The Culture of Care and Success
Academic Affairs
On September 15, Babette Faehmel, Professor completed SUNY CPD training and earned her “Supporting Neurodiversity Across SUNY” Badge. She learned about varying ways of understanding neurodiversity, explored the legal frameworks governing disability and neurodiversity and studied strategies for creating accessible assignments and online class modules to better support neurodivergent students. (1.3, 1.4)
Schenectady Outreach Center
Schenectady Outreach Center (SOC) staff actively engaged with the community through participation in several local outreach events. These events provided valuable opportunities for staff to connect directly with community members, strengthen community partnerships, increase awareness of the Center, and promote the educational, employment, and support services available through SOC. (1.4)
Student Affairs
Tom Shepherd, President of the Pride Alliance, has been nominated for the Harvey Milk Scholarship. The Harvey Milk Scholarship honors the legacy of Harvey Milk by supporting students who demonstrate leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to equality and social justice. The scholarship recognizes individuals who work to create more inclusive and welcoming communities, particularly through advocacy and service. Recipients are encouraged to continue Milk’s legacy of civic engagement and positive change while pursuing their educational goals. (1.4)
Delivering a Meaningful Student Experience
Academic Affairs
Staff at the Begley Library have been very busy this month. Matthew Montalbano, Reference Librarian presented ten online and in-person workshops to help students learn to confidently navigate Brightspace/D2L to better participate in their classes and Giovannine Matheron, Collection Development & Electronic Resources Librarian learned about understanding AI scams during a webinar she attended mid-September. The webinar highlighted various scams including imposter, bill & debt scams, scareware as well as the fall-out from data breaches, the marketing of fake products, AI book “slop” (books written by AI) and job-hunting scams. Most importantly, she learned how to talk to patrons about these scams. (Gen. 2)
Mitzi Espinola, Director of Academic Advisement and Retention, met with Rae Ellen Doyle, Interim Dean of Liberal Arts and English faculty to review and discuss English placement, and the use of multiple measures. This group also explored potential adjustments to the Spring 2027 schedule for College Composition and Workshop sections to better align course offerings with student placement and academic needs. (2.1, 2.3 & 2.5)
Anna Westerman, Assistant Director of Academic Advisement & Retention and Yvonne Goldman, Academic Advisor, participated in the Fall 2026 First Year Seminar Fairs so first year students could increase their awareness of all of the various student services and resources available on campus. (2.1, 2.3)
Michelle Ragucci, Director of Academic Services launched an embedded tutoring initiative within the Learning Center. This tri-lateral collaboration with Cayla Gaworecki, Associate Math Professor and Janice Lindemann, Liberal Arts Adjunct teaching developmental English is part of the Academic Momentum plan for “gateway courses”. She also hosted a fall Testing Center Open House for students utilizing the College’s Disability Resource Office. Staff welcomed students and showed them how to use adaptive technology, provided supplies and answered questions. (2.1, 2.3)
Administration
Foundation scholarship support continues to provide meaningful assistance to students, with 143 students receiving a combined $349,510 through 565 completed scholarship applications.
FAFSA completion also remains strong. As of September 23, Student Financial Services received 3,040 FAFSA applications for the 2026–27 academic year, compared with 2,755 at the same point last year. This represents an increase of approximately 10%.
Schenectady Outreach Center
On September 8, 2026, the Schenectady Outreach Center successfully launched the SOC ATTAIN Lab, advancing SUNY Schenectady's commitment to expanding access, supporting student success, and strengthening workforce and educational opportunities throughout our community. The lab provides students, participants, and community members with access to technology, digital literacy resources, academic support, workforce development services, career exploration tools, and training opportunities that help remove barriers to education and employment. (General Pillar 2)
On September 17, 2026, Schenectady Outreach Center (SOC), in partnership with Schenectady County Connects and Department of Labor, hosted a community job fair at Center City. Over one hundred job seekers attended the fair and had the opportunity to meet in person with 45 employers to discuss employment opportunities.
To further support participants in their job search efforts, SOC hosted an Application
Day the following day, providing job seekers with assistance completing and submitting
applications to employers they connected with during the job fair. This follow-up
service helped participants take the next step toward employment and reinforced SOC's
commitment to reducing barriers to workforce opportunities.
(General Pillar 2)
Student Affairs
Student Activities/SGA:
Student Activities also hosted the annual Club Carnival on the campus quad treating several hundred students to popcorn, pizza, food trucks, and campus club information. (2.3)
Admissions:
Admissions has begun a very aggressive fall recruitment travel schedule and will spearhead two large events in October (SUNY Operation Inform) and November (Fall Open House). (2.4)
Workforce Development and Community Education
Workforce Development and Community Education’s Phlebotomy course is currently in session with 16 students. This is currently a high demand course, WFD&CE will be offering a second cohort for the fall semester. (2.2)
On September 22nd Jacob Sisco, Dr. Tiziana Rota, Lauren Lankau and Sarah Wilson-Sparrow met with the Social Enterprise and Training (SEAT) Center and CUNY to discuss the second round of funding for the Energy & Carbon Management Resilience (ECMR) Program. (2.2)
Jacob Sisco, Interim Director of Workforce Development, Mobile Labs, Joseph Lamalfa, Assistant Director of Workforce Development and Lauren Lankau attended the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC). “NCATC's conference is designed to foster innovation and collaboration across workforce development, advanced technology education, and industry partnerships. The conference focuses on four critical areas: emerging technologies, work-based learning, industry-aligned skills development, and lifelong learning environments. These priorities are intended to help institutions better align education with workforce demands and strengthen economic growth.” (2.2)
On September 15th, Dean Michael Stamets, Professor Jay Larkin, Maria Kotary and Sarah Wilson-Sparrow met with the Bethesda House to discuss possible partnership opportunities in culinary, apprenticeship, and general workforce programs. (2.3)
Building Organizational Effectiveness
Academic Affairs
As part of his broader effort to advance institutional AI Literacy, David Wolf, Director of Instructional Design and Online Learning provided AI prompt engineering training sessions for faculty and staff supported by a dedicated AI coaching chatbot to improve productivity and effective technology adoption. (Gen P3)
As part of ongoing efforts to streamline operations in Academic Advisement, Yvonne Goldman, Academic Advisor, has been studying how to customize Chat GPT to the the advisor’s specific role in order to turn work into repeatable AI workflows and leverage AI without additional cost to the institution, utilizing readily available Microsoft Office tools. (3.3)
Dale Miller, Director of Institutional Research, collaborated with staff to provide admissions and enrollment data to divisions campus-wide. The information will be used for SUNY reporting, course scheduling and planning of Opportunity grant activities. Program specific data was also provided for analysis, and use in program reviews. (3.3)
Dawn Jones, Career & Transfer Services Director and Jessica Gilbert, Dean of Learner Supports, met with Michael Henderson, EOP Director and Kevin Dean, ASAP Director to facilitate a collaborative approach to maximize the usage of High Impact Practices (HIP) and internships to fulfill grant requirements. (Gen P3)
Administration
During the month of September, the campus saw progress on the following Capital projects:
- Elston Hall Gathering Space: The column enclosures are expected to ship on October 5; installation should be completed and lighting should be installed the week of 10/16. The project is expected to be completed by October 30.
- Elston Hall Boiler Room: Temporary shoring of the beam has been installed. Materials for the permanent fix are expected by end of September, with an additional week or possibly two to complete that work after that. Anticipated completion by 10/15/26.
- Elston Hall Basement Renovation: Demo has been completed with the exception of new doors and frames. The ceiling grid is nearly completed and the electrician has begun installing LED flat ceiling lights and tile. Work will then begin on the floor repairs, removal/abandon of old steam heating pipes and backfilling of areas dug up for the project. The project is targeted for completion by the end of October.
- Begley Basement Construction: Concrete floor demolition in the garage has been completed,
with the exception of some drilling around the pillars to install new rebar. We have
worked with operating departments to minimize disruption from the noise. Expected
completion by mid-November.
Storm drain remediation work is mostly completed. The trench alongside the west wall will be receiving waterproofing; repairs to broken conduit have begun. Anticipated completion in mid-November. - Culinary Kitchen Ventilation: The new culinary exhaust fans have been ordered and the project should start in late February or early March of 2027.
Human Resources
Employee Wellbeing & Campus Climate
Human Resources continues to advance initiatives that strengthen employee wellbeing, community connection, and organizational resilience.
Wednesday Wellbeing messages
-
- 9/2 – A Labor Day message of rest, meaningful work and work-life balance
- 9/9 – Self Improvement
- 9/16 – Suicide Prevention – help is available, every life is valued
- 9/23 – Flu season preparedness
(3.1,3.2)
Workplace Wellbeing & Engagement Initiatives
We are preparing for the upcoming annual Employee Benefits fair and Open Enrollment. (3.1,3.2)
Benefits Engagement
We continue to prepare for the upcoming changes to the NYS retirement plan Tier 6 member benefits. (3.2)
New Employee Onboarding
We welcomed 10 new employees and six new student workers, ensuring they received a supportive, well-structured onboarding experience aligned with institutional expectations and culture. (3.2)
Employee Support Services
-
- We provided one-on-one benefits counseling to 7 employees.
- We assisted five employees with leave of absence counseling.
- We are conducting an internal audit on our I9 records and processes.
These services reinforce HR’s role as a strategic partner in employee wellbeing and organizational stability. (3.1, 3.5)
Talent Acquisition & Staffing
HR continues to support operational effectiveness by advancing critical searches across
the College.
Active Searches: 7 Total
Civil Service: One (1) Faculty: One (1) Professional Staff: Five (5)
(3.2)
Student Affairs
Disability Resource Offices:
Carl Berg, our newly minted ADA Transition Coordinator I, began onboarding over the last two weeks and has been scheduling new and returning students to review academic accommodations. (3.2)
Office of Campus Safety:
Deputy Joe Glasser, our School Resource Officer (SRO), has been working with administration in preparation for the renewal of a security vendor. The NYS bid process is underway and security companies have been interviewed with one proposal submitted. (3.3)
Workforce Development & Community Education
On September 21, WFD&CE welcomed the first cohort of 14 Certified Nurse Aide students
to the new simulation labs located in Elston Hall. (3.4)
On September 4th, Jacob Sisco and Sarah Wilson-Sparrow provided Galway High School
with a tour and discussed possible partnership opportunities involving the Mobile
Training Labs. (3.4)
On September 16th, Lauren Lankau and Jacob Sisco provided Onondaga Community College representatives with a tour of the Mobile Training Labs focusing on battery and renewable energy to establish future partnerships led by SUNY Binghamton. (3.4)
Ensuring Financial Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency
Academic Affairs
On September 12, Chef Giovanni Lontoc, Jasmine Solana and Vicki Gizzi staffed the SUNY Schenectady Food Truck during the Liberty Foundation’s 9th Annual Electric City Trucks, Taps, Corks & Forks event. (Gen P4)
On September 28, the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism hosted a four-course dinner and fundraising event for 50 guests in the Casola Dining Room. Associate Professors Vanessa Traver Schulte and Courtney Withey, Chefs Ron Ragucci, Susan Hatalsky and Sookyung Lee and a dedicated team of student and alumni volunteers joined together to honor Joan Dembinski, in recognition of her longstanding support of SUNY Schenectady students and our study-abroad opportunity in Italy (the Marco Polo Institute). Proceeds from this event support scholarships for students participating in the culinary study-abroad program. (Gen P4)
Administration
Work has begun within the Accounts Payable area to move vendors from check processing and toward payment by ACH for efficiency and cost savings.
The Finance team is completing fiscal year-end close activities and preparing for the College’s annual audit.
Development
The SUNY Schenectady Foundation approved funding, in the amount of $30,000, in order to assist the Office of the President to ensure a competitive salary for the new Executive Director of Sponsored Program at their recent September 23, 2026 Board meeting. (4.4)
Student Affairs
Counseling
Counselor II, Sean Mullen, has been involved in securing and managing two separate grants; Mental Health First Aid and the Recurring SUNY Mental Health Fund. The Mental Health First Aid Grant provides funding to support training that teaches individuals how to recognize, respond to, and provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. The grant helps expand access to Mental Health First Aid education for students, staff, educators, and community members. By increasing awareness and preparedness, the program promotes early intervention, reduces stigma, and connects individuals with appropriate professional resources and support. Recurring SUNY Mental Health Funds provide ongoing financial support for mental health resources and services across the State University of New York (SUNY) system. These funds help expand access to counseling, wellness programs, crisis support, and other mental health services for SUNY students. By providing consistent funding, the initiative aims to promote student well-being, reduce barriers to care, and ensure that students have access to the support they need to succeed academically and personally. (4.5)
Workforce Development and Community Education
On September 14, Lauren Lankau facilitated the Earn & Learn workshop with partner SUNY Community College under the DOL SCC2 HealthCARES Consortium grant. (4.3)
WFD&CE completed Project Management training for employees at Taconic Plastics in partnership with the Center for Economic Development under a SUNY Workforce Development Training Grant. (4.5)
President's Outreach
President Dr. Nicole Reaves, Carla Bavaro, Executive Assistant to the President, Paula Ohlhous, Executive Director for Human Resources, Tina Versaci, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Dr. Christopher Brellochs, Dean, School of Music, Tiombe Tatum, Chief of Staff, and School of Music Student Performers, Eric Achzet and Max LaFarr at the Community Foundation Raise the Region Luncheon at the Albany Marriott.