Charles R. Wood Foundation Awards Nursing Grant to Empire State University 

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Empire State University has received a grant from the Charles R. Wood Foundation that will help address the nursing shortage in New York’s North Country.  

The Charles R. Wood Nurse Educator Pathway Program will support three nurses employed at the University of Vermont Health Network’s (UVMHN) North Country hospitals who want to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN) degree online at SUNY Empire.  

The grant for $24,000 will provide $4,000 in scholarship funding annually for three MSN students working at UVMHN’s Alice Hyde Medical Center or Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) locations. Additional support is being provided by UVMHN and their affiliated hospitals, so students have no out-of-pocket tuition costs.  

Through a dual service agreement with area nursing programs, UVMHN will pay the MSNs their clinical practice salary while they are in school. In exchange, MSN graduates will agree to serve part-time as adjunct nursing faculty for at least two years after graduating from the program.  

The program will make it easier to get an advanced nursing degree, expand access to nursing education, and increase the pipeline of qualified nurses entering the workforce. The program will ultimately enhance the delivery of healthcare in the North Country and improve the health of people living in these communities.  

“We are so grateful to the Charles R. Wood Foundation for this grant, which will help grow the nursing workforce and expand access to care in New York’s North Country,” said SUNY Empire President Lisa Vollendorf. “The scholarship funds will remove barriers for nurses looking to advance into educator roles, without disrupting the critical care they are providing in area hospitals.” 

The nursing shortage in New York state is well documented. Projections show a shortfall of nearly 40,000 nurses statewide by 2030, with rural areas disproportionately affected. UVMHN currently has many nursing positions that are filled with costly traveling nurses.  

The crisis is compounded by a lack of qualified nurse educators. Interested nursing students are often turned away due to faculty vacancies caused by a limited number of educators. Those interested in earning an advanced degree must often choose between earning a salary in clinical practice and paying for higher education. 

“Our partnership with SUNY Empire is a major step forward in strengthening the nursing workforce in northern New York,” said Carly Haag DNP, chief nursing officer at CVPH. “By creating a pathway for our nurses to advance into educator roles, we’re building the local teaching capacity that Alice Hyde and CVPH need to grow. This collaboration also gives nursing colleges the clinical instructors they urgently need, expanding their ability to educate more students.”  

In addition to working in their full-time hospital roles, students selected for the Charles R. Wood program will serve as clinical instructors in nursing programs for SUNY schools after graduation.  

The Charles R. Wood Foundation was established in 1978 to support nonprofits in the Lake George region, with an emphasis on programs for children, healthcare and the arts. The foundation’s Special Healthcare Initiative focuses specifically on efforts to improve population health.  

Empire State University Students Inducted Into Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society 

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Empire State University held an induction for the Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society on April 7, 2026. This ceremony marks the first time that graduate students have been inducted into SUNY Empire’s chapter of the honor society.  

Alpha Sigma Lambda is the oldest and largest national honor society for non-traditional students who meet exceptional academic standards and leadership requirements. During the ceremony, held virtually, 415 students were inducted into the Omega Tau chapter.

“I am so proud to be part of a university that believes — not just in words, but in actions — in the power of lifelong learning, and supporting and celebrating adult learners,” President Lisa Vollendorf said. “I am also so proud that you all have chosen to make Empire State University part of your academic journey.” 

Congratulations to the new Empire State University inductees! 

Empire State University Announces Partnership with National Institute of Public Safety 

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SUNY Empire has co-created a direct pathway with the National Institute of Public Safety (National IPS), allowing professional security officers to gain access to credentialed higher education. Through this partnership, every student and graduate of National IPS programs receives exclusive benefits toward degree completion at Empire State University. In addition, eligible coursework with National IPS may qualify for college credit through SUNY Empire’s individualized Credit for Prior Learning (iCPL) process—allowing students to translate real-world training and professional experience into meaningful academic advancement. 

National IPS is a licensed, nationwide provider of state-approved security guard training and public safety education programs. Specializing in online, hybrid, and in-person instruction, National IPS delivers comprehensive training solutions that meet state licensing requirements, guard card certification standards, continuing education, and career advancement needs across the United States. 

For more information, please contact Recruitment Officer George Strothmann, at george.strothmann@sunyempire.edu. 

For questions about National IPS offerings, please reach out to contact@nationalips.com. 

Empire State University Partners with AMAT Healthcare Institute to Support Healthcare Workforce Development 

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SUNY Empire announced a partnership with AMAT Healthcare Institute based out of Queens, NY, that will address healthcare workforce development needs in the New York City area. This collaboration will expand access to Empire State University’s programs for AMAT Healthcare Institute diagnostic medical sonography and medical assistant students and grant credit for their prior clinical learning.   

The partnership comes at a time when healthcare systems nationwide continue to face staffing shortages across clinical and allied health roles. By creating an academic bridge for AMAT Healthcare Institute students to continue their education, Empire State University is helping accelerate the development of qualified professionals ready to step into essential positions in hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, and specialty practices. 

“We’re excited to partner with AMAT Healthcare Institute to create new pathways for students and graduates to continue their education with SUNY Empire,” said Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Dan Fogarty. “By recognizing credit for prior learning and professional credentials, we’re helping healthcare employers retain skilled staff and strengthen their workforce through upskilling and degree completion opportunities.” 

“AMAT Healthcare Institute graduates bring valuable hands-on clinical experience,” said Visiting Professor of Nursing Maureen Kroning. “We are excited to welcome them into our degree programs and support their academic and career advancement.” 

SUNY Chancellor King Visits Empire State University to Highlight SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program  

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SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program Ensures SUNY’s Academic Excellence is Fully Affordable for Active-Duty Service Members, Members of the National Guard, and Members of the Reserves 

Empire State University Was One of 24 Campuses to Launch SUNY’s New Military Tuition Rate for Active-Duty Service Members in Spring 2026, On the Path to System-Wide Implementation in Fall 2026 

State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited Empire State University to highlight SUNY’s Military Tuition Rate Program. The program, which began at select SUNY campuses in the Spring 2026 semester and will expand System-wide this fall, ensures that SUNY’s academic excellence is fully affordable for active-duty service members, members of the National Guard, and members of the Reserves.  

“SUNY’s military-connected students enrich our campuses through their accomplishments and diverse life experiences,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “I applaud Empire State University for being a leader in ensuring our active-duty and veteran students have access to the high-quality, affordable SUNY education to pursue their dreams. There is a place at SUNY for every student, and we are proud to honor our active-duty and veteran students for their leadership, skills, and dedication to their country.” 

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “SUNY is dedicated to ensuring our veteran, active-duty, and military-connected students have access to an affordable, excellent education at the campus of their choice. As an inaugural adopter of SUNY’s Military Tuition Rate Program, Empire State University has shown that it is a leader in supporting our military-connected students throughout their academic journeys.”  

Empire State University was an inaugural adopter of the SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program, a system-wide initiative that ensures active-duty service members, members of the National Guard, and members of the Reserves can access a high-quality, affordable SUNY undergraduate degree or microcredential program in-person or online without additional costs or barriers. The program addresses a long-standing challenge faced by active-duty service members whose federal tuition assistance often falls short of full tuition at public universities.  

Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf said, “Empire State University was founded to meet students where they are — and for 55 years, that has included the men and women who serve our country. Removing financial barriers for service members has long been part of that commitment. With military-connected enrollment at a five-year high, we know this work matters.” 

State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner said, “Empire State University, located in Saratoga Springs, is once again, leading the way in empowering learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. Noted for its stewardship in online learning, Empire State University is now a leader within the SUNY system for its inaugural adoption of the SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program. Thanks to this new tuition program along with the newly established on-campus Veterans clinics, our Veterans will have a much-needed centralized hub of educational, financial and community support services – all of which will help ensure Military service members’ future success. Of course, I hope our Veterans consider New York, ideally upstate New York, not just their college alumni state, but their home, well beyond graduation. I am grateful to Empire State University for its dedication to flexible, accessible, and affordable education for all students, especially for the men and women who are bravely serving our country.”      

This year, Empire State University has seen enrollment of active-duty, National Guard, and Reserves members increase 4.7%, and veteran enrollment has increased 5%, compared to the previous year. Overall, military-connected enrollment at Empire State University has seen an 8.4% increase, and the university is at a 5-year high with more than 1,000 military-connected students enrolled so far this year. Additional active-duty, National Guard member, Reserves member, and veteran with registration still open for enrollments are expected in the Spring Express Term 2 and Summer 2026 semesters, putting the campus on track to exceed last year’s enrollment. 

SUNY is committed to supporting veterans and military-connected students on their path to a college education. SUNY’s dedicated one-stop shop website, www.suny.edu/military, includes information on available credit for military service and experience; tuition assistance, such as the Veterans Tuition Awards program approved by Governor Hochul; specialized scholarships, and dedicated campus services like veteran lounges and associations for all 64 SUNY campuses. The website also connects veterans with services offered by the counties where each campus is located, helping them stay close to home and community, and is regularly updated as new information becomes available.  

To further support veterans and military-connected students, SUNY launched the Veterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program, appointed SUNY’s first-ever Assistant Director of Enrollment for Military and Veteran Recruitment, expanded prior learning assessment to help both adult learners and current and former military members to advance their careers, and SUNY also provides free college application waivers for military-connected students year-round, to up to seven campuses. 

Empire State University Joins FutureReadyNYC Healthcare Pathway Accelerator to Create New Career Pathways for NYC Students 

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Careerwise, a nonprofit organization focusing on workforce development through youth apprenticeships, recently announced the creation of the FutureReadyNYC Healthcare Pathway Accelerator. This initiative is designed to provide youth apprenticeship opportunities in healthcare to high schoolers across New York City. Students will have the opportunity to access paid, multi-year earn-and-learn pathways at leading healthcare institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian.  

SUNY Empire will ensure that students are able to access clear pathways to college credit and degree attainment – which aligns perfectly with its mission to provide flexible, accessible education that meets students where they are in their educational and professional journeys. 

“Building real economic opportunity means forging education-to-career pathways that are accessible, aligned, and employer-driven,” said Krystal Ripa, director of workforce development. “Here at SUNY Empire, we are proud to support Careerwise and the FRNYC Healthcare Pathway Accelerator that blend academic rigor with meaningful work experiences, expanding upward mobility and advancing workforce readiness for learners of all backgrounds.” 

“As a professor of nursing with more than thirty years of experience across the healthcare continuum, I have seen firsthand that nearly every healthcare role—clinical, technical, and support—is facing unprecedented workforce strain,” said Maureen Kroning, professor of Nursing and workforce fellow. “Meeting this demand requires partnering with high schools to offer early college credit and paid, learn-and-earn pathways that allow students to enter the healthcare workforce sooner while continuing their education. These education-to-career partnerships are essential to building a sustainable and equitable healthcare workforce for New York state.” 

“This partnership shows the power of employers and labor coming together around a shared talent solution in one of our most critical sectors—healthcare,” said Brent Parton, President of CareerWise. “Together, we’re finishing the job of career pathways for young people by creating a real bridge to good jobs and careers through debt-free, earn-and-learn opportunities. The FRNYC Healthcare Pathway Accelerator is a model for the nation, demonstrating how K–12, higher education, and industry can unite to meet urgent workforce needs while unlocking opportunity for the next generation.” 

Empire State University Prioritizes Student Health Through Partnership with TimelyCare 

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Empire State University is proud to announce its partnership with TimelyCare, a virtual health platform, to provide students with access to free and equitable virtual mental health and medical care. Students can access the platform online and receive 24/7 care with a wide range of virtual care options from a diverse list of licensed physicians and counselors. This collaboration allows students to access services in all 50 states at no cost and without the barrier of traditional insurance, which is even more critical today due to rising healthcare costs. 

This partnership augments SUNY Empire’s growing list of support services and programs for students, all aimed at meeting basic needs to ensure students can achieve their educational goals. Between emergency grants, the virtual food pantry, and other initiatives such as the textbook affordability program, SUNY Empire’s commitment to providing affordable, accessible education shines through. 

TimelyCare will allow students to access services such as a crisis line, mental health counseling, on-demand emotional support, medical care, health coaching, faculty and staff guidance, peer support, and self-guided wellness tools. 

“The Office of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the Student Health Advisory Committee, is excited to be partnering with TimelyCare to expand the range of services available to our students,” said Libby Tsibulsky, director of health and wellness programs. “We encourage all students to take advantage of these valuable resources to support their wellbeing and academic success.   

“TimelyCare is honored to partner with Empire State University’s incredible team to address the growing need for accessible, high-quality mental health and medical support,” said Luke Hejl, CEO and co-founder of TimelyCare. “By combining our team-based approach with the expertise of campus professionals, we can provide the unique care that campus communities need to thrive – academically, emotionally, and personally. Together, we are creating a brighter, healthier future for students and educators, while fostering environments where well-being is a foundation for success.” 

Students can visit timelycare.com/Empire or download the TimelyCare app and register using their Empire State University email address.  

Empire State University’s Most Notable Moments of 2025 

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This year marked SUNY Empire’s fourth consecutive year of enrollment increases, the launch of many programs and initiatives designed to remove barriers to education for students, and expanded academic offerings. Read more about some of our best moments of 2025 below.  

January 

Empire State University launched the Spanish BBA program, SUNY’s first Spanish-language online degree program.  

February 

OAA and ITS collaborated to launch the Student Chromebook Pilot Initiative, which helped 912 eligible students gain affordable access to technology critical to their academic success this year.  

March 

Our Associate Degree Initiative launched, awarding a valuable credential to eligible bachelor’s degree-seeking students to help them advance their personal and professional goals. 

April 

Thanks to the Textbook Affordability Initiative, textbook costs for students were reduced by $5 million.  

May 

The inaugural Doctor of Education program graduated its first cohort. 

June 

Nine new academic programs were announced for the fall semester, giving students access to a wider range of academic offerings.  

July 

As part of a strategic restructuring, five new colleges launched: 

  • The College of Arts and Sciences, led by Dean Ju Kim 
  • The College of Business, led by Dean Julie Gedro 
  • The College of Education, led by Dean Kjersti VanSlyke-Briggs   
  • The College of Health and Human Services, led by Dean Carol DeNysschen 
  • The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, led by Dean Gina Torino 

August 

Eight Empire State University nursing students received SUNY’s inaugural Healthcare Educator Scholarship, out of 12 total recipients SUNY-wide.  

September 

Empire State University’s enrollment increased for the fourth year in a row, with new student enrollment increasing by 12% and overall student enrollment increasing by 9%. 

October 

A significant expansion of the military grant program was announced, extending education benefits to undergraduate military spouses of active-duty personnel, National Guard and Reserve members, and veterans. 

November 

The virtual food pantry filled a critical need for students during the SNAP benefit shortage, with the Student Government Association allocating an additional $35K in funding to support the student body.  

December 

The Empire State University Foundation acquired Clarke House, a historic 1832 Greek Revival property located in Saratoga Springs, to serve as a venue for donor cultivation, alumni gatherings, community engagement. 

Five-Minute Feature: Jeremy Qvick ’22, Winter 2025 Graduate

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Get to know the Empire State University community through these special-edition Five-Minute Features celebrating our Winter 2025 graduates. What makes Empire State University exceptional? The diverse stories, achievements, and dreams of the students crossing the stage. Five minutes—starting now! 

Meet graduate Jeremy Qvick ’22, who is receiving a Master’s in Adult Learning. 

How has your experience at Empire State University shaped who you are? 

Before Empire State University, I wrote a couple of books about consciousness studies, meditation, and self-development. The books became pretty big in Finland, so I was able to go and give lectures, workshops, and seminars. And then I realized that I wanted to take it to next level. I wanted to create what I call the academic backbone: scientific thinking, clear observation, all those good things that you might not get otherwise. I don’t believe there is another school where I could do what I was able to do here, which means that I could really craft my own path. 

What is your favorite thing about SUNY Empire?  

The open-mindedness of my professors. They want to follow me where my learning is, where my questions are, instead of imposing their views of how I should learn. This gives me a feeling of humanness and connection. 
 
Where and how did you find community at SUNY Empire?  

I went on a half-year journey around the US from Finland to find a school because I did not want to make a compromise. At the end I found Empire State University in the backyard of my American friends in Saratoga Springs who were supporting my studies, so it was quite a journey. 
 

What’s a first-day assumption you made that ended up being inaccurate?    

I thought online schooling would be more dry and more outside directed. I thought my studies would unfold in terms of, “check this goal, check that goal.” And for me it was much more.  

What are your future plans?   

I will begin to do the work which I’m now doing as my final project. I’m able to combine the learning I’m doing with my coming profession. I am studying adult learning, so my final project is about how to bring adult learning into social media. How can one experience deep learning in a TikTok video? This is my ultimate goal. 

Five-Minute Feature: Taylor Allen, Winter 2025 Graduate

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Get to know the Empire State University community through these special-edition Five-Minute Features celebrating our Winter 2025 graduates. What makes Empire State University exceptional? The diverse stories, achievements, and dreams of the students crossing the stage. Five minutes—starting now! 

Meet graduate Taylor Allen, who is receiving a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis.  

How has your experience at Empire State University shaped who you are?   

SUNY Empire has made me more confident, focused, and resilient. It helped me discover my strengths and take control of my education and future. 

Who supported you on your educational journey? 

My advisor, Noor Syed, supported me throughout my entire program by offering consistent guidance, clear feedback, and encouragement at every stage. She helped me navigate coursework and stay focused when challenges came up. Her expertise and genuine investment in my success made a significant difference and helped me grow both academically and professionally. 

What are your future plans?   

My end goal is a position as a Behavior Specialist in a school setting where I can support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral growth. 

What kept you motivated as you pursued your degree? 

I stayed motivated by focusing on the future I wanted—both for myself and the people I hope to support in my career. I want to make sure every student has the support they need to be successful. 

What is a good resource for fellow students?   

The SUNY Empire library is an excellent resource because it provides access to research databases and e-books.