about nature and wildlife? Would you like to make a difference for the ecosystems that make up our world? If so, an Environmental Studies A.S. degree might be for you!

With environmental issues continuing to grow in severity and importance, Environmental Studies graduates leave Ulster prepared for a field with a steadily expanding job market. Graduates can use their knowledge to help with any issue they’re passionate about, whether that’s food insecurity, climate change, pollution, wildlife endangerment and extinction, resource depletion, or anything else.

Reservoir surrounded by forest at sunset

Graduates have found jobs at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Ulster County Department of Health, as well as at private companies and local municipalities. The demand for environmental expertise is very high in the Hudson River Valley and Catskills Watershed region, so this career path can be great for students who want to stay local.

In the program, students gain skills in and out of the classroom. Students have the opportunity to explore nature and get hands-on experience as part of their classes. The program includes comprehensive courses in biology, environmental science, mathematics, and chemistry, so students are prepared for a variety of careers in environmental and scientific fields. In addition to the program itself, students can join the SUNY Ulster Environmental Club, which has taken part in several exciting sustainability and restoration activities in the last few years.

Monarch butterfly pollinates a flower

Students can take part in studies relating to stream management, wetlands, forestry, invasive species, pollinators, and fisheries through a variety of field‐based internships. Environmental Studies students also have exclusive access to paid internships with the NYC DEP.

Program graduates who decide to begin working immediately after graduation are qualified for jobs as environmental technicians, laboratory technicians, wetland field technicians, and environmental trainees. For those who want to continue their education, the program prepares students for fields like environmental law and environmental engineering. The program is also a terrific foundation for students who choose to pursue careers in other science fields, such as biology. The program affords easy transfer to schools such as SUNY ESF, SUNY Plattsburgh, and SUNY New Paltz, as well as many private colleges.

Assorted vegetables in a pile

One recent graduate began a very meaningful project for the local community! Michael Burke, a 2018 program graduate, was awarded a 2017 Barnabas McHenry Hudson Valley Award from the Open Space Institute to work with the Rondout Valley Growers Association to address food insecurity in Ulster County. The culmination of his work was a forum on campus in which local organizations and the community were invited to discuss the issue of food insecurity and potential solutions.

Another alum, 2016 program graduate Alex Lemus, transferred to SUNY Albany to study biochemistry and molecular biology. He is now a graduate research assistant at SUNY Albany and is pursuing a doctorate. He has already published his first research article!

Whether your goal is to improve pollution policies, study renewable energy resources, or help wildlife in their natural habitats, an Environmental Studies degree can be the perfect place to start! Learn more about the program by contacting admissions@sunyulster.edu.

SUNY Ulster’s Campus Clubs

by
Front of library in fall with SUNY Ulster's campus clubs written in sky

You’ve been here a while now, and you’ve probably adjusted to classes and college life, but you may not feel really connected to Ulster yet. You may also be struggling to meet new people outside of class. How do you fix this? Well, one easy way is to try one of our many active clubs here on campus! Clubs are organized and run by your fellow students, with help from a faculty advisor. Here is a preview of some of the many interesting clubs on campus:

BIOLOGY CLUB

The Biology Club often works with the Environmental Club to plan and take part in events. The clubs have held panels and events on topics such as the effects of chemical spraying on farms, on the environment, and on consumers. This semester, the club hopes to take part in community volunteering, volunteering on local farms, hosting a blood drive, and possibly holding a bake sale as a fundraiser for those affected by the hurricanes. They are also trying to find a museum or event  to attend. Due to many overlapping interests, the environmental and biology club meet together in HAR 211 on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Contact Nancy Decker at deckern@sunyulster.edu for more information.

BUSINESS CLUB

The SUNY Ulster Business Club presents an opportunity for students to experience and learn from various business-related activities. With speakers, club trips, and many club events, the Business Club can be a fun club for students pursuing a career in any field. Some of their past trips include a tour of YouTube studios and a tour of Wall Street. The meetings are held every Wednesday from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in HAS 208. For more information, contact Mindy Kole at kolem@sunyulster.edu.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CLUB

In the past, the Criminal Justice Club has gone to NYC to the “Bodies” exhibit and to the NYPD museum.  They have also had K9 officers and their partners come to school for a demonstrations. The Criminal Justice Club starts a charitable drive to help the less fortunate. They normally meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. in HAR 118. For more information, contact Thomas D’Amicantonio at damicant@sunyulster.edu.

DRAMA CLUB

Members of the Drama Club use their meetings to produce student written work, work on improvisation, and play theatre games. Their writing and acting has been on display at a number of improv shows and student productions put on for the campus community. They meet on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. in the Vanderlyn Rehearsal Room. For more information, contact Stephen Balantzian at balantzs@sunyulster.edu.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB

The Environmental Club focuses on educating the campus and surrounding community on environmental issues. They participate in community volunteer cleanup opportunities when possible, such as trail maintenance on I Love My Park Day, preparing the community garden with the Kingston YMCA Farm Project, and cleaning and restoring Kingston Point Beach. This work was recognized by SUNY’s 30 Days of Giving. They also raise money to donate to environmental groups and to preserve rain and cloud forests in areas considered to be most at risk of development. On campus, they have hosted events such as the film showing of “Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds” followed by a discussion panel, a talk by Larissa Walker on the importance of pollinators, and an Earth Day event in which they invited guest speakers and environmental groups. This semester, they will be hosting a forum on food security and the importance on getting food from our farms to the food pantries that need it. They meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays in HAR 211. Contact Jennifer Costello at costellj@sunyulster.edu for more information.

FASHION CLUB 

The Fashion Club promotes fashion awareness on campus and does fundraising events for field trips. In the past, they have made club t-shirts and planned fundraisers. They meet in the HAS 202 Sewing Room at 4:30 one Wednesday a month. Contact Kristin Flynn at flynnk@sunyulster.edu for more information.

FOCUS

FOCUS (Fellowship Of Christian University Students) aims to encourage spiritual growth among the college community, create an atmosphere of studying the Scriptures, establish opportunities for community service both on and off campus, and equip students with skills and experiences that will further develop leadership skills. In the past, club members have sponsored a coffee house and passed out Final Exam Survival Pack goodie bags to the campus community. The club meets on Wednesday afternoons from 1-2 p.m. in the Dining Hall, where they pray together and do a Bible study. Contact Dr. Hans Vought at voughth@sunyulster.edu for more information.

HUMAN SERVICES CLUB

The Human Services club puts their classwork into practice by helping those in need throughout the year. This year, they will be working in collaboration with the Nursing Club to do activities with older adults in a local nursing home. They also plan to help a soup kitchen prepare and serve meals on Thanksgiving Day and host a talent show in the spring. In the past, they have worked together to buy gifts for children who otherwise wouldn’t receive gifts on Christmas. The Human Services Club meets every Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Hardenbergh 117a. Interested students can contact Vicky Burgh-Harris at burghhav@sunyulster.edu.

NURSING CLUB

The nursing club is very active on campus and the local community. Members have held health fairs, blood drives, holiday card signing, health walks, and collected and distributed food for the food pantry. They also run the Salvation Army holiday angel tree that pops up in Hardenbergh every Christmas. This year, they will be running a session of holiday arts and crafts at a local nursing home around Thanksgiving. They meet at 1 p.m. the first Monday of every month in the nursing lab. Nursing students interested in participating can contact Ellen Tangney at tangneye@sunyulster.edu.

SUAA

SUAA (SUNY Ulster Art Association) gives students the opportunity to develop personal work for their portfolios.  Last year SUAA painted the mural in Vanderlyn outside of the Vice-President’s office. In the past, they have gone on a museum visit to Boston, made cards at the Woodstock School of Art, and visited the Storm King Art Center. They meet in VAN 261 at 1 p.m., typically on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. For more information, contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

VET TECH CLUB

The Veterinary Technology Club’s primary goal is to help animals in the community. They have hosted pet owner education at SUNY Ulster, raised money for Kevlar vests for Kingston’s Police K-9 unit, donated new instruments to the UCSPCA, paid for students to attend continuing ed seminars by the NYS Association of Veterinary Technicians, and hosted internationally known speaker Temple Grandin in 2012. Students have also volunteered in a TNR program for feral cats with the UCSPCA and arranged rabies and microchip clinics held at SUNY Ulster. They won an award for Collegiate Philanthropy from the Mid-Hudson Fund Raising Professionals Chapter in 2011.  The club meets every other Wednesday (when SGO doesn’t meet) in HAR 207 at 1:15 p.m. Interested students can contact Beth Alden at aldenb@sunyulster.edu or Sandy Wiltshire at wiltshis@sunyulster.edu.

WRITING CLUB

The Writing Club meets every week to share the creative writing of its members. They respond to prompts and bring in their own work for discussion and critique. Some members have published work workshopped at meetings. The club meets in DEW 104 on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Interested students can contact Nicholas Haines at hainesn@sunyulster.edu.