SUNY Empire Spotlight: July 2026

The latest news on research efforts, awards, grants, and media appearances from Empire State University faculty, staff, and leadership.       

Anita DeCianni-Brown, director of career and experiential learning services, was featured in a uConnect article about serving adult and non-traditional learners. 

Xiomara Giordano, assistant vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer, attended the Hispanic Educational Technology Services Consortium’s Board of Directors summer meeting in Puerto Rico. 

Heather Horowitz, assistant professor and Ed.D. program coordinator, and recent Ed.D. graduate Diane Perillo have been accepted to present at OLC Accelerate 2026, the upcoming event of the Online Learning Consortium.   

Njoki Mwarumba, assistant professor, was interviewed by Radio Catskill about wildfire smoke.  

Ian Reifowitz, SUNY distinguished professor, appeared on France 24 to discuss the United States’ official 250th birthday celebration. He was also quoted in a HuffPost article about one of President Trump’s recent posts on Truth Social. 

Jason Russell, professor, was interviewed for a Political Pulse segment about President Trump’s new tariffs on Canada. 

Gayle Stever, professor, was featured on the Insights with Dick Goldberg podcast. She was also quoted in an AP article about soccer player Erling Haaland.