Meet Luis Camacho, Academic Coordinator of the New Spanish BBA

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For the past 12 years, Luis Camacho, academic coordinator of the Spanish BBA and assistant professor in the College of Business, has championed sustainability in his business and marketing lessons to Empire State University students. Camacho, who has over 30 years of teaching experience across different countries, has also nurtured international bonds with companies as a business consultant for 20 years.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Camacho has always possessed a deep passion for education, and views it as a tool through which societies can be transformed for the better. “Being in academia, being in education—it is the highest way to bet on the future generations,” he says. His aim is to implement a humanistic approach to business, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices to his students.

With his many years in education, Camacho appreciates how bilingualism affords him the ability to reach diverse student populations. “Being bilingual, for me, is an opportunity. I can be connected with several cultures.” He emphasizes the importance of transcending language barriers to increase access to education.

“My research lines are quite related to consumer behavior. Sustainability, technostress and organizational citizenship behavior,” explains Camacho. He is involved in 10 international research teams, ensuring that he stays in conversation with international business topics and insights, which inform his approach to teaching.

As for the Spanish BBA, for which he is the academic coordinator, he says: “Empire State University has developed the most interesting academic program designed to help progress the Hispanic population in the United States.” His hope is that the program becomes widely known among Hispanic residents of New York state—a staple for those seeking education in their native language, Spanish. The program, designed in alignment with Empire State University’s access mission, removes the language barrier that so often impedes non-native English speakers from pursuing higher education, allowing them to fully engage with course offerings and opportunities confidently.

Students who enroll in the Spanish BBA will have access to bilingual support staff across departments, leadership development, participate in research teams, and graduate with a degree that boosts career opportunities. “[Students] could have dozens of different opportunities—the first is taking down the barriers to be successful in this country.” Launching this fall, the Spanish BBA is sure to be a pathway to economic mobility, and a way for its graduates to make an impact in their communities.

“Teaching for me—it’s everything. I add to my teaching philosophy all my experience—personal, professional, academic,” Camacho says. He looks forward to the international learning exchanges the program will yield, and is eager to continue contributing to the making of new opportunities for Hispanic learners.

Five-Minute Feature: Rebecca Monaghan, Assistant to the Vice President of Human Resources

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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 have been fortunate enough to work in a collection of non-profits where I believed whole-heartedly in each mission. The privilege of working at institutions with a deep sense of purpose is not something I take lightly, particularly the ability to work closely with leaders and diverse, creative colleagues. I truly admire what SUNY Empire stands for as an accessible institution, by all definitions of the word, and I am excited about my recent shift to the world of Human Resources. I always knew I would work with people, but the steps of my career have been surprising and non-linear. I hope that continues!

What is your favorite thing about SUNY Empire? 

I love seeing the difference that SUNY Empire makes for our students, particularly at Commencement. The liveliness of that event embodies all our greatest hopes for the work that we do: that we make a difference in our community and have a hand in a system that works in service to others. Sharing in the joy and success of our students is inspiring and invigorating.

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

Though I hated the conversation with my supervisor at the time, I am glad I made the decision to move on from my last organization. It was difficult to leave a great community behind and relinquish the comfort of a job I knew inside and out. However, I am proud that I recognized the roadblocks to continuing my career and had the courage to start something new.

Who is a historic figure that you would like to chat with and why? 

I would love to sit down with Eleanor Roosevelt and get her thoughts on women, politics, and purpose. I so admire everything I read about her, but it would be truly fascinating and enlightening to get her first-hand perspective.

What’s the most important part of your day? 

I try to fit in a walk every day. I usually need to reset and recharge, particularly during a workday, and moving helps to give me a boost of energy and positivity.

Five-Minute Feature: Mateo Carrera, Graphic Designer

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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 don’t remember a time where I didn’t want to draw; I think I was drawing doodles in the womb. I love the freedom that comes with dreaming of infinite possibilities and making them real; and art, in any form, is the easiest way to make those dreams come true.

What is your favorite thing about SUNY Empire? 

I love how Empire [State University] breaks the mold of conventional higher education. When I was going to college, I wasn’t even aware online colleges were available. Now I think online colleges are the most efficient ways to get your degree, but one thing the SUNY Empire has over most institutions is the quality of education delivered from being backed by the SUNY system!

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

I was a model for the Albany Airport ads, nbd💅🏼 ….

The second biggest was making the bodega. So far in my career, I haven’t had the opportunity to make an immersive experience like that. Looking forward to future events!

What is your culinary “hot take” or unpopular opinion? 

Idk if it’s a culinary hot take, but everyone makes fun of me for eating an entire apple, core and everything (use the stem as a floss pick). I guess I’m just too efficient that it shocks the layman. 😮‍💨

What’s a movie that changed your life?

I’m pretty sure the 1991 animated movie “Paprika” altered the way brain thinks and dreams. It’s a beautiful surreal movie with a great story, I recommend everyone watch it.

SUNY Empire Spotlight: August 2025

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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, professor, published “With the Game on the (Betting) Line: NBA Referee Performance in the Last Two Minutes,” coauthored by Ari Belasen and Alex Olbrecht, in the Journal of Sports Economics.

Pam Doran, digital accessibility coordinator and multimedia technology coordinator, has been appointed student ambassador at SUNY Empire for Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS).

Cailyn Green, assistant professor of Addiction Studies, published a free, peer-reviewed social justice textbook, “Social Justice & Advocacy in Human Services.”

Rodlyn Hines, assistant professor, published “Gendered Dynamics of Transnational Living: A Narrative Inquiry of Ghanaian Couples” in the African Journal of Gender and Woman’s Studies on August 13.

Raul Manzano, visiting assistant professor, held an art residency teaching older adults to draw in conjunction with SU-CASA and the New York City Department for the Aging, among other agencies.

Shannon Pritting, executive director for the Office of Graduate Studies & Scholarly Supports, Alena Rodick, director of Learning Design and Solutions, and Jennifer Collins, open educational resources and scholarly communications librarian published an article, “Using Teamwork and Collaboration to Design Better Affordable Learning Experiences,” in the Journal of Continuing Higher Education.

Ian Reifowitz, SUNY distinguished professor, published a new book, “Riling Up the Base: Examining Trump’s Use of Stereotypes through an Interdisciplinary Lens,” coauthored with Dr. Anastacia Kurylo. He also appeared on Rochester ARC TV News program, the Political Pulse, on August 26.

Nan Travers, director of the Center for Leadership in Credentialing Learning, was cited as “the fairy godmother of all credentialing” in Inside Higher Ed’s podcast, “Voices of Student Success: Encouraging Innovation in Credit for Prior Learning,” about the challenges and opportunities in expanding credit for prior learning assessment at Utah Valley University on August 7. 

Melissa Wells, associate professor and director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, published “Effectiveness of Federal Education Funding on Rural Schools: A Quantitative Study” in the journal Educational Futures in June. On July 22, she presented “Enhancing Faculty Integration: The Role of Structured Onboarding, Peer Mentorship, and Belonging” at UPCEA‘s 2025 Summit for Online Leadership and Administration (SOLAR) in Portland, Oregon. She also published  “Supporting students with disabilities: discrepancies in educational outcomes and the need for comprehensive postsecondary support” in the open access journal Discover Education on August 20.

“Practicing What We Preach”: Empire State University professor launches free social justice textbook

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — August 18, 2025) Empire State University staff, faculty, and students don’t just talk about access—they strive to make it happen, often identifying a need and fulfilling it. For Cailyn Green, assistant professor of Addiction Studies, that need was access to a free, up-to-date social justice textbook with interactive learning components that faculty can assign without incurring high costs for students.

The idea for the textbook was born out of brainstorming materials for a new Human Services class, where Green noticed “the textbooks that exist out there were good, but they were also very expensive … we were sitting there, going to ourselves, ‘we’re going to make a student pay $400 for a textbook?” The concept seemed antithetical to the essence of a class rooted in inclusivity and access, leading Green to begin compiling library articles and resources into a free pamphlet to supplement learning. “It ended up turning into a gigantic, full-blown textbook, mostly because we had such amazing support from SUNY, from our dean, from our departmental chair, and other colleagues. The SUNY Empire library helped us get a grant to move this forward. People saw the benefit in what we were doing,” explains Green.

As a New York state-credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor specializing in the aid of recently incarcerated individuals, Green developed a passion for social justice. Her work with individuals affected by the carceral system evidenced a pressing need to break down barriers to resources. This translated to her work at Empire State University, where she has taught for the past three years.

“We have a very specific population of students here that use SUNY Empire for a reason. They chose us because we’re flexible, because we try to work with students and their financial abilities and access to resources,” says Green. It was for this reason that she committed to facilitating low-cost or free resources, leading to the creation of the textbook “Social Justice & Advocacy in Human Services,” which is an open educational resource (OER).

Such resources are free to access for all—in the case of Green and her coauthors’ text, it was also written and published for free. Moreover, the group of authors opted to forgo copyrighting the textbook, meaning that it can be “remixed, remade, changed, adjusted any way that someone wants to adjust it. We chose to do it this way because we have a textbook with 15 chapters, but every chapter is very siloed,” she says. In doing so, instructors who use it may select a range of chapters that align with their course instead of having to assign the entire book. “It’s not about our names. It’s about getting a high-quality, double peer-reviewed, full textbook in the hands of instructors and students,” emphasizes Green.

The textbook incorporates many features that counteract the typical drawbacks of OERs, which include a lack of test banks and discussion questions as well as most texts not being peer-reviewed. Green and her coauthors ensured the book was double peer-reviewed and contained discussion questions, interactive activities, linkable online modules made possible by SUNY Empire employees Shannon Pritting, Jennifer Collins and Heather Bennett, and links to external resources such as informative YouTube videos to encourage instructors to use it. This way, it can not only provide updated, comprehensive material about the social justice field, but also be a logistically convenient option that saves instructors the time it takes to write quizzes and activities themselves.

The OER was co-authored by Green and Bernadete DeJonge, with contributions from experts Nikki Golden, Kimberly Brayton, Carrie Steinman, and Shannon Raybold. “[DeJonge] was my main coauthor; she and I started this project. Then, we said, ‘let’s find other experts on these topics to help us write them,’ because we’re all about sharing publications, sharing research … but also, I’m not an expert in all these topics, and neither was Dr. DeJonge. So, we found some wonderful experts to work with us on creating strong content, and this took us three years to do. This wasn’t rushed through by any means,” Green comments.

The resource can be accessed via the SUNY Milne Library Creative Commons, as Digital Publishing Services Manager Allison Brown and Milne Library staff “offered their services to do the publishing and editing for free … this would not look the way it is without them,” Green says appreciatively. With many carefully considered layers that align the project with Empire State University’s commitment to broaden access to higher education, Green sees a great potential for it to be used by students and instructors alike—“People could use this beyond only for this class, and they’ll really benefit from the same message of practicing what we preach regarding a social justice textbook.”

Read “Social Justice & Advocacy in Human Services.”

Andrea Piazza and Pam Doran Talk NeuroDiverse Collective Employee Affinity Group

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — August 13, 2025) Founded in December 2024, the NeuroDiverse Collective employee affinity group (EAG) has been steadfast in supporting its members and providing a safe space to share experiences, resources, and form meaningful connections. Its organizers, Pam Doran, digital accessibility coordinator and multimedia technology coordinator, and Andrea Piazza, assistant director of the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services, offer insights into the impact of the EAG as it reaches its eight-month mark.

How long have you been at Empire State University?

Piazza: I began working at Empire State University in the Accessibility Office in December of 2013.

Doran: I’ve been working at Empire State University now for two years.

What is the NeuroDiverse Collective?

Piazza: The goal is to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees, including neurodiverse employees, celebrating unique perspectives and talents that we bring to the university, and working towards understanding, advocacy, and collaboration to make sure that all our voices are heard. Creating community … a safe space for these topics to be discussed.

Doran: We’ve also been asked to make recommendations on how to best support our neurodivergent colleagues. One of the rallying cries is, ‘Why are they doing this research without us?’ So, I love that the university not only gave us this opportunity to create an affinity group, but they’ve also come to us with, ‘What do you think of this?’

Who is this group for?

Piazza: All employees and faculty. Anybody who wants to learn more about how to support our colleagues. Certainly, anybody who identifies as being neurodiverse … or wants to learn more about what we do. We do so many things for students to provide inclusive environments, but [here, we’re] looking at how we can create those spaces for those of us who work for the university. Advocates, allies, or those who have colleagues or family members [who identify as neurodiverse] as well.

What are some of the group’s offerings?

Doran: We did collaborate on a presentation for Neurodiversity Celebration Month. We’ve done Reason & Respect. It’s not a requirement [for members] to do any of that—if you don’t feel like turning your camera on or talking and [prefer] just being present, that’s fine. There’s no pressure … it’s not a working group; it really is an affinity group.

As an informal space where employees can show up as themselves, Doran and Piazza underscore the NeuroDiverse Collective’s “take what you need” philosophy—there are absolutely no requirements, and each person’s level of involvement is up to them. Doran also lists examples of low-stakes discussion topics in the group that help facilitate community bonds:

Doran: Good travel places—because sometimes sensory input can be something you really want or sometimes don’t want. We’ve shared museums that we really enjoy, or our specialized interests. We share tips, we share ideas. Sometimes it’s just having lunch or socializing.

What are some ways joining an EAG might enrich your work life?

Piazza: At times, it can feel very isolating when you may have a diagnosis and need to do things differently than those who are neurotypical. Being able to connect with others who might be able to relate to that, and they also go about things in a different way… different becomes the new normal. Also, getting to know colleagues that you wouldn’t otherwise work with, and learning from each other. It’s another way to connect with others who have things in common.

Doran explains that connecting with others who are neurodiverse can help each individual figure out and celebrate their strengths, which is part of the work of shifting the narrative surrounding neurodiversity away from deficit focused language and into person-first language.

Doran: When you think of any neurodivergence or disability, [ask:] what are their strengths? That’s probably the most important thing, we’re all just people. What can you do to lean on this [diversity] to be extraordinary?

What is your favorite moment from the NeuroDiverse Collective so far?

Doran: I think it’s the laughter. I can’t really put my finger on the biggest moment, but there are moments where we just roar with laughter because we’re just understanding each other, or just ‘vibing.’

Piazza: The idea that we’ve created this space where our own ways of doing things are accepted, expected, and that at times it can be [about] learning from each other, can be very validating. And then, through that, creating a culture where hopefully individuals feel comfortable to show up authentically as themselves.

What are some ways in which the group has grown and changed?

Doran: Our friendships have gotten stronger. Our understanding of each other has grown stronger. But the actual format and the mission really has stayed solid. We have a very specific goal of first, supporting each other, and second, increasing awareness.

How can interested prospective members join the NeuroDiverse Collective?

Those interested in joining, whether an ally or neurodiverse themselves, can reach out to Doran and Piazza via email to receive an invite to the next meeting, or to simply be added to the Microsoft Teams channel, which contains resources curated by the group. Meetings are held every two weeks, alternating between Wednesdays and Thursdays, and are held for an hour. Participants are not required to attend, and may pop in and out at their discretion.

Any words of encouragement for those who might be looking to get involved?

Doran: It’s fun!

Piazza: And Pam [Doran] is very good about providing reminders when we need it … about looking at the strengths, looking at the positives.  That uniqueness is something to embrace instead of masking. Come as you are—there’s no one way that somebody must show up.

Melissa Fiori on Creating an Inclusive Culture Through Language

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — August 12, 2025) A recent hire at Empire State University, Digital Accessibility Instructional Designer Melissa Fiori brings a deep passion for language and educational access to her daily work. Since June, she has contributed to quality assurance for online courses and assisted faculty members through the design and development process for new courses.  “One of the things that attracted me to Empire State University was the online presence and what they’re building,” Fiori explains, “and that they are interested in being Hispanic serving.”

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fiori’s upbringing sprawled across a range of locations as her mother relocated them to pursue career opportunities. Chicago, Tallahassee, Buffalo, and Los Angeles are the cities she lived in while in the U.S., though she also lived in Spain and Cyprus, and spent a summer in the British Virgin Islands. “It was an interesting childhood, moving from place to place, but it was very formative … it guided me in the things that I wanted to do later [and] gave me a passion for travel,” says Fiori.

Starting anew in places culturally distinct from one another challenged her: “I’m introverted, but I’m not shy,” she explains. “To come out of my shell, I needed to look inward. It helped me know myself better so that in new places, I could go out and explore.”  Growing up this way made Fiori an adaptable and introspective individual, ultimately teaching her more about herself and the world.

Her initial exposure to the Spanish language was through classes in high school, however, it wasn’t until college that her determination to learn the language blossomed. “I went to university and realized that there were classmates of mine walking down the hall speaking three languages, and here I was, barely bilingual,” Fiori explains, noting that this motivated her to pursue Spanish as a second language. She ended up being a double major in International Relations and Spanish, and even taking language classes in Italian, German, and Turkish. “Like so many people in the United States, [my] family didn’t carry over the language,” she adds. For Fiori, language also acted as a gateway into family history.

Once she began to gain fluency, she soon saw how knowing more than one language can be empowering. A Philadelphia newscast in Spanish was covering a local labor abuse story that none of the English-language outlets had on their radar—“You wouldn’t have known what was happening just a few miles down the road if you’re only watching the newscast in English,” she explains, “When you’re bilingual, you’re not at the mercy of someone’s bias or their translation decisions. You can think for yourself.”

Before her time at Empire State University, Fiori was a university professor with a strong belief in the power of language: “If you can help others become bilingual, you’re opening doors for them,” she says. As time went on, she saw an opportunity to make a greater, direct impact through instructional design, and took it. Now, as part of the Empire Online team, her work ensures that online learning at the university meets accessibility and quality criteria—having been a learner, instructor, and a current instructional designer, she approaches the process intentionally from several vantage points. Her appreciation for her work partly stems from the multifunctional team she collaborates with— “The dynamic team that we have here ensures that there really are no gaps in that process,” Fiori notes.

Another facet of herappreciation stems from her work with the bilingual support team for the university’s Spanish Bachelor of Business Administration (Spanish BBA), and how it is inclusive of the full spectrum of bilingualism. “Bilingualism is like this beautiful paisley—different shapes and colors and sizes—and here it’s celebrated,” Fiori says, underscoring the value in the range of perspectives encompassed by the group, from heritage speaker to Spanish as a Second Language learners, to native Speakers of varying dialects.

Fiori feels fortunate to be at the vanguard of transforming the landscape of higher education into a more inclusive one, particularly through increasing access through the removal of the language barrier with the Spanish BBA. “It brings access,” she says, “When you meet people where they are, you can have amazing results.”

Her own pedagogy rests on playing to each student’s linguistic strength—Fiori taught a bilingual course where students were allowed to use their strongest language. “[My students] realized they could work at a 300-level at the university. It helped them persist because they knew they could do it,” she says. Put simply, they thrived in the absence of a language barrier, and Fiori believes the Spanish BBA will achieve the same result, inviting people into an academic space where they can cultivate their interests, talents, and skills.  

Language learning has transformed Fiori’s life, presenting new possibilities to explore the world, meet and connect with people, and make an impact on her community. To those considering learning a second, or even third language, Fiori says: “Do it. Do it! Language is the one thing that every single human being has in common. We all have the capacity for language. You’re not going to regret the investment. No matter how long it takes, just do a little bit each day. Persist, and enjoy the process.”

Behind the Screen: Bilingual Multimedia Technologist Irene Oramas Sosa

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(MANHATTAN, NY — August 6, 2025) “I like helping everybody else, even above myself,” says Irene Oramas Sosa, bilingual multimedia technologist at Empire State University. Working on backend projects such as translating and captioning course materials, creating knowledge base articles, and ensuring Spanish-language accessibility for incoming Spanish Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) students, she takes on each task with a positive disposition and warmth. She joined the Empire Online team four months ago, bringing a love of education, language, and community with her.

Oramas Sosa was born in Puerto Rico, where she was raised by a single parent—her mother—with the help of her grandmother when long shifts at a factory producing intravenous hospital equipment would pop up. Her mother was born in the Bronx, which Oramas Sosa visited during her teenage years to see family. Her heritage is Spanish, both from the mainland and the Canary Islands, and Indigenous—her paternal great-grandmother was Taíno and Spanish.

She describes her upbringing as “tough,” with the challenges of single parenthood at home, being bullied at school due to her and her sister’s white-passing appearances and names, which made them outliers in their community, and surviving multiple hurricanes—notably, Hurricane Hugo in 1989, which she lived through as a young girl. Despite adverse conditions, the value of education was instilled in her from a young age—she understood that it was a gateway to empowerment and mobility. Oramas Sosa comments: “If we were sick, we would [still] have to go to school … my mother wanted to make sure that we were able to take advantage of education and not stay in the same position that she was in.”

Her education was bilingual, with most classes held in Spanish save for one core English class, which Oramas Sosa found herself drawn to. “My favorite class was English. It gave me a sense of ‘I’m different.’ I don’t have one language, I have another,” she explains. “Biliteracy and bilingualism were very important for us, and very encouraged at my house.”

Community, support, and accessibility have all been facilitated in Oramas Sosa’s life through having a bilingual skillset. Now, she feels passionate about being able to apply her skills in multimedia technology in both English and Spanish, thus helping remove the language barrier to university materials. Accessible content helps Spanish speakers at Empire State University feel seen, allowing them to fully and comfortably engage with content. “Bilingualism is a sense of security,” she says, emphasizing the importance of being equipped to help faculty, staff, and students to the best of one’s ability.

With the forthcoming arrival of the first cohort of the Spanish BBA, Oramas Sosa is eager to assist Spanish-speaking students and staff and see the program flourish. Regarding the program’s international reach, which encompasses faculty and prospective students from Hispanic nations across the globe, she comments: “You branch out to other countries, to other places. It will give you the opportunity to be international.” She emphasizes the importance of expanding one’s worldview, which the Spanish BBA facilitates.

Though it has been 20 years since she last lived in Puerto Rico, Oramas Sosa keeps strong ties to her culture and language alive— “The food, the lingo, the slang. It keeps the sense of culture here at my house.” She sees bilingualism as a conduit for personal growth, and a medium for fostering understanding. “You not only are working on your cognitive growth,” she says about learning a second language, “but it will open opportunities to help others.” Above all else, she underscores the impact of being able to reach a broader community, and to offer assistance to anyone who needs it, which makes her work at Empire State University fulfilling.

National Intern Day: The Latest on Career Services

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — July 31, 2025) Experiential learning is becoming increasingly more valuable to college students and recent graduates, making internships worth investing in for universities. To celebrate National Intern Day, the Office of Career & Experiential Learning Services shares valuable resources to help students confidently move through the career and internship process at Empire State University.

Career Platforms

Focus 2

Available via single sign-on, this online tool evaluates possible career paths for students, taking into consideration interests, personality, values, and skills, among others. Starting this fall, students will have access to this Holland Code-based assessment, which aligns personalities with work areas and maps to SUNY Empire majors and career paths.

Big Interview

To practice interview skills, students can access Big Interview through single sign-on. The platform delivers mock interviews—in both English and Spanish, as the university continues to expand its bilingual offerings—so students can hone their ability to respond to questions, speak to their capabilities, and gain confidence in scenarios that mimic real interviews. The platform also offers resume development, with scoring against applicant tracking systems (ATS), and suggestions to better match resumes to job descriptions.

Forage

The job simulator platform provides students with real-life experience in their desired profession, helping build confidence and discover how they might apply skills gained through their program of study. Working with real companies to develop modules, Forage is a self-paced and low-stakes way to discover what daily tasks come with the jobs they are interested in. While Forage is already available to students via single sign-on, landing pages organized by field of study are currently under development to better guide users to relevant simulations, ranging from sales positions to software engineering.   

Internships

Functioning as a stepping stone from academia to a professional career, internships can help students understand the tangible applications of what they’ve learned during their college career. Besides earning real work experience in their field, an internship can help validate their desire to enter that field or redirect towards a better fit. In many cases, internships provide networking opportunities that lead to a job offer and can also be a source for recommendations when job hunting.

At Empire State University, the Internship Initiative launched by the Office of Career Services aims to demystify the internship process and connect students with limited experience, or who have undergone a career change, to credit-bearing, unpaid internship opportunities. To support students that seek to pursue an unpaid internship, there are limited stipends available.

Anita DeCianni-Brown, director of Career and Experiential Learning Services, highlights some key benefits of internships: “[They] can help elevate a student’s network … and in most cases can solidify, ‘Yes, this is definitely something that I want to be doing. I’m glad that I’m pursuing this path.’”

She also comments, “It’s a good test drive into a career path and it also could lead to future employment either by way of a part-time job while still in school, or maybe a full-time job after somebody has completed their degree.”

In the 2024-2025 academic year, the number of students who participated in internships rose from 30 to 50. Projections for this fall estimate that up to 30 students are expected to pursue an internship. DeCianni-Brown highlights that Addiction Studies internships match students to in-person, community-based placements, allowing them to engage meaningfully in their home area.

The Career Hub is the central platform for internship and career resources, but DeCianni-Brown also notes that the university offers “411 on SUNY Empire’s Internship Initiative” workshops each semester, as well as email outreach to inform students about opportunities regularly.

Students seeking to engage in experiential learning opportunities such as an internship are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available through the Career Hub, attend an informational workshop, or get in contact with the Office of Career & Experiential Learning Services.

SUNY Empire Spotlight: July 2025

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

Brian Frederick, assistant professor, was quoted in a CBS 6 story about the impact policy changes are having on the availability of resources for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Xiomara Giordano, assistant vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and chief diversity officer, was featured in a podcast episode of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence titled “Leaving No Community Member Behind at SUNY Empire State University Through DEI.” 

Cailyn Green, assistant professor, was interviewed by SUNY Fredonia’s communications department about her experience with creating Open Education Resources (OERs). Green has published a group counseling workbook, supported by the Joyce McKnight OER Scholarship grant, that is available to counselors and students for free. 

Brendan Griffith, adjunct professor, was elected as president of the New York City Labor Council.  

Pamela Gustafson, specialist for Academic Support, has had two pieces—a poem titled “Love Story,” and a photograph titled “World Turned Upside Two”—accepted into ‘Double Exposure: A Survey of Works by New York Art Educators,’ which will be shown at Farmingdale State College’s Memorial Art Gallery through August 15.  

Cherrelle Hall, assistant to the vice president of Enrollment Management and Marketing and current Ed.D. candidate, has been appointed as a board member for the NASPA Center for Women. 

Mindy Kronenberg, assistant visiting professor and mentor, was published in the 27th anniversary edition of Shabdaguchha, an English and Bengali bilingual literary publication featuring international contributors. She has also been invited to join the editorial board for a forthcoming poetry anthology, “Saving Ourselves: An Anthology Advocating for Women and Girls.” Submissions from SUNY Empire faculty, staff, and students are welcome. Please email them to tammynuzzomorgan@gmail.com by September 30. She also has two poems featured in the 29th volume of Korean Expatriate Literature (KEL), a bilingual journal. 

Seana Logsdon, associate provost for Student Success, and Libby Tsibulsky, director of Health and Wellness Programs, have been selected as 2025 Outstanding Program award recipients by the SUNY Council of Senior Student Affairs Officers (CSSAO). They will be presenting at the organization’s annual conference held in Schenectady on October 26-28. 

Duncan RyanMann, professor, provided expert commentary on the impacts of President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” on health care. He was featured on ARC Rochester, News 10 Rochester, and CBS 6 Albany. 

Silvia Mejía, director of Spanish language programs, and Assistant Professor Luis Camacho attended the Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS) Board of Directors meeting held at Borough of Manhattan Community College on June 23-24. A recent session of the organization’s Student Passport initiative hosted at SUNY Empire’s Manhattan location was highlighted for its success and student participation.   

Njoki Mwarumba, assistant professor, shared insights on the role of disaster management for events like the floods in Texas for a CBS 6 article on July 6. She was also featured in WNYT’s coverage, which talked about how the Capital Region uses emergency management to plan for future disasters.  

Andrea Piazza, assistant director of Accessibility Resources and Services, and Gabriel Cruz-Allen, disability specialist, attended the 35th anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  

Ian Reifowitz, distinguished professor, authored an essay titled “How Democrats Lost Sight of Obama’s Vision of National Identity,” which was published by the Progressive Policy Institute. 

Kim Stote, associate professor and program director of Nutrition and Dietetics, published findings “New Study Suggests Replacing Common Fruits in USDA’s Dietary Patterns with Berries May Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk” in Annals of Medicine.  

Noor Syed, associate professor and program coordinator of Applied Behavior Analysis, presented findings on sustainable inclusive science and evidence-based solutions for autistic individuals at the United Nations on July 21.  

Marketing Staff received the Silver Circle of Excellence award for “El Imperio Bodega,” an immersive pop-up installation celebrating Hispanic culture during the 2024 fall academic conference.  

Gayle Stever, professor, was quoted in an Observer article about the public’s fascination with a suspected relationship between two professional athletes. She was also a guest on the podcast “Mind the Force” to discuss the psychology of fandom.