Travel as a Cultural Gateway: Meet Kendra Elie, Bilingual Financial Aid Advisor

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(MANHATTAN, NY — July 24, 2025) Kendra Elie’s trajectory differs from that of many Spanish Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) staff members, with English being her first language and gaining fluency in Spanish as an adult. As the university’s bilingual financial aid advisor, Elie assists incoming Empire State University Spanish BBA students in financing their education sustainably and navigating university resources.

Born in Leeds, Maine, Elie describes the setting of her childhood as remote and rich in nature. “It was just me and my brother outside, playing,” she says. Her early years centered around family, with group activities like skiing and school extracurriculars like marching band. She reflects on the lack of diversity, noting that it wasn’t until her university years at Colby College that she gained exposure to the Spanish language to fulfill an academic requirement—and it stuck. Elie ended up taking Spanish classes for the duration of her degree, working towards fluency. “I ended up really liking it. I had fun in my classes, and great professors. I went to Spain my junior year, and I was still really bad at Spanish at that time,” she recalls.

In 2022, there was a turning point. A solo trip to Mexico meant immersion into culture and language for Elie, who took opportunities to sharpen her Spanish skills by connecting with locals. “The whole course of my life changed at that point. That’s how I really became fluent,” she says. Following that trip, Elie drove from Maine to Tabasco, Mexico, to live with her partner, whom she met during her travels. She brought along her two chihuahua dogs: Gorda and Teacup. Her love of travel has led her to experience different facets of the Spanish language and Latin culture, which informs the way she approaches each student she helps at Empire State University.

Elie finds fulfillment in working alongside the bilingual support team for the Spanish BBA, with frequent, dynamic exchanges of music, culture, and recipes that enrich the group’s understanding of the Hispanic identity and the diversity of cultures it links to. “Even my mom loves the Spanish music I play,” comments Elie regarding the weekly song-sharing tradition of the group. The sense of community strengthened by each member opens opportunities for sharing meaningful ways to engage with the cultures represented under the Spanish language umbrella—Elie herself cooks salsa macha, a spicy, Mexican sauce, and eats it with just about everything. “I make a lot because I eat a lot of it. Selling it is just kind of to fund my habit,” she laughs.

Traveling has solidified Elie’s understanding of the Spanish language, which has facilitated genuine connection and friendships, as well as deep cultural understanding. While visiting Oaxaca, Mexico, Elie was able to converse in Spanish with the person sitting next to her on the bus, who kindly helped her navigate the trip. This anecdote, to her, illustrates the community values of Hispanic cultures—she hopes that same sense of unity permeates the United States more and more. “Someone on the bus helped me get my bag off. That kindness and connection, I just never have that happen in the U.S.,” she comments about the individualistic culture of the country and her desire for a culture of connection and support.

Elie wishes to continue learning through the lens of travel, and hopes that her connection to Spanish-speaking cultures only deepens with time. Eager to welcome more students into the university’s Spanish BBA program, Elie will provide informed guidance by using all that she has learned and strives to help foster connection and inclusion for bilingual individuals. Whether it’s making salsa macha, or sharing financial aid tips, Elie is always willing to help.

University Communications: Your Guide to Existing Platforms and Recent Changes

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — July 24, 2025) The Office of Communications has made changes in response to survey feedback gathered from staff and faculty earlier this year regarding reading habits and preferences of internal and external university news. We’d also like to take the opportunity to define the three news sources used by the Office of Communications.  

University Bulletin (Internal Only) 

Formerly known as SUNY Empire News, this internal SharePoint news site was renamed to avoid confusion with our external news site, SUNY Empire News. University Bulletin shares content only accessible to faculty and staff and requires employee login. The platform was streamlined into a single news stream for easier readability, with certain sections like New Hires and Moves and Policy and Program Review remaining in visible spots in the sidebar. 

What You’ll Find on University Bulletin: 

  • New Hires & People on the Move: Hiring updates and role changes, sorted by month and year. 
  • Policy and Program Review: Policies and programs ready for 30-day review and comment are linked in this section. 
  • Pinned News: Messages distributed to “All Users” appear in this section, along with monthly department messages, HR messages, and employee training reminders. 
  • SUNY Empire Spotlight: This monthly newsletter contains professional accomplishments of university faculty and staff. 

Roundup (Internal Only) 

This redesigned and reconfigured email newsletter, sent from the SUNY Empire News email address each week, provides a summary of news highlights from the University Bulletin and SUNY Empire News. It is viewable to faculty and staff only and features upcoming events, news hits, and presidential/faculty/staff media appearances. 

What You’ll Find in Roundup 

  • Things to Keep in Mind This Week: Updates and deadlines for faculty and staff. 
  • News You Might Have Missed: The most recent stories published on SUNY Empire News. 
  • In the News: List of media appearances by SUNY Empire staff and faculty, with links to the source article and/or video. 

Roundup Changes 

  • Roundup is being sent from a new platform, Constant Contact, which allows for greater functionality and metrics tracking to aid in the Office of Communications’ strategic goals.  
  • New subject lines were introduced that give you a preview of what you’ll be reading about before you open Roundup. 
  • More visually-appealing emails with photos that help tell our stories. 
  • Teaser sentences accompanying featured news stories to give you a first look at what the story is about. 
  • More opportunities to submit and highlight your content with links to New Hires and Moves form, opportunities to work with us as a university expert, and contact info to reach out if you have a story you want to share. 

SUNY Empire News (External) 

The only public-facing news platform for Empire State University contains articles authored by the Office of Communications. Stories aim to raise the university’s public profile by showcasing its mission, goals, and accomplishments in action—from new academic offerings and initiatives to student, alumni, and employee profiles.   

What You’ll Find on SUNY Empire News 

  • Featured Story: Highlights a timely news story. 
  • More Top Stories: The five most recently published stories. 
  • SUNY Empire in the News: Our monthly Spotlight newsletter is published here, along with noteworthy media appearances and news mentions. 
  • News Archive: Previously published external news stories, arranged chronologically. 
  • Experts at Empire State University: A list of our featured experts sorted by name and topic, as well as recent media appearances by university experts. 
  • Media Kit: A self-serve resource for journalists. 

Your Feedback and Stories Matter 

The Office of Communications welcomes news leads, human interest stories, and student or professional accomplishments. All things that exemplify SUNY Empire pride, uplift the university’s goals, and amplify its mission have a home in our platforms. Email sunyempirenews@sunyempire.edu to share story ideas, questions, or pitch your expertise.   

Bridging Culture: Bilingual Student Support with Armando Flores

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — July 14, 2025) Every day, Armando Flores, bilingual enrollment and partnership outreach officer at Empire State University, helps guide Spanish-speaking students through the enrollment process, addressing their questions and concerns with care. Having joined the university in January, he has settled into his role as a cultural bridge for the university, assisting with the recruitment of students for the new Spanish-language Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program and amplifying its reach.

His first brushes with bilingualism occurred early in life, at home. Born in Xalitla, a small pueblo in Guerrero, Mexico, Flores’s parents spoke Spanish and Nahuatl. “I still want to learn that language. And I hear my parents speak it all the time,” he shares. His fascination with Nahuatl, in great part, is because many Spanish words in Mexico have been derived from it. Xocolatl, he explains, refers to a bitter, spiced chocolate drink, for which the Spanish word is the same as in English: chocolate. “I do have aunts that are teachers. They teach both in Spanish and Nahuatl in Mexico. Maybe I’ll visit them and get an intensive course,” Flores says with a smile.

Things changed early on, he says: “I only spent my first three years in Mexico, and then my dad decided to bring us to the U.S.” The transition from Xalitla to Chicago proved complicated, largely due to the language barrier his family now faced—his already bilingual parents had difficulties learning English as a third language. “There were eight of us [kids], and we were all trying to start picking it up … I kind of had it easier because I started from square one,” he comments about learning English from that young an age. Thankfully, the education system in Chicago lent itself to bilingual learning, and he was able to continue learning in Spanish while acquiring English-language skills: “My teachers were very supportive,” he continues, “they were throwing English at me the whole time.”

In those days, he remembers being a translator for his parents, “When I was growing up, I would go with my mom to doctor’s visits for my sister. I was the interpreter there.” He considers this an experience that prepared him for the kind of work he does at Empire State University today: “I became the interpreter again … I’m helping, supporting, and kind of being that backbone,” he reflects. His role is to support Spanish-speaking students through the enrollment process for the Spanish BBA program, which will welcome its inaugural cohort this fall. Flores considers no task too big or too small, and his cross-training facilitates working collaboratively across the university.

Another area in which Flores is involved is the promotion of the program, he says, “It’s essential to provide services for people we’re targeting … especially when trying to grow the program.” Through his interactions with prospective students, he has witnessed the need for bilingual student support, and for the program at large. Many students “already have master’s degrees … I’m shocked that there’s talent that’s not being tapped into because of the language barrier,” he says.

In his time with the university as a student-facing figure, he has seen the wealth of diversity among Spanish speakers that makes the Spanish BBA program such an undertaking for the university—not all Spanish dialects are the same, “I have to modify my language all the time … I don’t want to confuse them,” he says. “The word bachiller in Mexico is [equivalent to] high school diploma … I think Uruguay uses bachiller for the bachelor’s degree,” Flores explains. Though navigating the different dialects of Spanish is challenging, he sees it as a learning curve and has faith these encounters will help bilingual support staff gain confidence in their skills. “One student told me: ‘I met an angel. You’ve been the only person willing to talk to me and call me back’ … [things like] that really get me to show up the next day,” comments Flores.

He, like many in the bilingual support team, finds deep meaning in connecting with and helping students. Because of the direct impact bilingual services have in higher education, he hopes that the Spanish BBA is only the beginning. Flores says, “There was one [student] that wanted to study engineering, and another wanted to be a medical assistant. I told them we don’t offer that yet—but maybe in the future … I’m hoping there are more programs that could grow from this.”  Language learning is a challenging yet rewarding gateway to connection: “You not only have to practice, but you also have to watch TV, listen to the radio, movies … even if you’re not fluent right away, your brain will make the connections,” he advises those seeking to branch out linguistically. Encouragingly, he adds, “Being able to speak another language …. It just makes your life a little richer.”

Discipline and Dedication: Carlos Aleman on Bilingual Empowerment

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — July 8, 2025) Bilingual Student Accounts Coordinator Carlos Aleman joined Empire State University in early December with the mission of providing clear communication for students in the process of financing their education. His own experience attempting to decode jargon and complicated guidelines motivates him to ensure that students feel confident and empowered in understanding their financial commitments to the university.

Aleman thinks back to his childhood, which was split between New York and Puerto Rico, his birthplace. With frequent travel back and forth, his English learning was interrupted as his Spanish language skills continued to grow. “If we were in Puerto Rico, the English that I was learning—at least during elementary school—you couldn’t really hold a conversation,” he says. When Aleman entered the seventh grade, now living in the United States, he was placed in English as a second language (ESL) classes, which were run by one non-Spanish-speaking teacher. His peers were diverse, with many speaking languages other than Spanish and lacking a firm grasp of the English language, like himself. He says, “We’d just look at each other and think, ‘How are we going to make it through this?’ My classmates… I couldn’t even speak with them. It was very tough.”

Through the years, Aleman improved his English, and his continuous use of Spanish at home led him to balance both languages. It wasn’t until he attended the College of Saint Rose that he refined his then-colloquial Spanish as well as his English, smoothing over the curricular gaps left behind by his constant moves between Puerto Rico and New York. Under the instruction of Linguist Claire Ziamandanis, a former faculty member of the college, he studied the language formally, familiarizing himself with the intricacies of its grammar rules and linguistic traits. “We started learning about translating and all the knowledge you need to translate a document depending on if it has legal or medical terminology. At one point, we were doing phonetic transcriptions,” he recalls.

Through this deep dive, Aleman realized that being a language speaker does not automatically qualify one to teach or translate that language, which motivated him to continually challenge himself and grow.

“I’ll be honest with you,” he says, “I’m a shy guy. Music helped me a lot—I became a pretty decent dancer at one point … it just built confidence for me.” Having struggled to feel confident in public settings, Aleman embarked on a journey of exposure to the very things that made him nervous: “I’m afraid to speak in front of people, so how can I face that? Let me take an impromptu speech class, or go into an acting class … I did a lot of that to help myself overcome some of my fears,” he explains. This philosophy guides his life and is one he transmits to his children, along with the value of hard work.  

In his role providing student financial aid support at Empire State University, Aleman applies that same work ethic and positive outlook—he sees every interaction with students as an opportunity to learn and grow. “Being able to help people understand why it is that they’re getting certain charges, or financial aid—it’s a tough topic, and if I know [about] it, I can help people and explain it to them … in their own language. Being bilingual definitely helps me, the [Office of] Student Accounts, and the university as a whole,” he comments about providing bilingual student services.

Earlier this year, Aleman faced a difficult surgery, for which the recovery process was complicated. He says, “Knowing that I was part of the bilingual team helped me because I knew that I had people that supported me and were there for me. It was a lot … I didn’t have many people like that.” His recovery time, which he spent bedridden, was something he was able to overcome through positive thinking, music with messages that inspire him, and the support of his colleagues, who rallied to help in any way they could.

Since returning to work, he has dived back into his work with the university’s new Spanish-language Bachelor of Business Administration, an initiative he believes can transform lives through access to education for Spanish-speaking communities. “It’s creating opportunities—the opportunity for Empire State University to serve students, and [opportunities] for students when they graduate with a degree that will help them have a great career,” he explains. His hope is that this is just the first of many bilingual education initiatives, and that the university continues to look towards breaking down language barriers through projects like the Duolingo Spanish Language Learning Pilot Program.

“I would not say that it’s easy—it’s challenging and you’re constantly learning,” he says about learning a second language, “but there are more opportunities for you … you can reach a broader audience.” Like with most things, Aleman believes in the power of hard work and dedication to overcome obstacles—whether it’s learning a new language or speaking to a room of people. Time and again, he finds himself returning to the words: “Don’t tell me the reasons why you can’t—tell me the reasons why you should.”

Empowering New York: Empire State University’s Bold Academic Expansion

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — June 25, 2025) With the recent fluctuations in the landscape of higher education, it is rare to see universities implementing expansive strategies with as much vigor as Empire State University is. This fall alone, nine new academic programs are launching, ranging from microcredentials to advanced degrees. At the heart of the process behind implementing new programs is Brian Goodale, director of academic programs and partnerships at Empire State University.

Goodale, who has been with the university for 18 years, holds a crucial role in fleshing out new offerings ideated by Empire State University faculty members. “I’m the shepherd, advisor, and consultant for academic program proposals,” he says. One of Goodale’s functions is to watch over a program from inception to final approval by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and ensure that it aligns with the university’s strategic goals. The program must also be carefully planned out to inhabit a niche that other programs do not, and must undergo an extensive vetting process, which Goodale also oversees.

“This is a high priority for us,” Goodale says. “We’re aligning closely with our strategic plan and positioning ourselves for long-term success.” Since 2024, the university has developed and launched 20 new programs, with several others pending approval. New offerings target areas such as digital media arts, organizational psychology, and health care analytics, among others.

Goodale mentions that Empire State University employees can access the internal dashboard detailing which new programs are moving through the approval process, which shows real-time updates. “The more people use it, the better,” says Goodale, explaining that this tool will help keep employees informed and engaged with the university’s projects.

The purpose of driving forth new programs is not only to expand the quantity of offerings, but to target areas of need in New York state’s workforce and boost upward mobility.  In launching new programs, the university also strengthens community college and industry partnerships that support student goals and serve the state’s economic development mission. “We’re being very thoughtful and intentional,” Goodale said. “This is exactly what [the] SUNY [system], and the governor want to see.”

Relevant to the many Spanish speakers throughout the state is the university’s new Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program taught in Spanish, which provides a thorough business administration curriculum delivered in the Spanish language. Luis Camacho, assistant professor at the School of Business, comments, “We worked hard in order to identify the highest-level faculty in Latin America from different higher institutions… we have faculty from Chile, Peru, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Colombia.”  

The program’s approval by NYSED emphasizes its significance and potential to serve the substantial population of Spanish speakers in the region by removing the language barrier. Regarding the Spanish BBA’s approval process, Camacho explains: “… we needed to develop at least 40–45 courses in order to be prepared for the student population demand.”

With its active pursuit of education for all, Empire State University sets an example of how higher education institutions can strive to serve the needs of diverse communities. Broadening access to education and professional opportunities for New York state residents and beyond remains at the core of the university’s mission—at a time where higher education seems to shrink, Empire State University is determined to stand tall and support learners.

In Spanish, Online, and On Your Time: Ronnie Rivera’s Trajectory as Spanish BBA Specialist

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(MANHATTAN, NY — June 13, 2025) Ronnie Rivera joined Empire State University as a bilingual assistant registrar eight months ago, with an already layered understanding of hard work. His passion for helping students succeed in academic settings draws upon a lifetime of resilience and a deep commitment to assisting others.

Rivera was born in the Bronx, where he oscillated between English and Spanish at different points of his early years. “When I was born, and before I started school, I only spoke Spanish,” he explains. “Then, I started kindergarten and transitioned to English.” The summers of his childhood unfolded speaking Spanish with relatives in Puerto Rico, where he would help with coffee harvests on the family farm: “Before I even ate breakfast, [I was] already in the coffee fields, taking coffee in “sacos”, “sacks,” all the way up to the house,” Rivera recalls. Growing up this way established a work ethic built upon discipline and persistence.

This same work ethic came into play during Rivera’s time in the U.S. Marine Corps as an IT technician from 2004 to 2009, where he learned many of the technical skills he now applies in his role at Empire State University. “[The military] was very grueling work, which I enjoyed because I had that [earlier] experience of very grueling work,” he says. “Then, I started college and realized there’s also grueling work in academics.” His experience navigating often-tedious landscapes, particularly that of higher education, motivates him to convey information to prospective Spanish BBA students clearly in both English and Spanish—to do the heavy lifting for their benefit, so to speak.

Rivera’s life changed abruptly in 2010 following his mother’s passing, when he saw a need to return to Puerto Rico and run her business. “I found out that I wasn’t very good at [Spanish] until I was living in a country where the predominant language is Spanish.” Immersed into his life on the island, he newly sharpened the Spanish language skills he grew up with and acquired an entrepreneurial mindset.

Because his business experience inherently entwines with bilingualism, Rivera clearly sees the value of Empire State University’s new Spanish BBA. The initiative, designed to serve degree-seeking Spanish speakers, is meant to equip its students with business skills in their native language—skills through which they can uplift enterprises in their local communities. “This program is the first of its kind in the SUNY system,” says Rivera. “If more people knew [about it], they would make a great decision in their life by joining.”

A high school graduate who dreams of a better job but struggles with English. A working parent who studies at night in hopes of gaining upward mobility in their field. These are just a few of the examples Rivera lists of people who may thrive with Empire State University’s program taught entirely in Spanish. “They want to progress in life. They want to help their family,” he says. “This program can benefit them.”

A current MBA student at the university, Rivera adds, “[Empire State University] has mastered online learning for years—trust the fact that we can help you. We are here; we are real.” He emphasizes the workflows that have been implemented specifically for the Spanish BBA, the team of specialists that will be at the disposal of its students, and the ease of use when it comes to the university’s online learning interfaces. Having found his path, Rivera is ever determined to help others find theirs.

Support and Advocacy: How Employee Affinity Groups Enrich Our University Community

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — June 5, 2025) Often informally, workplaces give rise to connections among colleagues who share commonalities, which sparked discussions surrounding employee affinity groups (EAGs) at Empire State University. Seeing how such groups had naturally formed, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) formally established affinity groups to promote connection, support, and belonging among university employees in 2024.

“The decision to formalize EAGs … reflects SUNY Empire’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment. ODEI now provides dedicated resources and support to ensure these groups are empowered to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the university community,” says Ade Byron, program manager for the ODEI.

The ODEI defines EAGs as “voluntary, employee-led teams within organizations that share a common identity, interest, background or goal.” Their value is evidenced through increased employee productivity, improved recruitment outcomes, and higher employee retention rates.

The benefits of EAGs are many, including fostering open dialogue, empowering employees to feel authentically themselves at work, and facilitating resource-sharing as well as cross-campus collaboration. “EAGs are helping to strengthen our institutional culture by promoting inclusion, visibility, and building a university community that centers intentional community and belonging,” comments Byron.

At Empire State University, EAGs have brought forth important conversations that spark authentic connection and deepen the university community’s understanding of the experiences of those who form it. Byron speaks to an event hosted by the NeuroDiverse Collective, which “sparked deep engagement—people shared personal stories, exchanged valuable resources, and began building a collective understanding of the experiences of neurodiverse colleagues and students. It was a powerful moment of connection, learning, and empathy, and a great example of how Employee Affinity Groups can help shift culture and foster inclusion.”

The ODEI encourages interested employees to join an existing EAG or form one of their own. The application can be found on their webpage. They also have created an interest form with suggestions for new groups that have been recommended by employees. In the same form, employees can propose additional EAG ideas.

“EAGs are truly open, welcoming spaces that thrive on connection, shared experiences, and community. If you’re thinking about starting a group—even if you only know one other person who shares your interest—I encourage you to go for it. ODEI is here to support you,” says Byron.

Pamela Doran, digital accessibility coordinator at Empire State University, is a co-convenor of the NeuroDiverse Collective, along with Andrea Piazza, assistant director of accessibility resources and services. Doran said, “The Neurodiverse Affinity Group at SUNY Empire creates space for connection, understanding, and advocacy. It reminds me that neurodivergent perspectives are not only welcome here but also essential to our growth as a community. This group helps build a culture where everyone can contribute authentically and thrive.”

The ODEI has curated a list of guidelines for EAGs, which aim to help employees structure the group while following the university’s policies and procedures. “Whether you’re looking to build belonging, share experiences, or be a part of an inclusive workplace community, EAGs are a powerful and rewarding way to get involved,” Byron says.

Love of Language: Perla Zamitiz on Being a Linguist and the Spanish BBA

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – June 2, 2025) Linguist Perla Zamitiz joined Empire State University on October 10, 2024—the day of the 2024 Fall Academic Conference and, coincidentally, her birthday. “It was my birthday gift,” she jokes. Zamitiz has since held a crucial role in the large-scale translation project to prepare Empire State University to receive the inaugural cohort of the new Spanish BBA.

Hailing from Puebla, Mexico, Zamitiz grew up surrounded by the greenery of her father’s coffee farm. Her childhood unfolded between harvests and daily dips in the river where she learned how to swim. “That’s what I most remember about my childhood,” she says, “going to swim every day for hours and hours, and helping my dad with the coffee harvest.”

When Zamitiz was college-aged, she moved to the city— “It’s completely different. Every break, my brother and I would run to our home in the mountains,” she comments. This transition from country to city life was not the last big change Zamitiz would learn to navigate; she went on to live in Tennessee throughout graduate school and later moved to Ohio. “I adapt really well,” says Zamitiz, who enjoys the presence of lakes and rivers near her home in New York, and has grown accustomed to seasonal weather changes.

“Spanish was my native language, but I feel that my experience might be the opposite of what most people go through because my bachelor’s degree in Mexico was taught in English,” says Zamitiz. Her experience during the program, particularly learning from American faculty members, cultivated a strong foundation in English before she ever set foot in the United States. She studied linguistics with the aim of teaching foreign languages later on.

In graduate school, Zamitiz’s program was in Latin American literature, which flipped the linguistic structure of her BA on its head. Stemming from her master’s degree, Zamitiz was invited to continue her studies by doing a Ph.D. in same subject, which required learning different languages. This led her to not only have command over Spanish and English, but also Portuguese—in which she taught classes—and Russian, in which she acquired basic conversational skills.

Zamitiz taught at various colleges and universities early on in her professional career. Her passion for languages and words drew her to the world of editing, and eventually, her role at Empire State University came into view. “Linguistics—being able to proofread and edit is wonderful,” she comments about her current role as a linguist working on interdepartmental translation projects for the university.

“I love the team that we have and being a part of this [project from the] beginning, because it’s a first. So, it feels special to be part of that, doing what I really love,” says Zamitiz regarding her role in helping establish the new Spanish BBA program at Empire State University.

Zamitiz believes the program’s creation proves its value already, as it is designed to serve an existing demographic of Spanish speakers seeking academic credentials unimpeded by a language barrier. As for its upcoming first cohort of students, she says: “I really hope that they can feel some kind of ‘family warm welcome’ when they open the pages and see all the information.” She underscores the care and extensive work that has been put into preparing everything students will need to enroll, take classes, and participate in the university community. Excited to continue her translation, editing, and proofreading work, Zamitiz hopes the program reaches learners who may have been looking for it all along.

Kasie Roach: Navy Veteran and Victim Advocate Graduates from Empire State University

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — May 22, 2025) Kasie Roach, a Spring 2025 graduate of Empire State University, has faced much change since leaving her hometown of Bloomer, Wisconsin. Stemming from her successful military career, Roach pivoted into sexual assault prevention and response victim advocacy.

The path of foregoing a college education and instead inhabiting the domestic sphere, as was expected of most women in her rural and traditional Midwestern town, was one that didn’t align with Roach’s aspirations as a teenager. “I decided I did not want to be the standard thing that ladies become in Wisconsin … during high school, I started attending classes to become an auto mechanic—I was approached by a recruiter from the Navy,” she says.

Thus began Roach’s military career: she joined the United States Navy in 2000 with the promise of better compensation for her mechanic skills. Having performed well in math and science classes in high school, she was directed to the nuclear power program and became a machinist mate, also referred to as a Navy mechanic.

“I spent the next 12 years working through the ranks as a nuclear machinist mate … turns out it’s nothing like auto mechanics,” comments Roach. While serving, she earned a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering and met her husband. In 2011, Roach left the military due to women being restricted from serving on submarines at the time; she was a chief petty officer.

“It led me to a life of social work rather than engineering,” says Roach, who began working for the Washington Youth Academy—a program designed to assist at-risk youth in getting back on track with high-school credits. “That was where I found my passion was not working with pipes,” jokes Roach.

Once Roach became a parent, she decided to stay at home with her children until they began kindergarten, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then that Roach took on her favorite job: being a lunch lady. “My coworkers were always excited to see me because they were little, hungry, and happy,” she says, beaming.

Following that experience, Roach rejoined the U.S. Navy, this time on the civilian side as a sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) victim advocate. “I cannot overstate my passion for doing right by people who are in the shoes I was in 20 years ago—I feel like I’m in a good place,” she comments.

At that time, Roach’s coworker alerted her to having remaining GI bill benefits, which she previously thought were inactive. A former SUNY system employee, he recommended Empire State University, which prompted Roach to contact the university’s Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC). Desiree Drindak and Anne Sweet, director and associate director of the VMRC, respectively, facilitated Roach’s enrollment process and offered their continued support. “I owe the simplicity of it all to them,” she says.

Roach completed her master’s degree in public administration in a mere 10 months. “I was juggling two kiddos, I was a housewife, I was just starting a new job, volunteering all over the place … I never thought that I would have the time to do this,” she shares. The support of her family, as well as the supportive environment at Empire State University, made her transition into civilian life—and back into academia—a smoother one. “Every single professor was easily accessible and on it every time a question was asked,” Roach says.

Throughout her time as an Empire State University student, Roach looked to her professors for insights into complex current events: “[He] had a way of using history to calm us every time… it brought some peace,” she says about Associate Professor Edward Warzala.  Roach emphasizes the importance of having a network of supportive individuals, which she feels grateful to have found at the university.

As a Spring 2025 graduate, Roach has been planning the next step in her personal and professional growth journey. “I have no doubt there’s future education for me at SUNY Empire,” she says, “Dr. Warzala is helping me figure out what direction I would take with a higher education program.” Meanwhile, she continues her duties as a SAPR victim advocate, centering justice, resilience, and support in her work with and for women.

Clinic and Classroom: Meet Libby Miranda, ABA Program Graduate

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(MANHATTAN, NY — May 19, 2025) In Long Island, New York, Libby Miranda is preparing to receive her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Empire State University after hard work in and out of the classroom. Miranda, who has experienced the value of applying course concepts in real-time clinic settings, has also recently been promoted to clinic supervisor at work.

Prior to joining Empire State University, Miranda felt uncertain about what career path to pursue. In initial conversations with university representatives, she was recommended the ABA program. “I just took a leap and went for it. I’m so happy that I did because it ended up being one of the best decisions of my life,” she says.

Though the idea of online learning was daunting, Miranda developed connections with faculty and peers who fueled her academic journey. “I constantly felt supported by professors and my advisor,” she comments, “It felt like such a personal experience, despite it being online.”

Her master’s degree program in ABA took Miranda through core components of the field, working closely with Empire State University’s Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES), led by Dr. Noor Y. Syed, assistant professor and ABA program coordinator. Miranda says, “I just want to give a big thanks to Dr. Syed. She was my advisor, and I truthfully could not have done this without her.”

Through fulfilling coursework and balancing other responsibilities, Miranda learned the importance of staying organized. “Organization is significant to practice in the field I’m going into,” she says. With that skill in mind, she was able to maintain A’s throughout her entire academic career. “I’m really proud of myself for being able to accomplish that because it was something that I’d never been able to do before,” she explains.

Obtaining her degree in ABA has shed light on the path forward for Miranda, who had graduated with a bachelor’s degree in a field she didn’t find fulfilling. Through this experience, which began during the COVID-19 global pandemic, she has found her passion in helping others. “I’m entering an entirely new chapter in my life with graduation and having this promotion,” she says, smiling.

The ability to apply what she learned in the classroom to real-life settings in clinic work solidified her knowledge of the field, giving her confidence in her abilities. “[Experiential learning] made it a lot easier for me to understand the concepts that I was being taught,” Miranda explains. Similarly, being able to connect with peers has been a rewarding experience—through creating and participating in group chats, she was able to get to know her classmates and foster connections and friendships. “Even though we’re online, [it shows you that] you’re not alone in this situation,” she says.

Looking ahead, Miranda aspires to expand the range of populations she serves in the ABA field, particularly high school-aged individuals— “…it would be such a treat because I feel like we would have a lot to talk about,” she says. Miranda then adds, jokingly, “I’m getting married this month, so that’s all I can think about right now.”

Once the wedding festivities settle, she is eager to dive into new experiences in her field. Miranda looks forward to more interactions with families that will continue to shape her understanding of what it means to be a caregiver to individuals with autism diagnoses.

The road to obtaining her master’s degree in ABA has been a challenging yet profusely gratifying one. Miranda advises prospective students of the ABA program at Empire State University: “Prepare yourself to be really overwhelmed by the amount of support and new set of skills that you’ll pick up.” Above all else, she highlights the compassion that characterizes the program, and the ABA field at large, saying, “I am surrounded by practitioners who care more than anyone I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”