SUNY Ulster

Lucia Pecore: Helping Students Start Here at SUNY Ulster

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Lucia Pecore with SUNY Ulster merchandise

Lucia Pecore

Assistant Director of Admissions

Communication and Media Studies ’94

Why did you choose to start out at SUNY Ulster?

I initially had my eyes on a four-year private out-of-state university for theater, but my mother had suggested that I begin my education locally. This was not the answer I wanted to hear at all, but I quickly realized how great SUNY Ulster and the Theater Department was here. While I enjoyed the classes and experiences from the stage, after some time in the program I realized that I was not going to be a leading lady, at best comic relief.  So I redirected my creative energies into another area and was able to graduate with everything I needed to move on to transfer smoothly as junior to SUNY New Paltz. In the end, SUNY Ulster was the best decision my mother ever made for me.  I really grew both academically and emotionally.  I was able to discover my passion and direction, without paying a hefty tuition.

What called you back to SUNY Ulster?

I’d been working in Higher Education in development and alumni affairs in offices that employed a number of student aides. These students seemed to naturally connect with me asking for advice and guidance on their next steps after graduation. I found that I really enjoyed mentoring these students. It just happened that SUNY Ulster had an opening in Admissions, It seemed like it would be a natural fit for me, so I applied and the rest is history.

What do you enjoy about meeting incoming students at High School college fairs and Open Houses?

The high school students I meet with are at a pivotal point in their lives and it’s a lot of responsibility to take on. I have the opportunity to help them bridge the gap between high school and college, and I help them formulate informed decisions about choosing the college that is right for them. As an Alumna, it feels great to help students in the way that I was helped when I was planning to attend SUNY Ulster.

What are your tips for incoming students?

Early Bird Gets the Worm: The earlier you make the connections, the more prepared you will be before you start your studies.

Take the Time to Visit Us… And Visit Us Again: We live in an area rich with college and universities. At the end of the day, you need to visit all of the colleges you’re considering, because you have to find that right fit for you.

Once you’re a Students here—Don’t Just Go to Class, Get Involved: Take advantage of all the community activities at SUNY Ulster. Learning doesn’t just involve the classroom; it’s also about the experiences you will have and the connections you make for your future.

What are some of your favorite things about SUNY Ulster?

The fact that so many of my colleagues are SUNY Ulster Alumni themselves! The number of Alumni that have come back to work here really shows just how much we all believe in this institution. As Alumni, this is our opportunity to pay it forward—and because of this the support and sense of community here really makes us stand out among our community college peers.

Contact Lucia Pecore by email at PecoreL@sunyulster.edu or by phone at 845-687-5000.

Top Ten Reasons to Choose SUNY Ulster

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SUNY Ulster in front of the fountain in fall

Affordable EducationTaraFitzgerald
The cost of attending a four-year college is high and going higher. You can greatly reduce the cost of gaining a bachelor’s degree by graduating from SUNY Ulster and transferring to finish to a four-year institution to finish your degree. At SUNY Ulster, 70% of our students graduate with no debt and more than 200 students per year receive scholarships. Discover how Tara Fitzgerald saved to reach her goals.


Flexible Scheduling
If you need to make college fit in with job and family obligations, SUNY AudreyPottingerUlster offers daytime, evening, weekend and online classes to help you accomplish your educational goals. Did you know, we also offer seven different start dates to help get you going. See how Audrey Pottinger used every scheduling option to get herself across the finish line.

The Power of SUNY
The SUNY System has a policy of seamless transfer for those graduating from a New York community college with an A.A. or A.S. degree. Our Transfer Office can help ensure the credits you earn at SUNY Ulster will earn you placement as a junior in the four-year SUNY college or university of your choice.

Faculty Focus on Teaching VincenzoAgostaroCapture
Our professors don’t just teach a course, they live it. Experts in their fields, they bring real life experiences to the classroom. Classes are small, so faculty have the ability to inspire and mentor.

Support Services for Success
We strive to address the needs of all learners. From academic advising and tutoring to counseling and career services, we help you develop to your fullest potential.

Internships & Real World Experience
From day one, you’ll have the opportunity to register for an internship or academic travel. In addition, many of our programs provide real world experiences such as creating graphics or developing drafting proVictorCuevaCapturejects for real clients.

College & Career Options
If you’re like most students, you may not yet know your career path. SUNY Ulster is ideal for exploring fields that interest you to find your passion. Choose from career-oriented programs if you want to enter the job market with your associate degree, certificate or diploma or from transfer programs if you’d like to transfer to a four-year college or university.

Vibrant Student Life
Join a club. Run for office. See a play. Visit the gallery. Play for one of our athletic teams. Join us for BBQs, workshops, lectures, demonstrations and more.

Caring Community
You can feel it the moment you step foot on campus. We’re a community of helpers and doers, cheerleaders and mentors. You’ll quickly discover that faculty, staff and your fellow students become family.

Global Opportunities
Experiencing the world and connecting with other students from around the globe is easy for SUNY Ulster students. In addition to international and domestic travel, we are a leader in COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning). COIL classes use Internet-based tools like Skype and Moodle to connect with students from other institutions around the globe, without ever leaving campus. Learn with students from Mexico, Beirut, and Italy, among others.

Final Exam Tips from your Professors

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Keep Calm and Pass Your Exams

It’s that time of the semester again! The sun is out; the Main Quad is beginning to buzz with activity; and you can almost envision your end of the school year Netflix binge. Before you can just sit back, relax and remain in your bed for the next 36 hours, you have to get through those dreaded final exams. Here are some tips from some of our Faculty and Staff on how to make it through those finals:

“Make sure you know what’s on the final exam so you know what you need to study. Then study all your resources: your class notes, your homework, the textbook, and any other resources you have.”

Mindy Kole
Assistant Professor of Business

“Make sure you read the directions for your final exam and projects. If you don’t read the instructions, how will you know what you need to do? Also, check and triple check, the date of your final exam.

Dr. Nichola Harris
Associate Professor of European History

“Don’t wait until the last minute to study. Do not cram!”

Jane Kithcart
Director of Academic Support Services & Placement Director of Learning Center

“Put in the effort, study hard, and just before the exam take a break and relax. You know everything you will know! In the end though, remember your final exam grade doesn’t define you.”

Nicholas Haines
Instructor of English

“Take care of yourself. Make sure you’re remembering to eat and sleep on a regular and healthy basis. Going into an over stressed and deprived of sleep is only going to make it harder for you to focus on the exam.”

Mary Ann Baruth
Associate Professor of Mathematics  

Cleaning Up Your Social Media for Graduation

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Person holding cell phone with two hands, sitting between two other people

According to the Pew Research Internet Project, approximately 74% of those with access to the internet use social media. Included in that 74% are recruiters, headhunters, and hiring managers looking to get a better view of who you are as a person. Companies are becoming more interested in the whole life of their employees, either to help create company culture fits or to weed out those that may not fit from the start.

The reality is that some of those Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram posts can land you in serious hot water. Let’s remember the young woman who was fired before her first day at a pizza place because she decided to complain about it on her Twitter account. It’s your choice to share, but keep in mind you could be risking your chances of getting a new job or even keeping the position you already have.

Your social pages are basically your personal advertisements. You’re building a brand here, people!

  • Be outgoing.
  • Be yourself.
  • But be conscious.

What’s your end goal? Are you on these channels to network with desired industry insiders? Socialize? Either way, people are looking, from friends to the public. Don’t let your social media channels hold you back.

Pay close attention to these tips on what to leave off the web – for good:

Complaints About Your Current Job or Internship

This is one of the worst offenses someone can make. If you’ve had a bad day, week, or month, the last place to vent is online. Your current employer may never see your comments, but there’s always the chance a future employer will. Or worse – a fellow employee with a chip on his or her shoulder. Also, recruiters and hiring managers will look at how you present yourself online during an internship or work you currently and form an opinion about how you may act online in the future.

Also, the way you interact with your school, professors, and administration online will be watched as well. To sum it up, how you interact with people is important as it does reflect on your personality and ability to blend into community culture.

Takeaway: Save yourself the drama, and address the situation head-on in person but not online. Even if you and your manager don’t end up seeing eye-to-eye, you’ve earned their respect in the workplace.

Passive Aggressive Comments

There’s a lyric to go with every mood, person, and situation. That doesn’t mean you need to put those cryptic words on blast to your 700+ Facebook friends when someone at work crosses you. Nine times out of ten you’ll delete this post later, making it seem like you can’t handle your emotions.

Takeaway: Leave the salt for your food. Grudges can only last so long, but your social-savvy friends and coworkers will always remember the time you called them out – not so discreetly.

Inappropriate Photos and Videos

While you may have already deleted all your Facebook albums after starting to read this article, don’t forget to look at your tagged photos as well. These are often overlooked – but not by employers or recruiters. If you have public accounts, employers can use these images as a benchmark of how you’ll perform on the job. Private accounts are not as private as you think. Photos and videos can be shared, and screenshots can be made. Some very popular memes were created from private photos.

Takeaway: Snap your best foot forward. What if your Instagram was filled with such great food shots, your manager hires you to be the official ‘grammer’ of the company? Leave your options open. Keep it clean, folks!

In The End, Do You.

If you’re thinking, filters be damned – I’m posting whatever I want, whenever i want, then make your page private. Most social media platforms allow for customized privacy settings.

Our tip? Use social media, but use it wisely. Put the same efforts into your posts as you do in choosing the right Instagram filter. And if you currently have a job – don’t use social on your shift.

Sports Make a Difference

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SUNY Ulster Senators with symbol

College is scary. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The teachers are intimidating and the students are scary and as you’re wandering around the campus looking at your schedule you’re wondering if it’s HAR for Hardenbergh Hall or if it was a mistype and had meant HAS for Hasbrouk Hall. For a two year college, it’s harder to meet people because there isn’t any housing on campus like four year colleges and the social life is mostly small circles of kids who already knew each other before entering college.

There is a way around that vicious cycle of “oh my gosh who are these people” and that is joining a sport. As said previously, SUNY Ulster is a two year college and since either you know some people or you know no one, the best bet to meet people and to be most comfortable in your four (or three, two, one) semesters here is to join one of the sports that are offered giving you a great opportunity.

In the fall there is the Men’s Soccer team, the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country team, and the Women’s Volleyball team who made the fourth spot on the Division III NJCAA standings. In the Winter Men’s Basketball is played and in the spring Baseball, Men’s Golf, Men’s Tennis, and Softball are all played. For each season, there is some way for girls and boys to get to know one another and for people to get connected with each other.

Your teammates are there to support you. College is a stressful and difficult time for anyone and to be able to socialize and have someone next to you to pat you on the back makes all the difference. Your teammates motivate you to do your best in your sport and in your studies and your team makes you want to be the best that you can be. It doesn’t matter if your team is one of the better ones in fact it doesn’t even matter if your team is one of the less successful ones. What matters is that the teammates and the athletes have the camaraderie that bind them together.

So, if you are feeling at a loss with this semester with meeting new people, the best idea that there is would be to join one of the four sports that are offered. You can get exercise and get motivated to have a fantastic semester here at SUNY Ulster.

Alumna Highlight: Leanna White, Graphic Design

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Close up photo of Leanna White, SUNY Ulster Alumni

Leanna White is a SUNY Ulster Alum, Class of 2012 with an A.S. degree in Advertising Design and Graphic Technology. Her career since graduation has been the very definition of “Start Here. Go Far.” Leanna has taken her classroom knowledge into the real world to excel in her chosen career as a professional Graphic Designer.

The SUNY Ulster Graphic Design program is not only instructional, it also prepares students to work with clients. While in the program, students work on professional projects to prepare them for a career in graphic design immediately after graduation.

Among other projects, Leanna worked on the design of the Ulster County Sheriff Patrol cars.

K9_Front-Back K9-Car

Recently, we sat down with Leanna to discuss her accomplishments since graduating from SUNY Ulster.

What have you accomplished since graduating from SUNY Ulster?

Since graduating in 2012, I have had nothing short of a colorful career. Shortly after graduating, I was offered a job at Pictoura (start-up travel company) where I retouched over 30,000 beautiful images from locations around the world.

YTWT_Jan-2015-CatalogLater that year, I was offered an in-house position as a graphic designer for Naturtint, an international leader in natural hair dye. The advertisements I designed could be found around the U.S. and Canada in top publications like Women’s Health, Dr. Oz and The Good Life.

Womens-Health_Nov2014

After parting ways with Pictoura in 2013, and Naturtint in 2014, I was offered a position as creative director for We Are Triumphant (Records) in Fall 2014. My job was to manage all of the company’s creative material including artwork for individual artists and bands on the label.  Plus I had the great opportunity to work directly with Victory Records to have my work produced for their online store.

While I still work on-and-off with We Are Triumphant, most of my time is currently occupied with design work for Yankee Trails World Travel. Some of my many tasks include designing travel catalogs, printed advertisements, e-mail campaigns and more. All the while, I have maintained a bustling freelance career where I work with awesome people from around the world.

You can see Leanna’s portfolio online at: www.leannawhite.com

How has the SUNY Ulster graphic design program assisted you in your career? 

Even though I did some design work before attending SUNY Ulster, The ‘Real World Classroom’ with its controlled setting really helped prepare me for what to expect in the design world. The field is extremely competitive and this gave me a head start.  With the help of the program’s real-world projects and competitive student atmosphere, I quickly adopted a work ethic that has helped me produce some of my best work yet.

Do you have any advice for current Design students?

  • Always have a contract.

One thing that I think needs some serious mentioning is design contracts. If you are a freelance designer dealing with money of any kind, you must ALWAYS have a written agreement between both parties. I cannot stress this enough. More often than not, people will try to take advantage of  you if a contract is not set in place. If you cannot afford a lawyer to write a contract for you, do your research and alter an existing contract to suit your needs.

  • Be competitive.

To survive in the design world, you absolutely have to be driven and committed. Never stop learning, never stop improving. Keep up to date with current design trends and constantly perfect your skill and technique. Most clients are looking for a one-stop-shop, which means you need to be a multi-disciplined and multi-faceted individual with a lot to offer. If you’re not giving it your all, expect that someone else will. This career is not for the light of heart.

  • Take a break.

As with most creative professions, your brain needs a break from creative thinking. Working long hours on a project will leave you feeling blind and without direction.  That is never a good feeling, especially when someone is relying on you to make something great. Know when to close down Adobe for the night and try not to stress about your creative block – tomorrow’s fresh eyes are exactly what your design needs.

Interested in more information about the SUNY Ulster, Graphic Design Program?

Check out: https://www.sunyulster.edu/academics/credit_programs/advertising_design/

 

SUNY Ulster President Dr. Alan Roberts

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President Alan Roberts standing with Nick Carchidi

Occupation: SUNY Ulster President
Community College Attended: North Country Community College
First Generation Student

What made you decide to start at a Community College?
Convenience, Affordability, and Accessibility.

When did you figure out your career major?
I began as an accounting major in community college but once I furthered my education I found that I had a passion for more of the marketing and other fields involved with business.

What is the difference between Community College then vs. Community College now?
Technology, I just read that 70% of students need technology to study and 30% can’t leave their phone alone for 10 minutes. Now, with the Technology Revolution though, I can’t leave my phone alone either.

Describe your journey from Student to President.
I began studying Accounting at North Country Community College. Then I worked in the business field for years but wanted a more fulfilling job. I then started working as an Accounting professor at Indian River State College, moving up to a department head, a Dean and now as the President of SUNY Ulster.

What is your favorite thing about SUNY Ulster?
The Instructors: They are exactly what I was hoping faculty would be at every community college. They care about the students. The success of their students is number one in their mind and they go about & beyond in that they spend more time with students, they help, they mentor, they guide, and they love being here.

Pres15vertWhat are your Favorite Places on Campus?
I love the Music and Art Departments since I’m a musician.
The STEM Department interests me because of all the cool technology in the classrooms. And, of course, the Cafeteria because that’s where the students are and I love to interact with them.

What tips do you have for Students?
Start on day one: Get class scheduling, financial aid, book purchasing out of the way before the first day of class. Focus on your studies. Learn how to be a student: Figure out how to be independent and how the college system works while at community college.

Field Work on Vacation

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The Carnival Pride ship from the Lagoon in the water

During the week of September 13th my boyfriend Mark and I went on a cruise to Grand Turk and the Bahamas. Upon my departure I was asked by Professor Jessica Moore, who teaches Planet Earth, if I would mind taking sand samples from the different islands (and as many photos as I could). While I wasn’t able to bring back sand samples from all three islands, I was able to bring back a few other treasures instead.

These are different rocks that I found on the beach in Grand Turk, as well as a Conch Shell (that I found) and a real sponge (that I purchased. It is illegal to harvest them unlicensed).
These are different rocks that I found on the beach in Grand Turk, as well as a Conch Shell (that I found) and a real sponge (that I purchased. It is illegal to harvest them unlicensed).

 

Half Moon Cay is an island in the Bahamas that is owned by Carnival. It was leased to the for 99 years at a little over six million dollars.
Half Moon Cay is an island in the Bahamas that is owned by Carnival. It was leased to the U.S. for 99 years at a little over six million dollars.

 

A storm on the Atlantic Ocean.
A storm on the Atlantic Ocean.

 

A school of Yellow Snapper that were swimming around the Glass-bottom boat we were on.
A school of Yellow Snapper that were swimming around the Glass-bottom boat we were on.

 

Although, it is hard to tell this is Brain Coral. It was taken through Plexiglas, hence the blurriness of the photo.
Although, it is hard to tell this is Brain Coral. It was taken through Plexiglas, hence the blurriness of the photo.

 

A replication of an Arawak Village. The Arawak are the original natives of Half Moon Cay.
A replication of an Arawak Village. The Arawak are the original natives of Half Moon Cay.

 

This is the sole opening in to the Atlantic Ocean from the Half Moon Cay Lagoon.
This is the sole opening in to the Atlantic Ocean from the Half Moon Cay Lagoon.

 

Back in The Port of Baltimore
Back in The Port of Baltimore

Looking Back and Moving Forward

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Rachel Weiner being held by her father

For the past year I have been yearning to go back to school. For financial reasons I was not able to return for the Fall 2014. I was determined to return for the Fall 2015 semester. Ever since I found out that I was eligible for Financial Aid I have been over the moon. I had missed being in school. I missed being at SUNY Ulster. Most of all I want to finish my degree. I want to finish what I had started. My educational life has always been a difficult one. I suffer from Dyslexia and ADHD and was never really given the tools to deal with these disorders. My father, who also had Dyslexia, felt there was nothing in this world more valuable than knowledge. This belief extended way past the classroom. My Dad felt that every day brought a new lesson to learn. My grades may never have reflected my love for learning, but make no mistake I love learning.

The Gift of Learning . . . Priceless

Three years ago my dad passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s; a disease that robbed him of the mind he valued so much. My brother and I grew up admiring a man who worked so hard every day of his life so that we would have the opportunities he had to work so hard to obtain. He starting working in a Steel Mill in Baltimore during his teens and worked as a waiter and lifeguard all through college, graduating from both University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins. And went on to be a prominent Eminent Domain Lawyer for the Justice Department and the City of Miami Beach. He loved every minute of it. This was all he wanted for us; find something you love and don’t ever let anything or anyone get in your way of achieving your dream. I know that my life would be different if my dad had not gotten sick when I was so young. I also know that I cannot change what has already happened. I do know that despite how long it may take I will never give up on (his and) my dream of continuing my education and getting that degree.

Day One

So that is what I am doing. I am going back to school, whatever it takes. I will finish my Associates. On Monday, August 24th 2015, I made a promise to myself that this time I will not let anything stop me and I will not crack when things get hard. The days leading up to Monday were definitely nerve-wracking. Like I said I hadn’t been in school in over a year and this time I would be doing it with three jobs at the same time. Being nerves and excited is a common feeling for the first day of school, but once I made it on campus I felt invincible. Every time I walk in to a new class on Monday and Tuesday I felt more comfortable and confident that I could really do this; I could make my dad and myself proud. I have been told that I should reconsider taking five classes, start slow, but with every passing day I feel more empowered and overjoyed to be back that I don’t want to drop a class or two. I don’t want to do less; I want to do more. I want to make up for every opportunity I have ever let pass by me.

Support and Dedication

Going to college is expensive, time consuming and requires dedication. Dedication from the student to be present, attentive, prepared and most importantly read to learn. It takes the dedication of the faculty and staff to help the students succeed. Dedication of friends and family to be supportive and understand. Although it has taken me longer than most to fully commit to school and finishing my degree, this time I’m ready. College does require money, time and dedication, but without a great support system: parents, professors, boyfriend or girlfriend, and friends in general. “No man is an island.” This is especially true for the college student.

We are so fortunate to go to a school where support is everywhere you turn: Trio, Time Square, the learning center, just to name a few. We also have the support of the staff and faculty to go over and beyond to see that we succeed, even when we are ready to call it quits.

Looking Forward

I could have tried to go back to school somewhere else. I decided to come back to SUNY Ulster. The week isn’t over yet, but I can feel the difference already. I am prepared for what is to come and am more confident than ever that this is the right time to go back to school; as well as the right place. I am so fortunate to have the support system I do. I know that this isn’t true for everybody, but find someone, anyone to tell you, “It is okay. You will get through this”. The campus is filled with people who want to help, want to support you in any way they can. I leave you with this never underestimate yourself. Never let anyone underestimate you. Most importantly don’t do it for anybody else, but yourself. That being said I am dedicating this academic year to my dad, a part of my support system that isn’t here anymore), a man who gave me the greatest gift of all curiosity and a love of knowledge.

I wish everybody a great semester and good luck on the coming Academic Year!

First-Time Student Leader Makes a Difference

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Akram Abdulla receving award from Donald Katt

“I wish SUNY Ulster was a four-year school. I wouldn’t leave to transfer.” Akram Abdulla, business administration major and SGO leader, expected graduation spring 2016

Business administration major Akram Abdulla describes a hero as someone who goes beyond to do good for a greater purpose.

He counts his older brother as well as the professors, faculty and administrators at SUNY Ulster among them.

But those that know him say the word is a description of Abdulla who has selflessly given his time and energy to student government and campus life to make SUNY Ulster a better place. Abdulla is currently serving as Student Government Vice President and previously was SGO Treasurer. He also is a Campus Connect leader.

A first-generation college student born in Yemen who came to the U.S. in 2004, Abdulla, 22, is staying focused on his studies and many involvements on campus – despite worries about the safety of his mother, fiancée and other family he still has in the country that is under seize.

For his many accomplishments, he was recognized with a 2015 President’s Award for Excellence in Student Leadership.

Abdulla enrolled at SUNY Ulster in 2014 after taking time off to work and travel. In a year, he’s come a long way in his leadership – going from never being involved in any extra curriculum activities and being intimidated asking 25 fellow students to sign a petition putting him on his first ballot.

But being in the right supportive environment surrounded by encouraging faculty and friendly students with similar interests motivated Abdulla to take a first step into getting involved in the Business Club and volunteering as the club’s representative to SGO.

“I saw how well connected the students were in SGO and how they had a voice,” he says. “It gave me a purpose.”

The many relationships he forged online with students got him nominated as CEO of the award-winning Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project between SUNY Ulster and Fatec Americana in São Paulo, Brazil.

He represented SUNY Ulster at a COIL conference in New York City and the SUNY Student Assembly spring conference in Binghamton. Abdulla even has a voice in who will lead the college’s future as a student representative on the Presidential Search Committee.

Abdulla is putting his leadership skills and business acumen to real-world use in his family’s grocery store, Rondout Market, and plans to transfer to get a bachelor’s degree in business after getting married in October and graduating from SUNY Ulster next spring.

“SUNY Ulster has opened up so many doors that I never thought I could achieve on my own,” he says. “And it is all because of professors and administration that have put student success at the top of their list.”