Introducing the 2026-2027 Scholars Across the University 

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Empire State University has named two faculty members as the recipients of its annual Scholars Across the University award. Assistant Professors Yanqing Sun and Lisa Unangst were selected for the 2026-2027 academic year. They will present their work to the university community starting this fall. 

About the Scholars: 

Yanqing Sun 

A member of the Department of Psychology and Human Development in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yanqing Sun will be presenting two studies. The first examines how high school students understand research, “demonstrating metaphor analysis as a useful lens.”  

“By studying the metaphors students use to describe research, we can gain insight into how their thinking about research develops,” the educator explains.  

The second study, which focuses on students’ literary practices and teachers’ role in cross-classroom collaboration, “shows that young students can work across multiple sources, forms, [and] spaces of knowledge for productive knowledge building across communities,” Sun says. 

“I’m excited not only to share my research, but also to learn from colleagues across the university and hear their perspectives,” Sun continues. “I hope these presentations will create opportunities for meaningful conversations and new ideas, and that I can bring what I learn from these conversations back into my research, teaching, and mentoring.” 

Lisa Unangst 

A faculty member in the College of Education, Lisa Unangst will be presenting on three interrelated topics: college pathways for displaced learners in New York, leveraging prior learning assessment for displaced learners globally, and how nursing education programs in New York reflect displaced learners.  

“My scholarship focuses on the intersection(s) of migration, diversity, and higher education internationalization. This applied research considers education across the lifespan as emancipatory for individuals and communities,” she says. “It also points to opportunities to leverage policies and practices already in place to support displaced learners, with displacement in the U.S. being at the highest level in decades.” 

By sharing this work, “I hope that folks will have the opportunity to reflect on how education and migration have clear relevance for other fields including public policy, sociology, social work, and so forth,” Unangst adds.  

SUNY Empire Spotlight: August 2026

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The latest news on research efforts, awards, grants, and media appearances from Empire State University faculty, staff, and leadership.        

Shantih Clemans, professor, wrote a new book titled “In Our Bones,” which has just been published by Clare Songbirds Publishing House. 

Daniel Fogarty, assistant vice president of enrollment management and marketing, wrote an article on enrollment readiness for The Evolllution. 

Njoki Mwarumba, assistant professor, appeared on Look This Week.  

Ian Reifowitz, SUNY distinguished professor, spoke with France 24 about the Michigan Democratic Senate primary election. 

Carrie Steinman, associate professor, assistant professor Cailyn Green, and professor Thalia MacMillan co-authored a new book titled “Guide to Career Planning for the Addictions Field.” MacMillan and Steinman have also co-authored the forthcoming publication, “The ABCs of CPL: A Guide to Credit for Prior Learning,” with lecturer Frances Boyce. 

Graduate Student Slated to Present at Upcoming Conference 

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When Matthew Berge ’21, ’23, ’24 represents Empire State University at conferences, he always makes sure to dress the part. His garb of choice? An orange tie and a royal blue “Empire” suit, as he calls it, complete with his alumni pin fastened to the lapel.  

“I always feel a sense of pride when representing SUNY Empire at these conferences,” says Berge, a three-time alumnus and current graduate student. 

Berge’s next opportunity to display his school spirit comes this November, when he presents a paper at the annual meeting of the Northeastern Political Science Association (NPSA). It will be the third time the Bay Shore, NY resident has had a paper accepted by the yearly event, which draws hundreds of attendees.  

This fall, Berge—a self-described “lifelong learner” who holds master’s degrees in social and public policy and public administration—is presenting on the rise of neoliberalism in higher education since the 1970s and its correlation to increasing education costs over the last 50 years. Now enrolled in SUNY Empire’s Master of Arts in Higher Education program, Berge says the topic merges his past and present academic work.  

“I felt I had a good topic to present on that ties my policy studies to my current studies in higher education,” he says of his drive to be a presenter.  

Also motivational? The encouragement of his faculty mentors and advisors, says Berge, who won the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence in 2022. 

“I aspire to pursue doctoral studies eventually and was taught that it is important to build my CV through academic conferences and publications continually,” he explains.  

While at SUNY Empire, Berge has taken this advice to heart, expanding his resume with appearances at various events beyond the NPSA meeting. Among others, these include the SUNY Graduate Research Conference, the SUNY Digital Learning Conference, and the 17th Conference on Higher Education Reform (held at the University of Glasgow). The latter proved particularly impactful for the graduate student, who—in addition to confidence in his presenting abilities—gained from the symposium new insight into his scholarly interests. 

“It was my experience in Scotland, meeting educators from across the globe, that sparked the desire to shift toward education policy, eventually leading me to pursue my current studies in higher education,” he says.  

Reason & Respect: Celebrating National Civility Month

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This August, we celebrate National Civility Month by speaking with leaders of the Student Government Association (SGA) about what leadership and civic engagement look like at Empire State University. We invite you to read the Q&A below and engage in the conversation on our community discussion board.

Joshua Gale-Wilson is the president of the Student Government Association at Empire State University, a social science student, University Council representative, and aspiring attorney. As a first-generation graduate, Black gay man, and committed servant-leader, he is passionate about using advocacy, education, and civic engagement to create meaningful opportunities for students whose voices are too often overlooked.

Joshua Baker is the treasurer of the Empire State University Student Government Association.

How has serving in student government changed your understanding of leadership?

Gale-Wilson: Serving in student government has taught me that leadership is not simply about holding a title; it is about listening, remaining accountable, and having the courage to advocate even when the conversations are difficult. True leadership means meeting students where they are, turning their concerns into action, and being willing to do the work when recognition is absent.

Baker: Serving in SGA taught me that leadership means constantly checking my own assumptions against the people I’m representing. Empire serves such a broad population—students working full-time, raising families, coming back to school after years away—that no single perspective can speak for everyone, and part of my job is making space for that range of experience in every decision.

What motivates you to serve your campus community?

Gale-Wilson: I am motivated by the belief that every student deserves to feel seen, heard, supported, and represented, regardless of their background or educational journey. Empire State University has given me opportunities to grow academically and personally, and serving my campus community is my way of ensuring that other students have access to those same opportunities, and even greater ones.

Baker: Empire gave me a real path to finish my master’s while working full-time and raising four kids, and that kind of access isn’t something I take for granted. Serving in SGA is my way of paying that forward, making sure the processes and support are in place for students juggling just as much as I was.

What does civic engagement look like beyond voting?

Gale-Wilson: Civic engagement extends far beyond the ballot box; it is showing up consistently, educating yourself and others, attending public meetings, volunteering, organizing, advocating, and holding institutions accountable to the communities they serve. It is the everyday decision to use your voice, time, skills, and influence to improve the lives of others and help build a more just and equitable society.

Baker: For me, civic engagement beyond voting looks like showing up to the meetings that don’t get much attention—budget hearings, joining committees, PTA nights, the places where decisions actually get made. It’s staying involved between elections, not just around them, and using whatever skills you have—mine happen to be financial—to hold institutions accountable.

What commitment would you encourage every member of our campus community to make that would strengthen both our culture of civility and our civic engagement over the next year?

Gale-Wilson: I would encourage every member of our campus community to commit to listening with the intent to understand, especially when we disagree. When we lead with respect, remain open to different perspectives, and consistently turn conversation into meaningful action, we create a stronger culture of civility while empowering more people to participate in shaping our university community.

Baker: I’d encourage everyone to actually read the materials before they weigh in, whether that’s a budget proposal, a policy change, or a meeting agenda. Half of civility is just doing the homework so disagreements are grounded in facts instead of assumptions, and that alone would go a long way toward stronger, more respectful engagement.

Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein Appointed Empire’s Inaugural Director of General Education

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The Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein, Ph.D., as Empire State University’s inaugural director of general education.

In this new faculty leadership role, Lisa will help advance the continued development, alignment, assessment, and review of the university’s general education program. Working collaboratively with faculty governance, academic leadership, and the Office of Assessment and Program Review, she will support a coherent, outcomes-focused general education framework that strengthens student success across undergraduate programs.

Lisa brings more than 30 years of higher education experience, including more than 18 years at SUNY Empire in professional, management confidential, and faculty roles. Most recently, she served for three years as coordinator of the interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary studies program and as the 2025–2026 Susan H. Turben Chair in Mentoring. She will continue to serve as a visiting associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Arts and Media.

Throughout her career at SUNY Empire, Lisa has held numerous academic leadership positions, including director of academic support and dean of academic and instructional services, and has contributed extensively to university governance, curriculum, assessment, and accreditation efforts. She currently serves as co-chair for Middle States Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience and is an active member of several university curriculum and general education committees.

Lisa holds a B.A. in English and general literature from Binghamton University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in language education from Indiana University. She is also a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service and the James William and Mary Elizabeth Hall Award for Innovation.

SUNY Empire Spotlight: July 2026

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The latest news on research efforts, awards, grants, and media appearances from Empire State University faculty, staff, and leadership.       

Anita DeCianni-Brown, director of career and experiential learning services, was featured in a uConnect article about serving adult and non-traditional learners. 

Xiomara Giordano, assistant vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer, attended the Hispanic Educational Technology Services Consortium’s Board of Directors summer meeting in Puerto Rico. 

Heather Horowitz, assistant professor and Ed.D. program coordinator, and recent Ed.D. graduate Diane Perillo have been accepted to present at OLC Accelerate 2026, the upcoming event of the Online Learning Consortium.   

Njoki Mwarumba, assistant professor, was interviewed by Radio Catskill about wildfire smoke.  

Ian Reifowitz, SUNY distinguished professor, appeared on France 24 to discuss the United States’ official 250th birthday celebration. He was also quoted in a HuffPost article about one of President Trump’s recent posts on Truth Social. 

Jason Russell, professor, was interviewed for a Political Pulse segment about President Trump’s new tariffs on Canada. 

Gayle Stever, professor, was featured on the Insights with Dick Goldberg podcast. She was also quoted in an AP article about soccer player Erling Haaland. 

Empire State University’s Alan Belasen Named a SUNY Distinguished Professor

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When Professor Alan Belasen first began teaching at Empire State University in 1994, it marked a “significant milestone” in his career, he says. Now, more than 30 years later, the longtime business, management, and leadership educator is celebrating another professional landmark: being named a SUNY Distinguished Professor, the highest academic rank conferred by the SUNY Board of Trustees.  

Bestowed upon Belasen this spring, the title is awarded to faculty who have “achieved national or international prominence and a distinguished reputation within [their] chosen field through significant contributions to research and scholarship,” according to SUNY. With this promotion, the College of Business (COB) professor becomes the fourth current SUNY Empire faculty member to be inducted into the Distinguished Academy. 

For Belasen, a widely published author of books, journal articles, and conference papers, the honor is more than a personal achievement; it’s a “recognition of Empire State University itself, an institution that has long been a leader in innovative approaches to adult learning, competency-based education, and student-centered teaching,” he says. “Throughout my academic career, Empire has provided an environment that encourages faculty scholarship and serves as an incubator for new learning modalities informed by research and high-impact scholarly work.” 

Belasen’s own research has taken on various subjects over the years. Guided by an approach that is “fundamentally interdisciplinary and applied in nature,” he says, he has explored numerous interconnected topics under the larger umbrella of leadership, communication, and organizational effectiveness. His wide-ranging areas of focus include everything from resilience in healthcare leadership and decision-making under pressure to equity and bias in professional sports and the impact of AI on leadership practices.  

“The evolution of my research agenda has been shaped by a combination of intellectual curiosity, appreciative inquiry, impactful events, and collaborative opportunities,” Belasen explains. 

The latter is evident in projects like his recently published book, “Disruptive Leadership: Breaking the Mold, Outlasting the Competition,” which—in addition to two chapters co-authored with COB Dean Julie Gedro—features contributions from scholars based at universities around the world. Collaboration is also central to his new book project, “Blended Leadership: Managing the Hybrid Organization,” a joint venture developed with Assistant Professor Thomas Wiese. 

Belasen notes that his appointment to SUNY Distinguished Professor has provided him a chance to contemplate partnerships like these. 

“The recognition offered an opportunity to reflect on the many colleagues, mentors, and collaborators who have contributed to my scholarly development,” he says. “At the same time, it reaffirms my commitment to advancing knowledge, inspiring others, and contributing to the academic community with renewed purpose.” 

Empire State University Students Awarded Alpha Sigma Lambda Scholarships

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Two Empire State University students have been awarded scholarships by Alpha Sigma Lambda, the oldest and largest national honor society for non-traditional students. Donald “Donnie” Semple received the organization’s Dr. William C. Hine Scholarship, and Ghislaine Posy received the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society Scholarship.  

Read on to learn more about the honorees, who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees at SUNY Empire. 

Donnie Semple 

Donnie Semple built a career in the telecommunications industry before enrolling at SUNY Empire, where he’ll complete his bachelor’s in business administration this August. A resident of St. Johnsville, New York, he says his interest in leadership, process improvement, training, and helping others succeed led him to the program.  

“Business administration offered the broad foundation I was looking for while allowing me to connect decades of professional experience with formal education,” he explains. 

For Semple, a part-time Amazon employee who has been accepted to SUNY Empire’s MBA program, receiving Alpha Sigma Lambda’s Dr. William C. Hine Scholarship “was both humbling and deeply encouraging.” 

“It tells adult learners like me that our experiences matter, that our hard work is seen, and that it is never too late to pursue new goals,” he says.  

Ghislaine Posy 

Ghislaine Posy is working toward a bachelor’s in addiction studies. On track to graduate in 2027, Posy selected the degree program because she has “witnessed the profound impact addiction has on individuals, families, and communities, both personally and professionally,” says the Queens resident, who currently serves as a clinical care coordinator for New York City’s Department of Mental Health and Hygiene. “These experiences have strengthened my commitment to expanding my knowledge and developing the skills needed to provide compassionate, evidence-based support.” 

Posy says winning the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society Scholarship “has reminded [her] of the value of perseverance.” 

“Even when the odds seem overwhelming or success feels out of reach, taking a chance can lead to incredible opportunities,” she says. “This scholarship has reinforced my belief that determination, resilience, and the courage to keep trying can open doors that once seemed impossible.” 

Empire State University Partners with Premier Medical Group 

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Empire State University has partnered with Premier Medical Group, a multi-specialty medical organization that serves communities throughout New York’s Hudson Valley. Born out of a shared commitment to workforce development and educational access, the collaboration connects Premier Medical Group employees, retirees, and household family members to SUNY Empire’s flexible online degree programs while offering an orientation fee waiver and a one-time $100 scholarship. Matriculated students may also earn credit for work experience, clinical training, professional development, military training, and/or prior learning—an important benefit that can both accelerate degree completion and reduce time and cost to graduation. 

With roughly 600 workers across multiple locations, Premier Medical Group is one of the Hudson Valley’s largest coordinated healthcare providers. The organization’s recently launched partnership with SUNY Empire aims to serve individuals at various stages of their careers, whether they be nurses, medical assistants, clinical support staff, or administrative employees.  

“Healthcare organizations across the country continue to face workforce shortages and increasing demand for skilled professionals. This partnership helps address those challenges by creating educational pathways that support employee growth, retention, and advancement,” says Alejandro Galindo, Empire’s assistant director for partnership engagement. “By making higher education more accessible for healthcare workers, we are helping strengthen the regional workforce while creating opportunities for individuals to advance their careers without leaving the communities they serve.” 

SUNY Empire Spotlight: May/June 2026

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The latest news on research efforts, awards, grants, and media appearances from Empire State University faculty, staff, and leadership.       

Alan Belasen, SUNY distinguished professor, published “Disruptive Leadership: Breaking the Mold, Outlasting the Competition.” The text includes two chapters co-authored with College of Business Dean Julie Gedro. 

Francesca Cichello, senior executive director of extended and international education, and Associate Director of the Center for International Education Kim Marsella attended the 2026 NAFSA conference in Orlando. 

Cailyn Green, assistant professor, CAARES program associate and training coordinator Aley O’Mara, and student Amile Cominotti have co-authored an article published in the Journal of Substance Use.  

Gloria Kramer, assistant professor, was featured by localsyr.com for her children’s book, “It’s Raining Fish.” 

Pamela Malone, strategic improvement lead, was re-elected to the statewide executive board of United University Professions. She was also re-elected to the statewide board of New York State United Teachers. 

Raul Manzano, visiting assistant professor, is participating in a national art competition hosted by The Art of Elysium.  

Andrea Piazza, assistant director of accessibility resources and services, presented a poster at the New York State Disability Services Council spring conference. 

Gayle Stever, professor, published a new book titled “Understanding Parasocial Relationships.” She was also interviewed about parasocial relationships for an article published by Capsule, and she wrote two chapters of the recently published textbook “Research Handbook on the Social Psychology of the Media.”