Dr. Melissa Evans prepares to teach her Introduction to Psychology class.
Between Classes With Dr. Melissa Evans
Psychology Instructor Dr. Melissa Evans didn’t set out to become a college professor, but while working in state government in South Dakota, a local satellite campus for South Dakota State University asked her to teach psychology part time. She taught five students on a small campus and discovered that teaching was her passion. That was 15 years ago and she has been teaching ever since.
New to SUNY Schenectady this semester, Dr. Evans is teaching an array of Psychology courses within the Division of Liberal Arts including Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare. She brings her expertise in industrial organizational psychology, which combines her love for psychology and business, to her courses. With a background working in human resources and medical facilities in addition to state government, she shares how important it is to have a foundation in psychology. “Industrial organizational psychology is a different perspective to psychology. It has to do with active communication and how to work within a company and their people. For example, when training new employees and creating training manuals, psychology is very important. My students and I talk a lot about ethics which is really important to protecting people and organizations.”
Dr. Evans isn’t new to her role as a faculty member at a community college, having taught at other community colleges in the Capital Region and in Vermont. She shared, “I like community colleges because of the diversity among the students. There are people of all demographics, all ages, and all ways of life in my classroom. The one thing I love about being at a smaller college is the interaction with my students. I have shown up for their events, like plays or sporting events, and I love being present for them inside and outside of the classroom.”
Dr. Evans holds her Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Capella University, Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Carlos Albizu University in Miami, Fla., and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Memphis.
Warren Baynes is comfortable behind the mic in the Vianna-Brignola Recording Studio.
Five Questions with Warren Baynes, College Podcast Cohost
You may be wondering who’s behind the new voice you’re hearing co-hosting the Many Voices, One Call podcast with Dr. Babette Faehmel. It’s Warren Baynes, a Liberal Arts: History major and Empire State Service Corps intern, who took some time after a recent taping to share his thoughts about Season 6 and invite the College community to share their thoughts too.
Let’s start at the beginning. Why did you decide to join the Many Voices, One Call team as this year’s student co-host?
“I just like having an opinion about society and offering a different alternative to the way people think. Nowadays, people tend to look at life one way and life is never one way; it’s very complicated just like history. I’ll be giving my perspective and listening to other people’s perspectives. I think it’s important for people to understand the context of where we are today and I think I can help with that, so we know why things are the way they are and how we can change them.”
What do you hope to accomplish as co-host?
“I want to get better at being able to speak to people and I also want to educate people. I want people to take in the information and then form their own thoughts.”
What are some of the topics you’re looking forward to covering?
“I am interested in talking about politics in general and sports in politics.”
We hear that you have put out a call to the College community for ideas. Can you explain that?
“Sure. We want the College community to please give us your opinions on what you would like the podcast to cover. If you want to hear something specific, please tell us and we will try to work with those things. We would love to know what other people would like to hear. You can reach us by emailing faehmeb@sunysccc.edu.”
Finally, let’s get to know you a little more. What do you love about studying history and what are your plans after you graduate from SUNY Schenectady?
“I can talk for hours about history, I like that you can always learn something from history, no matter what. If you read enough history you’ll always be learning something, even about how to make society better. After I graduate with my associate’s degree in Liberal Arts: History, I plan to transfer for my bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University at Buffalo. I would eventually like to get involved in politics. I’m hoping to make a change.”
Student Clubs Take Center Stage During Club Carnival
The Quad was transformed into Club Carnival on Sept. 16, with students showcasing their organizations to other students, as they enjoyed music, food, and games. 19 student clubs collected more than 300 sign ups from students during the event that is organized each semester by Christina Charette, Student Activities Advisor. She shared, “We are so excited to provide this opportunity for our students to become connected and engaged with the campus community.” Now clubs will start meeting and planning activities for the rest of the semester.
Students can still sign up for College clubs and organizations by visiting the Student Government Association (SGA) Center, Elston Hall 220, or the Student Activities Office, Elston Hall, 223. A list of clubs and organizations can be found on the Clubs webpage.
Evangeline Green has started another internship at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals this semester.
Biotechnology Major Interns at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Over the summer, Biotechnology major Evangeline Green was one of only seven students from Capital Region colleges chosen for a paid internship at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops, and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Her eight-week internship at Regeneron’s Rensselaer large-scale production and manufacturing process area affirmed her plan to eventually earn her Ph.D., return to Regeneron as a Biochemist, and start helping people through medical research. She plans to return to Regeneron this month for a 12-week paid internship.
During her summer internship, Evangeline shadowed Biotech Production Specialists (BPS) who showed her how to apply good manufacturing procedures, obtain specific beginner level trainings, help maintain equipment, help with equipment setup, overall cleanliness, and inventory management, and assist in tasks to support the BPS team. In addition to learning about the company and how pharmaceuticals are produced, she earned certification to go to many of the process areas in Regeneron and use beginner level machinery.
“I grew tremendously through this internship, not only with my connections now at Regeneron, but I also found that coming back for the Fall Semester and resuming my education much of what I learned at Regeneron is applicable to my classes here like Organic Chemistry and Microbiology. I learned about the pharmaceutical drug-making process as a whole and it makes me want to strive even more to be the mind behind the science in drug development and research at Regeneron.”
Biotechnology major Evangeline Green and Assistant Professor Dr. Lorena Harris with some of the plants Evangeline has used in her original and independent research project.
Last semester Evangeline, who is in the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), presented her poster titled The Art of Cloning Plants Using Different Propagation Methods and Hemp Oil as Proof of Concept for Repair Activation and Neurogenerative Diseases at the Fourth Annual Capital Region STEM Poster Showcase. She presented her findings to students, professors, researchers, and STEM professionals from throughout the Capital Region. It was the culmination of the original research she performed in the Bio 142 Biology Lab with Dr. Lorena Harris as her mentor. From February through April, Evangeline researched the effects of hemp oil on plant cuttings. Her inspiration? The movie “The Martian” where astronaut and botanist Matt Damon is stuck on Mars and cultivates a potato garden there to survive.
Through her research she concluded that, “hemp oil is not universally beneficial, but with certain species of plants certain concentrations (specifically lower concentrations) of it will help the plant cuttings grow and increase cellular repair and help root stimulation. This could lead to a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases because plant and animal cells share genes related to inflammation that are functionally similar but not directly homologous, meaning they perform overlapping roles in immune defense but evolved independently.”
Evangeline plans to continue her original research this semester, graduate in May 2027, and transfer to the University at Albany for her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry.
She shared, “I would like to find cures for diseases using any type of medicinal forms, such as injectables or pills. For example, I could use the project and the research I did on hemp oil and turn that into a proof of concept to treat Alzheimer’s. You could take hemp oil at lower concentrations, and it could help with stopping inflammatory symptoms that cause neurodegenerative diseases or slow it down. I want to learn as much as I can about science. I just want to help people really.”
First Year Seminar Fair Brings Students and Staff Together
Each semester, the First Year Seminar (FYS) Working Group hosts the FYS Fair, an interactive event designed to introduce students to the many support services and resources available on campus. The Fair, which took place this semester on Sept. 3, Sept. 9, and Sept. 10, provides students with an opportunity to learn about these services and, more importantly, to meet the individuals who provide them.
The FYS Fair incorporates a Bingo-style activity with prizes for students donated by Student Affairs, Careers and Transfer Services, Academic Advising, and Academic Affairs. A speed-networking format makes the program engaging and informative for students. The Fair takes place during FYS classes, with three to four classes participating each day.
Dean of Learner Support Jessica Gilbert shared, “We believe these personal connections help students feel more comfortable accessing resources and support throughout their college experience. Plus it is a fun, energizing event.”
The Foundation generously supported this effort by providing a $100 Bookstore gift card as a prize drawing for participating students. Students submit their completed Bingo cards at the end of the event, and a winner is selected following the final session. The FYS Working Group then presents the gift card to the winner during their FYS class, which adds an element of excitement and encouragement for participation.
Events
Find out what’s happening around campus! Visit our events calendar.