College of Arts and Sciences

Life Sciences Research
The Life Sciences Research program in the College of Arts and Sciences includes scientists in the fields of chemistry, biology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience.  Together they work collaboratively towards scientific discoveries that establish the “pathway” to the cure.  Contact: Albert Millis

Project Learn
Albany Medical Center/Project Learn is a contractual program that engages UAlbany as a provider to AMC students and employees of collegiate undergraduate instruction throughout the year. These classes are offered on AMC's campus and all students enrolled in this program are considered Albany Medical Center students and are also required to comply with all academic regulations set forth in UAlbany's Undergraduate Bulletin. The College of Arts and Sciences, in conjunction with General Studies and Summer Sessions, works closely on the scheduling of individual courses each semester and the selection of faculty. Contact: Michele Lasak

• Addictions Center

The Addictions Center is a multidisciplinary partnership between faculty at the School of Social Welfare and the Department of Psychology who are dedicated to teaching and research on the etiology, early recognition, prevention, and treatment of addictions and addictive behaviors across the lifespan.  The Center has both education and research missions.  It was created to support state agencies and providers by: (i) evaluating the effectiveness of current programs in chemical dependency and problem gambling; (ii) contributing to the development of an evidence base to support future interventions; and (iii) jointly applying for resources from the federal government and foundations for research, training and new programming options.  Faculty affiliates are engaged in projects that will contribute to the improvement of service delivery in New York State in key areas including: cultural sensitivity (e.g., psychosocial interventions for African American women), system linkages and service integration (e.g., between child welfare and substance abuse services), and prevention (e.g., tailoring prevention programs to unique school contexts). 

The Center has a unique partnership with the New York Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), established through a formal Research and Practice Improvement Collaboration.   The array of research projects provides opportunities for direct student involvement through assistantships.  The education mission is furthered by a range of addiction-specific courses and the infusion of addictions-related content into the curriculum more broadly via the faculty’s expertise.  The Center is co-directed by Edelgard Wulfert, Professor of Psychology, Collins Fellow & Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, and Lynn Warner, Associate Professor, School of Social Welfare.

• Department of Biological Sciences

Center for Neuroscience Research
Established in 1968, the unit has become widely known for its work on neuroplasticity including the development and plasticity of the nervous system (especially experience-dependent changes in synaptic connections) and factors that underlie and influence neurodegeneration and/or behavior. The Center has sponsored many seminars, symposia and conferences on these topics. Contact: Dr. John Schmidt

• Department of Psychology

Psychological Services Center
The Psychological Services Center is a training and research clinic for the Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology Doctoral Programs at the University at Albany.  It is a community-based resource open to individuals throughout the Capital District.  Students counsel clients from the Albany community who seek help coping with a range of problems related to death, depression, family stress, job loss, and marriage.  The Center provides approximately 3,500 hours of psychological services, including psychotherapy, psychological testing, cognitive therapy, marital therapy, and vocational and career counseling, per year to about 300 clients per year, or 120 clients per week. The Center provides psychological services on a sliding scale of $10 to $45 per hour and is one of the few low-cost outpatient clinics in the region.  The center is a partnership between the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education's Department of Educational & Counseling Psychology.  Contact: Dr. George Litchford

• Department of Sociology

Capitalize on Community
Capitalize on Community is a five year collaborative community development project designed to enhance HIV prevention in the African American and Latino communities in the Capital District. The aim is to promote awareness, research and service. Contact: Hayward Horton

Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

• Center for Policy Research

Capital District Medical Decision Making Interest Group
Physicians and other professionals interested in medical decision making and health care issues meet monthly at Albany Medical Center. An email list for people interested in the meetings has 65 subscribers. The group has met since 1995. Contact: Dr. Thomas R. Stewart

School of Public Health

The School of Public Health, located on UAlbany’s East Campus, links academic study to the world of public health practice, addressing critical issues from cardiac care to HIV treatment to environmental health. Research and partnerships with many groups, including New York State Department of Health, help inform public policy, evaluate public health interventions, and improve practices. Important resources include, for example, the Center for Public Health Preparedness and the University at Albany Prevention Research Center, focusing on community-based interventions to prevent chronic diseases. The newly established Center for Global Health will collaborate with public health agencies and universities in several countries.

Internships, Practicum Rotations, Field Placements
Our interdisciplinary programs (MPH, DrPH, Preventive Medicine and Dental Public Health Residencies) and the MS in Epidemiology and Health Policy, Management & Behavior all include internships/field placements. We have 200+ placement sites, including health departments, hospitals, non-governmental agencies, and advocacy organizations at local, state, national and international levels.  Contact: Lynley Thomson

Preventive Medicine Residency Program
This nationally acclaimed program, co-sponsored by the School and the Department of Health, prepares physicians for leadership careers in public health.  Residents complete an MPH degree and a year of intensive practicum rotations at the State DOH, Albany and Schenectady County health departments, the American Cancer Society, and other sites. Contact: Mary Applegate

• Center for Global Health

• Center for Health Workforce Studies

The Center for Health Workforce Studies is a nationally recognized center of excellence on the health workforce. The Center conducts a wide range of studies related to the supply, demand, distribution, use and education of health personnel. This includes studies of physicians, nurses, allied health personnel, the hospital workforce, the long-term care workforce and other health workers. While the Center's work has focused on New York State, the Center has conducted numerous studies in other states and several national studies. The Center recently prepared State Health Workforce Profiles for all 50 states and the Health Workforce Data Resource Guide, both of which were published by the federal government. The Center's work explores the relationship of the workforce to access, quality and cost of care as well as the impact of the changing health care system on the health workforce. Center strengths include: health workforce data collection, analysis and presentation; state level data collection and health workforce policies; and assessment of supply and demand for a profession or specialty. The Center receives funding from a variety of sources for specific studies and is one of only four centers nationally to receive a cooperative agreement with the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.  Contact: Jean Moore

• Center for Public Health Preparedness

The Center for Public Health Preparedness provides highly relevant emergency preparedness training, resources, and assistance to public health professionals and their community response partners. Educational programs are delivered in the most appropriate method for the subject and audience, including, but not limited to live and online courses, workshops and conferences, drills and exercises, satellite broadcasts, webcasts, podcasts, videotapes and DVDs. The Center also assists its partners with technical assistance, planning and implementing drills and exercises and evaluation support for all related activities.  45 archived videostream files on a variety of preparedness topics (for example, Addressing At-Risk Populations in Emergency Preparedness Planning and Pandemic Planning for Academic Institutions) are available at no cost via the UAlbany CPHP website.  Selected programs are also available in podcast format at no cost via the iTunes Music Store.  Original satellite broadcast/webcast series aired between October 2003 through June 2008. The Center for Public Health Preparedness is part of a national network developed by the CDC, Associations of Schools of Public Health, state and local public health agencies and other academic and community partners to improve the capacity of the public health workforce, particularly in New York State, to respond to current and emerging public health threats with a focus on bioterrorism and infectious disease outbreaks. Contact: Maggie Watson Skarlis or Cheryl Reeves

Center for Public Health Preparedness Web-based Coursework
Developed in partnership with technological experts from the Professional Development Program at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs, the 18 web-based courses are self-paced, available 24/7 and highly interactive. Courses are developed in line with competencies for emergency preparedness and terrorism readiness and focus on a wide variety of topics, from Forensic Epidemiology to HazMat Transportation Incidents.  The web-based Community Response to Pandemics course is of particular interest world-wide, with countless academic institutions, health care and government agencies disseminating and requesting use of material to support their training programs (for example, NACCHO, WHO, USA Prepare, National Emergency Response & Rescue Training Center, the International Association of Fire Chiefs). Contact: Maggie Watson Skarlis

• Community Advisory Committee

• Department of Epidemiology

Health Partnerships with County Governments and Community Health Services
The School of Public Health has active collaborations with a number of counties throughout New York State to provide support for these communities as they develop regional community health assessments and regional approaches to health policy and program development. Among these partnerships are the Healthy Capital District Initiative (Albany-Schenectady-Rensselaer counties) and a consortium of seven counties in the lower Hudson Valley.  Contact: Edward Waltz or Louise-Anne McNutt

Lead Poisoning and Infant Development
This is a $1.4 million study of a population segment of low-income pregnant women who receive prenatal care at Albany Medical Center, to determine whether infants suffer any injury as a result of exposure to low levels of lead present in their mothers' bodies.  Contact: Lawrence Schell or Alice Stark

Prevention Research Center
The Center is part of a network of 33 centers across the United States, funded by the CDC, to provide a prevention focus to the work of public health; in particular the UAlbany Center's theme is to engage in community-based interventions to prevent chronic diseases.  By developing diverse partnerships within and across communities (including the American Cancer Society, Centro Civico of Amsterdam, Inc., NYSDOH, Parks & Trails NY, The Foundation For Healthy Living, the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo, and Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center), we design, conduct, evaluate and disseminate the findings of studies that show innovative ways in which the resources of local communities can be harnessed to promote the health of community residents and reduce the burden of chronic diseases.  PRC is affiliated with the Nationwide PRC program, a network of academic centers, public health agencies, and community partners conducting applied research and practice in chronic disease prevention and control.   Contact: Edward Waltz

Evidence-based Public Health Training
This two day training is designed for local health practitioners to gain experience in developing programs based on sound scientific principles.  The course covers the essential steps to develop a community needs assessment, to search scientific literature to identify and select among various effective interventions, to weigh the options in choosing an approach, and to develop a programmatic response.  The training is delivered to up to 24 people in teams of two to four and is given jointly by Prevention Research Center and NYS Health Department staff up to three times a year across New York State.  Contact: Edward Waltz

• Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior

Costs of Providing Substance Abuse Treatment Services in New York State
This study, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a collaborative effort with the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services. It focuses on the organization, delivery and system costs of providing substance abuse treatment services to adults given changes in managed care and welfare reform policies in New York State.  Contact: Diane Dewar

Evaluation of Primary Care Services for the Frail Elderly in Rural Settings
This study, funded by the Langloth Foundation and the Foundation for Healthy Living, is a collaborative effort with the Hudson Headwaters Medical Services and the Foundation for Healthy Living. It focuses on the organization, satisfaction, health outcomes and system costs of providing in home primary care services to frail elderly persons compared to those in traditional health care settings in rural upstate New York.  Contact: Diane Dewar

Improving Cardiac Care
This research project is aimed at improving the quality of cardiac surgery in New York State. A computer-based system collects detailed information on the risk factors and outcomes of each case of cardiac surgery performed in the state in order to help hospitals improve their quality of surgical care.  Contact: Edward Hannan

Managed Care and Critical Care Service Utilization
This study, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, is a collaborative effort with the Albany Medical Center. It focuses on the impact of changes in the financing and delivery of critical care services on hospital mortality and discharge planning processes.  Contact: Diane Dewar

The Use of End of Life Services in Nursing Home Settings
This study, funded by the Foundation for Healthy Living, is a collaborative effort with the University of Rochester Medical School. It focuses on the attitudes and implementation of end of life counseling and services among nursing home residents in upstate New York nursing home settings.  Contact: Diane Dewar

• HIV Studies Program

Evaluation Unit
The primary goal of the School of Public Health's Evaluation Unit is to facilitate the conduct of scientifically rigorous evaluation of public health interventions. Work conducted under the sponsorship of the NYSDOH AIDS Institute has included evaluation of HIV primary care programs, analysis of hospital discharge patterns, and development of a new planning tool to assess the need for HIV-related services. Another recent project, conducted in collaboration with the School of Social Welfare, evaluated the success of local drug court programs as an alternative to incarceration.  Contact: Edward Waltz

• Northeast Regional Public Health Leadership Institute (NEPHLI)

Each year NEPHLI prepares 25 to 30 emerging public health leaders from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont through a combination of residential retreats (at the Rensselaerville Institute) and distance learning. Participants engage in a public health project to improve their local community. This year-long training program builds and improves the leadership skills of current and future public health practitioners and focuses on improving effectiveness in essential public health functions related to community health assessment, policy development, budgeting and quality assurance. Participants attend workshops, examine case studies and interact with nationally known leaders. NEPHLI provides participating scholars with opportunities to gain practical experience from experts in a variety of fields.  The Institute supports emerging leaders from state and local public health departments (for example, NYS Department of Health has participated for three years) and allied public and private organizations to broaden their vision of public health policy, practice and collaboration and foster improved decision making within their organizations.  Contact: Dwight Williams

• Office of Continuing Education

Basic Environmental Health Program
The School of Public Health partners with the NYSDOH Center for Environmental Health to provide mandatory training to newly hired sanitarians, public health techs and others working in environmental health in local county health departments across the state. This course includes distance-learning technology (online courses), field exercises and in-person classes and trains approximately 80 new hires each year.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Clinical Breast Exam Training
These statewide trainings are open to registered nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and physicians administering clinical breast exams to women. Trainings include presentations, demonstrations and a small group practice with gynecological teaching associates. Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Field Epidemiology
This training is geared toward front-line public health nurses and environmental health staff. The goal is to provide state-wide access to training in basic epidemiological concepts applied to outbreak investigation. The live regional workshops include training followed by practical application of principles to actual or simulated case files.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Institute for the Advancement of Healthcare Management
Breakfast Programs are offered 6 to 8 times each academic year to the regional healthcare professionals.  These meetings focus on healthcare management topics such as pay for performance, quality of care, chronic disease management, health information technology, patient-centered care, long-term care workforce issues, consumer driven healthcare, and healthcare policy in New York State.  The programs draw an average of 125 people and provide a neutral forum for individuals from across the healthcare continuum and remain a popular networking opportunity.  Contact: Deborah Oriola

NY Safety Resource Center
The resource center and web site offer workplace safety and health training tools including course materials, informative brochures, topical outlines, videos, reports, checklists, and more. Most of the documents in the original collection were developed through grants from the Hazard Abatement Board administered by the New York State Department of Labor. Three staffers affiliated with the Library School and the School of Public Health manage the Center.  It is located at the State Office Campus and is open from nine to five on weekdays. The School of Public Health Continuing Education Program administers this project for the New York State Department of Labor.  Go to NYSafety.org for more information.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Professional Development
The School of Public Health is a source of public health continuing education in New York State. The Medical Society of the State of New York accredits the School to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. The New York Nurses Association accredits the School to provide Continuing Nursing Education (CNE). Continuing Health Education (CHES) accreditation is pending for health educators. Over 2500 professionals sought accredited continuing education so far this year.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Public Health Live! — Third Thursday Breakfast Broadcasts
Each month, between 700 and 800 public health care workers view this live educational broadcast at over 100 locations in communities across New York State. The program is also viewed at over 300 sites in the rest of the Untied States. Past programs have featured professors, researchers, community activists and practitioners. This program is a partnership of the School of Public Health, the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Association of County Health Officials, the New York State Community Health Partnership and the New York State Nurses Association.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Public Health Professional Seminar Series
This seminar series is free and open to the public. Examples of past seminars include: "Intergenerational Family Violence", "The Human Genome Project", "Doing Rural Health: Inventing the New Country Doctor", and "Normal Accidents: Why Medical Errors Happen in Health Care." The public health seminars are held every Tuesday in the fall and spring.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Regional Workshops
In 2000, the workshop "Public Health Data: Our Silent Partner" was offered in Canandaigua, Saratoga Springs, and twice in the Capital Region. Over 120 local county health department personnel, social service workers, and community health coalition members attended the day and a half workshops. The purpose of the workshop is to enable localities to prepare more effective Community Health Assessments. More regional workshops are expected to be offered during 2001 due to the positive response.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Training for the Nursing Home Industry
Since 1997, the School of Public Health has offered training for nursing home professionals in seminars across the state. The workshops are offered in partnership with the NYSDOH and the professional associations of the nursing home industry. These one-day workshops for long-term care professionals include MDS 2.0 - The Basics and Advanced MDS. MDS 2.0 is a federally mandated assessment instrument that must be completed at specified intervals for residents of long-term care facilities. Ours is the only MDS 2.0 training approved by the NYSDOH.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Women's Health
The School of Public Health works with the Bureau of Women's Health at the NYS Department of Health and local agencies to provide training on current women's health issues with both clinical and public health significance such as Cross Cultural Communication and Domestic Violence. The projects consist of meetings, program updates and professional development training for health professionals and para-professionals.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

Women's Health Grand Rounds Videoconferences
These continuing education broadcasts address topics with both clinical and public health significance.  They attract 300 to 800 physicians, nurses, and other health professionals at over 100 sites, reaching audiences throughout NYS and nationwide. Recent topics include health care access and delivery for women with disabilities and postpartum depression.  Contact: Cheryl Reeves

• Prevention Research Center

The Center is part of a network of 33 centers across the United States, funded by the CDC, to provide a prevention focus to the work of public health; in particular the UAlbany Center's theme is to engage in community-based interventions to prevent chronic diseases. By developing diverse partnerships within and across communities (including the American Cancer Society, Centro Civico of Amsterdam, Inc., NYSDOH, Parks & Trails NY, The Foundation For Healthy Living, the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo, and Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center), we design, conduct, evaluate and disseminate the findings of studies that show innovative ways in which the resources of local communities can be harnessed to promote the health of community residents and reduce the burden of chronic diseases. PRC is affiliated with the Nationwide PRC program, a network of academic centers, public health agencies, and community partners conducting applied research and practice in chronic disease prevention and control.

Prevention Research Center Community Summit
For several years the Prevention Research Center has been conducting a research project to promote walking in rural communities. To conclude 2009, the final year of funding for this project, PRC will hold a Community Summit, in which the 6 communities will come together to share their experiences and identify ways to sustain walking programs after funding ends.  Representatives from other communities are joining in to learn more about how to start a program in their communities.  The event will be documented in a feature news story for local TV audiences.  Contact: Regina Bryde Kalet

School of Social Welfare

Hartford Internships in Aging Project
The Hartford Internships in Aging Project provides education for geriatric social workers and stimulates development of new social and health care services to older persons in the Capital District. Contact: Dr. Anne E. Fortune

Support for Caregivers of Persons with Dementia
Two faculty have conducted research and outreach scholarship supports for caregivers. Dr. Ron Toseland through extensive research and consultation with the Veteran's Administration and community agencies. Dr. Philip McCallion through the Alzheimer's Association and the U.S. Administration on Aging. Contact: Dr. Katharine Briar-Lawson

• Center for Excellence in Aging Services

This is a translational research center that develops, tests and implements innovative practices and policies that address the needs of aging persons, their families, and caregivers. The Center's diverse research, training, education, planning and service activities synergistically work to improve the creation, delivery and sustainability of evidence based approaches to addressing key aging concerns for the years ahead.
The Center stands at the nexus between universities and communities determined both to create new knowledge and to be a key partner in translating existing knowledge into practice. The Center's success in these endeavors is enhanced by maintaining relevance in its activities, finding low cost successful strategies to address key concerns, and expanding its connectedness to various constituencies.  Contact: Anne Petruska

Aging-Friendly Communities
This initiative involves a series of projects addressing the quality of life and support of the growing aging population addressing convalescent care, hospitalization and institutionalization diversion, and the development of collaborative relationships between health care networks, faith communities, and agencies that provide services to the aging. Funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation. Contact: Dr. Philip McCallion

Healthy Choices New York
Healthy Choices NY is a statewide initiative to empower older adults by providing evidence-based health promotion programs in community-based settings.  Since 2007, Healthy Choices NY has served hundreds of new Yorkers by implementing two evidence-based programs:”Living Healthy” and “Active Choices” that use workshops and personal coaching to encourage healthy living.  Currently participating in the project are Broome County, the Capital Region (comprised of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties), and New York City and plans are underway to investigate broader dissemination of these programs throughout the state.  Participating Area Agencies on Aging have been very successful in extending the reach of evidence-based health programming through community partnerships.  Successful partnerships to date include local Departments of Health, Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, community service providers, insurers, and faith based communities. This initiative is funded through the Federal Administration on Aging, the New York State Office for the Aging and the New York State Department of Health.  Contact: Karen Revitt

Healthy Hearts on the Hill
Healthy Hearts on the Hill is a collaborative initiative of the Center for Excellence in Aging Services and Koinonia Primary Care. It is a community-wide initiative aimed at increasing awareness and participation in heart healthy behaviors. Enlisting the support of a community coalition, lay advocates and community partners develop capacity, recruit participants, and deliver services that encourage health promotion programming and practices in Albany’s West Hill community. Healthy Hearts on the Hill is supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies and the John A Hartford Foundation. Contact: Anne Petruska

• Center for Innovation in Mental Health Research

The mission of the Center for Innovation in Mental Health Research is to advance knowledge in the field of mental health using an evidence based approach by conducting research in direct practice, service delivery systems, and policy. The Center’s priorities include: evaluating and testing intervention and practice models that serve individuals facing mental health challenges, along with co-occurring needs such as poverty, homelessness, disabilities, addictions, health challenges, and multiple service-system involvement; generating and advancing culturally competent, cost effective, and evidence based approaches to mental health service delivery; and supporting ongoing workforce development in order to help meet the needs of mental health programs facing staffing challenges.  Contact: Eric Hardiman

Cancer Research Center

The Cancer Research Center (CRC) is focused on research that will lead to a cure for cancer. Located on the University’s East Campus in Rensselaer, the CRC also provides economic development, educational opportunities for high school through post-doctoral level students and collaborations with cancer-related hospitals and research facilities in the region. This state-of-the-art facility houses two centers:

• Center for Functional Genomics

The Center for Functional Genomics (CFG) houses the core facilities used by researchers at the Cancer Research Center. As such, CFG is a major anchor for UAlbany's East Campus which focuses on biotechnology and biomedical research in collaboration with government and private sector partners. Laboratory services are provided to small “incubator” and larger biotech companies on campus and to over 200 colleges and companies worldwide in order to offset costs. CFG provides an intellectual environment, coupled with state-of-the-art core laboratories, to advance the fundamental understanding of the function of gene products while promoting the integration of research projects between investigators and entrepreneurial biotechnology companies. The Center co-locates university research faculty, state research agencies, academic programs and private companies in the same facilities to advance such exchange.

• Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics

The Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics (GCECG) is dedicated to the advancement of basic research into the genetic origins of cancer. This central objective provides a strong foundation toward achieving the longer-term goal of bringing the highest level of cancer care to our area.

Center for Elimination of Minority Health Disparities

The Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities (CEMHD) is funded by a three-year $1.24 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and endorsed by the New York State Department of Health. CEMHD will focus its efforts on smaller cities, including Amsterdam and Albany. In a state where minorities make up nearly 39 percent of the population and where 169 languages are spoken, one of the center’s highest priorities is ensuring that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to achieve optimum health. CEMHD will fill an important need by developing effective community-based approaches for improving minority health that can be applied here in the Capital District and replicated in communities across New York State. The center is uniquely multidisciplinary, representing collaborative efforts by the deans and faculty from the schools of Education, Public Health and Social Welfare and the College of Arts and Sciences. Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Phillips will be in charge of the outreach and dissemination core, with the task of constructing a strategy to disseminate to minority communities messages that promote the understanding and counteracting of health disparities. As an NIH EXPORT center (Excellence in Partnerships for Community Outreach, Research on Health Disparities and Training), CEMHD will identify health problems and seek ways to reduce, and eventually eliminate, minority health inequities by building the University’s health disparities research capacity, and by strengthening community partners’ abilities to collaborate on research and intervention programs. Contact: Lawrence Schell

Division of Student Success

• University Counseling Center

Capital District Regional College Consortium on Alcohol and Drugs
University Counseling Center staff actively participate in the Capital District Regional College Consortium on Alcohol and Other Drugs. Within this group, which consists of representatives from local colleges and service agencies in the community, Counseling Center staff deliver presentations and collaborate with consortium members on initiatives including conferences, training programs, and grant projects and activities. Contact: Brian M. Freidenberg

Capital Region Association for Eating Disorders
University Counseling Center staff provide telephone support for the Capital Region Association for Eating Disorders (CRAED. CRAED ) is a non-profit organization based in the Capital Region of New York state. CRAED is devoted to helping individuals with eating disorders and those that care about them. Services Include: A resource directory, providing referrals to professionals; Support groups for individuals with eating disorders and separate support groups for their significant others; Materials for use by educators to inform students about eating disorders; Active participation in local health fairs for organizations and schools at all levels. Contact: Joyce Dewitt-Parker

Institute for Training and Education
The Coordinator for Health Promotion is a faculty member at the Mohawk Hudson Planned Parenthood's Institute for Training and Education. She regularly offers half and full day training programs for professional across New York State on adolescent sexuality, sex education, internet pornography, teen pregnancy prevention. Contact: Carol P. Stenger

Sexuality Training
The Coordinator for Health Promotion regularly serves as a trainer/consultant at agencies in New York State presenting on her research on sexuality education in Europe and its impact on the US system. In addition, she has worked with parents in the Saratoga School District on issues related to adolescent sexuality and sex education in the home. Contact: Carol P. Stenger

UCC-sponsored Programs

• Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program

Middle Earth is a campus agency where trained UAlbany undergrads deliver hotline and peer education services under the supervision of professionals at the University Counseling Center. These peer services assist students in meeting their educational goals and in coping with emotional, social, and other life issues that they face. Since its beginning in 1970, its primary focus has been on alcohol and other drug prevention as it relates to these issues. An additional mission of the program is to strive toward increased diversity within the organization so that services offered may be more sensitive to the individual needs and experiences of the widest cross-section of students on our diverse campus.

A Cappela Fest
This annual musical event features performances by on-campus and local a cappella groups, and is coordinated by the Middle Earth Executive Board. It is the sole fund-raising effort of the organization. Students raise funds through admission and raffle ticket sales for the Kimberly E. Esterman Scholarship Memorial Fund, established and endowed in honor of a former Middle Earth Coordinator who passed away in 2003 from cancer. A Capella Fest has a reputation for being not only entertaining, but also educational and moving in its tribute to a great woman. Contact: M. Dolores Cimini

Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program Alcohol Abuse Prevention PSA Campaign
With funding support from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Middle Earth students developed an award-winning Public Service Announcement (PSA) addressing underage drinking among college students. The PSA, initially developed for the UAlbany campus, earned a statewide award in December 2006 and was adapted for statewide implementation. To date, the PSA has been disseminated statewide among television, cable, and radio outlets as well as movie theaters across New York State. Contact: M. Dolores Cimini

Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program Hotline Service
The Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program hotline provides peer listening, information, and referral services to our campus and the surrounding Capital District community. Services assist students in meeting their educational goals and in coping with emotional, social, and other life issues that they face. Since its beginning in 1970, its primary focus has been on alcohol and other drug abuse prevention as it relates to these issues. An additional mission of the hotline service is to strive toward increased diversity within the organization so that services offered may be more sensitive to the individual needs and experiences of the widest cross-section of students on our diverse campus. Contact: M. Dolores Cimini

Middle Earth Players
Begun in 1997-98, the Middle Earth Players is a campus peer theater group that offers its services to both the UAlbany campus and the local Capital District community, including local high schools. The Middle Earth Players program uses interactive theater to address situations around alcohol and other drugs. The presentations involve audience members in generating their own constructive and positive solutions to resolve these issues. This program has been presented to all new students during orientation for the past nine years, is routinely performed in residence halls and to student groups, and has been presented to local colleges and universities, local high schools, and local, state, and national conferences addressing alcohol and other drug abuse prevention. Contact: M. Dolores Cimini

National Depression Screening Day
The purpose of this event is to provide information about depression and related mental health issues to the campus and community and to offer the opportunity to take an online depression screening questionnaire. This event is part of the annual National Depression Screening Day sponsored by the University Counseling Center, and provides students with the opportunity to learn more about mental health as well as resources for assistance both on and off campus. Contact: M. Dolores Cimini

The BACCHUS Network
Both undergraduate students from the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program and the Middle Earth Program Director regional hold leadership positions within the BACCHUS Network, a national organization focused on promoting peer education in colleges and secondary schools. Our work focuses on strengthening the Area 11 region, which consists of the states of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Contact: M. Dolores Cimini

• Project SHAPE: Sexual Health and Peer Education

Project SHAPE is a peer education program that focuses on sexuality and sexual health promotion. We have 40 members, both undergraduate and graduate students who go through an extensive training course on sexuality. Each year we offer over 120 programs and exhibits on sexual health in the residence halls, for student groups, as guest lectures in academic classes and local high schools, and in workshops for local colleges and organizations on sexual health including the annual Northeastern GLBT Conference, the Fuerza Latina conference, and in youth groups at the Capital District GLBT Community Center. In addition, we facilitate a number of awareness weeks such as our annual World AIDS Week in December, Mixin' Up the Sex Week in April, National Black HIV Awareness Week in March, and we are very involved in Middle Earth’s Sexuality Week each February. Each year we engage in a community service project in which we fund-raise and adopt families in the Capital Region affected by HIV/AIDS. We also do programs for local youth such as sex education presentations to a youth at risk group at the New York State museum. Contact: Carol P. Stenger

Annual "Adopt a Family Affected by HIV/AIDS" Program
Each year, Project SHAPE adopts two families in need who are affected by AIDS in the local community through the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York. We engage in fund-raising activities during World AIDS Week events and wrap gifts at Border's Books and Music during the holiday season to raise the funds for this. Each year we raise over $600 to purchase items these families need. Contact: Carol P. Stenger

Annual Faith and Choice Forum
The Project SHAPE: Sexual Health & Peer Education Program collaborates with staff from Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood for an annual event entitled "The Faith and Choice Forum". In this annual event members of the Capital Region community and the University come together to hear the views of different religious leaders discussing their views on reproductive rights. Contact: Carol P. Stenger

The Museum Club
Each year for the past five years, Project SHAPE: Sexual Health & Peer Education members along with the Director are invited to provide sexual health workshops and lead discussion groups with at risk high school youth who are part of an after school New York State Museum Club. Contact: Carol P. Stenger

• Sexual Assault Resource Center

Under the leadership of the Sexual Assault Resource Center, students and other members of the University community are afforded the opportunity to engage in collaborative events and projects with the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center , the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and other organizations. Events have included the "Take Back The Night" Rally and the Walk to End Sexual Assault. Contact: Kelly J. Horner

Northeast Regional Forensics Institute

The Northeast Regional Forensic Institute (NERFI) is an innovative organization that addresses the current high demand for trained professionals in forensic laboratories while simultaneously fostering the research required to improve the speed, accuracy, and effectiveness of future forensic analyses. The DNA Academy, NERFI’s forensic training program, is unique in its dedicated learning environment and its fast-track to DNA specialization and professional development.  Each of NERFI’s academic programs takes advantage of an unprecedented collaboration and cooperation between the University at Albany’s Department of Biological Sciences and the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center. A 2004 grant from the National Institute of Justice made this collaboration possible.  NERFI has a growing reputation as the foremost research and training site in forensic science. Director W. Mark Dale, former director of the New York State Police Laboratory System, has collaborated with the Northeast Forensic Science Community to devise curricula for professionals already established in their careers and for students starting out in this dynamic, highly relevant field.  Contact: Mark Dale

Institute for Health and the Environment

The Institute was created to promote interdisciplinary research and grants in the broad area of health and the environment.  Faculty in the Institute are drawn from several schools and colleges of the University, and other local universities and medical centers. The Institute promotes linkages between community grassroots organizations and leaders and researchers by establishing partnerships with communities on issues related to the environment and health. The Institute’s External Advisory Board, consisting of prominent community leaders and grassroots community organizations, supports these partnerships.  In order to promote interdisciplinary research, the Institute sponsors a regular seminar series so that members of the Institute can become acquainted with and knowledgeable of each other's research expertise.  The Institute also organizes and sponsors symposia and conferences and provides resources to its members for grant-related activities. Contact: David Carpenter

Office of Undergraduate Studies

Internships (UNI 390)
Approximately 300 students university-wide participate in an extensive general internship program with for-profit, not-for-profit and government organizations each year. Through this program, advanced students learn how to effectively apply their studies to work in relevant professional settings of their choosing. They provide meaningful assistance while earning credit through an academic component. Internship experiences been conducted in a wide variety of fields, including the arts, the environment, government, and healthcare. Contact: Sue Faerman