SUNY Oneonta

Seven SUNY Oneonta students had their artwork on display in the Jean Parish Scholarship: 2026-2027 exhibition in the Project Space Gallery. An opening reception in the gallery was held on Thursday, Sept. 10. The Jean Parish Scholarship: 2026-2027 is a group exhibition by the student recipients of the 2026-2027 Jean Parish Memorial Scholarship featuring work by Sydney Creason, Tessa DeLisio, Madison Jahnke, Lily Linehan, Mordue Reinhardt, Wendy Tenecela and Anh Verity. It includes multidisciplinary artwork such as painting, sculpture, design and digital art. Faculty Emerita Jean Parish enjoyed a lengthy teaching career at SUNY Oneonta, leaving behind a gift to provide financial assistance to students studying art. One of the two endowed funds she set in place supports the Jean Parish Scholarship, distributed by the Art Department through a competitive process every fall semester. Art majors already enrolled in the program are eligible to apply during or after their first semester, and the department gives several non-renewable awards for the academic year. Admission to the gallery and reception is free and open to the public, and visitors can receive parking passes through the University Police Department. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

This summer, SUNY Oneonta's sunny, quiet campus quad was filled with the buzz of 116 accepted students arriving early to learn what to expect as new first-year students. But this was no tour; these students moved into the residence halls for four weeks. Designed to make the huge transition to college a little less intimidating, the AOP (Access and Opportunity Program) Summer Academy has been welcoming new students since the 1990s. From morning to night, the students' days are designed to familiarize them with collegiate academic and social expectations, school policies, student services and learning resources at SUNY Oneonta. Throughout the week, there were presentations and tours of departments including Financial Aid, Counseling, Academic Advisement, Career Planning & Networking, Global Education and Student Accounts. Students were able to ask questions about internships, studying abroad and course selections.

Twenty-six SUNY Oneonta students are studying abroad during the fall 2026 semester through programs offered by the university. SUNY Oneonta offers summer and semester programs through study abroad and exchange with international partner universities, and many short-term faculty-led programs through the Office of Global Education (OGE). Of the available programs, these students are studying abroad at the American College of Greece in Greece, Seinan Gakuin University and Tokyo Metropolitan University in Japan, Hanze University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea, University of Trento, Instituto Lorenzo de' Medici, John Cabot University and Florence University of the Arts in Italy, Ango American University in the Czech Republic, Universidad Catolica de Valencia in Spain, University of Roehampton in the United Kingdom and SKEMA Business School in France. Eight students received scholarships from SUNY Oneonta to study abroad, including the Diane Williams Scholarship Fund for Study Abroad, the Global Connectedness Fund, the College at Oneonta Foundation 30th Anniversary Scholarship, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the Carrie Krumholtz-Liebman '92 Scholarship, the Gerald J. Ferrante '77 Scholarship (in Memory of Margaret A. Ferrante), and the Bill and Khuki Woolever Scholarship. More than 20 scholarships were established by the SUNY Oneonta Foundation to provide support for students who might otherwise not have the financial means to study abroad. Scholarships are made possible through gifts from alumni, faculty, staff and community members, and are awarded each semester to qualifying students.

Two years after launching, SUNY's Empire State Service Corps has more than doubled in size at SUNY Oneonta and expanded its reach throughout the greater Oneonta community. SUNY Oneonta played a leading role in the program's launch in 2024, with 48 students in its inaugural cohort-the most of any participating SUNY campus. This year, 100 students are participating, making Oneonta's 2026-27 cohort one of the largest in the SUNY system, alongside Binghamton University and the University at Buffalo. Through the Empire State Service Corps, or ESSC, students complete paid public service in areas ranging from K-12 education and basic needs outreach to sustainability, civic engagement and mental health. Placements now include area state parks, schools, nonprofits, food banks, Head Start programs and other community organizations, as well as on-campus services such as the Red Dragon Food Pantry and Bugbee Children's Center. "One of our biggest goals has been to build meaningful partnerships throughout the community," said Francis Carter, director of SUNY Oneonta's Center for Volunteerism and Community Engagement, who leads the ESSC at Oneonta. "Students want to make a difference, and our local organizations have incredible opportunities for them to do just that." Full Story: https://suny.oneonta.edu/news/campus-community-empire-state-service-corps-expands-its-impact

Seven SUNY Oneonta students were recipients of the 9/11 Memorial Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. Each year, the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association awards seven scholarships to honor the legacies of Martin Lizzul ('91), Lynne Irene Morris ('00), Michael J. Mullin ('96), Jeffrey R. Nussbaum ('86), Kevin Owen Reilly ('95), Brian J. Terrenzi ('95), and Glenn J. Winnuk ('83), the seven alumni who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Scholarships are awarded to qualifying first-, second-, and third-year students with a minimum GPA of 2.8 and a demonstrated commitment to citizenship and community. Students who qualify for the 9/11 Memorial Scholarship have also paid the undergraduate Student Alumni fee, which supports student research, career networking, academic excellence programs, library acquisitions, student-alumni connection grants, campus traditions, and cultural, educational and social programs. The scholarship amount is $2,001 per recipient for the academic year and is used to defer the costs of tuition, fees, housing, student loans, etc, allowing them to participate more in non-academic opportunities like clubs and organizations on campus. As part of the 25th anniversary 9/11 memorial service held on campus, students laid roses at the base of SUNY Oneonta's World Trade Center concrete towers in remembrance of the alumni who came before them. Full story: https://suny.oneonta.edu/news/25-years-later-suny-oneonta-remembers-911

Thirty-two students were elected to serve in Student Association positions for the 2026-2027 academic year at SUNY Oneonta. The Student Association serves as the liaison between the administration, faculty and students. Elected students sit on external committees where they voice student input on decisions that affect the campus community. The Student Association of SUNY Oneonta is dedicated to fostering and maintaining meaningful relationships between students, faculty and administration to be effective in advocating for and allocating resources towards bettering the well-being of the student body. The Student Association strives to promote an inclusive, academic and social experience that encourages student growth and participation by advancing advocacy, transparency and communication between the branches of the Student Association, the broader Oneonta community and the collective student body.

This summer, four SUNY Oneonta students were immersed in hands-on learning experiences abroad as part of a select cohort of university students who received funding through the Tyler Center for Global Studies. SUNY Oneonta students spent part of their summer exploring Latin America, Europe and Africa, where they completed research projects and creative work under the guidance of faculty mentors. Their trips were made possible by a $20,000 grant from the Tyler Center for Global Studies. SUNY Oneonta is among the Tyler Center's 12 partner institutions across the country, which funded 63 Tyler Fellows this summer. "Our campus is honored to once again be selected as a partner institution of the Tyler Center for Global Studies," said Associate Director of Scholarly Activities Audrey Porsche "The Center's generous support has allowed our students to not only conduct research or a creative project in another country but to also connect with students from around the country engaged in a wide variety of scholarly pursuits. It's a unique opportunity for these students and will help them in so many ways beyond their time at Oneonta." Now back on campus, students have been working on personal reflections about their travels and projects, networking with their peers in the program and will participate in the Tyler Center's Virtual Summit on Nov. 19. SUNY Oneonta's Tyler Fellows will present their research and creative activities in person on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. during the Summer Showcase in Hunt Union's International Lounge. This year's Summer Showcase will also include student research fellows who received grant funding from SUNY Oneonta's Student Research and Creative Activity fund, SUNY Oneonta students who participated in overseas internships through Sodexo, and students who participated in SUNY Binghamton's summer research fellowship program. Full Story: https://suny.oneonta.edu/news/tyler-center-fellows-complete-hands-research-abroad

SUNY Oneonta students received firsthand experience in their fields of study this summer through research and creative projects on topics ranging from local lake water quality to a paleoanthropology field school abroad. With guidance and support from faculty members, 28 SUNY Oneonta students were involved in a variety of new and continuing research and creative projects on and off campus through the university's Summer Research Fellowship Program. The 2026 Summer Research Fellowship recipients receive financial support from University Advancement's Student Research and Creative Activity Grant Fund, with additional funding from the Office of Alumni Engagement. Students receive grants of up to $3,000, with a maximum of $6,000 available for two or more students working together on a single project. Students who must remain on campus for their research also receive free housing at SUNY Oneonta this summer. "The summer fellowships provide students with a great opportunity to do concentrated, in-depth, faculty-led research and creative projects without sacrificing their ability to earn money at a time when so many students are home working summer jobs," said Audrey Porsche, Associate Director of Scholarly Activities. The students will share their projects with the campus community during the Summer Research Fellowship Showcase on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. This year's showcase will also include student research fellows who received grants from the Tyler Center for Global Studies, SUNY Oneonta students who participated in overseas internships through Sodexo, and students who participated in SUNY Binghamton's summer research fellowship program. Full Story: https://suny.oneonta.edu/news/summer-2026-student-research-fellowship-projects

This summer, SUNY Oneonta students Ammara Sarwar ('28), Aisha Conde ('29) and Leo Gunset ('27) completed an undergraduate research program and presented their findings at the second annual SUNY Arthur O. Eve Education Opportunity Program (EOP) research symposium. Sarwar, Conde and Gunset were among the 62 SUNY students who conducted research with faculty, students and research staff from 10 SUNY campuses. The research symposium was held at the SUNY System Administration Building in Albany on Aug. 5. Students conducted research in one of two groups, the STEM Summer Research Program and the EOP Liberal Arts Summer Research Program. The STEM group allowed EOP students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math to work side by side with future colleagues, and the EOP Liberal Arts group gave students interested in the humanities and social sciences to do the same. Sarwar, Conde and Gunset were part of three separate five-student research groups in the EOP STEM program. The STEM Summer Research Program targets students pursuing or exploring careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. This year's program involved 42 students, up from 19 students last summer, 17 faculty and eight different SUNY campuses, including the State University of New York at Albany, the State University of New York at Binghamton, SUNY Brockport, the State University of New York at Buffalo, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The program consists of three different areas, including a six-week STEM research program in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and psychology a nine-week STEM research program in computer science, information technology, and imaging, and a 10-week STEM research program for students interested in pre-med. Students enrolled in the STEM research programs participated in daily lab or field work with faculty and research staff, as well as community building and professional development activities. Sarwar conducted and presented research on a project titled "Clean Green High Impact Machines." Dr. Michael Coleman, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at SUNY Brockport, led the students in research and provided faculty mentorship. Conde conducted and presented research on a project titled "Using Behavior to Mitigate the Spread of Invasive Round Gobies." Dr. Elizabeth Lange, Assistant Professor of Biology at SUNY Oswego, led the students in research and provided faculty mentorship. Gunset conducted and presented research on a project titled "Effects on Chemical Communication in the Social Bees." Dr. Margarita Orlova, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, led the students in research and provided faculty mentorship. State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. highlighted the undergraduate summer Education Opportunity Programs during the research symposium. "SUNY is committed to expanding access to internships that empower our students to explore career paths that interest them," said SUNY Chancellor King. "The Educational Opportunity Program has made higher education more accessible for thousands of New Yorkers, and we are proud to continue to open the doors to upward mobility and success through initiatives like our undergraduate summer research programs. These programs provide our EOP students with vital opportunities to work with SUNY's outstanding faculty to advance our research excellence while also preparing them for their future careers."

Twenty-three SUNY Oneonta students were selected to serve as Dragon Guides for the 2026-2027 academic year. In addition to leading activities for new students and their parents during seven daylong summer orientation sessions, Dragon Guides welcome new students into their new community by leading small groups, answering questions about the university and college life, and mentoring new students throughout their first semester. With assistance from the Office of Move-in Orientation, and Welcome Programs and the Office of Student Experience, the Dragon Guides reach out to their mentees throughout their first year at the university to revisit their goals from orientation and offer support on reaching those goals. They also sponsor connection groups for new students to participate in, which will encourage and support engagement.

Sixty-seven recent SUNY Oneonta alumni are continuing their education at the university through graduate programs after earning their bachelor's degree in December 2025, May 2026 or August 2026. These students began their graduate studies at the start of the summer 2026 term or will begin in the fall 2026 semester. SUNY Oneonta offers 15 graduate programs that are in person, online or a mix. Students can enroll in master's degree or certificate programs in Biology, Crime, Justice and Community, Lake Management, Museum Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Literacy Education, Educational Technology, School Counseling and Special Education. SUNY Oneonta's graduate programs frequently receive external recognition for quality, affordability and career outcomes, including: No. 114 on U.S. News and World Report's 2025 list of the nation's "Best Online Master's in Education Programs." No. 1 on Intelligent.com's list of the "Best Online Master's in Reading and Literacy Programs of 2025." No. 11 on TheEdAdvocate.org's list of "2023 Best Online Master's In Reading Education Programs" in the country. No. 2 in the nation on the OnlineMastersDegrees.org list of "Top Nutrition Master's Programs Online for 2024." No. 3 in the nation on EduMed.org's 2024-25 list of "Best Online Nutrition Master's Degrees." No. 7 in the nation on OnlineU's "2025 Best Master's Degrees in Nutrition Online." In addition to highly competitive tuition rates and graduate student scholarships, many programs offer Graduate and Teaching Assistantships, which include tuition waivers or stipends. SUNY Oneonta graduate students develop meaningful relationships with outstanding, accessible faculty who are experts in their fields, experienced, caring teachers and advocates for their students' successes. After completing their degree program, graduates join a network of successful alumni whose experiences at SUNY Oneonta opened new doors, fostered personal and professional growth and enriched their careers.

SUNY Oneonta senior Megan Dwyer delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem at the first ever SUNY Oneonta Night with the Oneonta Outlaws baseball team on July 16. Historic Damaschke Field in downtown Oneonta was filled with Red Dragon spirit as several hundred employees, alumni, students, families and friends gathered for a night of community and free baseball. It was a celebration of the university's connection to the local community and a chance for future and current Red Dragons to enjoy America's pastime together, watching as the Oneonta Outlaws took on the Saugerties Stallions. Instead of returning home for the summer to Syracuse, NY, Dwyer, a Digital and Studio Art major and Theatre minor, remained in Oneonta to work with SUNY Oneonta's Information Technology Services. She was honored to be asked to sing the National Anthem at the game, and her parents made the trip to see her perform. "I've been in many SUNY Oneonta productions and performances," Dwyer said, "so being able to represent the school in this way off campus is a big honor."

SUNY Oneonta students began their summer digging into the past and honing skills for their future careers during the Pine Lake Archaeological Field School, now in its 12th biennial season. A collaborative effort between SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College, the Archaeological Field School introduces students to the basic methods archaeologists use to identify, excavate, record and interpret the history of Native American artifacts found at Pine Lake. Hartwick hosts the field school at its Pine Lake Environment Campus in West Davenport, NY, and SUNY Oneonta provides most of the equipment. Field school students learn skills that can be applied to all kinds of disciplines. Many are Anthropology majors, but the program is open to all and often attracts students studying history, geoscience, biology, geography, chemistry and other fields. Even if a student isn't interested in going into archaeology, they leave with basic skills applicable for many careers. Full Story: https://suny.oneonta.edu/news/students-dig-past-archaeological-field-school

Kayla VanPelt, of Tivioli, NY, presented a research talk titled "Thermocline Depth in Otsego Lake, NY" at the 2026 ASLO-SIL Joint Meeting in Montreal, Canada. VanPelt's research examined changes in the depth of the thermocline, where warm surface water meets colder, deeper water, in Otsego Lake from 2019 to 2025 using data collected by a lake-monitoring buoy. Held from May 12-16, 2026, the international event was organized by the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) and the International Society of Limnology (SIL). Biology researchers of all academic backgrounds, including undergraduate and graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, and biology professors, presented various topics in the aquatic sciences. VanPelt's presentation was one of four topics discussed in the "Aquatic Sciences on Ice: Physical and Abiotic Processes" group session. This session focused on ice itself: its formation, structure and evolution, alongside the physical and abiotic processes that operate during the ice-covered season, including stratification and mixing, solute exclusion, gas dynamics and hydrology. VanPelt's participation in this conference was supported by the Caroline '67 and David D'Antonio Student Travel for Excellence Fund, the Student Travel for Excellence Program (STEP) Academic Fund, and funding received by Associate Professor of Biology Kiyoko Yokota from the Otsego Lake Watershed Supervisory Committee.

Two hundred forty-six SUNY Oneonta graduate students completed the requirements for a master's degree, Certificate of Advanced Study or Advanced Graduate Certificate following the spring 2026 semester. Graduates were honored and recognized during spring commencement, held Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House. Held across four ceremonies, spring commencement honored approximately 1,150 graduate and undergraduate students from across the university's three academic schools. Family, friends, faculty and staff gathered on campus to celebrate the scholars, athletes, activists, artists and leaders who make up SUNY Oneonta's Class of 2026.

Seven hundred and one SUNY Oneonta students completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree following the spring 2026 semester. Graduates were honored and recognized during spring commencement, held Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House. Held across four ceremonies, spring commencement honored approximately 1,150 graduate and undergraduate students from across the university's three academic schools. The day before commencement, seniors took part in the Pass Through the Pillars tradition. With friends, family, faculty and staff cheering them on, seniors walked through the pillars a final time, representing the end of their Oneonta journey and transition into the alumni family.

Two hundred and ninety-four SUNY Oneonta students earned Provost's List honors for the spring 2026 semester. To qualify for the Provost's List, a student must earn a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

One thousand two hundred fifty-five SUNY Oneonta students earned Dean's List honors for the spring 2026 semester. To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

SUNY Oneonta student Liana Walton, of Clifton Park, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "House of Consignment Internship." Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success. These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta. "During my internship at House of Consignment, I gained hands-on experience in the retail and consignment industry. Under the guidance of owner Kirsty Roefs, I learned about the consigning process, customer service, merchandising, and day-to-day retail operations. I was given creative freedom to design eye-catching seasonal and holiday displays, plan and create social media content, and help manage the sales floor," said Walton, who is majoring in Fashion and Textiles. "During my internship at House of Consignment, I was involved in many aspects of daily retail operations and visual merchandising. I created seasonal displays for holidays and events including St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and other promotions to help attract customers and showcase inventory. I also photographed racks of clothing daily, carefully capturing each garment for the store's website and online shoppers. In addition, I created social media content to promote new arrivals and seasonal pieces, assisted customers, and helped manage and organize the sales floor to maintain an inviting shopping environment. "During my internship at House of Consignment, I learned about the consigning process and how inventory is evaluated, priced, organized, and prepared for sale. I gained hands-on experience in visual merchandising by creating displays that were both visually appealing and effective in attracting customers. I also learned how important social media and online presentation are in the retail industry through photographing clothing and creating promotional content. This experience strengthened my communication, creativity, organization, and customer service skills while giving me a better understanding of the fashion and retail business. "Since completing this internship, I plan to continue developing my skills in the fashion industry through future internships and hands-on experiences. I will continue my education at Fashion Institute of Technology, where I will earn an Associate's degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications through the 3+1 program with SUNY Oneonta. In May 2027, I will graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising from SUNY Oneonta as well as an Associate's degree from FIT. After graduation, I hope to begin a professional career in the luxury fashion industry, where I can combine my interests in fashion, marketing, merchandising, and brand development." Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, the Career Planning and Networking Center has distributed over $319,500 in internship stipends to more than 400 students.

SUNY Oneonta student Hailey Gould, of Farmingdale, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Leatherstocking Quilts Fashion Internships." Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success. These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta. "Interning at Leatherstocking Quilts was a non-traditional path to better understanding the management, merchandising and advertising components of running a small business. Through hands-on experience and supervised projects, my role at Leatherstocking Quilts allowed me to gain insight around the necessary requirements of successful outreach," said Gould, who is majoring in Fashion and Textiles. "This presentation was created by me, Miss Hailey Gould. I devised a comprehensive overview of what services our company provides, company values, loyalty programs and more. This presentation doubled as a packing list for Jeanne. The packing list helped Jeanne to set up an engaging, temporary storefront at the trunk show to promote brand awareness and sales. This detailed outline also provides reminders for upcoming events where (LSQ) Leatherstocking Quilts will be collaborating with other local businesses to host fun events such as denim tote bag making with All American Sweet Spot. "I was re-introduced to organizational fun. Creating this presentation, sectioning the important messages for customers, and preparing a necessary list for all materials gave me a guide and strategy to be used for school, work and everyday life. It's a crucial step to prepare before events to reduce stress and execute an intentional presentation. Without this, presentations and events can be disappointing for the customer and the business. Through preparation, the business can accurately represent themselves instead of leaving it up to fate. "The next project is creating an eye-catching banner for Shop Hop. Shop Hop is a promotional quilting event intended to help local quilt shops gain publicity and generate substantial revenue. The banner is complete. However, finding an object or post to hang the banner has been more challenging. My hope is to have it hanging on a post, not just in the window." Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, the Career Planning and Networking Center has distributed over $319,500 in internship stipends to more than 400 students.

SUNY Oneonta student Kimmy Catalan, of Stamford, CT, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Leatherstocking Quilts Internship." Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success. These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta. I interned at Leatherstocking Quilts in Oneonta, where I gained knowledge about traditional quilting and supported the store in their fabric inventory and got the opportunity to engage with textile distributors. This experience gave me a better understanding of fabric sourcing, merchandising, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and customers," said Catalan, who is majoring in Fashion and Textiles. "During my internship at Leatherstocking Quilts, I assisted with organizing and managing fabric inventory, cutting fabric for customers, and creating quilting kits for the store. I also helped change displays and supported the visual presentation of products to create an inviting shopping environment. In addition, I attended and assisted with quilting events alongside Jeanne Turner, where I engaged with customers and the quilting community. Through these experiences, I gained hands-on knowledge in textiles, customer service, merchandising and retail operations. "Through this internship, I learned more about traditional quilting techniques, textile materials, and the overall operations of a fabric and quilting business. I developed stronger customer service and communication skills by assisting customers with fabric cutting and product questions. I also gained experience in merchandising by helping create displays and organizing inventory throughout the store. Additionally, working with quilting kits and distributors helped me better understand fabric sourcing, retail management, and the importance of community engagement within the fashion and textile industry. "Moving forward, I plan to continue expanding my knowledge in fashion and textiles through future internships, projects, and hands-on experiences. This internship strengthened my interest in fabric design, merchandising, and retail operations, which will help me pursue a career in the fashion industry. I also hope to apply the skills I learned at Leatherstocking Quilts to my future goal of creating my own clothing brand and store. Overall, this experience has helped me grow both professionally and creatively." Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, the Career Planning and Networking Center has distributed over $319,500 in internship stipends to more than 400 students.

SUNY Oneonta student Rodrigo Lopez Zarco, of Brooklyn, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Internship at Leatherstocking Quilts." Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success. These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta. "Throughout my time interning at Leatherstocking Quilts, I had an amazing opportunity to learn and make my very first Quilt for my project," said Lopez Zarco, who is majoring in Fashion and Textiles. "During my internship at Leatherstocking Quilts, I developed valuable experience in both textile production and retail store operations within a professional quilt shop environment. My responsibilities included cutting fabric for customers, preparing quilt kits, operating the cash register, assisting with customer service, stocking merchandise and helping maintain an organized and visually appealing store layout. In addition, I participated in behind-the-scenes production work, including quilt-making projects and daily store management tasks. This internship strengthened my skills in communication, organization, teamwork, and attention to detail while providing hands-on experience in the quilting and textile industry. "During my internship at Leatherstocking Quilts, I gained valuable hands-on experience in both sewing and retail store management within a professional quilt shop environment. Throughout my internship, I developed a strong understanding of fabric measurements and cutting techniques for customers, quilt kits and personal projects, while improving my precision and attention to detail. In addition, I learned important aspects of store management, including organizing inventory, assisting customers with fabric and material selections, maintaining visual store presentation and contributing to a welcoming and efficient shopping experience. Working closely with customers and staff also strengthened my communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. This internship provided me with practical industry knowledge and helped me grow professionally and creatively within the textile and quilting field. "Looking ahead, I plan to continue expanding my skills in textile design and garment construction by incorporating quilting techniques into wearable fashion and accessories. My long-term goal is to develop my own clothing brand that highlights quilting as a creative and modern form of design while blending craftsmanship with contemporary fashion. In addition, I hope to open my own shop in the future, where I can showcase handmade garments, accessories and quilt-inspired pieces. The knowledge and experience I gained from the owner of Leatherstocking Quilts have provided me with valuable insight into both the creative and business aspects of the industry, which I plan to carry forward in my future career." Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, the Career Planning and Networking Center has distributed over $319,500 in internship stipends to more than 400 students.

SUNY Oneonta student Emma Hart, of Sound Beach, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Stoneonta Fashion Internship." Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success. These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta. "During my hybrid internship under SUNY Oneonta Alumni Tyler Walsh at a local business called Stoneonta, I was allowed the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the screen printing process in a small retail business setting. I gained experience planning and executing photoshoots, managing the sales floor, and assisting in the creative process of designing new merchandise while working both remotely from home and in-store," said Hart, who is majoring in Fashion and Textiles. "My tasks while working in-store often included assisting customers, managing merchandise on the sales floor, and creating visual merchandising displays. I also learned the screen-printing process and often managed the store alone. Working remotely, I assisted in creating new designs, researching merchandise and social media trends, planning photoshoots, and creating social media content for the brand. "Throughout my time interning at Stoneonta, I developed an understanding of how a small retail business operates both online and in-store, managing a physical retail space and online orders. I learned the processes of screen printing and how products are actually made. Additionally, I learned how to cater to a specific target market in both the design and promotion of merchandise. Overall, this experience strengthened both my creative and organizational skills and gave me a better understanding of the day-to-day processes of a small business. "Since completing this experience, I plan to build on these skills by completing additional internships and adding to my experience in the industry. I also plan on taking my next year of school at the Fashion Institute of Technology, completing an associate's degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications. I will graduate in May of 2027 with a Bachelor's degree from SUNY Oneonta and an Associate's degree from FIT. After my graduation, I plan to enter the industry as a buyer and begin my professional career." Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, the Career Planning and Networking Center has distributed over $319,500 in internship stipends to more than 400 students.

SUNY Oneonta student Gisselle Rojas De La Luz, of Yonkers, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Gotham City Outpost Internship." Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success. These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta. "As an intern at Gotham City Outpost, I helped promote a local lifestyle boutique through social media, community outreach and customer engagement. This experience has allowed me to strengthen my communication, marketing and creative skills while supporting small business growth in the Oneonta community," said Rojas De La Luz, who is majoring in Fashion and Textiles. "During my internship at Gotham City Outpost, I created social media videos to help promote the store and engage with customers online. I also assisted with community outreach by connecting with local businesses and organizations to help increase awareness of the store. In addition, I helped host in-store events that brought the community together and created a welcoming shopping experience. I also organized and displayed clothing items that were trending and in style to help attract customers and keep the store visually appealing. "Through my internship at Gotham City Outpost, I learned how important creativity, communication and teamwork are in running a successful business. By creating social media videos, I developed marketing and content creation skills while learning how to engage with different audiences online. Helping with outreach taught me how to build professional relationships and connect with the local community. I also gained experience in event planning and customer service by helping host store events. In addition, organizing trendy and stylish clothing helped me strengthen my eye for fashion trends and visual presentation. Overall, this internship helped me grow professionally and prepared me for future opportunities in fashion, marketing and business. "As I prepare to graduate, I hope to pursue a career in the fashion marketing industry where I can combine my creativity, communication skills and passion for fashion. My internship at Gotham City Outpost has helped guide me in the right direction by giving me hands-on experience in social media marketing, community outreach, event planning and fashion merchandising. This experience has strengthened my confidence and confirmed my interest in working in a creative and fast-paced industry where I can continue to grow professionally." Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, the Career Planning and Networking Center has distributed over $319,500 in internship stipends to more than 400 students.

SUNY Oneonta student Elaisa Vinicio, from The Bronx, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Sustainable Fashion Week." Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success. These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta. "Sustainable Fashion Week was an experiential learning project focused on promoting sustainability in the fashion industry through creative activities, research and community engagement. The project explored sustainable materials, ethical production practices and ways to reduce waste in fashion," said Vinicio, who is majoring in Fashion and Textiles. "During this internship, I helped create promotional content and visual materials for Sustainable Fashion Week and the upcoming fashion show. I designed posters and social media content to help attract designers and increase awareness about the event. I also participated in brainstorming ideas, discussing marketing strategies and collaborating with others to prepare for the fashion show. Through these activities, I gained hands-on experience in fashion promotion and event preparation. "From this experience, I learned how much planning and teamwork go into organizing a fashion event. I improved my design, communication, and marketing skills while creating promotional materials for the show. I also learned more about sustainability in fashion and how events like this can help spread awareness about ethical and environmentally friendly practices in the industry. This experience helped me become more confident working in a creative and professional environment. "After this internship, I plan to continue gaining experience in fashion marketing, branding and event promotion. I want to continue building my creative and professional skills through future internships and projects related to the fashion industry. This experience also inspired me to learn more about sustainable fashion and how I can apply those ideas to my future career goals and business plans. In the future, I hope to continue working on creative projects that combine fashion, marketing and sustainability." Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, the Career Planning and Networking Center has distributed over $319,500 in internship stipends to more than 400 students

SUNY Oneonta student Vivien Hall, of Newburgh, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "My Experience at House of Consignment." Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success. These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta. "My time over at HOC was my greatest experience here at college. I got to learn so much about retail and sustainability that will support me in my future endeavors, and I got to work with the best people," said Hall, who is majoring in Fashion and Textiles. "My main internship tasks over at HOC were photographing for the store's website, dressing mannequins, quality control, making displays and creating social media content. I also learned how to pull orders, tag clothing, make creative signs, and put new clothes out on the store floor. "My main takeaways were that working with clothing in retail is a lot more physical than I imagined. You are working a lot with your hands, especially when handling consigned clothes that customers bring in. I also learned that fashion, working with clothing, and interacting with customers is definitely something I enjoy and can excel more in. I am very much looking forward to doing this kind of work again in the future. "I will be attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City starting in the fall of 2027, where I will continue my studies in Fashion and major in Advertising and Marketing Communications. My experience at SUNY Oneonta has prepared me for this moment, and I couldn't be more grateful for my professors, friends and family, and my amazing internship boss, Kirsty Roefs, for making my experience so amazing. I plan on utilizing the skills I learned from my classes and jobs to better prepare me for the future!" Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, the Career Planning and Networking Center has distributed over $319,500 in internship stipends to more than 400 students

SUNY Oneonta student Alina Cepeda, of Middletown, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Interning at Gotham City Outpost." Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success. These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta. "As an intern at Gotham City Outpost, I helped both owners, NJ and Seven, with various tasks that help keep a start-up lifestyle boutique running smoothly," said Cepeda, who is majoring in Fashion and Textiles. "This included sourcing new products the owners were looking for, specifically New York-based sourced items. I aided as a communications and event coordinator, sending out emails and calling different facilities in order to organize and promote different events. I also assisted in promotion that includes participating in advertising and creating flyers, modeling the spring clothing collection, and being the spokesperson for their Instagram video advertisement on various genres of product in the store. We also used Google Sheets to create and catalog a product category spreadsheet to understand what we have and what is needed in the store for merchandising. I assisted in visual merchandising, dressed mannequins and changed product displays around. "I learned the very important tasks that must be completed and categorized in your daily life as a small business owner. "I will look for and complete an internship as a stylist's assistant intern, hopefully for the summertime." Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, the Career Planning and Networking Center has distributed over $319,500 in internship stipends to more than 400 students

Four SUNY Oneonta students served as Peer Leaders for the "Female Athlete Body Project," a body image and food-as-fuel workshop for student-athletes. Throughout the 2025-26 academic year, students Amelia Cataldo, Tarryn Herman, Anna Kern and Arionna Day worked with the SUNY Oneonta swim team and women's tennis team to highlight the importance of body positivity and body acceptance, geared toward an athlete perspective. The goal of the program was to help athletes view their bodies as tools for success in their sport and to see food as fuel. The peer leaders ran a series of three workshops to present information, hold discussions, provide resources and handouts, and then worked with one team at a time to support the nutrition and body image needs, giving a practical approach to the importance of body acceptance for athletes. "Our student-athlete peer leaders have taken on additional leadership roles within the Body Project Program to support a population that often needs more guidance and resources around nutrition and body positivity-student athletes," said Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Sciences Katherine Griffes. "These peer leaders have really taken the lead in additional training and preparation to present their athlete peers with education and hands-on practice in body positivity and healthy nutrition practices, seeing food as fuel." The program builds on research funded by the Student Grant Program for Research and Creative Activity from spring 2024, when students conducted a campus-wide needs assessment. In response, The Body Project was launched during the 2024-2025 academic year to address the concerns through peer-led workshops to challenge harmful appearance ideals and encourage healthier attitudes.

Eighteen SUNY Oneonta students participated in the Oneonta Future Alumni Network program during the spring 2026 semester. The Oneonta Future Alumni Network offers students a unique opportunity to focus on networking, volunteering and event planning while building valuable connections with alumni and university partners. Members play an active role in event assistance, helping to organize and support a variety of events hosted by the SUNY Oneonta Division of University Advancement. Through their involvement, students can earn service hours and credit for the university's Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program, all while gaining hands-on experience and expanding their professional networks. The Oneonta Future Alumni Network provides a supportive environment for students to develop crucial skills, collaborate with peers, and cultivate lasting relationships with alumni that will benefit their careers post-graduation.

Grayson Boyer, a senior Criminal Justice major from Norwich, NY, has received a Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in fall 2026 at the American College of Greece. He will graduate in December 2026 and plans to pursue a career in law enforcement. He is the second SUNY Oneontarecipient in two years of this competitive award. "Throughout my academic and professional experiences, I have consistently placed myself in environments that require responsibility, adaptability and sound decision-making," said Boyer. "As a Criminal Justice major preparing to pursue a career in law enforcement, I have developed strong discipline, attention to detail and the ability to perform under pressure. "In addition to my academic preparation, I participated in a ride-along with the New York State Police, where I observed how officers assess situations and make decisions in real time. This experience challenged me to remain attentive and adaptable in an unfamiliar, high-stakes environment. Similarly, my work as a substitute teacher has strengthened my leadership and communication skills, requiring me to manage classrooms, think quickly and maintain composure in unpredictable situations. "Collectively, these experiences have prepared me to approach studying abroad in Greece with maturity, independence and resilience. I am especially excited to study in Greece, where I can experience a new cultural perspective and better understand how different societies approach law, order and community. The Gilman Scholarship not only provides financial support, but also gives me the opportunity to pursue new and exciting goals that will shape both my academic and professional future." The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a prestigious and competitive U.S. State Department-funded initiative designed to expand American undergraduate students' access to international study and internship opportunities. Named after the late Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman of New York, the program aims to support students seeking to study abroad, helping them develop the critical language skills, global perspectives and intercultural competencies necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.