SUNY Poly 2023-2024 Highlights

Mission | Vision | Values

Our Mission

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a welcoming, inclusive place where all students, faculty, and staff are inspired by a distinctive STEAM education and social experience that prepares our graduates for the 21st century workforce and beyond. SUNY Poly applies science, technology, and innovation throughout its curriculum and is deeply committed to offering solutions to society’s grand challenges and improving the health and well-being of communities in the Mohawk Valley and around the globe.

Our Vision

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a premier research-intensive university that leads the pursuit of knowledge and innovative applications through interdisciplinary engagement and collaboration to drive economic, humanitarian, and technological advancements.

Our Values

• Accountability
• Community
• Empathy
• Gratitude
• Inclusion
• Innovation
• Kindness
• Respect

New Leadership

The 2023-24 Academic Year was a transformational one for SUNY Poly. One of the goals of newly appointed President Dr. Winston Soboyejo was to advance search efforts for key leadership positions on campus, successfully filling many that had been held in an interim capacity.

We thank all of the individuals who served in these interim roles, during an important time in the Institute’s history, as well as all of the members of our campus community who served on search committees and participated in the search process.

SUNY Poly Welcomes Seventh President in School History

At the recommendation of State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr., the SUNY Board of Trustees appointed Winston Oluwole Soboyejo, Ph.D. as SUNY Polytechnic’s seventh president in September 2023, officially beginning his tenure on October 2  . He joined SUNY Poly from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he has served as interim president during the 2022-23 academic year.Dr. Soboyejo was previously WPI’s provost and senior vice president, and started at the Institute as their  dean of engineering and engineering leadership. Prior to joining WPI, Dr. Soboyejo was a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University for approximately 17 years.

Dr. Soboyejo has an exceptional record of achievement in engineering research and academic leadership as well as impressive accomplishments in international development and a noteworthy track record in building global research and educational partnerships. He has also served as president and provost of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja, Nigeria, a Pan-African university founded by the Nelson Mandela Institutions (NMI).Dr. Soboyejo has held research positions at the McDonnell Douglas Research Laboratories in St. Louis, the University of Missouri in Columbia, and the Edison Welding Institute in Columbus, Ohio, including principal research engineer, as well as faculty positions at The Ohio State University, including assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and a faculty fellow in the Center for African Studies, and MIT before joining the Princeton faculty in 1999.

In 2021, he was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to understanding the dynamic behavior of materials and for leadership in STEM outreach in Africa. Dr. Soboyejo is the author or co-author of four textbooks and more than 400 papers in peer-reviewed journals. He has had over 180 presentations published in conference proceedings and has edited 20 conference proceedings and journal special issues. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the World Academy of Science. He is also a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Materials Society of Nigeria, the Nigerian Academy of Science, and the African Academy of Science.

Dr. Winston Soboyejo holds a BSc in engineering from King’s College in London and a PhD in materials science and metallurgy from the University of Cambridge. His official inauguration was held this past September.

Dr. Andrew Russell named Provost

In May, it was announced that Dr. Andrew Russell was selected as SUNY Poly’s Provost, a role he held in an interim capacity since January. Dr. Russell joined SUNY Poly in 2016 as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from Stevens Institute of Technology. In December 2022, he was asked to serve as SUNY Poly’s Officer-in-Charge during a pivotal time in our university’s history: working with members of the campus community, as well as peers at the University at Albany and the SUNY system in transferring the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering back to UAlbany — a task that was completed four months ahead of schedule.

When Dr. Soboyejo began his tenure last October, Dr. Russell assisted with his transition and participated in several key initiatives as Deputy to the President for Strategy and Planning from October-December 2023, before being named interim provost in January.

Dr. Russell is an accomplished scholar and author, with his research focusing primarily on historical and contemporary aspects of computing, infrastructure, and technology. He is author or co-author of three books, has published over two dozen peer-reviewed papers, and has engaged broad public audiences through media interviews with NPR, CNN, Wired, and the Guardian, as well as essays in the New York Times, Washington Post, IEEE Spectrum, and Aeon. His work has been supported by organizations including the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Charles Babbage Institute, Duke University’s John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute, and the National Institute for Standards and Technology. He is a member of editorial boards for the academic journals Technology and Culture and Internet Histories, and he is an active member of multiple professional organizations including the American Historical Association and the Society for the History of Technology.

A native of upstate New York, Dr. Russell earned his bachelor of arts in History at Vassar College, his master of arts at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and doctorate in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology from The Johns Hopkins University. Read more.

Burdick promoted to VP for Finance and Administration

In late summer, Mary Ellen Burdick was named SUNY Poly’s Vice President for Finance and Administration, a role she held in an interim capacity since December 2022. She is responsible for business affairs, student accounts, purchasing, accounts payable, and mailroom and print shop offices, as well as oversight of all of SUNY Poly’s financial activities, IT and Facilities. She is also tasked with leading campus budget planning efforts and maintaining internal controls to ensure assets are adequately safeguarded and that all financial reporting is prepared in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and policies.

Michele Kilburn takes the helm of HR

In January, Michele Kilburn joined SUNY Poly as Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer. Kilburn is a skilled leader in communication, labor law, training and development, compliance and investigations, boasting experience in several industries including IT, manufacturing, construction, not-for-profit, academia, union and non-union business sectors. She has an MBA from Clarkson University and is pursuing her Master of Jurisprudence in Labor and Employment Law at Tulane University to further enhance her professional skills.

At SUNY Poly, Kilburn provides strategic direction and execution of human resources strategies and plans, focusing on aligning them with the institution’s operations and in support of SUNY Poly’s academic and research mission. This includes formulating, implementing, and establishing policies and practices, managing all personnel operations and administration, and serving as the institution’s Affirmative Action and Chief Ethics Officer. Read more.

Andrea LaGatta Promoted to VP of Institutional Advancement

Assuming this new role in January, LaGatta has almost four decades of experience leading fundraising efforts and advancing the missions of the organizations and institutions she’s served, and has been a tremendous asset to SUNY Poly since joining the university in 2018 as Assistant Vice President for Development. Furthermore, LaGatta has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Professional Studies from Empire State University, and has previously served on the boards of Leadership Mohawk Valley, GPO Federal Credit Union and Human Technologies.

As VP of Institutional Advancement, LaGatta will be responsible for creating, implementing and coordinating a comprehensive and effective philanthropic program focused on significantly increasing the SUNY Poly Foundation’s endowment, cultivating gifts and planned gifts, increasing the number of donors, and growing the Foundation’s engagement with key stakeholders of SUNY Poly, including alumni, employees, industry partners, community members, business leaders and board members. Furthermore, as a member of the College’s leadership team, LaGatta serves as the Executive Director of the SUNY Poly Foundation and provides oversight of Pre-Collegiate Outreach and University Conferencing and Events. Read more.

Adams named Vice President for Student Affairs

Having worked within many functional areas from operations to academic advisement to student life in her more than 25 years in higher education and student affairs, Jennifer Adams was selected to serve in the VP role in May.

Since joining SUNY Poly in 2011, Adams has overseen the areas of residential life and housing, student involvement, orientation, first-year seminar, community standards, student governance, and chairs the Care Team, working to engage multiple campus partners to improve and establish processes related to accessibility, withdrawals, leaves of absence, and student retention, providing campus with leadership in the areas of threat, liability, and wrap around support services for students. Adams also serves on an advisory group for the International Alliance for Care and Threat Teams, a collaboration of professionals from diverse fields who create a platform of expertise on CARE and threat team functioning, mental illness assessment and treatment, law enforcement, accessibility services, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), autism, masculinity, and prevention education.

Adams has a Master’s in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University and Master’s of Business Administration from Heidelberg University. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Read more.

Dr. Montgomery Promoted to Vice President for DEIB

Serving as SUNY Poly’s Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) since July 2020, Dr. Mark Montgomery was promoted to Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in January.  He is an author, mentor, and SUNY Poly graduate who has focused on further fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for our community. Dr. Montgomery brings a strong background to this position that, when infused with his well-known, personal approach, will help advance SUNY Poly’s DEIB efforts.

After serving as Associate Dean of Social Sciences and Public Services at Mohawk Valley Community College from 2016 to 2019, he became the Dean of Public and Human Services at MVCC until joining SUNY Poly to serve as CDO. He earned his associate’s degree in Human Services from MVCC, his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at SUNY Poly, and a Master’s in Education from the University of New England with a specialization in academic motivation; specifically, those of inmates. In 2014 he received his Ph.D. in Education. Importantly, he has conducted scores of academic workshops and seminars at collegiate level conferences, received numerous awards for excellence in leadership and community service, and makes lasting contributions through a number of charities, including his own, to help serve children with cancer.

He continues to serve as SUNY Poly’s CDO, in addition to his new role.

Dr. Kittleson Joins SUNY Poly as Dean of the College of Health Sciences

After a robust search for a new dean for the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Mark Kittleson began his tenure in the role in July.

He recently chaired the Department of Public Health at New York Medical College (NYMC) where he was able to secure a full seven-year reaccreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for their MPH and DrPH degrees. Prior to NYMC, Dr. Kittleson served as Dean of the School of Health & Human Performance at SUNY Brockport. He oversaw a School with some of the largest majors at the College– Nursing; Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education; Public Health & Health Education; Healthcare Studies; and Recreation & Leisure Studies. Preceding his arrival at Brockport, Dr. Kittleson served as the Department Head for Public Health at New Mexico State University (January 2011 – July 2015), where he oversaw both an accredited Bachelor’s and Master’s of Public Health (offered on-line and traditional face-to-face format).

Dr. Kittleson is most noted for his research and service in the use of technology within the profession of health education/health promotion and public health. He created the HEDIR (a large health education listserv) that has been used by the profession for over 30 years (with a membership of nearly 2,000); he created the first completely online peer-reviewed health education journal in 1997 (The International Electronic Journal of Health Education), which he sold to the American Association in Health Education in 2001. He has also been one of the country’s foremost leaders in developing and delivering online programs. Besides technology, Dr. Kittleson is interested in developing strong mental health skills, especially in children and adolescents. Read more.

Eroglu named Dean of College of Engineering

SUNY Poly welcomed Dr. Abdullah Eroglu as the university’s new Dean of the College of Engineering on August 19. Dr. Eroglu, a distinguished academic leader and researcher, brings a wealth of experience in engineering education, research, and industry collaboration to SUNY Poly.

Dr. Eroglu comes to SUNY Poly from UMass Boston, where he was the Department of Engineering Chair. In that role, Dr. Eroglu led the development of new academic programs, including online programs and certificates, and initiated strategic industry partnerships resulting in successful fundraising events that benefited both his departments and the College. Since 2018, he has also served as an ABET Program Evaluator for Engineering programs. Before his academic career, Dr. Eroglu spent over eight years in the semiconductor industry as a Lead Senior Radio Frequency (RF) Design Engineer at MKS Instruments, ENI Products in Rochester. He also held positions as a faculty fellow in the Fusion Energy Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN, and as a visiting scholar at the University of Gavle, Sweden.

Dr. Eroglu is a prolific researcher with more than 160 journal and conference papers, six books, and five patents. He has secured over $23 million in extramural funding as PI and co-PI from federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and National Science Foundation as well as from industry. His research expertise includes RF/Microwave/THz Circuit Design, RF Amplifiers and topologies, RF Metrology, anisotropic and gyrotropic materials, and metamaterial devices and sensors. Dr. Eroglu serves on the editorial boards of several journals and has received numerous awards for his research accomplishments. Read more.

Carpenter Promoted to VP for Research

SUNY Poly promoted Dr. Michael Carpenter to the role of Vice President for Research in mid-August. Dr. Carpenter previously served as Associate Provost for Research and Interim Dean of the College of Engineering. While at the helm of the College of Engineering, he raised $32.5M in funding for scholarships, endowed faculty lines, curriculum and workforce development and equipment resources that have impacted each academic program in the college.

Dr. Carpenter is also an accomplished researcher, having led the development of plasmonics for use as integratable harsh environment chemical sensors, as well as the development of high temperature compatible multivariable sensing methods. His multidisciplinary research has commonly spanned across fields that include materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, optics among other disciplines and has included over $5.77M in outside funding for research. Moreover, his published works have over 2,100 citations.

As VP for Research, Dr. Carpenter will lead the implementation of forward-thinking initiatives that align with SUNY Poly’s vision and catalyze growth in research funding, output, and innovation. This includes enabling and empowering faculty to leverage opportunities for Federal, State, and privately sponsored grants and contracts; proactively engaging university stakeholders to advance SUNY Poly’s mission; promote external funding and investment; and build scholarship and endowment support for the institution’s initiatives. He will also play a key role in the establishment of infrastructure to stimulate and support faculty research, and oversee the enhancement of cutting-edge research facilities and infrastructure. Read more.

On the Rise: Rankings

SUNY Poly Receives Strong 2023-2024 College Rankings by U.S. News & World Report

• #9 Top Public Universities – Regional Universities North
• #9 Best Colleges for Veterans – Regional Universities North
• #25 Best Regional Universities North
• Top 25 Performer on Social Mobility – Regional Universities North
• #2 Most Affordable Hidden Gem Colleges for Middle Class – College Raptor
• #5 Best Online Colleges in New York – Forbes Advisor
• #3 Hidden Gems in Mid-East US – College Raptor

College of Business

• #4 2023 Best Online Master’s in Accounting Program – Fortune
• #9 Best Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs of 2024 – Intelligent.Com
• Top 10 Best Online Business Administration Degrees of 2023 – Forbes

College of Health Sciences

• #2 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in NY of 2024 – BestColleges.Com
• #3 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in NY in 2024 – NurseJournal
• #5 New York RN to BS Programs –RegisteredNursing.Org
• #9 Best Affordable RN to BS Online Programs of 2024 – ForbesAdvisor

Faculty, Students + Staff Excellence Continues

SUNY Poly Faculty, Staff, and Students Receive SUNY’S Highest Honor—Six Recognized with 2024 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

SUNY Poly proudly announced four members of its faculty and staff and two students received Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence from the State University of New York in 2024. Through these awards, SUNY publicly proclaims its pride in the accomplishments and personal dedication of its instructional faculty and professional staff across its campuses. SUNY Poly’s Chancellor’s Award recipients include:

• Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence: Veronika Palmova and Nicholas Rossi
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service: Valerie Fusco
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service: Francia Reed
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities: Sivapalan Gajan
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching: Gretchen Kriesen

SUNY Poly Graduates Over 800

Members of the Class of 2024, as well as their friends, families and members of the campus community gathered inside the Wildcat Field House for two ceremonies on May 4, as over 800 students received their degrees.

In total, 490 SUNY Poly students received a bachelor’s degree and more than 312 earned a graduate degree or certificate of advanced study. Moreover, the top three undergraduate degrees being awarded by number of students were computer science, business administration, and mechanical engineering technology. SUNY Poly also had its first certificate of advanced study recipient in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Read more.

SUNY Poly Student, Wolfspeed Employee Receives Women in STEM Scholarship from Zonta International

Sabah Haji, a mechanical engineering student at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, was recently named as a recipient of a $5,000 Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship, the Zonta Club of Utica announced. The STEM scholarship encourages women to pursue education, career opportunities, and leadership roles in STEM fields. She is one of only eight women in the U.S. and 30 internationally to receive this year’s scholarship. While studying at SUNY Poly, Haji concurrently works at Wolfspeed as a Metrology Process Technician. In this role, she excels in the calibration, standardization and maintenance of precision measurement instruments vital to the semiconductor production process. Read more.

SUNY Poly Students to Participate in NYSID CREATE Symposium

This past spring, three SUNY Poly Mechanical Engineering students, Amy De Sena, Sarah Hahn and Gabriella Yacobucci competed for a chance to win $15,000 at the 2024 New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID) CREATE Symposium in Albany. The annual symposium sees students collaborating with rehabilitative support organizations to develop innovations that help those with disabilities succeed in their jobs. Their project, the Screw Counting Machine, was done in partnership with The Arc, Oneida-Lewis, with the trio being advised by Arc, Oneida-Lewis Executive Director of Business Enterprises Chad Hartwig and SUNY Poly Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Yu Zhou.  Read more.

SUNY Poly Takes Third at NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge

For the first time in school history, SUNY Poly had a team participate in The NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge. The team, advised by Dr. Ahmed Abdelaal, earned a podium finish, taking third place overall of all the schools at the Ames, Iowa competition. The team was comprised of the following students: Pascal Harrison, Henry Miller, Josh Archanian, Thiha Soe, Chris Lam and Kyle Vedder. Described as a unique engineering design and build competition, the Challenge strives to promote original thinking in a competitive setting by combining two technology platforms that are not normally associated with one another—human-powered vehicles and fluid power. Instead of designing a bike that runs manually (foot to pedal), students outfit it so it runs on a fluid-powered hydraulic system. Overall, the competition aims to create an environment that results in uncommon connections and breakthroughs, while supporting learning and the growth of fluid power industry knowledge.  Read more.

SUNY Poly Students Partake in ASME e-Human Powered Vehicle Challenge

Five SUNY Poly Mechanical Engineering Students participated the recent American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) e-Human Powered Vehicle Challenge (e-HPVC) in Lynchburg, Virginia. The engineering design and innovation competition gives students the opportunity to network and apply engineering principles through the design, fabrication, and racing of human powered vehicles. The first HPVC competition was in 1983 at the University of California, Davis and the contest has been held almost every year since. This year’s teams have been asked to develop innovative pedal electric vehicles which are limited to class 1-3 Electric Bicycle specification. Participating students are Kyle Camili (team captain, electricals), Aldo Centeno (drivetrain), Alexis Flint (fairing), Connor Hall (frame), Emann Stennett (steering). Read more.

Culture of Mathematics Cultivates Student Success at SUNY Poly

If you spend time with students in Applied Mathematics Professor and Program Coordinator Andrea Dziubek’s Numerical Differential Equations (MAT 460) class, two things become abundantly clear. The first is that the focus area flexibility an Applied Mathematics degree provides is apparent in their plans post-graduation, and the second is that they share a genuine love for mathematics and the role it plays in everyday life. At SUNY Poly, Applied Mathematics majors are able to apply mathematical and problem-solving skills to real world problems, developing and using a wide variety of mathematical methods in order to understand and to work with systems encountered in science and industry. Moreover, they are able to simulate the behavior of complex systems without actually having to construct expensive physical models.  Read more.

DEI as Part of SUNY Poly’s DNA

At SUNY Poly, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) are not just values; they are woven into the very fabric of our campus community. From fostering a sense of belonging for all students to breaking down barriers that limit inclusion, SUNY Poly is committed to creating an environment where every individual is seen, supported, and empowered.

Through a wide array of programs, initiatives, and events, as demonstrated in the content below, we strive to nurture a culture where diversity is celebrated, equity is pursued, and inclusion is a fundamental aspect of our educational and social experiences.

Accessibility Services

• Something Social – It meets weekly and is run by Blake, a counselor and recreational therapist from UCP. It is a program that reaches out to students with ASD, ADHD, anxiety, and those that consider themselves neurodivergent. Blake focuses on executive functioning skills, relationship building, interpersonal skills, social nuances, navigating college life with a disability, ways to embrace neurodiversity and the challenges thereof. Blake offers a safe place where students can ask questions, sit on large beanbag chairs, relax, and be themselves. Peer-to-peer support is also a theme. Snacks and games are often included. The group met on Fridays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. It was open to all on campus and is advertised on Engage.

Care Team

• Silent Book Club – Invited students to join in a common room and read silently, meet others and be together in a non-invasive activity.

Center for Student Involvement

• Poly Leads Leadership Institute – In collaboration with Poly Leads, “Finding Your True North” was an intersectionality of mental health and inclusive leadership program. The prime focus of the two-day program for 45 students was to challenge them with how to break the stigma and barriers of mental health as leaders with a DEI perspective. The program consisted of break out sessions and keynote speakers to project based work where students presented solutions to be more inclusive in dining, events, and facilities.
• Drag Bingo – During LGTBQ History Month – One hundred and forty-five students attended and were able to learn with information throughout the event from facts and history to understand the significance to the community.

CSTEP

• Know One Be One – In collaboration with a faculty member and admissions, this event introduced high school students to college students in an immersive environment. High school students were paired up with a student from a major of their interest and had the opportunity to shadow the student throughout the morning.
• External Workshops – Attended University of South Florida workshop – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace, and online training program Lumen Circles which was evidence-based teaching that introduces instructors to diverse and inclusive literature-based practices.

Dr. Montgomery & Office of the VP for DEIB

• Dr. Mark Montgomery, who was promoted to VP for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) at the beginning of 2024 and continues to serve as Chief Diversity Officer, plays an integral and leading role in DEIB efforts on campus. Some of the invaluable work he continues to do includes:
  • Consulting to the development of the DEIB Research Center.
  • Becoming the lead for the development of the Higher Education in Prison program.
  • Providing more than a dozen DEIB related workshops and presentations on-campus and in our community (invited).
  • Traveling with admissions while representing administration.
  • Speaking to students at feeder schools prior to their committal to which school they intend to transfer to.
  • Having strong and active interactions with Student Government & DEI/wellness accompanied by on-going high student interactions.
  • Collaborating with an external partner to assess belonging and subsequent needs at SUNY Poly.
  • An On-going partnership with Human Resources during interview and on-boarding processes.
  • Having intentional meetings with new employees beyond orientation.
  • Currently organizing the 2024 Equity and Empowerment Symposium.

EOP and Multicultural Events

• Scavenger Hunt with clues centered around multicultural awareness and knowledge of EOP and library resources. A total of 60 students attended.
• Portraits of Hope – in collaboration with the library, this event brought together alumni, community members, faculty, staff and students and highlighted our multicultural campus and local community.
• Johnson Park Food Giveaway – organized a group of staff and students to participate in a monthly food giveaway in Johnson Park, Utica. This event brought to light inequities within our black community.
• Multicultural Generational Wealth Workshop – in collaboration with Office of Health and Wellness to discuss and promote financial literacy for underserved populations.
• Black History Month Poetry Slam – in collaboration with BLASU, Jazz & HipHop Club and CSI to celebrate and honor black history month.
• Multicultural Spring Fest – in collaboration with CSI, SGU, BLASU, and Jazz & HipHop Club, this event included entertainment, a ticketed multicultural themed dinner, and multicultural fashion show. Well-attended and brought alumni back to campus.

Residence Life

• Cherry Blossom Festival – food event with authentic Japanese food and bookmark giveaway with history of the festival – 70 students attended.
• Women’s Empowerment Night – guest speaker Evon Ervin – faculty, staff and students attended a dinner while hearing about Evon’s journey and obstacles she overcame to become Deputy Director of Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency. The event also included a painting session with Angela Decarlis.
• Breaking Barriers and Building Resistance – student-driven and focused on honoring the accomplishments and contributions of Black individuals while also challenging stereotypes and promoting self-determination. Large group of faculty, staff and students attended. Hilda Jordan was the guest speaker and also allowed students to share their own experiences.

SGU

• Various DEI programming including – Diwali, Holi, Black History Month Trivia, Mardi Gras, Hispanic Heritage Festival, and Women’s History Night – all focused on fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment by addressing systemic biases, promoting diversity and ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have a seat at the table.

Women Who Inspire

• Lunch and awards to celebrate the contributions SUNY Poly Women have on campus. The event included a lunch and panel discussion with Jennifer Adams and Jennifer George. The purpose of the event is to inform students and others on campus that they matter and that there is a group of women on campus that have an open-door policy and welcomes them.
• A second event featured John Knight, awarding him a Passion With a Purpose award. This event recognizes a member of the community who pursues a life purpose within and beyond their job and among other responsibilities, driven by their passion or interest in a particular area, topic or activity. John’s passion is for all students and goes above and beyond to include them in his work.

Alumni Achievements

SUNY Poly Alums Return to Drive LPP Efforts

For Caitlin Bajrektarevic ’21 and Caryn L. Schweinsberg ‘20, both graduates of SUNY Poly’s Community and Behavioral Health (CBH) program, you might say their ties to the institution run deep. Their mothers both attended and graduated from the university, and now they’ve returned to help lead the university’s educational outreach efforts at six Herkimer County school districts through the Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP), which is grant funded through the New York State Education Department.  Read more

New scholarship established in memory of alumna Carmella M. Teti

The children of Carmella Teti have generously established a $25,000 scholarship in their mother’s memory, which will be awarded to undergraduate students enrolled in SUNY Poly’s nursing program. For nearly 48 years, Carmella cared for patients as a registered nurse, beginning at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica. After relocating to Florida, she spent time as a nursing supervisor at Naples Community Hospital, in addition to being a nursing instructor at Lorenzo Walker Technical Institute and Edison Community College. The scholarship was established during this past spring’s Annual Day of Giving, which raised a record $210,000. Read more.

SUNY Poly Welcomes John Reade as Director of Pre-Collegiate Outreach

SUNY Poly is pleased to welcome John Reade as the university’s new director of pre-collegiate outreach. Reade brings decades of experience implementing youth STEAM programs and leading complex projects to the role. Reade, who earned his MBA in Technology Management from SUNY Poly, will also be coordinating hands-on learning experiences such as workshops, camps, and competitions, ensuring that local K-12 students are provided with the resources and opportunities to succeed in their future academic and professional endeavors. He will also work with Director of Continuing & Professional Education Scott Scheible to support professional development opportunities for K-12 educators, enabling them to bring the latest technology concepts into the classroom. Read more.

Anthony Macera ‘95: Computer and Information Science

By next year, there are expected to be more than 50 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices, with the data generated exceeding 79 zettabytes. To put that into context, a zettabyte is a trillion gigabytes. Securing that data is paramount. These are the types of items Anthony Macera, who earned his Master’s Degree in Computer and Information Science from SUNY Poly in 1995, deals with on a daily basis. Currently employed as a computer engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate in Rome, Macera manages several contracts they have with small businesses through their Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. Macera provides the small businesses with guidance, in addition to ensuring they spend money appropriately and provide deliverables that are acceptable to the Department of Defense (DoD). Read more.

Heather Potrzeba ’96: Business/Public Management

As a young girl, Heather Potrzeba ‘96 would head to her grandfather’s bakery and deli at 4 a.m. to help peel eggs and make salads before customers arrived. That business, Holland Farms Bakery & Deli on Oriskany Blvd in Yorkville, has stayed in the family since it opened in 1955. Today, Heather is the iconic local staple’s third generation owner/general manager. While each generation has brought something new to the store, the family has stuck to the core beliefs and quality that have made it such an important part of the local community. Read more.

Raj Bala Chaudhary ‘24: Psychology

When asked about Raj Bala Chaudhary, SUNY Poly Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Director Melissa Prest quickly said, “She epitomizes the motto of EOP, to ‘lift as we climb.’” Raj, a native of South Richmond Hill (Queens), has served as SUNY Poly’s EOP Ambassador the last three academic years. In this role, she has tabled at different State University of New York (SUNY) campuses, as well as high schools and community events across the State, sharing what the program and SUNY Poly has to offer. Her efforts, on and off campus, recently earned her a prestigious Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for EOP Student Excellence from SUNY, and her impact on her peers is evident to those who know her. Read more.

Ariana Huhko ’24: Computer Science

As Herkimer native Ariana Huhko was finishing up high school, she considered two very different paths — go to college to study art or pursue a math-based major. She chose the latter, much like her father and brother’s experiences going on to careers in the tech industry. It wasn’t until she came to SUNY Poly, where she enrolled in the university’s BS/MS Computer Science program, that her interest in the subject expanded.  Read more.

Infrastructure Improvements

The Office of Facilities at SUNY Polytechnic Institute is responsible for the protection, operation, preservation, maintenance, and construction for over 910,000 square feet of building area and nearly 500 acres of landscape, athletic facilities, roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots. This is achieved with a dedicated staff of more than 55 employees. Each year, the Facilities department responds to thousands of work orders requested by campus residents, faculty, and staff for repairs and installations. They also provide for the set up and take down of equipment for campus events, deliver the campus mail, and distribute packages to students and staff.

The Facilities Department is also responsible for major and minor construction projects on the SUNY Poly campus, highlighted below, with current projects totaling more than $77M. The department plans, designs, and constructs capital projects to maintain and preserve the physical plant, address environmental concerns, and meet the changing pedagogies of higher education.

Capital Projects

Campus Center Renovations ($45 million)

• This project began in February of 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in July of 2025.
• This project will provide renovations and conversion of an old pool area to create classroom space. A new centrally located residential life suite, renovated athletic locker rooms, offices, and meeting spaces for coaches and athletes are also taking shape. In addition, a renovated lobby area will create a welcoming atmosphere for students and visitors, as well as greatly improve circulation and ADA accessibility. The project will reduce carbon emissions with the removal of existing natural gas boilers and installation of geothermal systems for cooling and heating the building.

Replace Dining Hall Flooring ($550,000)

• A separate project from the larger renovations is this flooring replacement. This will provide an elastomeric epoxy system to update the worn vinyl sheet flooring in the dining hall. The design for this project is complete and scheduled for construction bid near the end of 2024.

Reconstruct Technology and Residential Drive ($5 million)

• The reconstruction of Technology Drive, (spanning from the Marcy Parkway to Seymour Road) and Residential Drive, (spanning from Wildcat Drive to the intersection with Technology Drive) is substantially complete. Along with the roadway it’s self the work Included the replacement of street lighting with LED fixtures, new drainage structures, ADA crosswalks, and pedestrian sidewalks.

Renovate Kunsela Hall C Wing for STEM ($22 million)

• This project is currently in the design phase with construction anticipated to begin in September of 2025. The partial interior renovations in Kunsela Hall will update and enhance instructional, laboratory, and support spaces for growing STEM programs at SUNY Polytechnic.
• The enhancements, encompassing 56,600 square feet, will promote natural light to interior spaces by utilizing interior storefronts and visually highlighting the laboratory and STEM spaces.
• Furthermore, due to the family of the late Francis A. Wilcox; giving the largest donation ever received from a single donor in SUNY Polytechnic’s history it will be possible to include new space for Computer Science, Digital Lab, Interactive Media + Game Design (IMGD) program, as well as a Semiconductor Processing Lab, Communications Lab, Control and Senor Capstone Laboratory spaces. Spaces also include Cyber Range, Lecture Hall, War Room, Drown Room, Autonomous Systems Room, and Cyber Security Classroom/ Lab, Open project lab and club space, Electronic Systems Lab, and Photovoltaic Lab. Additionally provided will be the installation of new floors, ceilings, walls, and high efficiency LED lighting, lab equipment and renovation to the dated restrooms and fire sprinkler system.

Replace Boilers at Donovan and Kunsela Halls ($2.4 million)

• This project is currently in the design process with anticipated construction taking place in May of 2025.
• Replacement of the existing gas fire steam boilers with a new hot water system ensures the longevity and reliability required. This infrastructure project is the first phase required to transition the buildings to an all-electric water source heat pump heating system.

Replace Domestic Water Heater at Kunsela Hall ($200,000)

• Infrastructure upgrades at Kunsela Hall continue with this project which replaces the domestic hot water heater and associated systems. This project is also included in the planned transition to an all-electric water source heat pump system. The design for this project is complete and scheduled for construction bid near the end of 2024.

Replace Site Lighting at Kunsela Hall ($550,000)

• As the existing pedestrian lighting is in poor condition, this project will replace the exterior lighting around Kunsela Hall as well as the associated parking lot and transitional sidewalks. The design for this project is complete and scheduled for construction bid near the end of 2024.

Kunsela Hall Computer Science Server Room Mechanical Upgrades ($250,000)

• Additional modifications in Kunsela Hall will provide cooling needed to support the Computer Science server room which includes a new cutting-edge Supercomputer. The design for this project is complete and scheduled for construction bid near the end of 2024.

Replace Generators at Adirondack and Mohawk Halls ($500,000)

• This project will ensure the immediate transfer to emergency power at the Adirondack and Mohawk dormitories during periods of power outages. This is made possible by the replacement of two natural gas fired generators, new automatic transfer switches and the replacement of the primary electrical switch in Adirondack Hall.

Study Campus-wide Electrical Feeders Condition and Capacity ($270,000)

• As the Campus transitions away from the use of fossil fuels its electrical load will increase to keep up with the demand. This project will conduct a comprehensive study of the existing 13.2 kV electrical distribution system including field investigations of the existing electrical service from the main 13.2 kV switchgear, the feeders, duct banks, manholes, building switches and transformers. This study will identify deficiencies for correction to support future electrical expansion.

Study Exterior Conditions Cayan Library ($2.8 million)

• The project is an evaluation of the existing building envelope of Cayan Library.
• The building has notable areas of exterior envelope failure and areas that show progressive problems. This study will determine the cause of the failures and make recommendations for various projects to resolve the issues. The study provides a quantitative assessment that can be used in developing future repair projects such as roofing replacement, masonry cleaning, sealing and flashing, site improvements, and to provide safe access to otherwise isolated roof areas. Prospective scope to include building envelope, roofing system, glazing system, exterior ceilings, window replacement/upgrades and interior finishes.