Empire State University Student and Professor Co-Publish Article 

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For Empire State University student Amile Cominotti, the opportunity to work with Assistant Professor Cailyn Green on a scholarly article seemed like more than a stroke of luck: Given the subject matter, they say, it felt like fate.  

“When I sat down with Dr. Green for the first time and she told me about her plan to write about neurodivergence in the context of substance use and mental health treatment, it was a little mind-blowing… I have lived experience of both contexts. I am a neurodivergent person in long-term recovery,” says Cominotti, a community and human services major from Buffalo. “Landing in a project focused on making substance use services more accessible for neurodivergent people felt like pure serendipity—like something that had been waiting for me all along.” 

Cominotti first connected with Green during the fall 2025 semester, when they secured a position as the educator’s work-study student. Together, the pair researched and wrote “Letter to the Editor: How to create a safe clinical space for neurodivergent clients seeking substance use treatment.” The paper was recently published in Journal of Substance Use. 

“It was honestly thrilling,” Cominotti says, recalling the moment they learned their work had been accepted for publication. “I felt so proud.” 

The article focuses on ways clinicians can make tangible changes to the places where substance abuse clients are treated. A key takeaway? While these modifications are designed to enhance the experience of individuals who are neurodivergent—”an umbrella term for people whose minds work differently than the systems around them were built to accommodate,” Cominotti explains—they actually improve the clinical environment for everyone.   

“Many of the changes that make a space more accessible for neurodivergent people, like reduced noise, clearer signage, or more comfortable seating, are things that put anyone more at ease,” they say. 

The paper—just one in a series of articles Green and Cominotti have co-authored—yielded other lessons too. Cominotti says working on the project helped them refine their writing and research skills. (They credit Green, who they call “a genuinely patient mentor.”) The experience has also bolstered their faith in what they can achieve academically.  

“It showed me I could accomplish something I had always dreamed of, but never truly believed possible,” Cominotti says. “And perhaps most importantly, it has given me the confidence to dream a little bigger than I was before.” 

SUNY Empire Spotlight: March 2026

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

Lauren Allen, assistant professor and assistant director of CAARES, appeared on the 1 in 31: Autism Today podcast. 

Veronica Barrios, associate professor, delivered the keynote address for the Latinas en Acción annual conference at Montclair State University. 

Kjrsten Keane, lecturer, gave a presentation at the annual Early Childhood Symposium, held at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester. Twenty-one students and faculty—including lecturer Kim Avery, professor Tracy Galuski, assistant professor Lynn Lubecki, assistant professor Chris Closson, associate professor Melissa Wells, visiting assistant professor Charles Infurna, and College of Education Dean Kjersti VanSlyke‑Briggs—attended the event, held on March 14. 

Lynn Lubecki, assistant professor, was named one of Rochester Business Journal’s 2026 Women of Excellence honorees. 

Andrea Piazza, assistant director of accessibility resources and services, attended a rally event hosted by the New York State Disability Services Council in Albany to show support for increased funding for students with disabilities in higher education. 

Dianne Ramdeholl, professor, received the Outstanding Faculty Member in Adult and Higher Education Award from the Adult Higher Education Alliance.  

Ian Reifowitz, SUNY distinguished professor, appeared on France 24 to discuss Bill and Hillary Clinton, the Epstein files, and the political strategy behind having the Clintons testify to Congress. He also spoke with ARC Rochester about the history of relations between the U.S. and Iran and President Trump’s threat to seize Cuba. 

Erica Sharpe, assistant professor, was featured on the Age Better with Barbara Hannah Grufferman podcast. 

Carrie Steinman, assistant professor, assistant professor Cailyn Green, and professor Thalia MacMillan co-authored a new book titled “Guide to Career Planning for the Addictions Field.” 

Gayle Stever, professor, was quoted in an article by Rolling Stone about GoFundMe campaigns for celebrities.  

Noor Syed, associate professor and director of CAARES, was the keynote speaker at the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts convention. She was also recently selected for the Hudson Valley’s Top Forty Under 40 Mover & Shaker Award. 

Cathryn Thurston, associate professor, spoke with Political Pulse about the war in Iran.  

Five-Minute Feature: Tiffany Williams, Administrative Assistant 2 for the Office of Communications 

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Get to know the Empire State University community through this rapid-fire interview series that bridges professional accomplishments and personal interests. What makes Empire State University exceptional? The unique people behind the work. Five minutes—starting now! 

What led you to your career path? 

I actually answered an ad on my college’s student union bulletin board for a temp position that was supposed to last just the summer. The Office of Student Accounts turned out to be such a welcoming place that I ended up staying. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work in many offices and departments as I’ve grown in my career. While it wasn’t the career path I originally imagined, I found that I really enjoy this kind of work and that it suits my personality. It also plays to my strengths in organization, communication, and problem-solving, and I particularly enjoy supporting the team and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, without needing to be out front. 

What is your favorite thing about SUNY Empire? 

The people are definitely what make this place what it is. From the students we celebrate at commencement to the staff, faculty, and administrators who support them along the way, the human side of this institution is my favorite thing about SUNY Empire. 

What’s one moment in your career that you’re especially proud of? 

Last year, I was one of two people selected for the Excellence in Support Services award from the Empire State University Foundation, which I’m very proud of. But my proudest moments often come from completing a project or task, whether big or small. There’s a real sense of accomplishment in seeing something through and knowing you helped bring it across the finish line. 

March is Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8. Who is one well-known woman (historical or contemporary) that you’d like to chat with, and why? 

I’d choose Ruth Bader Ginsburg because of her lifelong commitment to fairness and the steady, thoughtful way she worked to expand equality under the law. I relate to that drive for fairness in my role as a union representative, advocating for colleagues and helping ensure everyone is treated equitably. I’d love to hear about the experiences that shaped her perspective and what kept her motivated throughout her career. 

What is your “comfort” TV show or movie that you watch over and over? 

I rarely turn the TV on these days, but my favorite childhood movie was “The Wizard of Oz.” I could watch it over and over. There’s something about the adventure, the journey, and finding your “tribe” along the way—and realizing you already have what you need to make it through—that really stuck with me from a young age. 

Empire State University Alum Wins Norman R. McConney Jr. Award 

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Empire State University alumnus Daniel Shy ‘25, a recent graduate of the human services program, has received this year’s Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence. The Brooklyn resident is one of 49 students in SUNY’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) to take home the honor, which celebrates EOP students for academic achievement and perseverance. Named for the late Norman R. McConney Jr., a former assistant dean at SUNY who helped establish the EOP in 1967, the annual award was conferred in a ceremony on March 9.  

“I was lost for words,” Shy says of the moment he learned he won the award. “It was surreal.” 

Shy began his studies at SUNY Empire in the fall of 2023, three years after he earned an associate degree in general education at SUNY Broome Community College. He credits a friend with encouraging him to pursue his bachelor’s and helping him find the online institution. Once he enrolled at SUNY Empire, Shy says the university made it possible for him to attend classes while maintaining a job.  

“They helped me work around my schedule,” he recalls. “That’s how I was able to get acclimated at SUNY Empire.” 

Now that he’s finished his degree, Shy plans to continue his role as a youth care advocate for a nonprofit that helps young adults access supportive housing and other services. He’s also looking ahead to the future; formerly a paraprofessional, Shy aims to work in a school system as a student advisor or counselor.  

“I’ve been working with kids for 10 years now,” he says. “I feel like that’s where my passion is.” 

Empire State University Student Leads Dancing Club for Older Adults 

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Daniela Del Giorno has been a ballroom and Latin dance instructor for more than two decades. But in recent years, she’s set her sights on educating what she feels is a very special population: adults over 55. That’s the focus of New York City’s Silver Shoes Dance Club, founded by the Bronx-based Empire State University student in 2019.  

“It’s really a health and wellness program that uses social dance classes as a way of improving and encouraging longevity, creativity, community, and connection in older adults,” says Del Giorno, an undergraduate majoring in community and human services. “I really believe that social dancing is a viable form of preventative care socially, emotionally, and physically.” 

Earlier in her career, Del Giorno concentrated on teaching children, working as a dance instructor in elementary schools throughout the city. Within the last eight to 10 years though, the New Yorker shifted her “priorities,” she says, to older students.  

“I just really connected with them in a new and different way,” says Del Giorno, who has also worked with adult learners as an instructor at an Arthur Murray studio. “To see them feel like they had a place to go, to see them build new connections, build new friendships, and to look forward to coming to class every week, I knew that I had to keep doing this work.” 

Recognizing both the benefits of dance and the financial burden imposed by traditional classes, Del Giorno sought a way to offer free instruction for adults in her community. And thus the idea of Silver Shoes Dance Club was born. Supported by grants, the club—which meets in various locations, depending on the availability of funding—is always free of charge to members.  

“For me, it’s important to remove that barrier to participation,” Del Giorno explains. “We need to provide viable, creative preventative care opportunities for older adults, and I don’t think economics should get in the way of that.” 

When she has funding for a class, Del Giorno teaches an average of up to 32 students at a time. The sessions are held in 6- to 12-week increments (“if I’m lucky, it’s longer,” she notes) and are designed to be sequential. 

“They’re meant to grow skills week to week. This is really a learning experience for older adults,” she says. “That’s what I want it to be because we should be challenged as we age. It shouldn’t be that we’re done learning.” 

Learning is important for Del Giorno, too. While she’s used to playing the role of teacher, Del Giorno embraces her studies at SUNY Empire, intentionally choosing classes like Aging and Society that will help her better serve her students.  

“Increasing my knowledge of social services and working with this demographic is supporting the work I do now,” she says.  

Five-Minute Feature: Derrick Siler, President of the Black Male Initiative

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Get to know the Empire State University community through this rapid-fire interview series. What makes SUNY Empire exceptional? The diverse stories, achievements, and dreams of our students. Five minutes—starting now!  

Meet Derrick Siler, a digital media major and president of the university’s Black Male Initiative.    

What are you studying at SUNY Empire? 

I’m a digital media major with a concentration in communications and marketing. Everything I’m studying connects to storytelling, branding, and building platforms that actually move people. I genuinely feel that what I do is not just about creating content but more about creating impact. I’m intentional about learning how media shapes perception, culture, and opportunity, especially for people of color navigating professional spaces. 

What inspired you to study that subject? 

I’ve always been a creative at heart. Photography, branding, leadership, and public relations honestly all live in the same space for me. I realized that the media holds power. It’s voice. It’s legacy. Studying digital media allows me to sharpen what I already do naturally and turn it into a strategy. I understand that I’m building something sustainable, something that lasts. 

How have your experiences with the Black Male Initiative impacted you as a student? 

The Black Male Initiative has reminded me that I don’t have to navigate higher education alone. Being a man of color in an academic space can feel isolating, especially when you’re balancing leadership, work, and life. BMI has provided community, accountability, and affirmation. It’s powerful to be in spaces where excellence is expected of you, but you’re also supported as a whole person. It’s helped me stay grounded and focused on finishing strong. 

How is the Black Male Initiative celebrating Black History Month? 

This year, the Black Male Initiative is hosting a Black History Month Celebration that intentionally honors Black women in law enforcement. We are bringing together high-ranking Black female executives for a powerful panel discussion where they will share their personal journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, and the triumphs they’ve earned in a field that remains largely male-dominated. For us, celebrating Black history means being intentional about who we highlight. It means creating space for Black women leaders whose stories deserve to be heard, respected, and uplifted. This event is about visibility, representation, and continuing a legacy of excellence. 

What do you like most about SUNY Empire? 

The flexibility and the autonomy. SUNY Empire respects that many of us are adult learners, professionals, leaders, and creatives. The structure allows me to show up fully as a student, but also as someone building businesses, leading organizations, and developing professionally. It meets you where you are, but it also pushes you to elevate. 

How do you like to unwind when you’re not studying or working? 

Honestly? I create. Photography and creating content are therapy for me. I also value quiet time to reflect, journal, and reset. I’m also a gamer, so when the PS5 is on, I am locked into my peace. I work hard, so when I unplug, it’s very intentional. 

Behind the Scenes with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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Whether it’s managing Duolingo licenses, sharing resources on cultural awareness, or producing Reason and Respect events, Empire State University’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion contributes to the SUNY Empire community in many ways. Ahead, Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Xiomara Giordano, Program Manager Ade Byron, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Higgins weigh in on their work. 

What does “diversity, equity, and inclusion” mean to you? 

Byron: That is a big question, but I think for me the word that is sometimes tacked on at the end of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” is “belonging.” I love that word, and I think that how I approach a lot of the work—and how our office approaches a lot of the work—is by trying to create a community where everybody has a space and a voice and feels a part of something bigger than themselves. 

Higgins: For me, diversity, equity, and inclusion really just comes down to belonging. It’s about creating a space where people do not just show up, but actually feel comfortable being themselves and feel seen and heard. In my role, I help make that possible in practical ways. I keep things organized, coordinate meetings, manage logistics, and sometimes just serve as a sounding board when someone needs to talk through an idea. I see myself as part of the behind-the-scenes structure that helps the bigger work move forward. I have worked in places that felt very different from this, so I genuinely appreciate the culture we are building. We are intentional about being welcoming and respectful, and I am proud to play a part in that. 

Giordano: As Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), I can say that when I think about diversity, equity and inclusion, I think it is sometimes focused a little disproportionately. Diversity exists; diversity is a fact. The more important words for me are “equity” and “inclusion.” We live in a world where there’s all kinds of people—all kinds of difference. Now, how do we make sure that every person has access to what they need—not the same things, but what they need? The equity part is not that everybody gets one cookie. It’s that everybody gets what they need specifically to be successful, to bring their full selves to this space. And then how do we ensure that those parts of diversity—those parts of difference—are honored and respected and included in decisions, in our traditions, and in the ways that we move as a whole body.  

There are words that are traditionally added onto the acronym, so it’s “diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and belonging.” Those are also important things. We as an access institution have a duty to stand up and ensure that we are being who we say we are and we’re holding space for the things that are right and that we know are right—that when we invite someone into our community, whether that be a student, a faculty member, a staff member, or a guest, we are holding out for them the opportunity to be fully engaged in this space. I’ve noticed people get really confused with equity and equality, and those are not synonymous. They are not the same thing. We try to remind people that each human in this space brings a gift. And for that gift, we give them a platform. That platform is going to look different for each person, but we hold ourselves to that standard to ensure that we do that as much as we can. 

What does a typical workday look like for you? 

Higgins: No two days are the same, which I honestly love. I handle scheduling, travel, budgets, purchasing, and a little bit of everything to keep the office running smoothly. A big part of what I do is thinking ahead. I try to anticipate what might be needed and take care of details before they become issues. I am also someone people bounce ideas off of, and I do my best to keep things steady and positive, especially when it gets busy. At the end of the day, my job is about removing roadblocks so the important work can happen. 

Byron: One of the things that I love about the office is that no two days ever look the same. So much of our work is these initiatives that we’re building, but it’s also responding to what the community needs in that moment. I spend a lot of time responding to emails or meeting with people who have questions about either the work we’re doing or about skills like civil discourse and communicating with one another. We spend a lot of time talking people through those things. I also spend a lot of time planning content for skill building related to civil discourse and cultural awareness, depending on the different workshops we’re offering. Right now we’re working on micro credentials, so I’m building out content for those. I do some research trying to find different resources to share with people and also research to include in what we are teaching the community. Then there’s planning events. Theresa and I both do a lot of reaching out to different people in the community to see if they want to be a panelist on some of the existing programming we have or work with us to plan new programming. I also am a co-advisor for the peer mediation student group. Similarly working with students, we have two student interns in our office, and we have a student who is employed through Empire State Service Corps who works with us. I meet with them regularly.  

Giordano: I have my regular slate of meetings with colleagues and the Office of the President, trying to shuffle ideas around. But then I do a lot of work externally. I work with my professional organization. I’m on the board, so I go out and get information that I bring back—best practices, ways that we should be thinking about moving and shifting. I do a lot of work with SUNY System Administration and the CDOs there to try and figure out what our sister campuses are doing, how we can help them, and how they can help us. I also do a lot of research. I hear about a policy, read the law about the policy, and connect with people who are doing the work around it to make sure that what we’re doing fits our environment. That’s really important. And then I spend as much time as I can getting to know the people in our community, whether that’s through a Teams meeting or walking around the building. You can see me hamster-ing around all the time, up and down the stairs, making sure that I am having human connection so that my work has shape and form—so I remember who I’m doing this work for. 

What do you find most rewarding about your work? 

Giordano: What I find the most rewarding about this work, specifically at SUNY Empire, is going to commencement and being able to see not only the students, because the students are amazing, but also our colleagues cross the stage and support students and their families. It’s truly a community event.  

I was recently speaking to a colleague about Dr. Martin Luther King and his Beloved Community, and I wanted to remind her that it’s not just the big thing. We don’t all have to be in Selma putting our bodies in danger. When you remember someone’s pronouns, you are creating the Beloved Community. When you are helping somebody who needs assistance, you are creating the Beloved Community. I see the embodiment of that big, beautiful work at SUNY Empire every day—people who are taking steps to make things better so we can have the pathway to that Beloved Community. That’s what’s rewarding to me. 

Byron: One of the things that Xiomara said to me before I started working here was “Wait until you see a commencement.” Day to day, when I’m interacting with students, you don’t always see the impact that you’re having. And then you go to commencement and you get to actually talk to them and see them. It’s amazing when they come up and give you a big hug, and they’re like, “Oh my gosh, you did this thing for me.” For me, that thing was maybe an hour out of my day, but they are getting ready to walk across the stage and their whole family is there, and they remember an interaction they had with me because it made their life a little bit better. That’s amazing. I’ve never made it through a commencement without crying. It’s just awesome to see that.  

The other thing that’s rewarding is meeting up with faculty and staff online or in person. I love being able to be thought partners and think about all the things that we could do. Maybe there are things that logistically we can’t put into place, but just being able to dream and collaborate on different initiatives is exciting. I always leave those conversations feeling really full and excited about the work that we do. 

Higgins: Commencement always means a lot to me, and I really enjoy the student conference too. Seeing students excited, engaged, and reaching milestones, especially when we have supported them along the way, makes everything feel worth it. I also take pride in processing grants and honoraria that directly impact students and faculty. A lot of my work happens behind the scenes, but knowing it leads to real opportunities is incredibly rewarding. 

What’s something about your work that might surprise people? 

Higgins: People might be surprised by how much I touch across the institution. Between travel, budgets, purchasing, scheduling, grants, and honoraria, I get to see how a lot of different systems connect. Because of that, I am usually able to troubleshoot quickly and help guide things when questions come up. It is a role that requires flexibility and attention to detail, and I like being someone the team can rely on to keep things moving forward. 

Giordano: One of the things that people don’t realize about this work is that it really is, first of all, about everyone. And while we are the facilitators of this work, we are not the people who make the most impact all the time. There is work for everyone to do, and we can all contribute something valuable. Unfortunately, a lot of people think that diversity, equity, and inclusion is a very binary thing—that it’s just for one group or another. But there’s value and importance in everyone’s story. This is not just about the exoticized identity.  

Byron: Similar to our office not being for one person or one group of people, I think that a lot of times people underestimate the scope of the work we do as well. When you say “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” people automatically think about bias incidents and things like that. We do that work and we do a lot of education around bias and cultural awareness, but one aspect of diversity, equity, and inclusion that gets overlooked that our office is really leaned into is civil discourse and skill building: the conversations and—especially important for SUNY Empire—connection among people. We focus on building spaces for our community to intentionally connect with each other and supporting affinity groups that give people an opportunity to be in community, to learn from one another, to share resources, but also to just be humans with one another. 

Giordano: The affinity groups are spaces where employees come together either through allyship or affinity to share ideas and offer feedback not only to my office, but to the Office of Human Resources about ways that people who have this shared identity might feel better supported. That’s a big part of belonging. We currently have four groups, and we’re always open to offering more opportunities for people to fully engage. We’re always looking for ways to think about how we can bridge those communication gaps. One of the hardest parts of this work is that right now we’re living in an era where people are kind of pulled to poles—they’re really stuck in polarity. We’re in this information overload, but we’re never verifying, we’re not confirming, we’re not leaning in, we’re not being curious. I want to work with our community to figure out how we get curious. That’s really important. Any way that people want to contribute to that conversation about how we build that curiosity muscle, how we lean in, how we feel safe to do that—we’re always excited to hear about that.  
 

SUNY Empire Spotlight: February 2026

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

Lauren Allen, assistant professor and assistant director of CAARES, led a training session on inclusive event descriptions designed to make everyone feel welcome at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. 

Veronica Barrios, associate professor, gave an invited talk at the University of Central Florida’s Counseling Conference. 

Zeeva Bukai, assistant director of writing support, won the National Jewish Book Awards Goldberg Prize for Debut Fiction for her novel, “The Anatomy of Exile.” Published in 2025, the book was also recently reviewed by Jewish Journal. 

Herbert Covington, assistant professor, co-authored a paper accepted for publication by Psychopharmacology.  

Pam Doran, digital accessibility coordinator, presented at a Hispanic Education Technology Services (HETS) event, where she earned a “best student presentation” commendation. 

Brian Frederick, assistant professor, co-authored a report titled “Young, Queer, and Away from Home: Understanding the Experiences & Needs of LGBTIQ+ Children Going Missing or Living Away from Home.” 

Xiomara Giordano, assistant vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer, has been named to the 2026 Fellowship Class for SUNY Leadership Institutes. 

Cailyn Green, assistant professor, and student Amile Cominotti had an article accepted for publication by the Journal of Substance Use.  

Jolie Kennedy, assistant professor, and Director of Opportunity Programs Diana Centanni were selected to keynote the Pedagogy Track at the SUNY Online Summit. The presentation, titled “Year 2036: Co-Creating Sociotechnical Imaginaries Towards Designing Openness into Online Teaching and Learning for Equity-Embedded Digital Spaces,” will explore radical openness and equity-centered design, challenging educators to co-create inclusive, learner-centered spaces that empower students as agents of change. To request a copy of the abstract, contact jolie.kennedy@sunyempire.edu or diana.centanni@sunyempire.edu.

Mindy Kronenberg, visiting assistant professor, wrote a poem included in an ICE anthology, dedicated to the victims of violence in Minneapolis and elsewhere. The anthology was published by Moonstone Arts Center in Philadelphia. 

George Lopez, assistant director of opportunity programs, attended the NASPA Certified Peer Educator (CPE) Training Institute with internship coordinator Asia Moore and academic advisor Madison Townley, as well as four SUNY Empire students. Staff completed the CPE training, and students participated in workshops focused on peer leadership, facilitation skills, and student engagement. 

Ian Reifowitz, SUNY distinguished professor, appeared on France24 to discuss the political implications of the Epstein files. He was also a guest on Politics Done Right with Egberto Willies to talk about his recent book, “Riling up the Base: Examining Trump’s Use of Stereotypes through an Interdisciplinary Lens.” 

Gayle Stever, professor, was quoted in articles by Byrdie, NBC, and New York magazine. 

Lisa Unangst, assistant professor, and Associate Professor Ali Ait Si Mhamed co-authored a paper that has been accepted for presentation by the sixth edition of the Future of Higher Education—Bologna Process Researchers’ Conference (funded in part by UNESCO). 

Two Empire State University Students Receive SUNY Building Bridges Grant

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Empire State University students Yolanda Brown and Sine Rofofsky have been selected as recipients of SUNY’s Building Bridges civic engagement leadership awards. Working together, the pair are one of five student groups across the SUNY system to win the award, which bestows a $5,000 grant to teams leading projects that help unify their university communities.  

Brown and Rofofsky’s project is called “Bridging Perspectives: A Peer-to-Peer Cohort-Based Initiative for Culturally Aware Conflict Resolution.” According to Brown, it “focuses on creating culturally responsive, community‑centered pathways that strengthen trust, communication, and collaboration.” 

“Public higher education is uniquely able to bring students together and provide opportunities for them to learn from and with one another,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said. “Empowering our students to participate in constructive conversations and engage with all members of their campus communities is vital to SUNY’s commitment to civic engagement and academic excellence. This grant program demonstrates how SUNY students are leading the way to foster connection on their campuses and engage in civic engagement and civil discourse.” 

Get to Know Ju Kim, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

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Ju Kim is dean of the recently formed College of Arts and Sciences. Ahead, he shares his love for teaching physics, goals for the new college, and commitment to student success. 

What inspired your career path? Did you always envision a career in academia? 

My career path was inspired by a deep curiosity about how the world works and a desire to help others make sense of complex ideas. I initially entered college with aspirations to become an aeronautical engineer. However, after taking my first university-level physics course, I became captivated by the elegance and explanatory power of physics. That experience fundamentally shaped my direction. 

While I did not always envision a career in academia at the outset, teaching and mentoring students quickly became a calling. Over time, I came to see higher education not only as a place for discovery and learning, but also as a powerful vehicle for expanding opportunity, fostering critical thinking, and preparing students to contribute meaningfully to society. That realization ultimately led me to pursue a long-term academic career that integrates teaching, scholarship, and leadership. 

You’ve taught physics for 23 years. Why that subject?  

What I enjoy most about teaching physics is helping students understand and appreciate how the physical world operates at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Physics provides a unifying framework for understanding nature, and guiding students to see connections between theory, experimentation, and real-world phenomena is deeply rewarding. Watching students develop confidence as they begin to think like scientists has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. 

You’re the dean of the new College of Arts and Sciences. What’s one goal you have for the college, and how are you hoping to achieve it? 

One of my primary goals for the new College of Arts and Sciences is to leverage its collective strengths across the arts, humanities, sciences, mathematics, and technology to better support existing programs and develop innovative interdisciplinary offerings. I want the college to serve as an academic home that encourages collaboration, creativity, and intellectual integration. 

I hope to achieve this by working closely with students, faculty, department chairs, other deans, and university partners. By fostering open communication, strategically aligning resources, and supporting faculty-driven initiatives, we can create new opportunities for students and better prepare them for their academic, professional, and civic futures. 

What excites you most about your job? 

What excites me most about my role is the opportunity to work with both internal and external stakeholders to support student success and faculty success. Serving as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences allows me to collaborate closely with faculty and students to advance the mission of Empire State University. 

I am energized by the chance to help shape academic programs, support innovation in teaching and scholarship, and remove barriers that impede student progress. I strongly believe that the university’s success is inseparable from that of its students and faculty, and contributing to that shared success is deeply meaningful to me. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your approach to your role as dean? 

One aspect of my approach that I would emphasize is my commitment to collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven leadership. I believe effective academic leadership begins with listening to and understanding the needs and aspirations of students, faculty, and staff and building trust through transparency and shared purpose. 

I also view my role as one of stewardship: supporting academic excellence while ensuring that institutional decisions align with long-term sustainability and equity. My background as a faculty member, department chair, and dean allows me to approach leadership with empathy, respect for shared governance, and a strong focus on student success.