Empire State University Announces Day of Giving, GO HIGHER FOR EMPIRE, On MARCH 21

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — February 20, 2024) Join us on Thursday, March 21 as the Empire State University community comes together for a great cause – our students! Alumni, employees and friends are invited to participate in our 24-hour Day of Giving.

This year’s theme is “Go Higher for Empire,” and we’ve planned a day of fun, excitement, and a few surprises. Activities, challenges, and giveaways will take place throughout the day, and we will share it all on the university’s social media platforms. Follow along to see our progress toward our goal of 250 donors.

If you will be attending the Annual Meeting, be sure to stop by the Office of Advancement’s table to say hello and earn the chance to win some swag.

Please visit www.sunyempire.edu/gohigher to make your gift on March 21. Every gift, no matter how large or small, counts toward our goal, and ultimately will go toward supporting our students!

Empire State University Hosts 47th Blood Drive with the American Red Cross

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — February 20, 2024) Last week, SUNY Empire hosted its 47th blood drive at its 111 West location in Saratoga Springs. The drive, hosted in collaboration with the American Red Cross, collected 35 donations — unlocking the potential to help 105 patients in need. 

SUNY Empire has hosted 47 drives, netting 1,411 units of blood collected. Tiffany Williams, administrative assistant 2, has organized 37 of them since she took over in 2012. Since she can’t donate herself, she gives back by making the drives happen. 

“It’s important to me because my dad, when he was sick, needed several transfusions, and the Red Cross provided that for him,” she said. “My son had to prep for extensive surgery, and he banked his blood in advance with the help of the Red Cross. They were phenomenal.” 

Tech Support Specialist Cathy Coffinger feels donating blood is a way to pay it forward. 

“My husband has leukemia and has had multiple transfusions of platelets,” she said. “I am grateful for the people who gave. I am also grateful to SUNY Empire for holding these drives, making it convenient and easy to give. There are so many people who cannot donate blood, so I highly encourage anyone who can to do so.” 

The next blood drive will take place on May 1 at SUNY Empire’s 2 Union Avenue location in Saratoga. 

Empire State University Launches Innovative Virtual Food Pantry

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — February 15, 2024) When SUNY funding was provided to address food insecurity among students by establishing on-campus food pantries, Empire State University faced a unique challenge. Basic Needs Coordinator Bethany Tatro and her team sprang into action to imagine what a food pantry would look like for SUNY Empire.  

“We were striving to find a way to fill that need in our own virtual way,” she said. “We’re looking at how we can get food to people before they are able to reach out to their community.” 

The virtual food pantry is designed to fill a one-time, emergency need for students and connect them with resources in their community that can be used as an ongoing support system – such as SNAP, WIC, and other local, brick-and-mortar food pantries.  

Set up as a personalized order system, students first apply to provide information to Tatro’s team about how many people are in their household and the type of emergency they have. Applicants are then sent a link to create a grocery cart online, through stores like Walmart or Amazon, with a budget based on their family size and USDA nutritional guidelines. 

“Part of the reason we structured it that way is because everybody has different brand preferences, taste preferences, and dietary needs,” said Executive Director of University Student Services Dan Greer. “We want to make sure that you’re able to pick the food that works for you and your family.” 

“The advantage of the virtual food pantry for our students is the freedom of choice,” Tatro added. 

The grocery cart is then reviewed, submitted, and a convenient delivery time is worked out with the student. This setup allows for students’ needs to be immediately addressed. The pantry’s first student approached the Basic Needs team before it officially launched, and they had food within a few days. 

Development of the virtual food pantry started in early November, and the finished process was launched on January 26. The pantry saw 68 applications in the first few days alone. 

“The student response definitely shows that this was something that was needed,” said Tatro. 

Greer also noted that students can apply for other emergency financial grants to help them in a time of need. 

“People are getting the food they need to be able to ensure they can pay attention to their studies,” Tatro said. “That’s what the Basic Needs office is about — helping people make sure they’re not stressed about all the other things going on in their life.” 

For more information on student support, visit: https://www.sunyempire.edu/student-affairs/student-life/health-wellness/student-support/ 

SUNY Empire’s Xiomara Giordano Named To National Advisory Council for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY) February 9, 2024 — Xiomara Giordano, Empire State University’s assistant vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, has been appointed to the National Advisory Council for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE). Giordano will serve on the Human Resources: Administration and Staff Recruitment and Professional Development Committee for a three-year term.

NCORE, the leading national forum on issues of race and ethnicity in higher education, is overseen by the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies at the University of Oklahoma (SWCHRS). Established in 1961, SWCHRS is dedicated to studying, understanding, and resolving human conflict, as well as fostering understanding and cooperation among individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds. One of SWCHRS’s flagship programs is the Annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education.

As a member of the National Advisory Council, Giordano will play a crucial role in shaping the agenda for and planning NCORE’s annual conference. Her expertise and experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion will contribute to the development of strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting understanding and cooperation within higher education institutions.

Giordano’s appointment to the National Advisory Council underscores Empire State University’s commitment to fostering inclusive excellence.