Side by Side to Success: Twin sisters achieve bachelor’s degrees at 19 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — DECEMBER 9, 2024) Twin sisters Salma and Wafa Hussein have gone through most stages of their life side by side. They graduated high school together at 17, pushing through advanced courses and determined to graduate early. Their success supported their efforts to do the same with higher education, taking classes during every available term. At just 19 years old, they are celebrating another joint milestone: graduating with their bachelor’s degrees on the same day, from the same university. 

“It’s very special,” Salma Hussein said. “We’ve been together, they haven’t been able to separate us since birth.” 

To add onto their academic success, Wafa and Salma are first-generation college students, achieving their dreams beyond expectations.  

“We are living at home, which gives us time to focus on our degree and focus on getting somewhere, especially being the first college graduates in our family,” Wafa Hussein said. 

Like many twin siblings, Salma and Wafa completed major life milestones at the same time, but the sisters took that opportunity to the next level by submitting their applications at the same time. As luck would have it, their acceptance emails for Empire State University came in on the same day. Now, they will celebrate their graduation as a family.  

“We have our whole family coming to the graduation, and family is a huge part of us,” Wafa Hussein said. “Everything we do relies on family, and having them there is going to be the best present we could think of.” 

While both sisters wanted to attend the same university, each has their own reasons for why Empire State University was the right fit.  

“The business program was especially appealing to me,” Salma Hussein said. “My goal is to develop a strong foundation in business management, finance, and leadership so I can advance my career, whether it’s in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, or another business-focused role.”  

“The university is very flexible, especially as an online student,” Wafa Hussein said. “It gives me time to tackle my studies and other responsibilities, which is important to me. I am enrolled in the psychology program and my goal is to become a licensed therapist or work as a counselor. I am very passionate about mental health and helping others, and I hope to use this degree to navigate through challenges and improve the well-being of others.”  

Wafa Hussein said the university’s focus on allowing students to personalize their academic experience made all the difference while reaching her academic goals.  

“I had such incredible professors that were always there to help me, and I felt like I was working at my own pace,” Wafa Hussein said. “That’s something you wouldn’t get by going to a regular college. At SUNY Empire, everything was at my pace and all of my professors were willing to work with my schedule. They emphasized independent study, and it fit into my schedule and how I learn.”  

For Salma, flexibility and online education were main priorities for her undergraduate education.  

“The flexibility of the online format has allowed me to work at my own pace, which has been great for balancing my studies, and the professors were really supportive,” Salma said.  

After graduation, Wafa Hussein said she hopes to look at entry level jobs that will put her on a path to become a licensed therapist. Salma Hussein also plans to enter the workforce and pursue entry level roles in business.  

Empire State University holds Alpha Sigma Lambda Induction 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — DECEMBER 4, 2024) Empire State University held an induction for the Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society on December 2, 2024 in a virtual ceremony.  

Alpha Sigma Lambda is the oldest and largest national honor society for non-traditional students who meet exceptional academic standards and leadership requirements. 269 students were inducted into the Omega Tau chapter. To be recognized, students must complete a minimum of 24 credits towards an associate or bachelor’s degree, hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.85, and participate in the annual induction ceremony.  

“This evening marks a significant milestone in the academic journey of some truly exceptional humans,” President Lisa Vollendorf said. “Not only have you achieved academic excellence, but you did it while working full or part time, while raising families or caring for other family members, and while juggling all the responsibilities and obligations of being an adult in this increasingly complicated world. That is an achievement!”  

Please join us in congratulating this year’s Empire State University inductees!  

Virtual Food Pantry works to serve students facing food insecurity  

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — DECEMBER 2, 2024) Empire State University’s virtual food pantry, a resource for students struggling with food insecurity, continues to be a crucial resource for students and their families. Since its inception in January, the virtual food pantry has served over 448 people, including 149 students and their families. Overall, the virtual food pantry and Basic Needs at Empire State University have donated $34,692 in groceries.  

“Students have reported that using the virtual food pantry alleviated stress and anxiety, and allowed them to feed themselves and their families,” Libby Tsibulsky, director of health and wellness programs, said.  

Students can utilize the virtual food pantry once per term by completing the online application. Once approved, they are sent an email detailing how much grocery money they have been allotted, and Basic Needs works to coordinate an order that is brought directly to their homes.  

“This amount varies based on the number of individuals living in the home and cost of living considerations,” Tsibulsky said. “Students can then create and share a cart from Walmart, Amazon Fresh, or similar. Basic Needs then coordinates a time for the groceries to be delivered and places the student’s order. A shopper delivers the items straight to the student’s home.”  

Tsibulsky said food insecurity is a major concern among college students, even those who are pursuing non-traditional online education.  

“I recently learned that a financial strain as small as $500 can prevent a student from continuing their educational journey,” Tsibulsky said. “Every SUNY campus is now part of a pantry coordination group, where we collaborate and exchange ideas on how to alleviate the emotional and financial burdens caused by food insecurity. While we may not have a physical campus, our students face many of the same challenges as their peers at traditional institutions.” 

Tsibulsky said nutrition is crucial to student success and a lack of proper resources can inhibit students’ ability to complete their degrees.  

“Without proper nutrition, students may fall behind in their studies,” Tsibulsky said. “Our goal is to bridge the gap caused by unexpected life circumstances, ensuring our students can graduate and use their degrees to enhance their lives and contribute to the well-being of others.”  

Tsibulsky said Empire State University is continually working to improve the support provided to students. Most recently, Tsibulsky said the university welcomed a dedicated Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Coordinator to guide students through the application and recertification processes.  

“Our office offers a range of valuable resources, including one-time emergency grants, free tele-counseling services, and a comprehensive state and federal benefits screener,” Tsibulsky said.  

Empire State University launches new merch site  

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — DECEMBER 2, 2024) Empire State University is thrilled to announce the launch of the new university merch site.  

The merch site offers sweatshirts, t-shirts, backpacks, mugs, cups, and other branded items. Whether you’re a current student, alumni, faculty, or staff member, there’s something for everyone and the whole family. 

Use the code: BlueMonday for 15 percent off your purchase! The discount code is valid on December 2, 2024 and expires at midnight on December 3, 2024.  

Empowering Future Educators: Teacher Opportunity Corps Strengthens Pathways for Teacher Recruitment  

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — DECEMBER 2, 2024) Empire State University’s Teacher Opportunity Corps is providing new pathways to increase the number of teachers from underrepresented groups in high-needs districts. The opportunity program is making a direct impact in New York’s Capital Region, working with prospective teachers to keep students engaged and address ongoing challenges with graduation rates, retention, and truancy.  

Dana Brown, senior director of enrichment and opportunity programs, said she wanted the Teacher Opportunity Corps to take a different approach than other opportunity programs at other institutions and attract individuals who are already in the workforce in districts with a high need for educators.  

“You already have individuals that are vested, they know the population that they want to work with, they know the kids, they know the culture,” Brown said. “A lot of them have children that are in the district that want advancement, and they want to make a greater impact by becoming a teacher.”  

To meet this goal, the university partnered with the City School District of Albany and Schenectady City School District. The program recruits teacher assistants, paraprofessionals, and other staff members within the district who want to become teachers. Every student who comes into the program has the goal of obtaining a teaching certification in New York State. The current cohort has 19 students, including eight graduate students, ten undergraduate students, and one student in a combined program. Of those students, 13 are affiliated with Schenectady City School District and six are affiliated with the City School District of Albany.  

Empire State University holds virtual information sessions and provides one-on-one guidance in partnership with the districts to help prospective students become aware of the teaching pathway opportunities. These information sessions build the foundation for Empire State University advisors to work with interested students, providing tailored guidance, information, and support throughout the application process.  Once they join the program, Teacher Opportunity Corps Scholars benefit from being paired with teaching faculty, a monthly skill-building seminar, career preparation, and mentorship throughout their academic journey and first classroom experiences.

“Many educational leaders believe that students perform better academically when taught by teachers who understand their cultural backgrounds,” Diana Centanni, director of academic access initiatives, said. “This can lead to increased engagement, participation, and achievement. Diverse educators serve as role models for students, particularly those from underrepresented groups where they can see themselves in the curriculum.” 

Vollendorf Named to Presidents Forum Governing Board

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Lisa Vollendorf, the sixth president of Empire State University, has been appointed to the Presidents Forum Governing Board.

The Presidents Forum is dedicated to the continuous reinvention of higher education. By sharing knowledge, implementing best practices, and making policy recommendations, the Forum aims to explore transformative education models that cater to learners of all ages.

Vollendorf’s appointment to the governing board is a testament to her extensive experience as an educator and leader. With more than 25 years in higher education, she is a tireless advocate for public education and a staunch supporter of access, equity, and inclusion.

As the only public online university in New York state, SUNY Empire State University has been at the forefront of providing accessible and quality education to students across the state, nation, and world.

“I am honored to join the Presidents Forum Governing Board and eager to contribute to the important work of transforming higher education for learners of all ages and backgrounds,” Vollendorf said. “I look forward to collaborating with my esteemed colleagues from colleges and universities across the country to drive innovation, equity, and excellence for all in our institutions.”

SUNY Empire Spotlight: Nov. 2024

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 25, 2024) The latest news on research efforts, awards, grants, and media appearances from Empire State University faculty and staff.  

Lauren Allen, assistant professor in the School for Graduate Studies and Assistant Director of the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports, co-authored and presented “Socially valid collaboration and consultation” in “Psychology Essentials for Behavior Analysts.” Allen also presented “Health and mental health equity: A role for higher ed?” at the College Autism Summit in Columbus, Ohio. Allen and Noor Syed, assistant professor and director of CAARES, co-authored and presented “Pursuing higher education systems-level change in the pursuit of inclusivity,” “Universal Design,” and “Neurodiversity in Higher Education.”  

Alan Belasen, professor in the School for Graduate Studies, published “Brilliant Leadership – Unlocking the Power of Innovation-Communication.” The book presents a holistic view of what it means to become a successful leader in the transformative digital age. It provides practical strategies and assessment tools for developing the skills essential for communicating with empathy and authenticity, engaging and inspiring others, creating accountability from shared commitments, and sparking learning in a purpose-driven innovation culture. Earlier this year, Belasen and Barry Eisenberg, associate professor in the School for Graduate Studies, published “Transforming Leadership, Improving the Patient Experience.” The book explores the relationships between coordinated care, expert leadership, provider-patient communications, and patient experience. When clinical and nonclinical staff collaborate effectively, health care teams can improve patient outcomes, prevent medical errors, improve efficiency, and increase patient satisfaction. In October 2024, collaborating with Ari Belasen, Southern Illinois University, Alan published “Signaling Trust During Disruptions: Perceived Gender Differences in Trustworthy Leadership Traits” in “Gender in Leadership: An International Journal.”  This research article offers methodology for measuring trustworthiness based on transparency, credibility, accountability, and honesty during disruptions and an empirical test for analyzing perceived gender differences in trustworthy leadership traits. Currently, Belasen is working on a new book project “Middle Managers: Bridging the Trust Gap.” The book is presented as a practical guide for leaders and professionals wishing to gain skills for building and maintaining trust in the workplace. 

 Val Chukhlomin, professor in the School of Business, published “The EMERALD Framework: A practical approach to generative AI integration” at the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.  

Herbert Covington, assistant professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Science, published a new paper in “Psychopharmacology.” Covington served as the senior and corresponding author for this paper, titled “Delineating anticipatory arousal from reward consumption: evaluating fixed-intervals in cocaine seeking-taking response chains.” 

Michelle Eades-Baird, associate professor in the School for Graduate Studies, and Dan Nyaronga, professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Science, published “Psychological, informational, and material factors impacting girls’ menstruation-related school absenteeism in rural Tanzania,” in the “East African Journal of Education Studies.” 

Tom Mackey, professor in the School of Arts and Humanities, facilitated a panel for International Education Week. The panel was hosted in collaboration with North-West University in South Africa and featured educators from other global partner universities. Mackey and Shiela Aird, former director of European academic programs, presented sections of their book “Teaching Digital Storytelling: Inspiring Voices Through Online Narratives,” which connects digital storytelling and metaliteracy to the virtual exchange taught by Mackey, connecting students at SUNY Empire to students in Prague for a collaborative project.  

Jenny Mincin, associate professor in the School for Graduate Studies, presented “Dealing with Trauma” and her work with refugees at the Ukraine Accommodation Providers Seminar in Ireland. 

Shannon Pritting, director of library services, presented at several regional, national, and international presentations. On October 15, 2024, Pritting, along with Rob Sanders, Christine Paige, Winifred Storms, and Melissa Wells presented “From the Ground Up: Care and Collaboration Through Access and Affordability,” at the Association for Continuing Higher Education Conference. On October 17, 2024, Pritting, along with Cailyn Green, Bernadet DeJonge, and Jennifer Collins, presented “Social Justice OER: From writing to online modules,” at the SUNY OER Summit. On October 29, 2024, Pritting led a featured episode on Research Solutions’ “Bringing Users Back to the Library” series, in which Pritting spoke about Empire State University’s efforts to provide research services to faculty with limited staffing via systems integration and user-oriented platforms and technologies. Pritting also began an invited position as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Educational Technology Systems and recently published an article in the journal: Library Resources and Technical Services titled “A Cohort Model Approach to Addressing Library Accessibility in a Large, Devolved Library System.”  

Shaun Richman, program director, published a chapter in a new volume of “Marxist Historian,” by Philip S. Foner, from International Publishers. Richman was asked to contribute to the revised and expanded Foner collection after publishing a review of the posthumously released “History of the Labor Movement in the United States, Vol. 11” in Jacobin Magazine. The original Foner Reader was edited by SUNY Empire Professor Emeritus Roger Keeran in 1995.  

Amy Ruth Tobol, professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Science, published her essay “The Law Students Civil Rights Research Council” in “More Voices of Civil Rights Lawyers,” published by University Press of Florida.  

Sarah Valentine, assistant professor in the School of Nursing and Allied Health, presented “Pathways for Community and Hospital Response to Environmental-Pollution Related Health Impacts: A Prototype Logic Model” as part of the Arthur Imperatore Community Forum Fellowship.  

Christopher Whann, associate professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Science, participated in a panel “The American Election: What happened, why, and what it means to you,” along with journalists and professors from other institutions. The panel looked at the global impact of the U.S. election results and how people can anticipate changes, particularly in Africa.  

Mary Zanfini, Lecturer in the School of Arts and Humanities, presented “Humanistic research with Neurodiverse Adults” at the International Academic Forum 5th Barcelona Conference on Education.  

Meet Lorraine Williams: Empire State University’s 100,000th alum  

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 25, 2024) Lorraine Williams is Empire State University’s 100,000th alum. Williams, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nursing, exemplifies the university’s mission to create opportunities for adult learners seeking to continue their education and pursue their goals.  

Williams said she spent decades trying to earn her college degree. While searching for an institution that would provide her with the flexibility and affordability needed to earn one while working full-time, she came across SUNY Empire. At that time, SUNY Empire did not yet have a nursing degree program, so she earned her associate degree in nursing from Suffolk County Community College and began her career in health care. When she was ready to earn her bachelor’s degree, she turned to SUNY Empire.  

She said her academic journey sometimes felt like a full-time job. She would work her shifts and then tackle her school assignments in the middle of the night, determined to succeed in her career and her coursework.  

“I had to stay up late—until six o’clock in the morning sometimes—to finish my assignments,” Williams said. “If I knew an assignment was going to take a long time, I would look at it like it was part of my work schedule.”  

Williams is a psychiatric registered nurse in Rochester, administering care on a 30-bed forensics unit at an inpatient facility. Her passion for health care was born out of a desire to help others and make a positive impact on those around her.  

“I’ve had some setbacks in my life, and I believe the best therapy is to help those in need,” Williams said. “I can relate to some patients when I’m helping them. I have empathy, so that’s what drives me.”  

Outside of her studies and career, Williams finds joy in nature, reading, and spending time with her two birds: Little Falcon and Little Eagle.  

Despite the challenges and late nights, Williams said she is proud of her ability to achieve her goals. She credits her faith for her success and perseverance and said she hopes to become a nurse practitioner someday.  

“It’s kind of surreal,” Williams said about earning her bachelor’s degree. “I can’t believe that I’m at this point, and I never thought I would get this far. I’ve been through struggles that almost caused me to give up, but I was recently accepted to SUNY Empire’s master’s degree program in nursing. My dream of being a nurse practitioner will come true someday.” 

Williams said earning her MSN degree is a challenge she is ready to face. 

“I want to continue with SUNY Empire’s nursing program because the instructors were so helpful. If I needed help, my mentor was always there for me,” Williams said. “I always wanted to go to Empire State University because of the understanding that students have lives outside of college, and that is also the reason I want to continue here.”  

Williams said if she can achieve her goals, others can too.  

“Anyone can accomplish their goals, no matter how difficult life may seem,” Williams said. “Don’t give up. I’ve been through so much I could write a book about it, but I don’t let it deter me from achieving anything.”  

Empire State University celebrates milestone 100,000 alumni 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – November 25, 2024) Empire State University is thrilled to announce a major milestone. 100,000 graduates have been served by the university’s dedicated faculty and staff working to make a difference through accessible, high-quality online education.  

Since 1971, Empire State University has empowered learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals through innovation and accessibility. The university’s dedication to providing paths for student success in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs has made the institution a guiding force in online education.  

100,000 people are now part of #LoyalBlue, a network of accomplished individuals making their mark in all 50 U.S. states and around the world. Whether they are educators, CEOs, politicians, veteran or active-duty members of the military, or artists, SUNY Empire alumni are making a difference in their communities with the knowledge and skills they earned through their degrees.  

President Lisa Vollendorf said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the milestone of 100,000 alumni and to honor each person’s unique educational journey. For more than 50 years, Empire has delivered high-quality, innovative education to learners of all ages. We look forward to welcoming our next 100,000 alumni in the coming decades.” 

Lorraine Williams is Empire State University’s 100,000th alum. Williams is graduating from our bachelor’s in nursing program and works as a registered psychiatric nurse while advancing her studies in Rochester, New York. Williams exemplifies Empire State University’s mission to provide flexible, accessible, and affordable education to adult learners seeking to continue their education at any stage of life.  

“It’s kind of surreal in a way,” Williams said. “I can’t believe that I’m at this point, and I never thought that I would get this far. I’ve been through struggles that almost caused me to give up, but I was accepted to a master’s program. Maybe my dream of being a nurse practitioner will come true someday.” 

Williams plans to continue her journey with Empire State University and pursue a master’s of science in nursing.  

“I want to continue with the program because the instructors were really helpful and if I needed help, my mentor was always there for me,” Williams said. “I have always wanted to go to Empire State University because of the understanding that students have lives outside of college and that is the reason I want to continue.” 

As part of its celebration, Empire State University is launching a 24-hour $100,000 for 100K Alumni campaign, a donation-led effort to fund scholarships, program development, and resources for students, faculty, and staff at Empire State University. The campaign ends on November 26, 2024.  

Veteran and Military Resource Center marks one year at SUNY Empire 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 21, 2024) Empire State University’s Veteran and Military Resource Center is celebrating one year of supporting and empowering military-affiliated students seeking higher education.  

The center opened in November 2023 and, in just one year, has become a cornerstone of support for military-affiliated students, staff, and alumni. The center offers assistance with transition programs, academic support, veteran career services, and a variety of virtual and in-person programming to bring SUNY Empire’s expansive military-affiliated community together.  

Desiree Drindak, director of the Veteran and Military Resource Center, said providing a physical space for active-duty members, veterans, and family members to connect provides a unique resource that makes SUNY Empire stand out in its dedication to military-affiliated students.  

“We have accomplished more than I think we ever imagined in the last year,” Desiree Drindak, director of the Veteran and Military Resource Center, said. “We’ve always connected to community resources so our students could have the resources they needed, but this space specifically has now become a resource for our community to veteran organizations.”  

Since its inception, the Veteran and Military Resource Center has found different ways to recognize military-affiliated students through commemorative events and now, student organization. The center recently brought back the veteran and military student club and hired a military-affiliated student intern to assist with student engagement.  

“We have been able to make so much progress with engaging our students in a more social aspect versus just the academic,” Drindak said. “This program is about building community virtually and in-person, and the student club has been able to enhance all of that energy and get more student voices included in the conversation so we can build programming around them.”  

Empire State University proudly serves over 1,000 military-affiliated students, the highest number of any State University of New York institution. Drindak credits that growth to the foundations built through the center and the university’s support programs that bring a transfer of military training credit, automatic support, and community connection immediately to SUNY Empire students.  

“The university is working towards building programs and services to help students stay and continue to get their degree so they can move along in their journey,” Drindak said. “Our increase has been steady over the last few years, and that allows us the programmatic support to continue to grow.” 

Drindak, reflecting on the last year of progress with the Veteran and Military Resource Center, said the future looks bright. Drindak said the center is working to staff a veteran and military career advisor and expand connections with community organizations. Above all, Drindak said they are continuously working to build better support for military-affiliated students and their families.  

“The support of this population and this program is embedded into the fabric of the university,” Drindak said. “Supporting access to education is so important and, for this population, allowing these designated resources really helps us support military families and our communities around the state and around the world, so they can accomplish their educational goals and then move forward into the next phase of their life.”