Supporting Undergraduate Students' Success
Academic Innovation & Student Success (AISS) was created to align academic strategies and oversee the coordination and execution of the UAlbany Student Success Model.
Dedicated to advancing transformative, campus-wide student success efforts, AISS is a unique model designed to maximize resources and impact. The UAlbany Student Success Model focuses on holistic and comprehensive student support in six key areas:
- Academic support
- Academic momentum
- Well-being
- Purpose and belonging
- Campus collaboration
- Financial support
Initiatives within these areas work together to address critical issues that impact retention, persistence and graduation. Please read the Five-year Report: Academic Momentum, Academic Support & Campus Collaboration for more information.
AISS Units
AISS oversees various offices that support the success of undergraduate students at UAlbany. Please visit the following UAlbany websites for more information on our work:
AISS Leadership
- Vice Provost & Dean of Undergraduate Education JoAnne Malatesta
Vice Dean for Academic Innovation & Student Success Diana Mancini
Director for Innovative Project Systems Jayme Wood
Transfer Advisement and Transition Coordinator Sabrina Eames
Coordinator of Online Student Success Nick Butler
Student Success Program Analyst Polina Denisova
Interim Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education Glyne Griffith
Director of the Writing & Critical Inquiry Program
Director of the Honors College David Goldsmith
Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Support Center and Advising Kristen Swaney
Assistant Dean for Academic Progression and Success Karen A. McNeill
Interim Assistant Dean for Learning Commons Sarah Pickett
Director of the Educational Opportunity Program Melissa Cedeño
Director of Access and Academic Enrichment Mayra E. Santiago
Assistant Dean of the Minerva Center for High Impact Learning Dafney Amilcar-Rodriguez
Latest News on UAlbany's Undergraduate Students
Showcase 2025: CNSE Student Gains Valuable Insight into Research and Innovation
CNSE Student Maria Paredes-Espinosa is on track to earning her PhD in nanobioscience in 2026 under the mentorship of CNSE Associate Professor Janet Paluh. This spring, she is preparing to present her research at UAlbany Showcase on April 30, where she will take part in the annual pitch competition.
Massry Alum Bazadona Named to AACSB 2025 Class of Influential Leaders
Massry School of Business alum Damian Bazadona, B.S., ’98, has been named by AACSB International to its 2025 Class of Influential Leaders, a group of 24 outstanding entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs from AACSB-accredited business schools.
UAlbany Journalism Program Pairs Students with Local Newsrooms
University at Albany students are being paired with local newsrooms as part of a new initiative to address news deserts by providing under-resourced local news outlets with additional college student-produced content.
CEHC Launches Revamped Undergraduate Cybersecurity Program
The program, which will be available to students starting in Fall 2025, will focus on the changing cybersecurity landscape, including the emergence of AI-powered threats.
UAlbany Launches New Semiconductor and Microelectronics Scholarship Program
UAlbany's new Semiconductor and Microelectronics Leadership Program provides scholarships of $5,000 to exceptional high school or transfer students interested in the semiconductor and microelectronics programs at the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering.