Where Care and Career Intersect: Sara Luna’s Journey at Empire State University

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — May 15, 2025) After years of military service, Sara Margaret Elizabeth Luna decided she would work towards her bachelor’s degree to better serve her office and open the door to new possibilities. Born in Marathon, New York, she is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in government contracting and communications and will be walking in the Manhattan commencement ceremony on May 21.

Luna enlisted in the military in 2003, halfway through her senior year of high school. “I graduated high school on a Sunday in June, and then, the next day I was at MEPS processing—and the next day … I was on my very first airplane ride to BMT [basic military training] for the Air Force over in Texas,” she comments. Since, her assignments have taken her from Oklahoma to California and beyond. Currently, Luna is serving as the contracting superintendent at the New York Air National Guard.

What prompted Luna to initially join Empire State University was the goal of seeking out a higher warrant for signing contracts, something that comes with more advanced academic credentials. After a series of attempts to enroll at other institutions that didn’t feel “military-friendly,” she decided to switch her approach. “Come October 2023, I was like, you know what? I’m going to give Empire State University a try and just see what they do. Within 24 hours they had me enrolled,” she says.

Prior learning assessment (PLA)—another trait of the university’s that appealed to Luna upon enrollment—aims to recognize knowledge and skills that students may have gained outside of traditional classroom settings. Luna was one of many students who applied to obtain college credit befitting her career experience, which allowed her to focus on credits dedicated to new knowledge and skills.

Her father’s sudden passing is a significant challenge that Luna faced during her time at Empire State University. Yet, amid trying to earn her BA, while balancing school, work, and other responsibilities, there was, unexpectedly, also space for her grief: “This is the only college that had somebody texting me saying, ‘Hey, how’s it going? We’re here for you. Whatever you need,’” she notes about the university’s student support figures.

As her academic journey comes to a close, Luna feels pride in having fulfilled the requirements for her program of study and earned her bachelor’s degree. This comes with the achievement of obtaining a higher warrant for signing contracts, which boosts her career opportunities moving forward. “My goal was the degree. It was huge for me to achieve this based on talking with my current leadership and them saying, ‘We need you to get a higher warrant, which means you need a degree,’” she explains.

Luna’s experience at Empire State University has been underscored by the all-embracing support of faculty and staff members, for which she lightheartedly says, “The advice I have for prospective students is that they should enroll at Empire State University.” Then, thoughtfully, she adds, “Give yourself grace, and make sure that your time management skills are on par.”

Looking ahead, Luna aims to pursue a master’s degree at Empire State University— “I enjoy taking care of people, so [my advisor] gave me three different options, and they’re in the nonprofit realm of degrees,” she says.

Kamelyn Báez Peña on Empire State University’s Dual Degree Program and Keeping Your Culture Close

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(MANHATTAN, NY — May 13, 2025) Kamelyn Báez Peña has been working hard to earn a dual B.S. degree from Empire State University and Universidad APEC (UNAPEC) of the Dominican Republic in business management with a concentration in economics. On May 22, she will walk the stage at the New York City Center in Manhattan to celebrate her achievement.

Local to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, Báez Peña resides in a multigenerational household with her mother, sister, and niece. She underscores the beauty of her hometown, and her eyes light up as she shares her love of Dominican cuisine. For first-time visitors, she recommends cultural staple dishes like “la bandera,” “the flag,” which contains rice, beans, chicken, fried plantains, and salami.

The dual degree program, which she has completed remotely from Santo Domingo, provides several concentrations students can choose from–including finance, economics, human resources, and management, among others. Báez Peña comments, “I chose economics—I like that concentration.”

Báez Peña was enrolled in UNAPEC prior to joining Empire State University through the dual degree program offered between both universities, which has stood since 2006. The program recently garnered new interest through its first residency hosted in the Dominican Republic since before the pandemic.

Receiving her first degree in international business is what incited Báez Peña to pursue the dual degree program, as it covers related areas such as finance, economics, and management. “[The dual degree program] gave me the confidence to do things—I never studied in another language [before]. It was a huge change,” she comments. Báez Peña feels that Empire State University has equipped her with tools for academic success that support both online learning and learning in a different language.

Seeing case studies from economies Báez Peña was familiar with in homework assignments and other course content fueled that sense of confidence, strengthening the learning outcomes of her academic journey. An experience that stands out to her is learning under Professor Luis Camacho, who is also from the Dominican Republic. To provide students with a comprehensive view of the subject matter, Camacho approached teaching Ethics for Global Economy from the perspective of both U.S. and Dominican economic and political processes. Now, Báez Peña is receiving two degrees that attest to her ability to apply economic principles across contexts, as well as her bilingual capabilities.

She feels fulfilled by her acceptance to the dual degree program between Empire State University and UNAPEC—an opportunity which not all students in her position were able to attain. The program has provided a multicultural lens for her studies—a useful vantage point in today’s increasingly globalized and interlinked world.

There may be a master’s degree on the horizon for Báez Peña—she comments that she would like to continue her studies abroad, in Spain. She is most drawn to e-commerce, international economy, or international commerce as potential areas of study. Báez Peña also hopes to apply for scholarships that will aid her academic journey. “I’m interested not only in the economies themselves, but in the way they shape and influence the lives of people who participate in them,” she explains, “It’s not just numbers.”

Being an international student has shaped Báez Peña’s academic journey in many ways, including navigating the balance between assimilation and staying true to one’s own cultural identity. She believes in the power of timing, and the importance of discipline when it comes to succeeding in online learning environments. “What’s most rewarding is the university providing opportunities [for students],” says Báez Peña about her journey as a forthcoming graduate of the dual degree program. She advises fellow international students to “always do your best, and keep your country with you.”

Committed to Care: Khavel Smith-Martin’s Journey in Applied Behavior Analysis

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – May 8, 2025) Among Empire State University’s impressive cohort of spring graduates is Khavel Smith-Martin, who is receiving her M.S. in applied behavior analysis (ABA) at Albany’s commencement ceremony on May 9. She is from “the beautiful island of Jamaica,” and currently lives in Queens, NY.

Smith-Martin is a soon-to-be two-time graduate of Empire State University, having received her bachelor’s degree in human development in 2016. She praises Empire State University’s user-friendly online system, which allowed her to balance coursework, personal, and professional life. “What really makes the difference, though, is the warm and welcoming nature of the professors… that sense of connection and flexibility made SUNY Empire the clear choice for continuing my education. [Its professors] don’t just teach, they build real connections with students, showing genuine care for our goals and growth,” Smith-Martin says.

While working with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, Smith-Martin had the opportunity to connect with families raising children on the autism spectrum, an experience which brought her closer to her passion for ABA and inspired her to pursue her master’s degree. “Witnessing their daily challenges and unwavering commitment deeply moved me. I felt a strong desire to be more than just a supportive presence—I wanted to be equipped with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference in their lives,” comments Smith-Martin.

Parenthood was another important path that led her to pursue her M.S. in ABA—she believes in being a good role model and inspiring children through one’s own actions as a parent: “Saying ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,’ and being the true, real-life example, was a realization that inspired me,” she explains, adding that she aims to provide meaningful support to families and their children through the skill she has learned in her degree program.

Working towards her M.S. in ABA has shown Smith-Martin the importance of self-discipline and time management, both of which were essential to her academic success in an online learning environment. “With the flexibility of online learning comes the responsibility of holding yourself accountable… this experience not only helped me grow academically but has also strengthened my confidence and independence as a student, parent, and professional,” she says.

The M.S. in ABA program enabled Smith-Martin to gain a deeper understanding of her field, and how to successfully apply that in real-world situations. “Through my coursework and practicum experiences, I’ve grown more confident in implementing behavior intervention plans, collecting and analyzing data, and supporting clients with greater precision and care,” comments Smith-Martin. This aligns with her long-term goal of becoming a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA).

Completing the M.S. in applied behavior analysis has made a tangible impact on her work with families and children: “The most rewarding part has been seeing how what I learn in class directly improves the lives of the clients I work with. Applying evidence-based strategies and watching a child gain a new skill or a family feel more supported—that’s where it all comes full circle,” she explains.

Smith-Martin says, “This program will challenge you—but in the best way.” Her advice to prospective students is: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, lean on your professors and peers, and make time to reflect on your growth. Also—remember why you started. Keep that purpose close.”

She will be taking the BCBA exam following commencement, and aspires to continue growing in the field of applied behavior analysis. “I’m passionate about supporting children with autism and their families, and I hope to take on more leadership roles—I also plan to stay connected with mentors and continue learning, because growth in this field never really stops,” shares Smith-Martin.

The Bravery of Beginning: Spring 2025 Commencement Student Voices

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(MANHATTAN, NY – May 5, 2025) For each commencement ceremony, Empire State University selects a student representative to speak on behalf of their class by sharing their academic journey—typically, they are a student in good academic standing who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to learning despite any challenges.

This year’s student speakers have felt, each in their own way, scared to take the first step that got them where they are now: pursuing a college education. Today, they all look back on their journeys fondly and feel gratitude for having taken that leap into the unknown. They celebrate academic success, as well as personal and professional growth, because they were all brave enough to step in the direction of their dreams even if the path ahead was uncertain. Here is a snapshot of Empire State University’s four spring 2025 commencement student speakers:

Meet Jenny Edwards, Commencement student speaker for the Albany ceremony

Photo courtesy of Jenny Edwards.

Edwards, who hails from Cambridge, NY, considers the ability to personalize degree programs the most unique part of her education at Empire State University. As a graduate student, she focused on embodied learning theory for adult learning, and merged it with two other passions: cello-playing and writing. She is graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Adult Learning.

“I hadn’t played the cello in ten years and journaled that experience. Two whole years I was doing this… then my capstone project was on how to be a responsive educator through cello-playing and writing an educational biography—it all meshed together. I wrote a lengthy book this semester about it,” she explains.

Edwards stepped away from college at age 19 due to financial hardship, returning to her education in 2015 at the age of 40 after homeschooling her six children. As a non-traditional student, she has balanced academics with several professional experiences—from being a preschool teacher to lecturing at community colleges in the area—and excelled. In 2020, Edwards was recognized with the Chancellor’s award while pursuing her BA, and even got to graduate at the same time as her second son. Edwards also runs the Battenkill Valley Pride organization.

“I’ve always said I wanted to go back and teach at a community college level, in those introductory, very important, foundational classes for educating young children,” comments Edwards when asked about an objective she has fulfilled while at Empire State University. “That goal is fulfilled, right?” she adds, smiling.

While she is currently taking a moment to celebrate her successes, Edwards is also at a point she describes the following way: “When you get to what you think is the mountaintop but realize there’s still a little bit more to go. It’s funny that one goal has led to another, which was not one that I expected,” she laughs.

She thanks her first professor at Hudson Valley Community College, Eileen Mahoney, for encouraging her to pursue her passions: “[She was] the perfect person, at the perfect time, to set me on this path. 10 years later, I am graduating with honors, I get to be a commencement speaker, and I earned my master’s degree.”

Her advice to share is: “Do it, even if you’re scared.” Hear more about her journey and insights at the Albany Commencement ceremony on May 9.

Meet Deanna Barrera, student speaker for the first Manhattan ceremony

Photo courtesy of Deanna Barrera.

Born in Levittown, NY, Barrera is receiving her master’s degree from Empire State University in applied behavior analysis. She is a special education teacher at a D75 Title I school in Queens, and is constantly in pursuit of more knowledge with which she can better support her students.

“A goal I have accomplished [while at Empire State University] is expanding my knowledge of special education and people with exceptionalities and disabilities… I had more to learn, and I’m extremely grateful,” she shares.

Additionally, Barrera is receiving her master’s degree with a 4.0 GPA, which she considers another goal met, as she was just shy of 4.0 at the time she obtained her bachelor’s degree. She is a first-generation college student with a passion for education, and she aims to obtain her doctorate degree following graduation.

When asked what she considers the most unique part of her journey at Empire State University, Barrera comments, “Forming an online community—it’s something I hadn’t expected when I signed up for an asynchronous program. I’ve been able to connect with faculty, who have pointed me in the right direction, and have met many new people through this program, one of which I ended up doing my field work with—we’ve become such close friends.”

Barrera is involved in several initiatives that support individuals with disabilities and has worked closely with Empire State University’s Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES), whose team of professionals have helped shape her understanding of autism and special education.

“I am extremely grateful for what this program has taught me in regard to the ethics code of clinical work,” says Barrera.

When it comes to encouraging her peers and community, Barrera’s advice is to “just take chances. You only regret the chances you don’t take. You never know where they might lead you.” She will be walking in the first Manhattan ceremony to receive her master’s degree and address ceremony attendees on May 21.

Meet Serrina Goodman, student speaker for the second Manhattan ceremony

Photo courtesy of Serrina Goodman.

Graduating with a Master of Business Administration degree in Business Management, Goodman strongly believes in doing things “on purpose.” The self-proclaimed Baltimorean-New Yorker considers the demystification of higher education the most unique aspect of being a student at Empire State University.

“In all the attempts I had made, it just seemed so complex. Then I met Amy Ruth Tobol, and she taught me how to break it down, understand it, and navigate it. It was an amazing journey, and it still is,” shares Goodman.

Her path has been one of resilience, which has led her towards living with intentionality, something that she encourages others to harness when they step into each new day. “I’m a 13-year breast cancer survivor,” says Goodman, “when I was faced with the possibility that life could be short for me, it was like ‘everything you said you’re going to do—do it.’ I had no time to waste.”

A personal goal she has fulfilled while working towards her degree is starting a production company. “I don’t want to work for anyone else—I have three adult children. One thing that I said was, ‘when you walk, I walk.’ What that meant was when my son graduated from college, that meant I’d put all three of my children through college, and it was now time for me to walk—for me… Eventually, I’ll get my doctoral degree. These are goals that I set for myself, and I aim to reach each and every one of them,” she explains.

At present, Goodman is working to create the Empire State Cancer Awareness Network, which aims to support survivors of cancer in the Empire State University community. “I work with the SHARE Cancer Support AfroSHARE division and Sister 2 Sister Mentorship Program, servicing all boroughs and doing presentations on breast cancer awareness and gynecologic cancers—that’s what I’m bringing to Empire State University as an additional resource available to everyone,” she says.

Her wish is for anyone who faces challenges, whether visible or not, to know that they can fulfill their dream— “that’s the reason why I agreed to speak,” Goodman adds. She will be receiving her MBA at the second Manhattan ceremony, and looks forward to sharing what she has learned with those in attendance.

Meet Stephanie Weinman, student speaker for the Rochester ceremony

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Weinman.

Weinman—a Rochester native—considers herself a non-traditional student given her 30-year pause in pursuing higher education, during which she tended to her family life, raising two sons, and worked full-time. Now, graduating at age 50, she celebrates the achievement of a goal that she never thought she would pursue again: being a student.

“I never considered myself going back to school after 30 years,” shares Weinman, “and being a student—a good student—that was a big goal for me. I really can’t believe that’s where I’m at right now.”

Weinman feels that the uniqueness of her journey at Empire State University was underscored by being part of an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), as well as being a SUNY EOP Ambassador throughout the 2023-2024 academic year.

“Being part of an EOP was really special for me as well—it was a whole other community within the school community,” she comments. As an EOP student who has overcome great obstacles in pursuing academic and personal success, Weinman was also recognized with one of SUNY’s highest honors: the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence.

Weinman has always gravitated towards activism, allyship, and social justice, which led her to enroll at Empire State University and focus on earning her bachelor’s degree in community and human services. Her passion lies in broadening access to proper health care and necessary resources for women and all marginalized communities.

Her recent work with international non-profit organization, Girls Rock! Rochester, involves using music as a conduit for personal growth and positive change for girls, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Weinman is a strong proponent of pursuing one’s goals even in the face of uncertainty. She advises, “Step over the line of fear and do the things that scare you, because that is where the good stuff is in life.”

She will be walking in the Rochester Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, and sharing more insights and words of encouragement with graduates and attendees.

Empire State University Dual Degree Program Hosts Residency in the Dominican Republic

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(MANHATTAN, NY — April 18, 2025) Empire State University Academic Director of the Lebanon Residency Program and Center for International Education, Jeannine Mercer, oversaw the first post-pandemic dual Bachelor of Science degree program residency on Universidad APEC’s Santo Domingo campus in the Dominican Republic this March.

UNAPEC, the location for the dual B.S. degree program residency, has been in partnership with Empire State University since 2006 to provide students in the Dominican Republic a dual Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in any of the offered business concentrations. Upon program completion, students receive two degrees: one from UNAPEC in the Dominican Republic, and an American degree from Empire State University in New York.

Mercer, who is nearing 20 years at Empire State University, is central to the organization and implementation of international residencies at partner institutions in Lebanon and Cyprus. She coordinates similar work with Empire State University’s partner university in Thessaloniki, Greece, where she resides. Parallel to these responsibilities, Mercer also teaches and develops courses for students abroad and stateside.

The last dual degree program residency hosted at UNAPEC took place prior to the global COVID-19 pandemic, in 2019. This spring, the presence of Mercer’s cohort boosted the residency program, resulting in new interest from students. The program’s reactivation also served to refresh staff and faculty on its academic offerings and goals, so they can better inform interested students.

This year’s residency orientation included students, UNAPEC staff, and Empire State University staff—attending both in-person and remotely—which fostered a welcoming environment rooted in international connection. Students received a one-on-one advising meeting from Academic Program Director for the Dominican Republic, Lorette Calix, to determine their course requirements for Empire State University. Finally, the group spent time getting to know UNAPEC employees new to the team since the last residency in 2019.

The residency was attended by all students enrolled in the UNAPEC/SUNY Empire dual B.S. degree program. Empire State University representation at UNAPEC drew curious potential new students to an open house session directed at answering their questions regarding the dual B.S. degree program.

It was Mercer’s first in-person teaching experience since 2019, which resulted in surprising learning exchanges in the classroom, “Listening to and watching these Gen Z students brought me closer to their interests… as an educator, the more I can get into the heads of our students, the better I can relate to them and find ways to enhance their learning experiences,” she says.

Throughout the residency, Mercer aimed to hold daily 3-hour classroom instruction for the writing course, Communication for Success: Advanced, as opposed to the once-weekly Zoom class typical to the course. “We learned so much in this short time span,” Mercer comments, “This intensive experience allowed the students to bond with each other, creating the feeling of a true cohort.”

Breaking Language Barriers with Machine Translation at Empire State University

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — April 17, 2025) With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, Empire State University is uniquely positioned to apply new tools towards a more efficient and inclusive online learning and work environment. One of the leading applications of AI technology in such settings lies in facilitating multilingual communication to foster inclusion and collaboration. As the only online, public university of New York, Empire State University is taking strides towards opening doors to higher education through the application of innovative technology.

“Machine translation” is the use of AI technology to streamline translation processes, which have historically been the domain of human translators. Since its first appearance in the 1940s, machine translation has been refined and can undertake large translation tasks in a matter of seconds, accommodate most world languages with sufficient accuracy, and learn to work within the parameters of human-provided prompts. With the upcoming arrival of Empire State University’s first Spanish BBA cohort this Fall, university departments have been preparing their materials in Spanish with some assistance from machine translation.  

Translation becomes an instrumental tool for inclusion and multilingual collaboration at Empire State University, which is driven by its commitment to broadening access to higher education. Pamela Doran, digital accessibility coordinator, two-time alum, and current Ed.D. student, is committed to ensuring that machine translation runs seamlessly, as well as raising awareness surrounding accessibility in digital environments for staff, faculty, and students. Doran has been instrumental in facilitating the use of machine translation at the university, aiding its informally named bilingual team in preparing each department’s website page, necessary documents, student supports, and more. With support from Dan Kittay, assistant director of web services, in finetuning early stages of her custom Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) prompt, she has brought the university “Linguo.”

What sets Linguo—Doran’s translation tool—apart from Google Translate or standard ChatGPT? Linguo is a custom GPT translation prompt, tailored specifically to the needs of Empire State University’s translation team as they undertake university-wide translation projects. It has instructions to adopt an approachable tone, accessible language, and even follows the university’s Spanish language glossary created by linguists Perla Zamitiz and Claire Ziamandanis, with contributions from the bilingual team at large.

“When the human informs the machine,” explains Doran, “it takes the cognitive lift off the [bilingual] team.” With machine translation, the bulk of the human translation work—which spans the entire university website, documents for application, enrollment, financial aid, and beyond—is less strenuous and yields more consistent content in shorter spans of time.”

Machine translation through Linguo provides a reliable first pass at translating from English to Spanish, while preserving the meaning and clarity of content. Linguo’s responses are assessed by bilingual staff at Empire State University who are native or near native Spanish speakers, ensuring translations are always in line with Empire State University’s organizational identity and messaging. With this close monitoring from bilingual team staff who provide Linguo feedback on how well it meets the specified requirements, preparations for the first class of the Spanish BBA have been timely and thorough, ensuring digital accessibility needs are met.

The impacts of machine translation on digital accessibility overlap with conversations about universal design for learning (UDL), a process through which barriers to learning are decreased. In the case of Empire State University, machine translation is being used to support SUNY’s UDL project through adapting university materials to account for variety in language and disabilities. Machine translation tools offered to staff, faculty, and students have a range of uses, from transmitting the same information to speakers of diverse world languages simultaneously, to ensuring a student with a hearing disability has equal access to presentation content as their peers by means of subtitles.

To raise awareness on the tools available to Empire State University’s community and support UDL on its online campus, in classrooms, and in offices, Doran is currently designing a Brightspace course that will cover translation tools built into Microsoft products as well as Brightspace.

Taking Education Outside with Professor Dan Nyaronga: The Importance of Experiential Learning

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — April 9 2025) Despite achieving a deep familiarity with their areas of expertise, students often need guidance on what career paths are available to them. Professor Dan Nyaronga’s aim is to help students unearth their passions and apply their programs of study to practical work paths that are meaningful to them.

Nyaronga, a professor of Psychology and Human Development, has been teaching at Empire State University for the past 16 years. Previously, he worked at UC Berkeley as part of an alcohol research group, analyzing data on the epidemiology of drinking and its impact on physical and mental health for different populations in the U.S. Before joining Empire State University, he was a senior research associate at Purdue University’s Military Family Research Institute. His work there focused on how children under the age of five conceptualize post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military families. To support this research, the team collaborated with Sesame Street to develop an educational, age-appropriate DVD on the topic.

Nyaronga praises Empire State University’s flexible teaching and learning model, which allows him to carry out research and hold classes simultaneously. His research at the university continues his focus on the health outcomes of PTSD in military families. This work relies on the support of the Office of Veteran and Military Education (OVME), as well as the Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC) for data collection from the university’s veteran student population. He has also worked with refugee populations based in Buffalo, studying PTSD and its roots in their traumatic journeys before and after they arrive in the U.S.

Recently, Nyaronga delivered a presentation for his capstone class in Prague, Czech Republic, titled, “From the Classroom to the Real World: Applying Academic Principles in Field Work.” He underscored the importance of experiential learning in discovering each student’s career path. Experiential learning takes place outside a traditional classroom setting, usually through experiences such as study abroad, capstone projects, and internships. “This is significant because, in the age of AI, undergraduate degrees are no longer enough—especially for employers seeking specific skill sets, competencies, and examples of what students can achieve beyond degrees and grades,” he explains.

Drawing from the experiences of past students who landed in meaningful careers and projects because of experiential learning, Nyaronga encouraged students to pursue hands-on experiences in their fields of study during his presentation. He explained how this form of learning is a powerful tool for students to figure out the kind of work they feel passionate about, which leads them to fulfilling occupations. “Every student that goes [on study abroad] comes back with something…they are able to broaden their view with regards to what is happening outside of the United States,” he explains.

His deep appreciation for experiential learning stems from his own fieldwork experiences. Nyaronga emphasizes the importance of approaching study abroad projects with respect for what is already being done in a community, with the goal of further empowering its members and adding value to its existing practices.

In discussing student outcomes post-experiential learning, Nyaronga comments that some students decided to continue their projects after graduating, even continuing their research-based community projects for their dissertations at various institutions, or changing their careers.

The takeaway from Nyaronga’s presentation in Prague is for students to think intentionally about their education, and frame their learning in terms of a tangible, lifelong career path they can be fulfilled by. An internship, capstone class project, or study abroad experience can help students witness the real-life applications of their fields of study, providing a glimpse into the future, and what work it may hold. “What I’m working on is helping each student develop a true sense of purpose—not just to ‘find themselves,’ but to understand why they’re doing what they’re doing. It’s about connecting their goals with meaning, so their path forward feels intentional and fulfilling.”

Liv Thygesen on Equitable Education at Empire State University

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – April 7, 2025) For the past year, Liv Thygesen has worked hard to develop disability services materials in Spanish in preparation for Empire State University’s new Spanish BBA. As a bilingual disability specialist for the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS), she serves the university’s Spanish-speaking student population by connecting them to necessary accommodations and resources that will support and enrich their learning.

Thygesen, a Greenwich native, comments, “It’s very rural,” about the area. Though Spanish speakers aren’t strongly present in the area, Thygesen’s dad strived for his children to grow up speaking more than one language: “When I was little, my dad took time to give us Spanish lessons. We had a pyramid on a piece of paper, and for each lesson, we would get a star. If we filled up the pyramid, we would get a prize,” she recounts. This eased Thygesen into the idea of bilingualism from an early age.

Having excelled in French classes throughout high school, Thygesen decided to enroll in Spanish classes as a sophomore and continued  testing out of beginner’s courses. At nineteen, she was a part-time college student when she decided to enlist in the Marines, where she frequently encountered Spanish in her duty stations. “Spanish was everywhere [in the military], and I knew enough that I could pass as a speaker without schooling,” she says. Thygesen recalls having the ‘noticias’—the news—on often while being stationed in San Diego, always seeking opportunities to further her knowledge and command of the Spanish language.

After serving in the Marines, Thygesen was GI Bill-eligible and earned her degree from the College of Saint Rose in just three years—a dual bachelor’s degree in Spanish and education. There, she was taught and mentored by two other members of Empire State University’s ‘bilingual team’: Linguist Claire Ziamandanis and Director of Spanish Language Programs Silvia Mejía. Under her advisor, Ziamandanis’s, guidance, Thygesen went on study abroad trips to Panama, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. Supplemented by personal travel whenever she was able, Thygesen developed her Spanish skills through bursts of immersion.

Once she became a parent, she encouraged bilingualism in her own children’s upbringing: “I never let my two older kids listen to or watch English shows,” she says, “If they wanted to watch a cartoon, it had to be in Spanish, so they actually spoke Spanish going into kindergarten.” Starting to learn Spanish at an early age undoubtedly shaped her drive for language learning, which she brings to her family life, as much as she does to her work at Empire State University. She has been steadfast in her pursuit of language, remarking, “I taught high school French and Spanish, and while I was doing that and working full time—a single mom at home—I went to grad school full-time to get my master’s in English as a second language.”

She reflects on being brought onboard at Empire State University: “It was an honor when I got hired, and they said, ‘we’re going to be doing translations and building this program—we’re doing this.’ It’s awesome. I’m using all my degrees now and doing what I went to school for, for the first time,” Thygesen shares.

The Spanish BBA program is an initiative she feels is advancing equitability in higher education, particularly from her vantage point as bilingual disability specialist. “Language is not a barrier, if you don’t let it be,” Thygesen explains. “Just like with disability—we have the social model, which means society reshapes itself so that the disability is not framed as a problem.”

Language is the next logical area for development at Empire State University, given its mission of increasing access to higher education in New York state and beyond. Spanish speaking populations are steadily growing across the country, increasing the demand for Spanish language academic opportunities—a need that the Spanish BBA is designed to fill. “I hope this sets an example culturally, countrywide, that we can accommodate more languages than English,” Thygesen says.

Her work, like that of other bilingual employees at Empire State University, focuses on ensuring equitable access for Spanish-dominant students to the same materials and opportunities available to English-speaking students. Doing so evens out the terrain of higher education, with the aim of bolstering the academic success of each student by meeting individual needs. “To have something completely in Spanish means people who normally may have been intimidated by a language barrier can now show their full capability, full knowledge, in the best way possible—through their first language,” comments Thygesen.

Claire Ziamandanis on Loving Linguistics and Empire State University’s Spanish BBA

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — March 25, 2025) In light of Empire State University’s new Spanish BBA program launching this Fall, various staff members have been undertaking large-scope translation projects. Among them is Claire Ziamandanis, one of two linguists who are preparing all the necessary materials Spanish BBA students will need access to in their native language to navigate higher education with ease.

Ziamandanis, who joined Empire State University in late September of last year, is a New York native hailing from Weedsport. “More cows than people,” she jokes. She reflects on growing up with a narrow range of experiences and people, where her first encounter with language-learning was in early high school. When Ziamandanis was a high school senior, she became friends with an exchange student from Mexico, which facilitated language immersion: “We were just laughing, going on and on. All of a sudden, it was like ‘this is all in Spanish, this is the coolest thing on the planet.’”

Once Ziamandanis entered her college years at Saint Lawrence University, her Spanish instructor encouraged her to study abroad a year ahead of her peers due to her advanced skill level. “She called my mother personally… because my language abilities were ready to take off abroad. So, I went from Weedsport. The first time I went to New York City was to fly out to Spain,” she shares.

Study abroad was a transformative experience for Ziamandanis, who comments: “It was a kind of freedom, because we were this compact group in Weedsport—everybody knew each other. To get dumped into a big city… suddenly I could be whoever I wanted to be. And the language came pretty quickly.” The experience taught her much about the world, other people, customs, food, and herself. “It just opened my eyes and completely changed my view of the world and the possibilities that are out there,” she says with a smile.

Bringing her love of language to Empire State University has been a highly gratifying and motivating experience for Ziamandanis. “I am amazed every day that I log on to work at the energy and camaraderie that has been formed within this team of bilingual employees. It feels like there’s a greater cause at the center of what we are doing. When we start talking about the different ways of saying things, that’s right up my alley—I love words. I love playing with words,” she says warmly.

Ziamandanis who has a Ph.D. in Linguistics, is no stranger to the often-solitary life of a translator. Yet, her experience at Empire State University differs from the norm. The sense of community that working as part of a bilingual team has brought her imbues her work with joy. In past roles, she has felt a waning appreciation for language: “I come from a place where languages have been undervalued. This is completely different—we’ve got a President who is a Spanish speaker… I think that really underlies my feeling of confidence in the way we’re approaching what we can bring to Spanish-speaking people,” she comments.

She narrates an experience with a friend from Mexico who was helping her install door handles and following Spanish directions throughout the process, which she was curious about given his reliable English-speaking skills. He shared that he felt more confident carrying out the installation following instructions in his native language despite being bilingual. “The idea that we’re providing services in Spanish for many people, it’s just making sure that they’re getting the full meaning, even though they function in English,” says Ziamandanis about the translation preparations that accompany the launch of the university’s Spanish BBA.

As she reflects on the process of readying university departments to assist Spanish speakers, she credits Director of Spanish Language Programs, Silvia Mejía: “I think Silvia is an unsung hero in the way she’s built a team, runs, and works through meetings. It’s allowing people who are monolingual in English to start to feel more comfortable about [the university] becoming a bilingual community.”  She underscores the excitement among English-speaking staff members working in tandem with the bilingual team, feeling cheerful each time they start to pick up Spanish words and phrases.

Looking ahead, Ziamandanis hopes the university expands structured degree offerings both in Spanish and bilingual form, saying, “I think people may want more courses offered in Spanish. The true goal is a bilingual approach, and I fully support that.” In considering the broader implications of the new Spanish BBA program, she observes, “The real opportunity is for this program to incorporate both issues from the U.S. as well as global issues when we’re talking about business administration. That could be something that stands out among the different BBA programs that are offered in the U.S.”

Ziamandanis asserts, “You learn a language like I did—by suddenly realizing you’re having fun and you’re doing it in another language. You let your brain take over.” Ever the advocate for learning through language immersion, she highlights additional benefits of language-learning, ranging from positive effects in delaying cognitive illness to shifting thought from judgement to curiosity with regards to other cultures.

ODEI Launches Duolingo Spanish Language Learning Pilot Program

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — March 17, 2025) Spanish language learning is on the rise at Empire State University—with its existing Latino student body population, and the arrival of the new Spanish BBA program’s inaugural class this fall, the university seeks to promote connection and a welcoming environment for all members of its community. In partnership with Duolingo, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) has launched the Duolingo Spanish Language Learning Pilot Program and is offering 50 yearlong premium licenses for the language-learning platform to staff and faculty members on a first-come, first-served basis.

Xiomara Giordano, assistant vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer explains, “This an opportunity for us to show up for ourselves and each other, and think about the ways that language moves the world that we live in.”

All faculty and staff members are eligible. Those interested must complete the application by March 31to enter the selection pool. Selected participants should utilize the language-learning tool regularly, and will be asked to provide feedback on their experience to help shape future offerings for prospective Spanish language learners at Empire State University.

Duolingo is one of the leading free language-learning platforms, with over 500 million users worldwide. The tool, which can be conveniently accessed from mobile devices, offers the following premium additions to its standard learning content: feedback on areas of difficulty and the opportunity to review those skills, unlimited tries to learn at each user’s own pace, and no ads. “It allows you a little bit more of the full access that you need in order to be successful,” comments Giordano.

The interactive nature of Duolingo’s language-learning model makes it a popular choice for those seeking to add another language to their repertoire. “I know that the gamify nature of Duolingo felt really appealing to folks,” says Giordano. The platform also offers a community-based component that allows users to connect and compete in challenges with other learners.

ODEI will receive analytics reports from the platform to gain insight into the program’s success through observing usage and learning progress. If any participants decide the program is not a good fit for them, the license will be returned to ODEI and transferred to the first person on the waitlist.

Moving forward, ODEI seeks to expand access to Spanish language-learning resources for faculty and staff that will enable them to connect with students more efficiently. Part of this relies on the efforts of Spanish BBA program linguists, Perla Zamitiz and Claire Ziamandanis, who are building a guide with commonly used phrases and words in higher education to create a knowledge base for Empire State University employees.

Giordano underscores that the work doesn’t stop there: “What are the additional tools that we can offer along with Duolingo… what else do people need? This is just the very beginning.”