The SUNY Adirondack monthly newsletter
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS
The SUNY Adirondack Nursing program helps local healthcare providers find qualified professionals to meet the growing demand for nurses in the region.
Program supports healthy community
The SUNY Adirondack Nursing program has educated many of the region’s top healthcare professionals, and the program continues to evolve to meet the high-tech demands on the healthcare industry.
“The SUNY Adirondack nursing faculty prepare students to meet the challenges of working in today’s rapidly changing healthcare system, and our graduates are making a difference for this community,” said Kim Hedley, Health Sciences division chair and associate professor of Nursing.
The college’s Nursing program is approved by the New York State Board of Education and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, a prestigious national accreditation that ensures a rigorous and quality program of study.
“Our graduates bring state-of-the-art experiences to their positions and value lifelong learning,” Hedley said. “They are prepared to promote patient-centered care, advocate for the patient and their family and collaborate with members of the healthcare team to ensure the patient receives safe, quality care.”
Did you know?
- 100% of 2018 SUNY Adirondack Nursing graduates were employed after graduation.
- The 2019 YTD pass rate for SUNY Adirondack Nursing students who took the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses for the first time is 94.19%.
MEET OUR ALUMNI
SUNY Adirondack Nursing alumna Jennifer Pettis plans to use her position as an Alzheimer’s Ambassador to raise awareness of a public health crisis.
Nurse focuses on public health crisis
SUNY Adirondack Nursing graduate Jennifer Pettis has been named an Alzheimer’s Association Ambassador to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer.
“It is a great opportunity to share my interest and my passion with the senator and his staff and to move the priorities of the Alzheimer's Association ahead,” Pettis said. “There are 5.8 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to more than double by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease is a public health crisis and the nation’s most costly disease.”
Alzheimer’s Ambassadors are grassroots volunteers for the Alzheimer's Impact Movement, the advocacy arm of the Alzheimer's Association. Pettis works to advance policies to overcome Alzheimer's disease through increased investment in research, enhanced care and improved support.
Pettis, a native of Greenwich who now lives in Clifton Park, is the associate director of the long-term care program of Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE), which is part of New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing. After graduating with a degree in Nursing from SUNY Adirondack, she earned a bachelor’s in Health Care Management and a master’s in Nursing Education from SUNY Empire State College.
“I had a lot of wonderful career opportunities with my SUNY Adirondack degree, and, of course, it afforded me a smooth transition to continue my education in the SUNY system,” she said.
Pettis has more than 25 years of healthcare experience as a nurse, nurse researcher, educator and consultant working to improve healthcare for older adults, including providing expertise to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
“I loved SUNY Adirondack’s Nursing program. Because it was a small cohort of students, I really got to know my classmates and teachers.” — Kathleen Brown, 2019 Nursing graduate employed at Saratoga Hospital
MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The SUNY Adirondack Business division creates professional learning opportunities for students, including business plan competitions.
College offers plan for entrepreneurs
SUNY Adirondack is preparing the next generation of business leaders for a bright future through its Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship degree program.
Students taking the two-year program learn the core operations of running a business while also gaining opportunities to explore focuses in management, marketing or entrepreneurship. The program was created for career-oriented students and has been attractive to community members who own their own business and want to enhance their knowledge and skill base.
“Students gain the opportunity to network with many of our local business leaders and alumni who are regularly brought into the classroom by faculty teaching core business courses in the degree program,” said John Arpey, associate professor of Business.
Internships at local businesses add to the experience. Business faculty match students to employers based on the student’s career goals or interests. An internship is a three-credit course that requires 120 hours of work at the business, under the supervision of an employer. The nature of the work and progress in the employment setting is closely monitored by a faculty member assigned to the student.
“Students also engage in entrepreneurial activities through Business Central, the Entrepreneurship Center, business plan competitions, Speak Off competitions and class visits to area employers,” Arpey said.
Did you know?
The Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship program offers access to dedicated faculty who have a deep and diverse experience in:
- business management
- consumer behavior
- business psychology
- marketing concepts for products and services
- business plan development
- start-up planning for entrepreneurs
MEET OUR ALUMNI
Kayla Craft is the owner of Yoga Kayla in Glens Falls.
A mindful business plan
Kayla Craft followed her passion to a thriving career in yoga, but she credits SUNY Adirondack’s Business program with keeping her mind centered on success.
“The business classes offered at SUNY Adirondack are perfect for starting your own business,” said Craft, who graduated form the college in 2005 before transferring to SUNY Plattsburgh to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Craft worked for a number of years in pharmaceutical sales. Although the money was good, she didn’t feel fulfilled.
“I was always into health and wellness, and I finally realized that passion for life is more important than money,” she said.
Deciding to put her dreams first, she left the corporate world and took intensive yoga training to open her own studio.
Yoga Kayla started out in a small room in Lake George but quickly grew into a larger space in downtown Glens Falls. Five years later, the business is booming, with a full schedule of yoga and pilates classes throughout the week.
During the summer, she offers early morning sessions in City Park, allowing students to enjoy a peaceful workout as the sun rises. The business recently expanded into online offerings, making the lessons of yoga and meditation accessible to an even larger audience.
“I love every moment of it. Go after what you are most passionate about, and you will never feel like you are working,” Craft said.
The entrepreneur credits SUNY Adirondack with giving her the business knowledge to turn her dream into a success.
“I always tell everyone that my best decision was to attend SUNY Adirondack. I learned through the degree and applied the information,” she said.
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Special Adjunct Professor of Business Sammatha 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.
MEET OUR ALUMNI
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.”
“I majored in Business Administration at SUNY Adirondack and transferred to SUNY Plattsburgh and graduated in May 2019. I am now enrolled in Albany Law School and am in my first semester of their juris doctor program. SUNY Adirondack's Business program gave me the knowledge necessary to directly enter the workforce after graduation. I continued my education not because I felt I had to but because my time at SUNY Adirondack helped me to realize what I wanted to do in the future." — Brittney Campbell, SUNY Adirondack Business Administration graduate
FOREST TECHNOLOGY
Students in SUNY Adirondack’s Forest Technology program take a year of general education classes, including botany, chemistry and math.
Program creates pathway for forest management
For students interested in a degree in Forest Technology, the math of starting an education at SUNY Adirondack makes sense.
The college has a “1 + 1” agreement with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Students can start their education at SUNY Adirondack and seamlessly transfer to SUNY ESF to complete an Associate in Applied Science degree.
“The 1+1 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry degree, with transfer after one year of study here to SUNY ESF, is a long-standing program that has been successfully used by students who know that SUNY ESF is their goal for a four-year degree,” said Roger Eagan, distinguished professor of biology.
The Forest Technology program provides students with real-world experience through the careful combination of class curricula and field training.
“We provide the appropriate science and general education work that will allow them a good start in their study at SUNY ESF,” Eagan said.
First-year students of the program take courses in botany, chemistry, math, writing, English, economics and a variety of liberal arts electives.
Career options for Forest Technology graduates are diverse, including the growing need for professionally trained forest technicians among the many forestry agencies and wood-using industries who value forest management.
Did you know?
SUNY ESF is the oldest dedicated college of science and forestry in the country. Graduates of the college’s second year can join the prestigious Ranger School at the college's 2,800-acre James F. Dubuar Forest.
MEET OUR STUDENTS
“I decided that I wanted to work and spend a good deal of my time in the outdoors. For me, helping maintain trails and educating people on the importance of respecting our parks is a great path. What I like the most about the academic experience here at SUNY Adirondack is the small class sizes and hands-on environment. Having people always nearby willing to help out with certain projects or problems is a huge help in college.”— Bryan Kane, Forest Technology major, Queensbury
“This degree path made sense because it was the fastest way to qualify for the NYSDEC Forest Ranger Civil Service exam. The Ranger School programs also appealed to me personally, and I knew I could easily and cheaply fulfill my first year requirements at SUNY Adirondack. The college offers the prerequisite courses that most all programs require, and you will save so much money because it is close to home.” — Matthew Defayette, Forest Technology major, Lake George
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Wendy Johnston, associate professor of Political Science, introduces Vote Smart founder Richard Kimball during a program at SUNY Adirondack.
Program encourages analytical thought
In the era of “Fake News” and cultural divisiveness, the study of Political Science is as relevant as ever.
“In the current political climate, both within the United States and globally, Political Science provides the necessary knowledge and skills needed to navigate the political realm,” said Wendy Johnston, associate professor of Political Science.
SUNY Adirondack offers a two-year Liberal Associate in Art degree in Humanities and Social Science with a Political Science concentration.
According to Johnston, who is a graduate of the college’s program, the concentration provides a diverse education spanning literature, philosophy, history, economics, fine arts, theater and psychology, with a focus on Political Science.
“Political Science, as a field of study, is a behavioral science, which provides insight into American politics, international relations, government institutions, public policies, constitutionalism and political behavior,” she said. “Students of Political Science develop strong writing, communication, analytical and data skills. Overall, Political Science prepares critical and independent thinkers with the ability to appreciate differing points of view and an ability to understand current affairs.”
Did you know?
Political Science graduates can pursue careers in:
- law
- consulting
- research
- business and finance
- state, local and federal government
- elected office and campaign management
- journalism, media and communications
- community service
- advocacy work
- non-governmental and non-profit organizations
- teaching
MEET OUR ALUMNI
SUNY Adirondack graduate Tess Moulton wants working mothers to know that a college degree is attainable.
Degree encourages higher pursuits
Tess Moulton credits SUNY Adirondack with preparing her for the next step in her academic career — a degree from Vassar College.
“I was terrified my first day of college, and I almost didn’t come. I didn’t have the best academic experience in high school, and I went into the Air Force right out of high school,” said Moulton, who lives in South Glens Falls. “This college really showed me that I could be so much more. Coming to college has shown me that I can expand well beyond traditional roles of what it means to be a wife and mother.”
Moulton, who majored in Political Science, hopes the story of her college success will encourage other women to go to pursue degrees.
“I want to tell other women that you can go back to school. We can be each other’s support. My time at SUNY Adirondack has given me courage,” she said.
Moulton thinks SUNY Adirondack is a great place to start.
“I got so much out of my classroom experiences. A small school encourages instructors to be personally involved. They get a sense of who you are as an individual,” she said.
IN THE NEWS
SUNY Adirondack’s Culinary Arts Center is competing in a window display contest as part of the Hometown Holidays celebration in Glens Falls.
Seasoned greetings
SUNY Adirondack’s Culinary Arts Center in Glens Falls is ready for the holiday season, thanks to Media Arts students and faculty.
The Media Arts group created a signature winter window display at Seasoned as part of the city’s annual Hometown Holidays celebration. The public is invited to vote for the college’s creation in a downtown decorating competition. Votes can be cast online through Dec. 8.
Culinary students and faculty will offer a cookie decorating session from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Culinary Arts Center bakeshop at 14 Hudson Ave. as part of the Hometown Holidays event. Guests are asked to contribute a monetary donation or a toy for Toys for Tots.
The SUNY Adirondack Agricultural Business program has received a Farm of the Year award.
Agriculture program receives Farm of the Year award
The Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District recently named the SUNY Adirondack Agricultural Business program as its Agricultural Environmental Management Farm of the Year.
The district recognized the college for its work to create the agriculture program and the campus farm through conservation practices.
“From the initiation to the development of the Agricultural Business program, SUNY Adirondack has participated in the Agricultural Environmental Management Program for over five years, and we’ve had the pleasure of assisting you with multiple conservation practices while watching the program grow in the classroom and on the ground,” Warren County Soil and Water District Manager Jim Lieberum said on behalf of the organization. “You’ve implemented almost every recommendation we’ve given from simple soil tests to the more in-depth, no-till soil management plans and cover crops. This grant included building a market farm plot, purchasing and utilizing market farm tools and supplies, holding three workshops and working directly with the Ag Business students.”
The award will be presented during a Dec. 16 Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District meeting.
Music major Elias Mansmith performs during the Adirondack Autism Conference, which was held at SUNY Adirondack.
Music students take to the community
SUNY Adirondack Music students had a busy Fall semester of community service.
In September, sophomore music majors Elias Mansmith and Dylan Robinson participated in Adjunct Professor Miriam Enman's “Music of the Civil War” presentation for the Washington County Historical Society's biannual History Fair at the Hartford Central School. The students performed on guitar and sang two songs from the historical era.
In October, Robinson joined sophomore music majors Chelsea Rivers and Arianna Stewart for a performance during Enman's Continuing Education presentation of “Music from the Big Band Era,” held at The Glen in Queensbury. Stewart sang with Rivers in a number prepared specifically for the session, and Rivers continued the performance with a series of vocal solos that showcased music from the 1940s. In addition to his performance, Robinson also prepared the history behind the song and interacted with attendees through a post-performance question-and-answer segment.
On Nov. 1, sophomore Kaylee Green joined Robinson, Mansmith, Stewart and Rivers to assist the Adirondack Autism Conference, which was organized by Enman and held on campus in the Northwest Bay Conference Center. Green and Stewart helped at the registration table, and Rivers served as assistant to Enman throughout pre-conference preparations and during the conference. Mansmith and Robinson performed live music for the attendees during the lunch hour.
SUNY Adirondack Nursing students Megan Brockway and Megan Evans offered advice to high school students during a career fair at Glens Falls Hospital.
Nursing students help recruit next generation
SUNY Adirondack Nursing students Megan Evans and Megan Brockway joined Health Sciences Division Chair and Associate Professor Kim Hedley at Glens Falls Hospital on Nov. 5 for the annual High School to Healthcare night.
The educational event gives local high school students the opportunity to explore careers and get first-hand information from professionals in the field.
During the session, Evans and Brockway shared their experiences as college students, answered questions and served as representatives of the SUNY Adirondack Nursing program.
“They did a great job engaging the high school students and were professional, welcoming and well-spoken,” Hedley said of Evans and Brockway.
Students in the Outdoor Education program regularly volunteer to clean up local waterways.
Outdoor program recognized by nonprofit
SUNY Adirondack’s Outdoor Education program was named the 2019 Environmental Steward of the Year by the Feeder Canal Alliance.
The Feeder Canal Alliance, founded in 1987, preserves, promotes and protects the Glens Falls Feeder Canal and Towpath Trail through responsible recreation, environmental education and preservation.
The seven-mile Glens Falls Feeder Canal is the last remaining original canal in New York and is an integral part of the state’s 524 miles of canals. The local National Historic Place creates recreational opportunities for visitors and locals alike while providing a glimpse into the past.
ACCOLADES
- Assistant Professor of English Donna Hayles and student Blakeley Riddle represented Phi Theta Kappa, the college’s academic honor society, by volunteering on Thanksgiving at the Open Door Mission in Glens Falls.
- Assistant Professor of Nursing Mary McMurry received a Heartsavers Heroes Award from the American Heart Association for her role in helping to save a life. McMurry was driving to work and stopped when she saw a man performing CPR on an unresponsive jogger. Despite not being able to find a pulse, McMurry and fellow responder David Conza continued to perform CPR until an emergency crew arrived.
- Professor of Studio Art John Hampshire spoke about his artwork during a Nov. 21 Artside Chat event at The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls. Hampshire will have artwork in the group exhibition "Postcards from the Edge" at Bortolami Gallery in New York City in the beginning of January. He also is included in the group exhibition "The Roaring Twenties,” running Jan. 11-Feb. 15, at the Joyce Goldstein Gallery in Chatham.
- SUNY Adirondack Culinary students and faculty prepared food, including more than 30 turkeys, for the annual Hometown Thanksgiving event at Christ Church United Methodist in Glens Falls.
4DX
The offices of Business Central, Event Services, EOP, Upward Bound and Student Success received Navigator status during the Fall semester for their 4DX projects related to the college’s goal of increasing graduation and student retention rates.
THINGS TO DO
Artist Erin Whitman is included in the group show 'Field of Vision' at the Visual Arts Gallery.
• The group exhibit “Field of Vision: Megan Hinton, Lisa Barthelson, Erin Whitman” runs through Feb. 6 in the Visual Arts Gallery in Dearlove Hall. The Visual Arts Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with extended hours from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. All Visual Arts Gallery programming is free and open to the public.
• SUNY Adirondack’s Office of Business Central continues its Conversations with Entrepreneurs series with a talk by Michelle Brandriss, founder and president of Name Bubbles, at noon Dec. 4 in the Center for Entrepreneurship in Adirondack Hall. Brandriss will discuss the risks and rewards of starting a business. Register online.
• SUNY Adirondack’s Office of Business Central will offer a When to Pay for Social Media Ads presentation by Kate Austin-Avon, founder and president of Advokate, at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 5 in the Center for Entrepreneurship in Adirondack Hall. The program is supported by SUNY Adirondack, Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership. Registration is $15 for community members and free for those with a sunyacc.edu email address. Register online.
• SUNY Adirondack will present a tour of its Radio and Television Broadcasting Program starting at 9 a.m. Dec. 6. Prospective students will meet in the Admissions Office at 8:45 a.m. and depart on a Student Ambassador led tour of the campus starting at 9 a.m. Following the campus tour, the group will visit the Radio and Television Broadcasting studios to meet with Kevin Ankeny, professor of Radio/TV Broadcasting. An Admissions representative will be available to answer questions about the admissions and financial aid process. Register online.
• SUNY Adirondack’s Office of Business Central will hold a program for businesses on funding options, including loans and grants, at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 10 in the Center for Entrepreneurship in Adirondack Hall. Jennifer Switzer, financial director at Warren County LDC and Deanna Derway, president and executive director of Washington County LDC, will present and answer questions. Registration is $15 for community members and free for those with a sunyacc.edu email address. Register online.
• SUNY Adirondack will present a tour of its Mechatronics Program at p.m. Dec. 11. Prospective students will meet in the Admissions Office at 8:45 a.m. and depart on a Student Ambassador led tour of the campus at 9 a.m. Following the campus tour, the group will visit a Mechatronics classrooms to meet with Jeff Clark, assistant professor of Technology. An Admissions representative will be available to answer questions about the admissions and financial aid process. Register online.
• SUNY Adirondack’s Office of Business Central continues its Social Media Series Saratoga series with a How Do I Know My Social Media is Working? program at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at SUNY Adirondack Saratoga in Wilton. Liz Sutton, social media manager with Mannix Marketing, will discuss how to gain access to the free tracking features built into social media. The program is supported by SUNY Adirondack, Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership. Registration is $15 for community members and free for those with a sunyacc.edu email address. Register online.
FOUNDATION
#GIVINGTUESDAY at SUNY ADK
Each year, Giving Tuesday uses the power of collective giving to transform communities. This global generosity movement provides an opportunity to have an immediate impact on our students and our campus community.
Your gift to the SUNY Adirondack Fund allows us to:
● Increase the level of unrestricted scholarships available for deserving students with unmet financial need.
● Support the Finish-In-2 incentive program that helps committed students earn their associate degree in two years.
● Help us improve the recruitment and retention of our student-athletes.
● Support the implementation of the newest technologies to keep our students connected and engaged.
Supporting our students strengthens our community. We invite you to join the movement on Dec. 3 and invest in our community’s future.
Scholarship recipient, Marilyn McNutt poses with her donor, Leigh Beeman. McNutt is the recipient of the Adult Learner Scholarship and the Warren County Council of Chambers Mark Martucci Memorial Scholarship. Beeman is a longtime friend and supporter of SUNY Adirondack and the Foundation. The Foundation’s annual golf tournament that raises money for scholarships is named in memory of Leigh’s husband, Lyman Beeman. She established the Adult Learner Scholarship, and Marilyn McNutt was the very first recipient.
Luncheon recognizes scholarship recipients
The SUNY Adirondack Foundation held its annual Scholarship Luncheon on Nov. 15 in the Northwest Bay Conference Center in Adirondack Hall.
The annual event celebrates the accomplishments of scholarship recipients and allows them to extend their gratitude to scholarship donors.
The Foundation awarded more than $310,000 in scholarship funding to 190 SUNY Adirondack students this year.
HUMAN RESOURCES
SUNY Adirondack is accepting applications for the following job openings:
