I am pleased to present SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s 2020/2021 Academic Year Annual Report. Here, we highlight educational, research, and economic engagement efforts that continue to further build this institution’s reputation as a leading catalyst for creative learning. Notably, we are excited to share this annual report resource in a new, more accessible, online format that we hope better showcases how we empower our students to thrive as part of our unique educational ecosystem.
As we continue to weather the impacts of the pandemic, SUNY Poly will continue to adapt quickly to meet all state guidelines. Implementing detailed plans from the input of numerous stakeholders, from on campus and beyond, we provided an even more robust education for our students as we transitioned from fall 2020 to spring 2021. We not only balanced safety with learning, we excelled at being the helpers, making thousands of face shields for frontline essential workers.
Even during this globally challenging time, SUNY Poly advanced in so many meaningful ways:
SUNY Poly continues to be highly ranked. U.S. News & World Report listed the institution 12th in its 2021 list of Best Colleges, 2nd in Top Public Schools, 5th for Best Colleges for Veterans, and we earned a top five ranking for Best Value Schools, all in the Regional Universities North category.
SUNY Poly continues strong enrollment. In the 2020-2021 academic year, we were proud to welcome more than 3,000 students—continuing strong sustained enrollment year-over-year, even at a time when Forbes reported that colleges overall showed the largest enrollment decline in a decade. Our targeted educational approach offering access to academic-to-career pipelines, with partners ranging from nearby community colleges to industry collaborators, inspires students at all levels, whether they study liberal arts, nanotechnology, nursing, or interactive media and game design.
SUNY Poly continues to be a hub for enabling game-changing research and innovation. Our faculty researchers have secured millions in external funding to advance fundamental knowledge in areas such as nanobioscience, electronics, community health, and clean energy. We are also excited about our partnerships, such as with Wolfspeed (formerly Cree), supporting a STEM scholarship program and two endowed faculty chair positions, in addition to hands-on research opportunities at TEL Technology Center, America, LLC, among others.
As a society, we have come far in the fight against COVID-19. In the midst of this backdrop with an added emphasis on health and safety; diversity, equity, and inclusion; as well as innovative experiential and online learning opportunities; SUNY Poly has accomplished much during the past year. As SUNY Poly’s Acting President, I am proud to share my deep gratitude for our outstanding faculty, staff, and students as we continue to forge ahead toward an even brighter future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tod A. Laursen
Acting President, SUNY Polytechnic Institute