Special Adjunct Professor of Business Sammantha Ball got her start in business and education as a student at SUNY Adirondack.
Program leads the way for local business
SUNY Adirondack has been the educational launch pad for many business leaders.
The college’s two-year program in Business Administration creates a strong start for students seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree in Business. The Associate in Science degree parallels the first half of a bachelor’s degree and is specifically designed for transfer to a four-year institution, preparing students for further studies in finance, marketing, economics, human resources and other business-related programs.
“As a former student of SUNY Adirondack, I am proud to identify with our great college. SUNY Adirondack has given me a depth of knowledge, skills and abilities that have provided me the confidence needed to be a successful businesswoman and professor,” said Sammantha Ball, a local business owner and special adjunct professor in the Business division.
In the classroom, Ball takes pride in inspiring future business professionals.
“Teaching a new generation of students is not only exciting, but fulfilling. Mentoring students is a great responsibility I feel privileged to be a part of. My students teach me something new every day,” she said.
Ryan Haig, an account executive with Amsure Insurance, graduated in Business Administration from SUNY Adirondack in 2015 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College.
The experiences he gained outside of the classroom at SUNY Adirondack were as essential as what he learned during lectures.
“The internship program was by far the most influential class,” Haig said.
According to Haig, SUNY Adirondack alumni are a great resource for the college’s Business students.
“While work in the classroom is important, the network that you are grafting yourself into establishes your career trajectory. Exhaust the resources of the SUNY network and the local business community, and you will be well on your way to a successful career,” he said.
Did you know?
SUNY Adirondack offers a wealth of established transfer opportunities for its Business Administration students. Graduates of the program have the option of applying to SUNY Plattsburgh to complete a bachelor’s degree on campus at the SUNY Adirondack Regional Higher Education Center or at other top colleges, including the University at Albany, Empire State College, Siena College, The College of St. Rose and Paul Smith's College.
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Brice Amsden believes that the Glens Falls area is a great place to build business relationships.
Transplant takes region to heart
Brice Amsden, a native of New Jersey, spent his youth summering in Lake George — and he never wanted to go back home.
“I had heard good things about SUNY Adirondack, and when I found out they have a residence hall, I decided to go to school up here,” Amsden said.
Outside of the classroom, Amsden took advantage of all the region has to offer, including hiking, fishing and skiing.
After earning his associate degree in Business Administration, he still didn’t want to leave. He pursued a bachelor’s in Business Administration from SUNY Plattsburgh’s branch campus in Queensbury, graduating in 2017.
He bought a house in Glens Falls and works as an accounting assistant for VMJR Companies, a local general contractor. The company was part of the construction crew that built SUNY Adirondack’s new Culinary Arts Center.
“It was cool to be a part of the project and see the progress photos before it was open,” he said.
Amsden feels connected to the Glens Falls business community.
“I'm still really close friends with a lot of people I met at SUNY Adirondack,” he said. “Everybody in the area likes to see people succeed. It’s a lot of small businesses helping each other out.”
