SUNY Oneonta

Anitra Scott, of New York, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Sustainable Fashion Week US" at SUNY Oneonta. 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, I gained hands-on experience creating digital content, researching sustainable fashion trends, and managing social media engagement in a remote professional setting. This experience helped me strengthen my communication, organization and marketing skills," said Scott, who is studying Fashion and Textiles. "As an online intern, my final work focused on creating digital content, research-based social media posts and engagement reports that supported my organization's mission. Rather than a single physical project, my contributions were shared through online platforms and submitted directly to my internship supervisor for feedback and use. "During my internship, I researched sustainable fashion trends and created digital content for social media, including informational posts, captions and designer highlights that aligned with the organization's mission. I tracked engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares and posting patterns to analyze audience interaction and help improve online strategy. I also assisted with media research by identifying fashion publications and outreach contacts that could cover or attend events. Additionally, I drafted content for newsletters and helped maintain consistent messaging across platforms. Through these activities, I contributed to enhancing the organization's online presence while gaining hands-on experience in digital marketing, content creation and sustainable fashion communication. "Through this internship, I learned how to effectively create and manage digital content for social media, including tailoring posts to engage specific audiences and analyzing metrics to measure impact. I gained deeper insight into sustainable fashion trends and how brands communicate eco-conscious practices to the public. I also developed stronger research and professional communication skills by identifying media outlets, drafting content and collaborating remotely with my supervisor. This experience taught me how to adapt to a virtual work environment, manage deadlines and balance multiple projects at once. I believe these skills will be valuable in future roles in digital marketing, fashion communications and sustainability-focused initiatives." 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.

Charlotte Bayne, of Walton, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Producing Content for HEM" (Hilltown Edge Magazine) at SUNY Oneonta. 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. "In FASH 2700, Fashion Journalism, we submitted four assignments to the SUNY Oneonta Fashion Journalism website titled HEM. There were a wide variety of assignments we submitted, but all of them were a great learning experience, and could be useful in the future," said Bayne, who is studying Fashion and Textiles. "The first assignment posted on the website was a shopping page, mimicking a Harper's Bazaar magazine, created using PowerPoint. The next assignment was a news article informing the reader of the latest fashion news happening that week, and I chose to write about the Timberland and Telfar collaboration. The next assignment was a catwalk review, where we picked a runway show from September, which I picked Balmain, and we wrote about the show and included images. For the last assignment, we borrowed clothes from the campus thrift store to style and have a photoshoot with models of our choice. "I learned that there can be a lot of learning curves when working with new technologies. It taught me that the best way to work through these challenges is to spend a lot of time playing around with whatever you are using. It also taught me to be confident in my work and acknowledge where the strong points are in what I did." 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.

Paola Ponce-Agredano, of Swan Lake, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "M&T Bank Event" at SUNY Oneonta. 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. "For this particular project, I was tasked with promoting and advertising this banking event. I put together some posters, posts and captions for our Instagram," said Ponce-Agredano, who is studying Business Administration. "I made sure that the event was promoted efficiently by making posts, captions and putting up flyers. "I learned how to attend and plan networking events, meet with staff regularly for promoting and marketing major events." 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.

Denise Coby, of Binghamton, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Ever After Bridal Internship" at SUNY Oneonta. 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 Ever After Bridal Boutique, I trained as a bridal stylist. This experience allowed me to apply and expand my knowledge from SUNY Oneonta's Fashion and Textiles track, deepening my skills in merchandising, design and client relations in a real-world setting," said Coby, who is studying Fashion and Textiles. "Rather than complete one project, I assisted in many small elements that led to a learning experience far beyond styling. "My involvement at Ever After significantly varied day to day. While I trained as a bridal stylist, guiding clients through gown selections, fittings, and creating a personalized shopping experience, I quickly learned that no day is ever the same. As each bride brings a unique vision, personality, and story, it was an incredible experience to work with people during such a special and emotional time in their lives. With only two hours to make a lasting impression, I learned the importance of making each bride feel seen, heard, and understood. My goal was not only to help them say "yes" to the dress, but also to help them see their full potential as a bride and feel confident in their choice. Furthermore, I was involved with marketing and advertising efforts, as well as the planning and execution of boutique events such as the Sip and See and Gowns and Gardens (A mock wedding and fashion show). Finally, I assisted in the buying process for one of the major designers Ever After carries in store as well as shadowed Taylor in her day-to-day responsibilities as owner, gaining hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and retail management. "This internship taught me how to quickly build meaningful connections with clients, an essential skill for any customer-focused role in the fashion industry. I learned how to balance emotional sensitivity with professionalism, which will be invaluable when working in high-pressure or personal shopping environments. Gaining hands-on experience in styling, event planning, and marketing helped me understand how various aspects of the fashion business come together. These experiences strengthened my communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills, which will serve me well in future roles across merchandising, retail, or brand development. Lastly, it has opened the door for future work with Ever After as a full-time stylist post-graduation!" 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.

Ava Lebid, of Yorktown Heights, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Red Dragon ePortfolio" at SUNY Oneonta. 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. "Over the summer, I worked as a design intern under the supervision of Ed Beck at the SUNY Oneonta Faculty Center. The faculty center has been exploring ways to encourage students to build ePortfolios, and as a design student, I was able to contribute my skills to this initiative. My main role was to support students in developing portfolios. I worked extensively in WordPress, where I helped create a new starter theme that students could use to build their own professional portfolios and websites," said Lebid, who is studying Digital & Studio Art. "As a culminating project, I designed and launched my own personal e-portfolio/website, applying the skills I had developed throughout the internship. Beyond my work, I also contributed to the SUNY Oneonta OpenLab WordPress site by designing a theme with custom headers, footers, and page layouts for ePortfolios that improved consistency and accessibility. The new theme was implemented in the Fall 2025 semester for campus-wide student use. "To support the adoption of these tools, I created student-friendly tutorials that walked users through customizing the pre-made templates. These guides were written from the perspective of a student, making them approachable and easy to follow for first-time WordPress users. I designed reusable WordPress patterns that followed ADA accessibility standards; built my first beginner portfolio on WordPress, learning the program through trial and error; helped improve the usability and design of the OpenLab WordPress site, contributing elements like headers, footers, and galleries; and developed tutorials and documentation to help students confidently create their own websites and portfolios. "When I began this internship, I had no prior experience with WordPress. My first take on building a simple portfolio challenged me to learn quickly and adapt. As I continued working, I became more confident in designing and customizing websites, learning not only the technical aspects of WordPress but also how accessibility and usability shape design decisions." 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.

Joslyn Sperry, of Norwalk, IA, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Historic Baking & Cooking Workshop: Development of 2026 Programming" at SUNY Oneonta. 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. "This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to be the Living History intern at Old World Wisconsin in Eagle, WI. My internship project centered around the implementation of the summer 2025 Historic Cooking Workshop for the public and researching, planning, budgeting, and training for a new Historic Cooking Workshop for summer 2026," said Sperry, who is studying Museum Studies. "This document will be used as the handout for visitors who pay to participate in the summer 2026 Historic Baking and Cooking Workshop at Old World Wisconsin. It includes a short schedule, recipes, a short passage to give context to the recipes, and an heirloom measurement chart. "This summer, I taught the five offered sessions of the Historic Baking and Cooking Workshop at Old World Wisconsin. In addition, I used past resources for these sessions and other programming to develop the materials and lesson plan for next summer's workshop. I also had the amazing opportunity to share my knowledge of the past on property as a historic interpreter in various sites. This gave me the chance to learn about historic textile production by dyeing and mordanting wool yarn, spinning wool into yarn, and weaving on an antique German floor loom. "Over the summer, I learned what makes a successful hands on education program through teaching the cooking workshops. Through observing and researching the target markets of Old World Wisconsin, I was able to tailor the development of next summer's workshop to these audiences. In addition, I observed the methods of managing a museum across a large property at OWW and the benefits and challenges of being part of a larger state organization. All of this and more will help me moving forward in my career in the living history field and has helped me to develop valuable connections to continue to guide me through my 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.

Olivia O'Connell, of Pine Bush, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Panache Lingerie NYC internship" at SUNY Oneonta. 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 Panache, I gained extensive hands-on experience in wholesale operations, competitive analysis, and product organization, while supporting the sales team and attending the NY Curve Trade Show at the Javits Center. This opportunity truly deepened my understanding of brand strategy, inventory systems, and the lingerie and swimwear industry as a whole," said O'Connell, who is studying Fashion and Textiles. "This competitive analysis presentation was created as the culminating project for my internship at Panache. It was researched, developed, and presented to the company's Creative Director from the United Kingdom, serving as an informational resource to guide future growth and positioning in this particular lingerie market. "During my internship at Panache, I developed a comprehensive competitive analysis as my final project. I examined over 25+ brands throughout this research, with a primary focus on Elomi, Goddess, and Fantasie, analyzing their brand positioning, target audiences, product ranges, and marketing approaches. The project featured visual brand comparisons, detailed SWOT analyses, and strategic recommendations designed to strengthen Panache's swimwear and lingerie presence. I presented my pitch to the company's Creative Director from the United Kingdom, aiming to highlight key opportunities for innovation, market growth, and sharper brand differentiation within the competitive, size-inclusive lingerie sector. "I learned from this experience how crucial it is to comprehend fashion's economic and creative aspects. I gained experience in analyzing competition positioning, performing in-depth market research, and converting data into clear, feasible strategies. By giving a presentation to an International industry leader, I improved my abilities in professional communication, visual presentation design, and brand analysis. These abilities will enable me to confidently develop marketing plans going forward, quickly adjust to shifting trends, and make intelligent decisions in the fast-paced fashion industry." 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.

Braeden Morrison, of Marathon, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Internship in Exercise Science 4" at SUNY Oneonta. 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 AR Physical Therapy, which is an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Jamesville, NY," said Morrison, who is studying Exercise Science. "This final journal entry was created and submitted to my internship supervisor. "During my internship, I shadowed and assisted a licensed physical therapist and physical therapist assistant in a clinical outpatient setting. I observed patient evaluations, treatment planning, and therapeutic exercise instruction, while learning proper technique and safety considerations. I also helped prepare treatment areas, organized equipment and engaged with patients during sessions. "During my internship, I gained insight into how physical therapists assess, plan and adjust treatments based on patient progress and individual needs. I learned the importance of clear communication, patient rapport and adaptability when guiding patients through their programs. This experience strengthened my technical knowledge of rehab and gave me increased confidence in interacting with patients, which will help me transition smoothly into a physical therapy doctoral program." 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.

Emilie Peterson, of St Johnsville, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Summer Internship" at SUNY Oneonta. 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 an accounting firm in Albany for the summer in the audit department," said Peterson, who is studying Professional Accounting. "This is a picture of my internship advisor and professor, Dr. Flynn, and alumni who also works at BST (the firm where I interned). Brianna Muenkel is a senior manager (left of Dr. Flynn), Khallyn LaFond started as an associate, and Jonathan Gibbs is a partner, all of whom graduated from SUNY Oneonta. "Over the summer, I worked on auditing both governmental entities and commercial businesses, gaining exposure to a variety of industries and accounting practices. I learned to navigate accounting software platforms to prepare testing workpapers, perform substantive and control testing, and document results in compliance with auditing standards. My role required consistent communication with clients to request necessary documentation, clarify information, and discuss findings, which strengthened my professional communication and client relationship skills. "During this project, I gained hands-on experience auditing both governmental and commercial clients, which exposed me to different accounting frameworks and industry-specific practices. I learned how to communicate with clients and furthered my understanding of accounting. The firm gave me a return offer, so having this experience will help me when I begin working full-time next summer, as I'll have some knowledge of what my responsibilities will be." 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.

Alexandria Bard, of Schenectady, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Internship in Biology" at SUNY Oneonta. 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. "In the summer semester of 2025, I had the opportunity to complete an Internship in Biology on the dates of May 27, 28, 30 and June 2, 4, and 6. My Internship took place at the Cobleskill/Richmondville Central School District under the Occupational Therapy Department," said Bard, who is studying Psychology. "This final internship report was created and submitted to my internship supervisor at the conclusion of my shadowing experience. This paper summarizes and highlights all of my knowledge learned, responsibilities, and valuable research that I accomplished throughout my time at the Cobleskill/Richmondville Central School District under the Occupational Therapy Department. "I observed integrated classrooms of 16-22 students who consisted of children both needing Occupational Therapy based treatment and those who did not require any services, self-contained classrooms consisting of: the Children's/Adolescent Communication Classrooms with only 6-7 students, Transitional Learning Center Students that had around 8 students, and other Learning Centers with 8-15 students. I took notes and assisted with providing care with fine motor skills, motor planning, bilateral coordination, sensory regulation, visual perception, and handwriting. I was granted permission and attended team meetings that involved all therapists involved in each child's case and watched how the treatment of each child was constructed and planned to help students reach their own individual goals. Many tasks I did with the children targeted fine motor development and visual perception such as gaining hand strength, learning a proper grasp, how to use pressure control, planting seeds in a garden, and keeping attention on a task such as prompting the use of glue sticks, scissors, and playing games like letter/number wheels and "I Spy." "By witnessing directly how healthcare professionals work together to construct an individualized plan that will reach each child's specific needs caused me to realize just how greatly I value that kind of collaboration. This internship revealed to me just how significantly Occupational Therapists play a vital role in assisting children to succeed in not only the classroom, but in everyday life. Every moment throughout my experience improved my overall understanding of Occupational Therapy and granted me a more realistic idea of what it takes to be successful in this field. This internship inspired me to continue to work diligently for this career where I can make a direct and positive impact on the life of others while also continuing to learn how to most efficiently help their growth and 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.

Rudy Hess, of Oxford, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Satoyama Revival: Living Sustainably in the 21st Century" at SUNY Oneonta. 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. "For two weeks in August 2025, I attended the Tokyo Metropolitan University Global Discussion Camp on sustainability and biodiversity. I met students from across the globe, and with the help of a faculty advisor, we conducted a small research project on satoyama revival over the course of a week," said Hess, who is studying Geology and Geography. "This research poster was presented at SUNY Oneonta's Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase. "During the camp, I learned about satoyama and how these areas are decreasing due to urbanization. I visited Jike Furusato Village along with other students apart of the camp, and we took a hike exploring the forests, ponds, shrines and rice paddies in the area, taking notes on the ecosystem services we found. Together we interviewed a long-term foreign resident of the village who has learned the satoyama lifestyle from locals and has created a business that supports exploration of the area and Japanese traditions. With the help of our advisor, we presented a slideshow on our findings to the university president, the head of global education and others engaged in the camp. "Before this project, I had never heard the word satoyama, and now I know it is much more than just a landscape, it's a lifestyle; the way humans connect with nature and benefit from one another. Attracting newcomers and supporting the promotion of satoyama is vital to stabilize and revive dying rural communities that face a threat of being urbanized. This project strengthened my communication skills and expanded my knowledge of ecosystems and sustainability. It has prepared me to interact and work with people whose first language isn't English, and to communicate the importance of sustainable living in the 21st century." 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.

Ava Lebid, of Yorktown Heights, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Business Case Studies: Book Cover" at SUNY Oneonta. 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. "Over the summer and beginning of the fall semester, I worked as a design intern under the supervision of Ed Beck at the SUNY Oneonta Faculty Center. The Faculty Center as part of its Open Educational Resources initiative, helps faculty publish original textbooks. SUNY Oneonta and the Fashion Institute of Technology were in the process of creating a new textbook of Fashion Business Case Studies, and I had the opportunity to create the book cover," said Lebid, who is studying Digital & Studio Art. "The final book cover design shared a balance between modern aesthetics and accessibility. A central focus of the book cover was ensuring that it followed ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards so that the cover would be both readable and inclusive. This meant paying close attention to text size, color contrasts, and layout. In the end, the final product combined clarity with a modern look that achieved Professor Kohan's vision. "I started the project by creating about four initial drafts, each with a different design approach. These drafts varied in color, layout and typeface. After presenting Professor Kohan with these options, she chose a design that resonated most with her. From there, I refined the chosen draft, making changes based on feedback from both Professor Kohan and Ed Beck. This back-and-forth process taught me how to respond to client needs while still applying my own creative judgment. "One of the biggest learning curves for me was working with ADA accessibility standards. I had never had to consider how design choices could impact readability for people with visual impairments or other accessibility needs since my previous projects were all personal. I learned to use online tools that test color contrast ratios to ensure that the text was legible against different backgrounds. This required me to be intentional not only with aesthetics but also with function. Beyond technical skills, I also learned about the importance of collaboration, communication, and flexibility in client-based projects. Overall, this project gave me practical experience in professional design work while also teaching me how to balance creativity with accessibility. It was rewarding to see the design evolve from rough drafts into a polished, final cover that Professor Kohan was happy with." 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.

Jessie Reed, of Niskayuna, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Summer WordPress Internship" at SUNY Oneonta. 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. "This summer, I worked with Faculty Center Staff and another intern to create custom WordPress themes to make portfolio sites more accessible to the average student. WordPress is the foundation for over 40% of professional websites on the internet, and SUNY Oneonta's OpenLab makes it available for students and faculty to use," said Reed, who is studying Art and Design. "We used this PowerPoint at the SUNY Oneonta Summer Research Showcase to give students and faculty a better idea of why it's beneficial to use the OpenLab. "The work we did this summer in creating pre-built themes and tutorials for the OpenLab makes creating WordPress websites even more accessible for students and staff. Most students don't spend much time working in web design, if at all, but our custom tutorials and pre-made blocks should make it much easier to introduce new users to the SUNY Oneonta Open Lab and create a functional site without too much stress or hassle. It doesn't require nearly as much time and energy as building the entire site from scratch, and makes clean and professional portfolio sites available to students who would otherwise have had to either spend hours learning the ropes or pay to have a site commissioned. Students and staff can also use the foundational skills learned through the OpenLab to create other sites. "I started out this summer as a Faculty Center Design intern with very little experience in web development, and having not even heard of WordPress yet. I've always struggled a bit with using computers in general and wasn't happy with the results of my prior attempts at website building. Thanks to this internship, I was able to expand my skills and use what I had already learned from graphic design courses to build a site that looks both functional and professional. My first goal when starting this summer was to create a portfolio website of my own, which I did while exploring all the features WordPress has to offer. Developing a good portfolio is an absolute necessity for art and design students trying to break into the industry, so the work we did this summer will be a huge help to me in the future as well." 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.

Saranna Shevalier, of Ballston Spa, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Reassessing the Paleoecological Context of Area 123 at Koobi Fora, East Turkana, Kenya" at SUNY Oneonta. 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. "In June of 2025, I had the opportunity to join the Koobi Fora Field School, through George Washington University and went to Kenya for a six-week field school. Throughout this time, we camped near our sites and went out in the field to survey and collect data daily," said Shevalier, who is studying Anthropology. "This research poster was presented at SUNY Oneonta's Summer Showcase, September 2025. "Traveling to Kenya and joining the Koobi Fora Field School meant a lot of days of travel throughout the country. We camped at each stop and attended extensive lectures from the professionals running the field school. We were introduced to concepts in geology, mapping, paleoecology, paleontology, paleobotany, mobility and land-use patterns and more. Our days consisted of mornings of field survey looking for fossils in our desired locations, followed by lunches in the field and evenings spent working on these research projects. By the end of the six weeks, we had completed a PowerPoint presentation of our findings, as well as a five-page paper. "This poster is the final usage of the data collected in comparison to a database of collections throughout the 1970's to current(Turkana Public Database). This was my first time using R, or GIS to create graphics for my own project. I also had the opportunity to read through many journal articles that provided regional context to this experience. I will be able to present this work in the future, and continue to build upon it if I am able to go back to Kenya this upcoming summer." 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.

Ariel Pazer, of Gardiner, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Fashion Production Internship at Made X Hudson" at SUNY Oneonta. 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 worked as an intern on the production team at Made X Hudson for 10 weeks. They are a local, sustainable small-batch clothing manufacturer in Catskill, NY, producing both an in-house collection and products for clients, as well as alterations," said Pazer, who is studying Fashion and Textiles. "The big project I worked on while at Made X Hudson was a collaboration between Celestino Couture, Alejandra Filiciotto, and Marist's Silver Runway called Runway Over the Hudson. It was a runway show with looks designed by Sergio Guadarrama of Celestino Couture, models and backstage help from the students of Marist's Silver Runway. "My main job was working with Celestino Couture to help pattern, sew, and trim some of the runway looks. I got to develop the patterns for two of the garments in the show, sewed parts of 10 of the looks, and sewed a lot of crochet cacti onto hats. However, I was also present at the Model Selection, measuring all the potential models so their measurements would all be on record, as well as the first fitting when all the major adjustments were made. "During this project, I got to experience the full production side of producing a runway show. From taking designs from paper sketches to wearable garments, choosing models to final fittings and the last-minute rush that seems to be inevitable on a project like this, this experience was a step into the real world of fashion in a way school cannot emulate. The amazement at how the little pieces I produced came together to form a whole look that was totally beyond my own imagination was something I will never forget. In the future, I will be able to point back to this show as my first step into the industry." 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.

Two SUNY Oneonta Physics students reached new heights after spending a week at a NASA facility in June, launching their first rocket into space. Students Ethan Biles and Jack Millen took their education beyond the classroom by joining Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy Joshua Nollenberg at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. Located on Virginia's eastern shore, Wallops is home to NASA's annual RockOn! workshop, an immersive program where college students and faculty collaborate to build scientific instruments, attach them to a rocket and launch the rocket into space. Biles and Millen prepared for RockOn! weeks in advance as part of their Physics summer internship course. While NASA provided everything at the workshop from detailed instructions to hands-on assembly, Nollenberg used the lead-up time to introduce the students to numerical methods for solving physics-based problems. After completing several simulations, the team turned its focus to understanding the rocket's flight trajectory using equations of motion. "We have equations of motion that describe the position and also the angular position in polar coordinates relative to a launch site," said Nollenberg. "What we want to do is find the best trajectory to get into orbit that minimizes the amount of mass that's usedso what we do is develop a Hamiltonian [technique] that gives us a series of cost functions that describe how much cost there is to changes in our position, our angle, our velocity, our angular velocity and also the mass loss." Although RockOn! is limited to just 28 teams, each consisting of two students and one faculty member, college and university groups from across the country compete for a spot in the program. Each team was responsible for assembling scientific instruments housed within a canister, which was then stacked alongside others to form the rocket's internal structure, as provided by NASA. Once complete, a final outer "skin" was added to enclose the stacked canisters and seal the space-bound vehicle. Teams spent the first day, June 20, learning the skills they'd need for the week. They dedicated the next few days to assembly and concluded the week by watching their rocket launch on June 26. "For assembling the components, it was very similar to following a LEGO assembly manual," said Millen. "At the end of each stage, we would await an inspection from the RockOn! Team to ensure we followed all directions correctly and that our components would be 'launch-proof.'" The rocket used for RockOn! was a two-stage Terrier-Improved Orion sounding model, measuring 40 feet in length and capable of traveling at about 1000 meters per second. Sounding rockets are unmanned, suborbital vehicles designed specifically for scientific research. After the rocket touched down, Biles, Millen and Nollenberg recovered their equipment to collect data on pressure, temperature, acceleration, gyroscopic movement, magnetism, humidity and orientation. "My favorite part of the RockOn! experience would be soldering the circuits. I've always had an affinity for electronics and circuitry," said Biles. "The feeling of launching a rocket was breathtaking. The joy you get from seeing your labor in space is something else." Nollenberg selected Biles and Millen to participate in RockOn! based on their strong academic performance, but the program also served as an opportunity for growth. They deepened their understanding of numerical methods, learning to model rocket flight, simulate heat transfer and solve engineering optimization problems. These skills are essential for predicting how their electronics would perform under real-world conditions. While Biles and Millen worked from their strengths, they also developed new problem-solving skills, especially in debugging code. At first, they were surprised by how often errors occurred in longer programs, but they quickly adapted. "They grew a 'weakness' in the sense that they anticipated that they would be spending just a little bit of time debugging," said Nollenberg. "They built up a lot of intuitiveness to hunt down where the mistakes might be in the code when things were working incorrectly. They knew there might be a mistake, and that was okay. You just find a mistake and fix it, and that's something I saw grow a lot during that process." Biles and Millen received funding for their internship course through the Experiential Learning Center and the National Science Foundation. Full story with visuals: https://suny.oneonta.edu/news/physics-students-launch-rocket-nasa-facility

Gideon Plamondon and Destiana De Jesus are the first two SUNY Oneonta students to be selected for a mentorship program offered by the Country Music Association (CMA). Plamondon and De Jesus are among 41 college and university students from across the country to be selected for this opportunity. As members of the CMA's Educational Leadership Class of 2024, they will meet country music industry professionals through a year-long program that includes panels, seminars and courses. In addition to being the first SUNY Oneonta students selected, Plamondon and De Jesus are two of the three SUNY applicants ever to be accepted into the mentorship program. A highlight of the program will be a trip to Nashville in August for the organization's annual Leadership Summit, a multi-day conference full of professional development, industry education and networking. The summit will also allow the accepted students to meet one another and get a glimpse of what their year will look like as they partake in remote courses.

At SUNY Oneonta, geology students don't just learn about plate boundaries-they stand on them. For two weeks during winter break, 13 students traded winter coats for desert boots as part of an upper-division field course focused on geologic mapping, gaining hands-on experience in one of the most geologically complex landscapes in North America. Led by Associate Professor Keith Brunstad and designed for Geology majors in the Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Department, the course focuses on describing rock types, measuring structural features, and interpreting how tectonic forces have shaped the Earth over time, mirroring the work of professional geologists. The expedition brought students to Death Valley National Park and surrounding points of geologic interest in southern California. After flying into Las Vegas, the group rented vehicles and established a base camp at Furnace Creek, California, within the park. From there, students explored sites offering exceptional exposures of faults, folds, volcanic features, sedimentary deposits and geomorphic landforms. Fieldwork was immersive and demanding. Students took detailed field notes and sketches, measured rock orientations, created geologic maps and cross sections, and worked collaboratively to interpret the region's complex geologic history. They experienced strong desert winds at night, a challenge when camping in lightweight tents, as well as intense days in the desert sun. "We experienced fantastic lighting over the desert mountains, were serenaded by coyotes every night, pondered the stories told by the rocks, and witnessed stars without number in the evenings," said Associate Professor Les Hasbargen, who also went on the trip. "I'm sure all of the participants are still trying to get the dust out of their clothes, hair and ears! It's not easy for the desert to let go of those who visit." Students returned to campus with extensive field data that they will continue to analyze during the spring semester, transforming observations into polished maps, cross sections and written interpretations. They also came back with deepened connections with classmates.