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.”

Veterans Tuition Award Opens Up New Possibilities for Veteran Students 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – July 8, 2025) Beginning in Fall 2025, more veterans will qualify for the Veterans Tuition Award (VTA)—a New York state program offering tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, or vocational study for qualified veterans. 

“The expansion of the Veterans Tuition Award will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the veteran students we serve at SUNY Empire– especially women veterans,” said Director of the Veteran and Military Resource Center Desiree Drindak. “Not only does NYS VTA help remove financial barriers, it also empowers more veterans to pursue their academic and career goals.” 

You may qualify for VTA if you: 

  • Served at least four years on active duty OR served in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or other eligible hostilities (and were awarded an Expeditionary Medal) 
  • Are enrolled full- or part-time in an approved NYS degree or training program 
  • Are a New York state resident 
  • Were not dishonorably discharged 

The VTA Award: 

  • Covers up to eight full-time semesters (undergrad + grad) 
  • Covers SUNY tuition or actual tuition, whichever is less (2024–25 rate: $7,070/year) 
  • Is not reduced by GI Bill or Pell Grants 
  • Is pro-rated for part-time students 

How to Apply: 

  • File the FAFSA and the NYS Payment Application each year 

Please share with fellow veterans! For more information about eligibility visit: www.hesc.ny.gov/vta. If you have questions, email the Veteran and Military Resource Center at military.programs@sunyempire.edu. 

ODEI Explores Universal Design in Honor of Disability Pride Month

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — July 7, 2025) In celebration of Disability Pride Month, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion invites all members of the university community to explore the power of universal design (UD) in this month’s Reason & Respect: Unplugged! Join us in honoring disability pride by reading the Q&A below and sharing your reflections, questions, and experiences on our community discussion board. 

Universal design is a proactive approach that shapes workplaces, events, products, and learning environments to be accessible and inclusive—without requiring individuals to disclose a disability or request accommodations. By embracing universal design in the workplace, we create a community of belonging where people feel supported and uplifted in their work. 

In this article, Sine Rofofsky, Lindsay Infantino, and Aley O’Mara will share their perspectives. 

About the Interviewees:

Sine Rofofsky, Ph.D., is a returning student at Empire State University majoring in human services. They are passionate about DEI and have been involved in the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES) as a peer mentor. With a background in education, they bring a thoughtful and engaged perspective to conversations around UD. In their free time, they enjoy reading cozy mysteries.   

Lindsay Infantino is a digital accessibility coordinator at SUNY Empire with previous experience in disability advocacy and as a writing instructor and tutor. Lindsay holds graduate degrees in creative writing and in higher education disability services, with research interests in disability studies and applications of universal design in academia and beyond. 

Aley O’Mara is the program associate and training coordinator for CAARES. They are autistic and have a collection of other neurodivergent and chronic illness experiences. 

What makes a workplace accessible to you? 

Sine: A workplace is accessible in two ways. The first is that it follows universal design so there is not as much to ask for in terms of it becoming accessible. Having to self-advocate is difficult: It ‘labels’ me; it can make me feel like I’m making others jealous (whether or not they are); I have to ‘justify’ why I need this accessibility accommodation; and I’m not always sure what I need. [Second,] when I do need to ask [for an accommodation], there’s an easy process and I’m not made to feel [like] ‘a burden’ or defensive. 

Lindsay: Flexibility, transparency, clear communication, and a good combination of trust and support are all accessibility considerations that I really value. But what is accessible for one person may not be accessible for another, so options become very important. An accessible workplace can take many different shapes. It can look like providing flexibility in schedules or opportunities to work on-site or from home. It can look like having conversations with employees about how they work best and what they need (or don’t need). It can mean offering comfortable office furniture that is supportive of a variety of bodies, or making sure products or materials are accessible to the employees who will be using them. It can mean offering multiple methods of communication to a colleague, describing visuals in presentations, or proactively providing captioning and interpreters at events. 

Aley: I chose a unionized remote work setting intentionally: I benefit from being able to curate my own physical workspace with minimal in-person interruptions to meet my autistic needs. 

What steps can be taken by individuals, colleagues, and supervisors to make the workplace more accessible? 

Sine: Follow UD principles from the beginning—be proactive, not reactive. Understand that people have different needs/preferences. 

Lindsay: [There are] two very simple but important steps that individuals can take. The first step is to always assume you may have a disabled colleague, student, instructor, supervisor, friend, family member, etc. If you assume disabled people are always in your audience, whether they tell you or not, then it becomes crucial to consider ways to make environments as accessible as possible by thinking through universal design principles and putting them into action. The second step is to listen (really listen) to disabled people when they say what they need or what is not working for them, and to believe them. 

Aley: Assume everyone you’re working with has access needs and ask upfront about how you can best communicate with colleagues! 

What are some elements of universal design in the workplace that often go unrecognized as universal design? 

Sine: UD in the workplace includes things as simple as elevators or stairs, automatic doors, shelving that is reachable without step stools, eye-level signs and displays [that people can see] while seated, adjustable seating, a variety of input devices, text-to-speech and speech-to-text [options], flex time, agendas before and minutes after meetings, materials available in print or electronic [formats], captioning, larger print/easier to read fonts, adjustable lighting, chair/desk options, adjustable height tables, and high contrast. 

Lindsay: Things like affordable health insurance, generous sick and vacation time, and fostering a culture where people are encouraged to take care of themselves are also examples of universal design. To push it even further, universal design in the workplace can also look like, where possible, giving an employee extra time to complete a project, just as an instructor might give a student an extension on an assignment. It can also look like evaluating quality over quantity of work, or working with employees to develop achievable goals specific to their strengths rather than relying on standardized performance metrics. 

Aley: I find performance programs to be a helpful access tool that is already built into our workplace. The collaborative process for filling it out helps me understand my role and my supervisor’s expectations in a clear and empowering way. My performance program is a great reference that helps both as a memory aid and as a way to keep my impulsive eagerness for new challenges in check! 

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

Lindsay: The term universal design can be misleading, because it doesn’t need to and shouldn’t be about creating a universal ideal environment where everyone’s access needs are perfectly met; that’s impossible. But what it is about is thinking through some of the most common accessibility barriers and, as much as possible, designing things to avoid those barriers from the beginning. It’s also about rejecting ableism and the ideas that environments should only be built with the needs of nondisabled people in mind, and only adjusted to be accessible when a disabled person asks for access through an accommodation request. 

Thank you for engaging with this conversation, and don’t forget to share your thoughts and questions on the community discussion board! 

Empire State University Launches New Colleges, Welcomes Deans

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — July 1, 2025) Empire State University officially launches five new colleges today, July 1. The move, which sees the university’s existing academic units transition from schools to colleges as part of a strategic restructuring, represents two years of planning and stakeholder engagement. 

According to Rai Kathuria, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, the long-awaited reorganization enables SUNY Empire to “strengthen our academic infrastructure, integrate our approach to student success, and position the university for continuous improvement.”  

“The transition from schools to colleges marks an exciting new chapter in our university’s evolution, reflecting our commitment to expanding opportunities and promoting a collaborative academic environment,” he said. 

With this new academic structure comes a new era of leadership. The university acknowledges the longstanding dedication and service of its five outgoing deans—Nicola Allain, Desalyn De-Souza, Maureen Kroning, Audi Matías, and Mary Mawn—while also welcoming new ones. Three educators have joined SUNY Empire as inaugural deans: Carol DeNyscchen as the dean of the College of Health and Human Services, Ju Kim as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Kjersti VanSlyke-Briggs as the dean of the College of Education. Two dean roles have been filled by current employees. Julie Gedro, who has been dean of SUNY Empire’s School of Business since 2020, now serves as dean of the College of Business while Gina Torino, formerly the interim dean of the university’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies, has been newly appointed the dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

“We warmly welcome our college deans, whose leadership will be pivotal in guiding us through this dynamic period of growth and innovation,” Kathuria said. 

Here, the leaders share in their own words their visions for their respective colleges.  

Carol DeNysschen  
Dean of the College of Health and Human Services 

“I am honored to join Empire State University as dean of the College of Health and Human Services. My vision is to foster a vibrant community of educators and staff dedicated to developing inclusive, flexible, and innovative programs. These programs will expand access for individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of diverse communities. I envision the college as an anchor for forward-thinking education—responsive to the evolving needs of society and foundational to strong, purpose-driven careers in health and human services.” 

Julie Gedro 
Dean of the College of Business 

“My vision is to position the College of Business as a leader in delivering rigorous and accessible business education that equips learners to navigate complexity, lead with integrity, and achieve meaningful career growth. We are building an academic environment grounded in professional relevance. Our students will engage with curricula that are informed by real-world challenges, global trends, and evolving workforce needs. I want our graduates to view their credentials not merely as steppingstones for career development, but as evidence of lifelong potential. They will leave our college prepared to lead, adapt, and contribute—whether in corporate, entrepreneurial, nonprofit, or public service settings.” 

Ju Kim 
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences 

“I am honored and excited to serve as the inaugural dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Empire State University. At the heart of my vision for the new college is a bold commitment to uniting the liberal arts with science and technology. By integrating the creative, critical, and analytical strengths of the humanities, arts, and sciences, the new college will prepare diverse students not just for jobs, but for the future. In an age shaped by artificial intelligence, our students will graduate with the adaptability, ethical grounding, and interdisciplinary skills to lead in any field.” 

Gina Torino 
Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences 

“As inaugural dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, my vision is to lead a dynamic and inclusive academic community that directly addresses workforce development needs, preparing our students for immediate career success. We will accomplish this by providing relevant programs such as psychology, public policy and administration, labor studies, criminal justice, and others, all while cultivating an inclusive environment in which every voice is valued. Our commitment is to provide high-quality online education and culturally responsive support, enabling our graduates to effect positive change and make a significant contribution to their chosen fields and communities.” 
 
Kjersti VanSlyke-Briggs 
Dean of the College of Education 
 
“The College of Education will be a leader in innovative approaches to education programs and certifications. I look forward to working closely with the faculty in the college to continue to build and grow as we meet the ever-changing demands and challenges in B-12 education. Together, we are committed to equipping educators with the tools students need to succeed in today’s dynamic educational landscape. Our programs are designed to be inclusive and adaptable to a wide range of learners, ensuring that every student can thrive. The flexibility of our online format provides educators with the opportunity to enhance their skills and advance their careers, all while balancing the demands of their professional and personal lives. ” 
 

Tzvi Simchon ’24: Keeping History Alive on Film

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — June 30, 2025) Decades after the Nazis invaded Poland and sent millions of Jews to concentration camps, a class of high school boys from an Orthodox Jewish high school in Brooklyn arrived in Warsaw to revisit their family history.  

Their trip is captured in a documentary called “Can These Bones Live Again?” filmed, directed, and produced by Tzvi Simchon ’24, a filmmaker who went along to document the 10-day trek as part of his final project at Empire State University. The film was featured in the Miami Jewish Film Festival earlier this year.

The 50-minute documentary, named for a phrase in the Biblical book of Ezekiel, follows the group as they tour concentration camps, mass gravesites, and memorials that pay homage to the Jewish community that was devastated during the Holocaust. They were joined at times by Dov Landau, a Holocaust survivor. The film also captures the Jewish culture that has since been revived.

Simchon says he wanted to create a film that would bridge the generations, especially as the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles and the incidence of anti-Semitism grows. “That whole generation is soon going to die away, which is very scary, especially with the rise of anti Semitism and hate of all kinds,” he says. “We need to preserve that legacy.”

Coming Back to Life

The trip to Poland was organized by Names Not Numbers, a nonprofit dedicated to Holocaust education through oral history and film. Simchon was ready to go on the trip as a student himself in 2020 when COVID struck. When the trip was revived three years later, Simchon was invited along, this time as a professional filmmaker. 

Simchon’s camera follows the students as they travel through Warsaw. “We were literally walking on the same grounds where a lot of our ancestors were murdered,” he says.

The students were often at a loss for words, especially at the concentration camps, where they saw showerheads that once spewed gas and piles of shoes and hairbrushes belonging to victims. Many students, Simchon says, were confused.

“It’s mindboggling to see that it’s possible, that something like this could ever happen,” one student says. “They built this massive camp, and it was open for three years without anybody stopping it. I can’t really wrap my mind around it. I can’t really understand it.”

Many of the visitors, including Simchon himself, had family members who died in the Holocaust. Some students had grandparents who came from Poland and discouraged them from going there. “There is an emotional distaste and trauma associated with it,” Simchon says.

To counter the horror, Simchon also included footage of Jewish music and dance, scenes of joy that show Jewish culture is alive and well today. “So, when the title asks, ‘Can These Bones Live Again?’ the answer is yes, they can,” he says. “We are the bones come back to life.”  

Filming With Legos

As a child, Simchon loved photography. He learned film editing from his father, a graphic artist who taught him how to make stop motion animation using Legos. His father also showed him the behind-the-scenes secrets to making the movie “E.T.”

“I fell in love with all the work that goes into creating something, and how hours and hours of work can go into a single minute of film,” he says.

In 8th grade, Simchon made a graduation film for his classmates. “It was the worst video I ever made, and they played it at our graduation ceremony,” he recalls. “Afterward, my mom was getting messages from her friends who saw the film and cried. I realized I had the ability to make people feel a certain way through my films. That’s the feeling I always chase.”

For Simchon, who now lives in Teaneck, NJ, the last few years have been a whirlwind. He graduated high school in 2020, took a gap year at a yeshiva in Israel, and launched his film production company in 2022. He got married in 2023 and his son was born this June.

In between, in 2024, he graduated with a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies from SUNY Empire where he learned the art of Holocaust filmmaking from Ruth Goldberg, Ph.D., a professor of film. “I owe a lot to SUNY Empire,” he says. “I would not have been able to work and pursue what I wanted to pursue and learn what I wanted to learn.”

While Simchon once dreamed of going to Hollywood, making “Can These Bones Live Again?” has kindled a new passion. “I’m not sure what the future holds, but making this movie created a love of documentary filmmaking for me,” he says. “I hope to one day tell more stories through documentaries.”

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.

Empire State University Set to Launch Nine New Academic Programs This Fall 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – June 16, 2025) Empire State University’s Office of Academic Affairs has announced the introduction of nine new academic programs, which will begin enrolling students for the fall 2025 semester. These include a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in accounting; bachelor’s degrees in human services management and information technology; a master’s in organizational psychology; advanced certificates in higher education leadership and bilingual education (the latter with separate tracks for post-baccalaureate and post-master’s); and a certificate in labor studies. As part of this rollout, the university also plans to launch the previously announced Spanish BBA: SUNY’s first Spanish-language online degree program. 

“These new academic programs reflect SUNY Empire’s ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of students and communities across New York state and beyond. By strategically expanding our offerings, we are equipping learners with practical, career-aligned skills that will empower them to make meaningful contributions in today’s evolving workforce,” says Rai Kathuria, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “This is not just about launching new degrees; it’s about opening doors to opportunity, access, and sustainable success. I’m deeply grateful to our faculty and staff whose dedication, insight, and hard work made these launches possible.” 

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.

Empire State University Student Wins Best of SUNY Art Award 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – June 13, 2025) At the ripe age of 11, Caleb Rubright landed an opportunity to do something that few other tweens do: take a college course. 

“I actually entered an art competition, and I got to take a class at Monroe Community College (MCC) in 1991,” says the Rochester native, a visual arts student at Empire State University. “I remember walking into the college looking at all these 20-year-olds and being like, ‘Whoa, this is cool.’” 

It was a pencil drawing of a horse that earned Rubright his spot at MCC. And now, more than 30 years later, that same subject matter has garnered the longtime artist his latest accolade: a 2025 Best of SUNY art award, conferred during an in-person reception in Albany on May 30. Selected from pieces submitted by students throughout the SUNY system, Rubright’s acrylic-on-canvas painting “Wild Horses” was one of three works chosen for the award. Four other submissions received honorable mentions.  

Rubright (right) accepting his Best of SUNY Award. Courtesy photo

“It was a big surprise … I did not expect to win knowing that I’d be competing against [students from] dedicated art schools,” says the painter, whose 4-by-6-foot creation also won a SUNY Empire student art competition last fall. “It’s an honor.” 

Rubright—who first discovered his interest in art as a middle schooler, when his aunt took him to a local exhibition—has always sketched and painted images of animals. The neon color scheme on display in “Wild Horses,” though, has become a staple of his work in recent years. He says he first experimented with it while creating a painting of a Great White shark for his son.  

“It was naturally colored, and it was just boring. So I started playing around with neon colors,” he says, adding that the cheery palette soon caught on with customers of the commission-based art business he ran prior to enrolling at SUNY Empire. “I wanted to make things that were happy and made people smile … that’s the whole reason why I paint.” 

Associate Professor Jim Robinson Reflects on 50 Years at Empire State University

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – June 12, 2025) Fifty years have come and gone, but Jim Robinson still remembers his first day at Empire State University. It was 1975, and Robinson—then a Ph.D. candidate and teaching assistant at New York University—joined the faculty as a part-time instructor. 

“I was interviewed in a room full of about 30 to 40 people who were having a bag lunch. People sort of asked me questions at random while they ate their sandwiches,” he recalls. “The social work people wanted to know how I would talk to a student, and the art people wanted to know if I went to museums. The question really was, ‘Will you fit?’” 

Luckily for Robinson, currently an associate professor based on Long Island, it’s safe to say the answer was “yes.” Although his pre-Empire resume includes formative stints as a staff assistant for Congress and a labor relations assistant for the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the longtime educator—who has two children and a granddaughter—views teaching as his true calling.  

“It fit me because it allowed me to work closely with people, and that was something that I valued,” he says of his first position at SUNY Empire.  

Robinson’s addition to the faculty made sense in other ways, too: Prior to his appointment, “I had gone through three different programs: a bachelor’s degree in literature, a master’s in history, and a Ph.D. in political science. And Empire was looking for generalists and people who worked interdisciplinary,” he explains. “It turned out that I have used at Empire every scrap of what I had ever learned in any program, and it has paid off in strange ways.” 

Robinson—an Oregon native who, as a child, moved around the country with his family before settling in New York—has held numerous positions at the university over the years. In addition to teaching, he has performed a wide variety of administrative roles including serving as the program director for the international Cyprus/Athens Unit in the early 1990s and chairing the graduate program in policy studies, which he helped develop. Through it all, though, his dedication to empowering his students has remained the same.  

“I’m interested in [students] developing the skill to learn for themselves, and that was right there from the very beginning for me,” Robinson says, noting that he encourages those who take his classes to think of him as a coach rather than a judge. “We were told the core of our mission was that people should be independent learners, and that just struck a chord with me. That’s probably the one thing that stayed with me throughout.” 

After half a century on the job, Robinson says other parts of the university’s stance on education have continued to resonate with him, too—namely its focus on “the broadening of peoples’ perspectives … and a commitment to get people to the point where they could participate publicly.” 

“That is civic education in the best sense,” he says.