SUNY Oneonta

SUNY Oneonta student Arene Daziah Holston is among an elite group chosen to receive the 2021 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. The Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence is the highest honor that SUNY bestows upon students. It is presented annually to SUNY students who demonstrate academic excellence and integrate it with accomplishments in other areas, such as leadership, career achievement, campus involvement, athletics, community service, or creative and performing arts. Each year, SUNY campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews the accomplishments of exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor's Office for a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award. Since the Chancellor's Award program was implemented, 100 SUNY Oneonta students have received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained gold level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained silver level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met online with alum Neil Mazzella '73, owner and chief executive officer at Hudson Scenic Studios, on April 12 for the college's Goodrich to Broadway alumni networking event. Hudson Scenic Studio is a premier provider of custom fabrication, automation and bespoke finishes, servicing the entertainment and architectural industries. In the last 27 years, Mazzella's shows have included The Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Angels in America, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, The Coast of Utopia and Spring Awakening. The Goodrich to Broadway event is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met online with alum Sydni Allen '18, social and digital media specialist for TLC at Discovery, Inc., on April 7 for the college's Academics to Agencies alumni networking event. The Academics to Agencies event is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met with alum Abby Watson '15, business planning manager at Charter Communications, on March 31 for the college's annual Backpacks to Briefcases alumni networking event. Charter Communications, Inc. is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 31 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Backpacks to Briefcases is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met with alum Adam Shapiro '12, senior associate at the American Jewish Committee, on April 1 for the college's annual Campus to Capitol alumni networking event. The American Jewish Committee works to enhance the wellbeing of Jewish people and those of Israel and advances human rights and democratic values. The Campus to Capitol event is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained platinum-level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

Twenty-six fashion students are partaking in a semester-long, experiential learning project with sportswear leader PUMA. SUNY Oneonta alum Scott Saltzman, PUMA's national sales manager, has shared a real brief the company is using for its Fall 2021 product release to jumpstart the student project. The students will experience a simulation of a real-life fashion industry scenario. They will brainstorm ideas in groups and create promotional plans to accompany the Fall 2021 product release. Each group will have the opportunity to work on different business units, different target customers and different stores. "The normalization and ease of Microsoft Teams have made it possible for Scott to play a very active role in our course," said Professor Sarah Portway. "I am delighted and honored to work with him on this. I think our students will benefit greatly."

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained silver level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained gold level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met with alum Rob Khan '93, managing partner at Green Key Resources, a national executive recruiting firm, on March 25 for the college's annual Backpacks to Briefcases alumni networking event. Khan is a co-founder of a national executive recruitment and temporary staffing organization with multiple disciplines including accounting-finance, alternative asset management, creative/digital, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, human resources, information technology, legal support, office support, human resources and pharmaceutical across multiple offices: New York Metro area, Chicago IL, Orlando and Tampa FL, Rockville MD, Cary NC, Denver, CO, Columbus OH, and Pittsburgh and Philadelphia PA. Backpacks to Briefcases is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Over 50 SUNY Oneonta students have joined forces in an effort to spread the word about the availability of COVID vaccinations to communities across Otsego County. The students, recognizing the need for additional outreach in areas where internet access isn't readily available, rallied together to distribute flyers to those who may need assistance with registering for a vaccine. The flyers share contact information that individuals can use to call for assistance when scheduling an appointment, as well as arrange for a ride to the vaccination site at SUNY Oneonta. "These students, along with other volunteers, are doing a very important job," said Acting President Dennis Craig. "They are ensuring that all people throughout Otsego County have the knowledge and access to vaccinate themselves against COVID-19." "We have such a wonderful group of students who did not hesitate to help," said Linda Drake, executive director of SUNY Oneonta's Center for Social Responsibility and Community. "We have over 50 students who want to make a difference in keeping the public safe from COVID." According to Drake, students are distributing flyers at mobile home parks, laundromats, low-income housing developments, discount stores, and senior residences. Currently, the group has covered Unadilla, Wells Bridge, Otego, Sidney, Maryland, Schenevus, Worcester, Richfield Springs, New Berlin, Edmeston, Portlandville, Cooperstown, Laurens, Morris, Hartwick and Oneonta. They plan to continue their efforts until they reach every community in Otsego County. The student's efforts are part of a community initiative including organizations such as Opportunities for Otsego, Otsego County Office for the Aging, Otsego Community Foundation, Bassett Healthcare and Otsego County Health and Wellness.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met online with alum Greg Floyd '80, co-anchor with CBS News in Albany, on March 24 for the college's Academics to Agencies alumni networking event. Originally an intern at Albany's CBS 6 in 1979, Floyd went on to become the news director at WENT radio in Gloversville. From there he worked as a television anchor/reporter at WTEN and FOX23 in Albany, and WRNN in the Hudson Valley. His overseas assignments include reporting on Operation Desert Shield in 1990 and the death of Princess Diana in 1997. The Academics to Agencies event is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained silver level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met online with alum singer/musician Ryan Quinn '13 on March 18 for the college's Mixing Board to Management alumni networking event. Quinn has appeared on Season 10 of "The Voice," and Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox. His passion for performing took root at SUNY Oneonta, where he taught himself to play guitar, studied voice with Music Department Lecturer Colby Thomas, and sang in three campus ensembles: the Hooked on Tonics a cappella group, the Funk Band and the Mothers of Intention Frank Zappa tribute band. The Mixing Board to Management event is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met with alum Lauren Yedvab '92, chief medical officer at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, on March 11 for the college's annual Backpacks to Briefcases alumni networking event. Yedvab is an accomplished healthcare executive with extensive experience providing leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight to major teaching hospitals in New York City. Prior to joining Overlook, she held positions with Northwell Health, the largest integrated health system in New York State and the deputy executive director of Lenox Hill Hospital. She began her career at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital as an administrative fellow. She was named one of Crain's New York Business 40 Under 40 Rising Stars in 2005. Backpacks to Briefcases is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Student Jennifer Le, was honored with the 2021 Psi Chi Honor Society Regional Research Award for her study "Psychopathy and Functions of Aggression: The Mediating Role of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Emotional Dysregulation." She was recognized at the recent Eastern Psychological Association's annual convention held on March 5-6. Le is a junior dual-majoring in psychology and criminal justice. She is conducting research with Dr. Katherine Lau in the Development of Aggression and Pathological Personality (DAPPer) Laboratory. Le's study investigates what may underlie the aggressive behaviors that we observe in detention center youth who show psychopathic personality traits. Specifically, she is looking at whether the aggressive behaviors are due to poor control over behavioral impulses, poor cognitive planning and considering of consequences, and/or the experience of intense emotions and difficulty with coping with those emotions. Psi Chi is an international honor society whose purpose shall be to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met with alum Thomas Boran '84, chief data officer at West Highland Support Services, Inc., on March 17 for the college's annual Backpacks to Briefcases alumni networking event. At West Highland, Boran is a member of the executive team who is responsible for the development and client positioning of products and services. He provides consulting and advising on next-generation trading systems, data services and platforms for alpha generation; and enhances clients' ability to better optimize their use and TCO of OMS/EMS systems, traditional/alt data and information. Backpacks to Briefcases is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained gold level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met online with alumni Heidi Schulman-Cohen '81 and Carol Silverman '83 on March 8 for the college's Goodrich to Broadway creative alumni networking event. Heidi Shulman-Cohen has been working on costumes and wardrobe in the film and television industry for over 30 years. Her resume includes such features as "Sleepless In Seattle," "Hand That Rocks The Cradle," "Angel Heart," "Big Daddy," "Captain Ron," and "The Professional." She has also been a part of such blockbusters as "As Good As It Gets," "Independence Day," "Godzilla," and "Quiz Show." Her television work includes serving as wardrobe supervisor on the longest-running show in broadcast history, "Guiding Light." Silverman is an Emmy award-winning set decorator for film and television. Her work can be seen on Saturday Night Live, in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, and in the feature film Rough Night, among others. The Goodrich to Broadway event is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the Oneonta Student Association and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met online with alum Alex Fredkin '14, vertical marketing manager for Pandora, on March 4 for the college's Mixing Board to Management alumni networking event. Fredkin focuses on the small to medium-sized business segment for Pandora, a subscription-based music streaming service owned by Sirius XM Holdings. The Mixing Board to Management event is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the Oneonta Student Association and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met with alumni Scott Leyton '78 and Bill Fried '84, on March 3 for the college's annual Backpacks to Briefcases - Real Estate alumni networking event. Scott Leyton founded Ornstein Leyton Company in 1991 with Alec Ornstein. He is a banker and real estate expert who has taken advantage of prevailing economic environments to locate and maximize the potential of properties in and around the tri-state area, with a primary focus on the New York Metropolitan Area. Bill Fried is a partner of Herrick, Feinstein LLP, and co-chair of the firm's litigation department, where he focuses on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on construction and real estate disputes, trust and estate litigation, and business divorces. Bill's clients, which include financial institutions, corporations, real estate owners, sponsors, developers, contractors and construction professionals, Backpacks to Briefcases is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the Oneonta Student Association and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained platinum-level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained gold level leadership milestones through the college's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader. Students can attain a silver, gold or platinum level. To attain each level, students must meet a mix of programmatic and experiential leadership requirements, including completion of online courses, attendance at educational events, and membership and leadership in one or more of SUNY Oneonta's 100+ student-run clubs and organizations. Completion of a leadership level is recognized on campus as a credential that can be used, for example, when running for office or applying for STEP (Student Travel for Excellence Program) funding. The program also provides students with a leadership record that can be submitted to potential employers.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met with alum Michael Yannucci '05, principal at Massapequa Public Schools, on Feb. 18 for the college's Campus to Capital - Political Science alumni networking event. Dr. Michael Yannucci was the principal of Lockhart Elementary School and has been an elementary assistant principal in the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District for four years. Prior to that, he worked in the Rocky Point School District as an elementary reading teacher and a coordinator of English language arts, reading, library media and art. The Campus to Capital event is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the Oneonta Student Association and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met with alumni Breanna O'Shea '18 and Serina Aridi '19, both corporate analysts, on Feb. 17 for the college's annual Backpacks to Briefcases alumni networking event. O'Shea and Aridi work for JPMorgan Chase & Co., an investment bank and financial services holding company that is ranked by S&P Global as the largest bank in the United States and the fifth-largest bank in the world by total assets, with total assets of US$3.213 trillion. Backpacks to Briefcases is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the Oneonta Student Association and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met online with alum Riis Massey-Williams '17, an influencer/strategist for Ketchum, on Feb. 24 for the college's Academics to Agencies - Communications alumni networking event. Massey-Williams is an account executive on the New York Ketchum influencer team at Ketchum, a global public relations firm. She served as an intern in the company's fellowship program and was hired full-time following graduation. The Academics to Agencies event is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the Oneonta Student Association and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

Students from SUNY Oneonta met with alum Bianca O'Brien '85, managing partner at NY Life, on Feb. 25 for the college's annual Backpacks to Briefcases alumni networking event. After earning her business degree in economics at SUNY Oneonta, O'Brien recognized the career opportunities at New York Life with its defined path to advancement and ability to fast-track. During her corporate career, she excelled in various positions. Today, O'Brien has taken on a leadership role in the coaching and development of the field management teams. Backpacks to Briefcases is designed to inspire students to jumpstart their careers by beginning to build their professional networks. It is funded by the Oneonta Student Association and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

More than 600 students have been awarded scholarships at SUNY Oneonta. The college's scholarship funds total over $60 million and are the result of contributions from donors, corporations and foundations. It is the largest endowment among SUNY comprehensive four-year colleges.