Notes from Netzer
February 2024
The strategic planning work we are undertaking has been a true collaborative effort. I thank everyone for their contributions in helping us to stay focused on our intended direction - to remain a relevant institution ten years from now. Discussing the trends shaping our industry, setting goals to guide our actions, and defining the initiatives and operations that will help us remain relevant is challenging, yet essential.
In addition to the planning, many important things are happening now that will contribute to us retaining our relevancy in the future. You'll read about one below, the opening of our downtown location, which will help us foster connections and advancements related to workforce training and community relations. You will also read about the good work being conducted around curriculum development, student success, inter-institutional articulations and inclusivity. The initiatives launched and sustained in alignment with the Regaining Momentum Agenda will also continue to be critical for our continued success and relevancy. 
This work and the university community's dedication to participating in it will help us anticipate and respond to changes and be better equipped to make decisions that will sustain our success for the next decade and beyond. 
Sincerely,
Alberto J.F. Cardelle
President
ExCL Center Opening Downtown
Open House/Mingle Planned for Mar. 15
Michelle Thibault
Senior Director, ExCL Center
The Extended & Community Learning Center (ExCL) is thrilled to announce the opening of our new downtown location! In addition to maintaining our space on the second floor of Hunt Union, the ExCL Center (formerly the Office of Continuing Education) will now have a second location at 2-4 Dietz Street in downtown Oneonta, opening on Thursday, March 7. 
This expansion strategically places our office to better serve area learners seeking to develop new skills or embark on their educational journeys. It also strengthens SUNY Oneonta's connection with the community. At our new downtown location, area learners can drop in to explore our workforce initiatives, enroll in non-credit classes, or meet with our staff to create a personalized learning path at SUNY Oneonta aligned with their career objectives. Additionally, SUNY Oneonta faculty, staff, students and ExCL learners will have access to the space for meetings, collaborations, or studying, with WiFi and laptops provided.
Our office will continue to oversee the college in high school program, manage summer and winter sessions, admit non-degree students and auditors, and expand our offerings of non-credit courses. We are committed to growing our workforce development opportunities, fostering community partnerships, and introducing new non-credit micro-credential programs.
Initially, the Dietz St. location will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. As we bring on additional staff, we plan to extend our operating hours. Our Hunt Union location will maintain its regular hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Stay tuned to the Bulletin for more updates on programming and information on how to reserve the space for your events or meetings.
Rebecca Lynch, associate director of the ExCL center, and I eagerly anticipate welcoming you to our new downtown location. We are pleased to host the campus mingle for March in partnership with the Office of the President! We cordially invite the campus community to join us for an open house and mingle at the Dietz St. location on Friday, March 15, from 3-6 p.m. Neighboring businesses and local partners will also be invited. Hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soft drinks will be provided. 
Academic Success Program Wins National Award
Three people posing with a trophy
L to R: Sylvia Hernandez, Amy Crouse-Powers, Emily Lyons
SUNY Oneonta's Academic Success Program, spearheaded by the Student Learning Center, has earned recognition from the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS) as a Program of Promise. Amy Crouse-Powers, Sylvia Hernandez and Emily Lyons represented the Student Learning Center and accepted the award at the NOSS conference in Las Vegas earlier this month. Amy is the assistant director of Tutoring Services and Sylvia and Emily are academic success consultants whose positions are part of a Regaining Momentum Agenda initiative. 
This award honors programs using effective or promising practices that promote student success and development and are potential models for other programs. The Academic Success Program offers multiple forms of support for students whose first-semester grades did not meet the university's minimum standards. The students form academic plans, take a course to build academic skills, use campus resources and receive support from their academic success consultants. The students have been quite successful since the program's inception in Spring 2022. Just in the Fall of 2023, 12% of the students participating in the Academic Success Program made the Dean's List!
The NOSS stated that the Academic Success Program at SUNY Oneonta exemplifies its mission by providing "holistic support to facilitate student success, retention and completion." The Student Learning Center team has the opportunity to present about our Academic Success Program at the NOSS conference next year in New Orleans. 
Childhood Education Pathway Created with SUNY Cobleskill
Group of people standing behind a table with SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Cobleskill tablecloths
A new articulation agreement with SUNY Cobleskill provides a seamless transition for students into our Childhood Education program. Students who graduate with an associate of applied science degree in Early Childhood Studies from Cobleskill can apply to our bachelor of science degree in Childhood Education, Liberal Arts. At the signing agreement held earlier this month, the two institutions were praised for their collaboration and contribution to addressing the critical need for teachers in New York State. Read more about the signing ceremony. 
SUNY Oneonta Gets Four Stars on Campus Pride Index
Campus Pride badge
SUNY Oneonta was awarded four out of five stars by Campus Pride for our commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive learning environment and an LGBTQ-friendly campus community. The Campus Pride Index researches and reviews programs, practices and policies related to LGBTQ support, academic life, student life, campus safety, and more at each institution. The index also provides information to help campuses shape their educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBTQ and ally people. Learn more about the Campus Pride rating.  
Students, Faculty & Staff Involved in Recording Podcast Episode
Group sitting in a circle in the Science Discovery Center
The difference between spirogyra,a genus of freshwater algae species, and Spyro Gyra, a jazz fusion band, was discussed on a recent episode of the Sing for Science podcast. Sing for Science brings together musicians and scientists over common subjects. This episode was extra special as it was recorded on campus and featured two experts from SUNY Oneonta, Associate Professor of Music Jeremy Wall, who is a founding member of Spyro Gyra, and BFS Research Support Specialist Holly Waterfield. Students in Assistant Professor of Media Studies Dr. Chelsea McCracken's Media Practicum Class assisted with the audio and video recording of the podcast. Read more about the event held in the Science Discovery Center and listen to the episode. 
New Partnership with ONC BOCES to Develop Offshore Wind Energy Pipeline Program 
SUNY Oneonta recently received $300,000 in grant funding, part of the $4 million awarded by Governor Hochul to support offshore wind training and workforce development. A Sustainable Energy Demonstration Lab at SUNY Oneonta will be developed to support research in offshore wind and renewable energies. The partnership with ONC BOCES will create a pathway for students in the BOCES Mechatronics/New Visions Engineering programs and students at SUNY Oneonta to study wind and renewable energy and pursue related micro credentials and experiential learning opportunities. Read more about the grant and pipeline program.
Literacy Education & Educational Technology Specialist Programs Among Top 100 Nationally
#100 in best online master's in education programs U.S. News
SUNY Oneonta is ranked 100 out of 303 universities listed as the Best Online Master's in Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report. The list recognizes institutions with online graduate programs in Education that "have strong traditional academic foundations based on student-instructor access, graduation rates and instructor credentials” and “excel at educating distance learners while offering robust career and financial support.” Read more about the ranking and the Literacy Education and Educational Technology Specialist programs. 
Engage Oneonta Program Welcomes New Employees
The Office of the President, in collaboration with Employee Services and departments across the university, hosted the second annual Engage Oneonta program for new employees over the winter. This program provides an opportunity for employees who joined the institution over the past year to learn more about the university and our community, meet other new faculty and staff, and connect with colleagues and resources that will help them in their work. 
More than 35 new faculty and staff participated in the program which consisted of four sessions:
  1. Getting to know the institution. Presentation by President Cardelle and Chief Human Resource Officer Dia Carleton
  2. A tour of unique facilities on campus. (Planetarium, Art Galleries, etc.)
  3. A mingle with members of the Cabinet and representatives from various offices related to university operations.
  4. Getting to know the local community. Presentation by Greater Oneonta Historical Society Executive Director Marcela Micucci '10 and City of Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek. 
For the first time, a Pass Through the Pillars event was held for the participants at the end of the program! The opportunity for new employees to participate in this beloved campus tradition was appreciated and will continue as part of the Engage Oneonta program in the future. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to the success of the sessions. 
Group of people in front of the Old Main Pillars
Cabinet Meeting Notes
Notes from meetings of the President's Cabinet are shared with the university community monthly in Notes from Netzer. Questions can be directed to president@oneonta.edu. 
  • Feb. 9, 2024
  • Feb. 23, 2024
Office of the President | SUNY Oneonta
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