Empire State University’s Basic Needs Program Supports Students During SNAP Benefit Shortage  

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With the longest federal government shutdown in history affecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other benefits, many college students are facing basic needs insecurities. SUNY Empire’s Basic Needs Program is ready to help the online university’s unique community of students.  

In the United States alone, 59% of students experience at least one form of basic needs insecurity related to food or housing while pursuing their education. Through Empire State University’s Basic Needs programs, students have access to a virtual food pantry, emergency grants, 24/7 mental health support, a laptop loaner program, and more. In addition, the university’s partnership with the nonprofit organization Single Stop connects the university’s students with benefits in their own communities. 

“If you’re not meeting your basic needs then you might not be able to focus on your goals,” said SUNY Empire’s Basic Needs Coordinator Anna Zoodsma. “If you don’t have food on your table, it’s really difficult to write an essay.” 

As SUNY’s leading online university and New York state’s first and only public online university, SUNY Empire’s virtual food pantry allows students to order food online. Since its inception in 2024, the virtual food pantry has seen 285 applications. It has helped fill a critical need for nearly 1,000 beneficiaries with more than $67K in awarded funds. 

In the first week of November alone, the pantry received 70 requests. Seeing a need for more resources, Empire State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) approved a $35K allocation to the food pantry to support more students in their time of need. 

“In today’s challenging world, students should never have to choose between SUNY Empire and meeting their basic needs,” said SGA President Brady Stewart. “We want students to say, ‘I chose SUNY Empire because I feel supported here.’ Resources like the Virtual Food Pantry help make that possible. The SGA will continue championing initiatives that strengthen equity, belonging, and access so every student has what they need to thrive in and out of the classroom.” 

And the support doesn’t stop there. More than 470 emergency grants have been awarded to students who face emergencies or setbacks surrounding basic needs. 

“It’s human to struggle, and having these supports available so students don’t feel like they’re on their own when something out of their control happens is important,” said Zoodsma. “It’s affirming to know that someone has your back if the unexpected happens.” 

Empire State University Students Awarded Veterans Business Council Scholarships 

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Two military-affiliated SUNY Empire students, Roy Belvett and Matthew Newsome ‘23, received scholarships from the Veterans Business Council (VBC) this past week. The scholarships support veterans or service members (active duty, national guard, or reserves) who live in, attend college in, or work in Saratoga County, NY. 

Belvett, a staff sergeant who currently serves in the New York Air National Guard, works as a fleet management analyst and material control section lead at Stratton Air National Guard Base. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Professional Studies in business, management, and economics with a concentration in information systems. 

Newsome, who serves as a section commander at the 83d Network Operations Squadron in Virginia, is pursuing a Master of Public Administration. Newsome graduated with a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Empire in 2023.  

“It was an honor to celebrate Roy and Matthew as two of the Veterans Business Council scholarship recipients at their annual breakfast this year,” said Director of Veteran and Military Education Desiree Drindak. “The VBC is an amazing partner that continues to empower and support veterans in our community.” 

Adam Grinvalsky ’21: Honoring New York’s Capital Region Veterans

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When Adam Grinvalsky ’21 was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 2014, he was happy to put his military experience behind him. He had spent four years working as an aviation ordnanceman on an aircraft carrier, placing bombs and missiles onto planes.

During his deployment in the Persian Gulf, he spent his days toiling in 115-degree heat, under the grueling hot sun. By night, he slept in a berthing unit below deck with 40 other sailors, stacked three beds high. “Nothing was comfortable at all,” he says.

It was the kind of experience where he formed lifelong bonds — and one he was happy to leave behind when he returned home to the Capital Region.

Back Home

Grinvalsky grew up in Mechanicville, N.Y., the son of a Navy man who had served in the Lebanon conflict in 1982. His paternal grandfather was in the Navy as were his uncles; his maternal grandfather served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

“It wasn’t anything that was forced upon me, but all the sea stories and stories of traveling the world really resonated with me,” he says. “And I needed to get out of Mechanicville and go experience life.”

After his service, Grinvalsky got a job working for the New York State Office of Information Technology Services. He graduated from SUNY Schenectady County Community College in 2018 and three years later, got a degree in business, management and economics from Empire State University.

He also got married and started a family with his wife Lucy. Together they’re raising a son and daughter in Galway, NY.

Back to the Military

As time went on, Grinvalsky sensed a void in his life. “I was missing the camaraderie, the camaraderie I had when I was in the service,” he says. “I’ve never been able to find it again, and I don’t think I ever will. I think a lot of servicemen and women can relate to that.”

At Lucy’s encouragement, Grinvalsky got involved in the area’s veteran community. He now serves on the board of the Capital Region Veterans Memorial’s “Legacy Project,” which is working to create memorials honoring Capital Region Veterans. Each “pod” will commemorate one of the seven major conflicts of the last century — World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, The Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan — and feature a monument, battlefield cross, and historical elements.

The project is located at the Legacy House and Legacy Park in Glenville, NY, a resource center and gathering place for area Veterans that opened in 2023. A café and welcome center are in the works.  

In addition to “The Legacy Project,” Grinvalsky serves as the IT and communications officer at the Legacy House. He helped create a computer room for veterans to use to connect with family, explore job opportunities, or pursue an education. He also helps to update the organization’s website and manages their social media platforms and email account.

Working on the memorial and using his IT skills to help local veterans has been rewarding for Grinvalsky, who is the third vice commander of the American Legion Post 234 Ballston Spa and an active member of VFW Post 358 Ballston Spa.

“I just want to honor our veterans, both the living and the dead who served the Capital Region, by establishing this house and memorial and making it a nice area for people to visit,” he says. “It’s something I’m passionate about.”

Leading the Way in AI Literacy: Associate Professor Diane Shichtman

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When artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as one of higher education’s most urgent and exciting challenges, Empire State University Associate Professor Diane Shichtman was ready to embrace it. With a background in computer science and a passion for the public understanding of science and technology, Shichtman is an important voice in preparing her students and colleagues for an AI-infused world.

When discussing artificial intelligence’s rapid emergence, Shichtman says, “This is the moment that we have to think and talk about AI, not just be aware of it.”

Her approach to AI literacy extends beyond teaching students how to use generative AI tools. Her course “AI Literacy: Foundations, Challenges, and Responsibilities,” cultivates a holistic understanding of AI that encompasses ethics, social responsibility, and real-world applications. In her role as the Center for Teaching and Learning’s AI Fellow, she offers professional-development opportunities for her colleagues through initiatives like Open Mic sessions that support open discussion of ideas, as well as “Topics in AI” discussions where she presents AI-related news and engages participants in hands-on demonstrations.

Shichtman began at SUNY Empire as an adjunct teaching computer ethics, a subject that would prove prescient. Despite a successful and lucrative consulting career, she was drawn to the creative opportunity to design curriculum and work with students from diverse backgrounds. Her career turning point came at a friend’s wedding when she realized she couldn’t stop talking about the work she was doing for SUNY Empire on the side—not her actual consulting work.

“I was making a difference,” she recalls. “I knew that I was doing something meaningful with my life. I was teaching at an institution that gives a lot of students a chance.”

Her expertise has earned recognition beyond campus. As a SUNY AI for the Public Good Fellow, Shichtman shares resources and consultations on AI literacy and the ethical use of AI for faculty, instructional designers, and librarians across SUNY. She sees SUNY Empire’s unique position as an online institution as an advantage. “We are looking at things in ways traditional brick-and-mortar institutions are not,” she says.

Shichtman says her background, knowledge, and experience have landed her in a moment she is ready for. While she doesn’t claim to have all the answers, she knows how to facilitate the crucial conversations higher education needs to be having about AI—and she’s committed to ensuring students aren’t surprised by whatever comes next.

SUNY Empire Honors 4 Outstanding Alumni  

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Empire State University celebrated the recipients of its 2025 Alumni Awards last week, with a ceremony and dinner at the Saratoga National Golf Club. The special event was held on Thursday, October 16, and included alumni, faculty, and staff.  

The Alumni Awards recognize outstanding alumni who are making a lasting impact on their communities and the university through professional, philanthropic, and volunteer accomplishments. 

The recipients of this year’s awards were: 

  • Emerging Leader: Timothy Johnson ’24, ’25 
  • Community Impact: Jason Torreano ’14 
  • Veteran Service Award: Michele Johnson ’19 
  • Professional Excellence: Elliott Murphy ’88 

To learn more about the award recipients, read the press release.  

View photos from the event.  

Behind the Scenes: Digital Accessibility at SUNY Empire 

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Empire State University’s mission of meeting students where they are with flexible, affordable, high-quality education means making the experience of every student accessible from start to finish. One critical aspect for any university – especially an online university like SUNY Empire – is ensuring digital accessibility across a variety of platforms. 

Join us for a behind the scenes look into digital accessibility at SUNY Empire with Digital Accessibility Coordinator Lindsay Infantino. 

Q: What is digital accessibility?  

A: Digital accessibility, or Electronic Information Technology Accessibility (EITA), involves making sure everyone can fully access digital information such as documents, websites, software, images, videos, and course materials. In particular, it means making sure disabled individuals can fully engage with any digital information, resource, or technology. 

Q: Why is it important?  

A: When something is inaccessible, there is real impact to disabled individuals. It may mean that someone cannot navigate a website, understand what is being said in a video, decipher an image, fill out a form, or read a document. When there are accessibility barriers in digital spaces, disabled people may miss out on important information and may not be able to fully participate in a course, activity, or other task. It is important to make things digitally accessible not only because it is a legal requirement, but because it is simply the right thing to do. 

Q: How do we make things accessible? 

A: I encourage people who are new to digital accessibility to start by learning about and developing good accessibility practices, with the understanding that it will take time to implement all of them. A good approach is to strive to make something more accessible rather than perfectly accessible right away, because some digital accessibility skills are easier to learn and commit to using than others. 

Q: How does it help us serve a wider range of student needs? 

A: Sometimes people think about digital accessibility only in terms of whether information is accessible to someone who is Blind or has low vision, or to someone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing. But digital accessibility is also important for neurodivergent individuals, people with various learning disabilities, and people with certain physical or mobility disabilities. For example, making a document accessible so that it works with a screen reader may help someone who is Blind or has low vision, but it may also help someone who uses a screen reader to support their ADHD or Dyslexia. When we proactively make digital information accessible, it undoubtedly helps us reach more students.   

Q: How do you collaborate with other departments across the university to ensure that digital accessibility standards are being met?  

A: Digital Accessibility is part of Empire Online, so we closely collaborate with a team of instructional designers and instructional technologists to ensure courses are being developed and revised to not only meet required accessibility standards but also best practices. We also collaborate with Accessibility Resources and Services each term to conduct priority accessibility reviews of courses. In addition, we work closely with Procurement and ITS to ensure software and other digital tools are reviewed and/or tested for accessibility. We also collaborate with Communications, Student Support, CAARES, and many other departments. We are everywhere! Often Digital Accessibility is reaching out to departments, but increasingly departments are reaching out to us first to seek out accessibility resources or request training or review, which we love to see and always welcome. 

Q: What does inclusive design mean to you, and how does it go beyond compliance?  

A: Inclusive design, as it relates to accessibility, means designing with disabled individuals in mind. It means considering that disabled people are going to be part of your audience and making things as accessible as possible from the onset, rather than having to remediate a tool or resource after the fact when someone discloses disability. Compliance is important, but there is a difference between running through a checklist to make sure something complies with accessibility standards, vs. designing with care and consideration for your audience, which will include disabled people. 

Q: What does the future of digital accessibility at SUNY Empire look like?  

A: I’m noticing more departments reaching out to connect with our team and improve digital accessibility within their unit. This is wonderful and I hope to continue to see more of this. I think people at our university really want to further develop their digital accessibility skills. Our Digital Accessibility Liaison program, which we launched last year, has around 30 members, so it has been really well received both by professionals and instructors. We discuss different accessibility topics every month; sometimes the sessions are more theory based (like learning about disability models) and sometimes they are more tech based (such as learning remediation or basic accessibility testing). Throughout the next year, we want to expand our training to include digital accessibility office hours and more live training opportunities.    

Learn more about EITA at Empire State University. 

Empire State University Receives $90,000 Grant from Dyson Foundation 

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Empire State University has been awarded a $90,000 grant from the Dyson Foundation to support scholarships for students in nursing and allied health programs, who live and work in the Mid-Hudson Valley. The three-year award will support scholarships from 2026 to 2028, with the goal of addressing the shortage of nurses and nurse educators in the region. 

The Dyson Foundation has funded scholarships at SUNY Empire since 2008. Since that time, 38 Dyson Scholarship recipients have graduated from SUNY Empire with undergraduate degrees, five with a master’s in nursing, and seven are actively enrolled.   

The Dyson Foundation Scholarship began with the launch of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in 2008 and supported students from the Mid-Hudson Valley in the RN to BSN program. Over the years, the scholarship has expanded along with SUNY Empire’s nursing programs and now provides scholarships for students pursuing a BSN, an MSN or an allied health degree.  

“We thank the Dyson Foundation for its continued commitment to strengthening health care access and workforce development in New York. Partnerships like these create ripple effects that benefit entire communities for generations,” said Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf. 

“SUNY Empire’s nursing and allied health degrees help address critical health care needs in the Mid-Hudson region. Through these programs, working professionals increase their knowledge and skills, resulting in better care and better health for our communities. We are pleased to support SUNY Empire’s Mid-Hudson Valley students in attaining these degrees,” said the Foundation’s President and CEO, Andrea Reynolds. 

Recipients of Dyson Foundation Scholarships must live and work in Mid-Hudson Valley, which is comprised of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster counties. They must intend to remain in the region after graduation.  

The Dyson Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Hudson Valley that address basic human needs, including housing, family stability, youth development, and health care access — including behavioral health, food access, and other human services. The Foundation focuses on organizations working with those who are economically disadvantaged or otherwise marginalized. 

SUNY Empire Expands Military Grant to Include Veteran Spouses, Leads SUNY System in Military Support 

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Empire State University continues pioneering efforts to serve military families with enhanced grant coverage beginning Fall 2025 

Empire State University announced a significant expansion of its military grant program, extending comprehensive educational benefits to spouses of veterans for the first time. Beginning fall 2025, undergraduate military spouses of active-duty personnel, National Guard and Reserve members, and veterans are eligible for a military grant that aligns tuition with the in-state rate of $295 per credit hour and provides the same covered fees previously available only to service members. 

Expanding Access for Military Families 

The expansion represents an evolution of SUNY Empire’s military support initiatives. Although the university first introduced grants for military spouses in 2020, the program covered only spouses of active duty, Guard, and Reserve personnel. The expansion includes veteran spouses and adds coverage for the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) fee—providing more complete financial support for military families pursuing higher education. 

“This expansion for veteran spouses reflects SUNY Empire’s commitment to serving military families—removing financial barriers and empowering active duty, Guard, Reserve, and veteran members, along with their spouses, to achieve their educational goals,” says Desiree Drindak, SUNY Empire’s Veteran and Military Resource Center director. 

The grant program requires verification of military affiliation. 

Leading the SUNY System 

SUNY Empire has been providing comprehensive support to military-affiliated students for years and serves more military-affiliated students than any other campus in the 64-institution SUNY system. SUNY Empire grants nearly 20% of all SUNY degrees to military-affiliated students.  

More Than Financial Support 

Beyond financial coverage, SUNY Empire has built comprehensive support systems specifically designed for military families. The university’s online format accommodates the unique challenges military families face, from irregular schedules and deployment separations to frequent moves between duty stations. 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, military spouses face a 21% unemployment rate nationally—six times the civilian rate—and often struggle to maintain career continuity due, in part, to relocations and lack of childcare. SUNY Empire’s online programs allow spouses to continue their education regardless of where military assignments take their families. 

Comprehensive Military Benefits Portfolio 

With the Fall 2025 expansion, SUNY Empire’s military grant program funded with institutional support, now offers: 

  • In-state tuition rate of $295 per credit hour for undergraduate military spouses 
  • Tuition for undergraduate active-duty personnel, National Guard members, Reserve personnel, and veterans aligned with the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance limit of $250 per credit hour 
  • Covered fees including the fee for credit for prior learning 
  • Eligibility extended to active-duty personnel, National Guard members, Reserve personnel, veterans, and all their spouses 

The program builds on SUNY Empire’s broader commitment to accessible, flexible, high-quality education. 

“The expansion represents enhanced benefits and recognition of military spouses as essential partners in military service,” said Drindak. “They deserve educational opportunities that support their aspirations.” 

SUNY Empire Announces 2025 Alumni Award Winners 

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Empire State University today announced the recipients of the 2025 Alumni Awards. The awards recognize outstanding alumni who are making a lasting impact on their communities and the university through professional, philanthropic, and volunteer accomplishments. 

“We are so pleased with the caliber of this year’s alumni award winners, who exemplify SUNY Empire’s commitment to the betterment of society,” said Veronica Fitzgerald, vice president of advancement and executive director of the Empire State University Foundation. “The contributions they make to their communities, workplaces, and society are felt both locally and globally. We applaud these individuals for the impact they are having and for their achievements, which now includes these prestigious awards.” 

The award recipients are: 

Professional Excellence: Elliott Murphy ’88  

Murphy, who lives in Paris, is an American rock singer-songwriter, novelist, record producer, and writer. Murphy has been active in the music industry for more than 50 years, and recorded with Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Phil Collins, among others. He has released over 30 albums and continues to perform to sold-out audiences in Europe. Murphy also published a collection of short stories and has written for Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair.  

Murphy was inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2018 by Billy Joel. As an active alumnus, Murphy has provided testimonials and videos on behalf of SUNY Empire. He also recorded a song for the virtual commencement held during the COVID pandemic, a song he first composed and performed at his own graduation in 1988.  

In his nomination, Gaspard Murphy cited his father’s “extraordinary commitment to artistic integrity, cultural contribution, and lifelong achievement throughout his unique and prolific career as a singer, songwriter, musician, performer, producer and author.” 

This is the first time the award for Professional Excellence has been given. 

Emerging Leader: Timothy Johnson ’24, ’25 

Johnson of Harriman, NY has been a captain for the New York City Department of Correction for 12 years. He began his career as a school safety officer for the NYPD. While at SUNY Empire he was president of the Black Male Initiative, served on the Student Government Association, and was a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. 

As an alumnus, he is an active volunteer and supporter, often attending alumni events.  In addition, he is a member of the Kappa Psi Kappa Fraternity, which is dedicated to mentorship, civic service, and professional brotherhood. 

“As a seasoned public servant, mentor, and rising executive leader, Mr. Johnson stands as a powerful testament to Empire State University’s mission of educating adult learners who make meaningful contributions to their communities and professions,” said SUNY Empire Professor David Fullard, who nominated Johnson.  

Community Impact: Jason Torreano ’14 

Torreano of Belleville, NJ, is the founder of Inkululeko, a nonprofit organization supporting youth in Makhanda, South Africa. Jason left a career in broadcast journalism with a vision to create a sustainable pathway to help marginalized South African youth complete high school and pursue higher education or meaningful employment. His connection to Makhanda began when he visited Africa as an undergraduate, volunteering at the Amasango School for Street Children. 

Torreano was the CEO of Inkululeko for 14 years until he recently transitioned the organization to South African leadership. He is now director of social enterprise strategy and development at St. John’s Community Services, an organization in Washington, D.C. that creates sustainable programs for people with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness.  

He is also a faculty member at Montclair State University and director of development and communications for the Hiscock Legal Aid Society in Syracuse, NY.  Torreano was nominated by his advisor, SUNY Empire Professor Emerita Susan Hollis, who called him “an innovator and model for those committed to serving underserved communities in the United States and internationally.”  

Veteran Service Award: Michele Johnson ’19  

Johnson of Schenectady, NY, served in the U.S. Army for 16 years, where she started as a supply specialist and became a drill instructor. She later served as a correction officer for the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Department. Upon retiring, she transitioned into nonprofit and community-based work. As an advocate, she uses her experiences to uplift others and to make an impact. 

Johnson plays a vital role in many veteran organizations including the Schenectady County Veterans Peer-to-Peer Program, the American Warrior Association, and the Warrior Connection. She is co-chair of the Albany Stratton Veteran Mental Health Council, where she advocates for better care and support for veterans living with mental health challenges. In addition, she has traveled across the country mentoring fellow veterans. She is also active in SUNY Empire events, serving as a storyteller and speaker.  

 “I am nominating my mother for the Empire State Veteran Service Award because she is the living embodiment of courage, perseverance, and unwavering service,” wrote her daughter Mekkah Bergeron. “She is a warrior, a mentor, a leader, and a light in dark places. Her ability to turn pain into purpose, and suffering into service, is nothing short of extraordinary.” 

She was also nominated separately by Bethany Hicks, SUNY Empire’s military academic and student services coordinator. 

The awardees will be recognized at a special dinner on October 16, 2025.  

About the Alumni Awards 

The Alumni Awards Program was established in 2016 to honor Empire State University graduates, many of whom are leaders and innovators in their fields. The awards recognize outstanding alumni who are making a lasting impact on society and SUNY Empire through their professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments. The awards demonstrate the value of our academic programs, showcase our pride in SUNY Empire, and elevate our public profile.  

SUNY Empire Alumni Gather for Second Lectures on Tap Event

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Alumni, students, and staff met and mingled at the second Lectures on Tap, held in Ballston Spa at The Factory Eatery and Spirits, on Thursday, September 18.

The lecture was given by alumnus Tom Ruffing ’19, ’25,who serves as the historian in upstate New York’s Washington County. He spoke about the Burgoyne Campaign trail that went through Washington County during the Revolutionary War. Ruffing is a retired 24-year veteran, a current student at SUNY Empire, and president of the Student Veterans and Military Club.

The event was hosted by the offices of Alumni Engagement, Student Engagement, and the Veteran and Military Resource Center.  Look for more Lectures on Tap coming soon!