February 2016 NewsCenter Archive

Rockefeller College Professor Lends International Students a Warm Welcome
As the University continues its efforts to attract greater numbers of international students, one professor at Rockefeller College – Ik Jae Chung – can provide perspective on his approach to international recruitment. Chung has been enlisting executives and civil servants from Korea to the College’s MPA program for more than 15 years.
New CIO and VP for Information Technology Services Takes Reins Today

Simeon Ananou, D.Ed., brings 19 years of higher education administrative experience to UAlbany.
Our Title IX Coordinator is Chosen to Train National Higher Education Community

Chantelle Cleary will bring her knowledge of best practices in sexual assault investigation to support The National Center for Campus Public Safety.
Campus Comes Together to Reaffirm Values

The campus rallies at the Campus Center small fountain on Monday to confirm its commitment to a diverse and inclusive community.
Mercury Rising

A seventeen-hundred-year-old Serbian mosaic is given new life by a restoration team that included two University at Albany art history students.
UAlbany Researcher Examines Transmission of Gun Violence Within Social Networks

UAlbany researcher Melissa Tracy has released a study asserting that a better understanding of the relationship between gun violence within social networks and individual gun violence risk is critical in preventing the spread of gun violence within communities.
Women's Basketball Kicks Off Big Purple Growl Celebration

Seeking its 5th consecutive America East crown, the women's basketball team at UAlbany roars into SEFCU Arena on February 3rd to kick off the 19th Annual Big Purple Growl in a match-up against UMBC. The Great Danes, 17-3 overall and a perfect 8-0 in the conference, will tip-off at 7 p.m.
He Scored with a ‘Leap of Faith’

Interviewer-producer Larry Berger ’92 began a great sports lover’s career at UAlbany.
UAlbany MLK Celebration Honors Civil Rights Icon Carlotta Walls LaNier

UAlbany hosted its 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration last evening. President Robert Jones welcomed keynote speaker, Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine, a group of black students who worked to integrate Little Rock High School in 1957 -- a landmark event of the Civil Rights Movement.
Rockefeller College Forum Tackles 2016 Presidential Primaries

The University at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy is hosting a forum, Decision 2016: Separating Reality from Rhetoric, as two leading political strategists go head-to-head in a lively discussion about 2016's presidential front-runners, phenoms and forgettables.
UAlbany Seniors Graduating into the Best Job Market in Years
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, businesses are planning to hire at a higher rate than they did in 2015. This is great news for our graduating seniors and those across the country.
Getting to the Doctor

Geography and Planning’s Catherine Lawson will help the Federal Transportation Administration assess a key wellness aspect related to the Affordable Care Act.
Center for International Development Appoints New Director

Gina Volynsky brings 25 years of international strategic planning, business development, relationship management, project management and communications to her new post.
Women in Computing Club to do High School Outreach
The UAlbany student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery – Women (ACM-W), a new group established in October, will be reaching out to high school women interested in computing-related fields, thanks to a recent national award.
Students Enjoy Night at the Museum
Students got the first peek at the University Art Museum spring exhibitions during the “1st Tuesday at the Museum” event this week. The Museum launched the Tuesday student event series in October to provide students with an evening of food, friends, and art. It is held at the Museum from 5-8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month while exhibitions are open.
‘Unity Wall’ Illustrates University’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Students, faculty, staff, and other community members are placing purple and gold thumbprints on a glass wall in a pledge to value diversity and be more inclusive.
Governor Cuomo Announces Major Step Forward for UAlbany’s ETEC Initiative

State's Harriman Campus to be home to Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex, housing College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, ASRC and NYS Mesonet.
Education Forum Spotlights Teacher Evaluations, School Aid, Common Core as Key Issues Facing N.Y.

The Common Core standards, teacher evaluations and state funding are just a few of the key issues facing New York, according to a panel of BOCES superintendents gathered to discuss the future of k-12 education in New York at the University at Albany's Massry Conference Center on Feburary 3rd.
Cimini Appointed to National Advisory Council on Substance Abuse Prevention
Dolores Cimini, assistant director of the Counseling Center at the University at Albany, has been appointed to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) National Advisory Council.
Student Entrepreneurs Prepare to Bring ChugaChaga to Market
Three University at Albany undergrad entrepreneurs are planning to roll out their product – an iced tea made from chaga, a mushroom that grows off birch trees – sometime in March. Chaga is considered to be an immune-enhancing substance.
For the Students

Aligned with SUNY Excels, the campus advances a performance improvement plan geared toward greater access and success.
President Jones Rallies for System-Wide EOP Support

The President, during a Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Higher Education, advocates for increased state funding to extend EOP to students on SUNY campuses that currently lack the program.
Undergraduates Nourished by D.C. Semester Give Back to the ‘Table’

The popular Semester in Washington program adds public service to public policy experiences, moving beyond D.C.'s gentrified neighborhoods and stately political halls to the District's heart.
STEP Program Rises to Robotics Challenge
The UAlbany Science, Technology Entry Program (STEP) Robotics program recently built, designed, and tested their own robots at the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Tech Challenge.
Taylor Swift Opens Music Industry Doors for UAlbany Junior
At only 19 years old, Zainub Amir is already establishing herself in the music industry – just ask Taylor Swift. Amir, a business major and Delmar, N.Y. native, is an official social media “fan ambassador” for Swift. She’s one of 10 who’ve been personally selected by Swift’s team to help engage her online fan base.
The UAlbany and Albany Law Connection Grows

Having committed to a much deeper affiliation last fall, UAlbany and Albany Law School are making significant progress in creating new academic opportunities for students and sparking novel research and grant prospects for faculty.
Register Now for President’s 3rd Annual Forum on Data
UAlbany will be convening nationally recognized leaders for a series of conversations on emergency management and homeland security on Thursday, Feb. 25 in the D’Ambra Auditorium, Life Sciences Research Building.
SCJ Dean Chairs AAAS Panel on Policies to Combat Societal Violence

William Alex Pridemore convenes leading social scientists, whose findings will have direct implications for policy and violence-prevention, including interventions that teach strategies of nonviolent conflict management.
Online Education Builds, as School of Education Named 14th Best in the Nation for Online Graduate Degrees

Latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report covering 267 master's degree-granting institutions confirms that UAlbany is extending educational access at a standard reflecting the academic excellence of its traditionally delivered programs.
Global Institute for Health and Human Rights Convenes 15 Nations in Turkey to Address HIV-AIDS
The consultation, which was in collaboration with the International AIDS Society, specifically addressed issues of HIV stigma, testing, and treatment. It focused on countries that have predominantly Muslim populations and a conservative social setting.
Local Kids Tour, Play and Cheer at Commitment to Education Day

Coaches, staff and student-athletes lead activities for 2,000 school children, who then root for the Great Danes women's basketball team, which triumphs over New Hampshire.
UAlbany Researcher Examines Transmission of Gun Violence

UAlbany researcher Melissa Tracy has released a study asserting that a better understanding of the relationship between gun violence within social networks and individual gun violence risk is critical in preventing the spread of gun violence within communities.
Costa Rica Trip Provides Insight into Global Health Care for UAlbany Students

During winter recess, 11 students and faculty members from the School of Public Health and the School of Business visited a remote village in the Costa Rican rain forest to learn of a health care system that makes this Central American nation a global model.
Join the Fitness Trend at Fit Fair
People across campus are getting fit, and the trend is growing. Campus Recreation is promoting wellness at its inaugural Fit Fair, on Monday, February 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Physical Education Gymnasium.
University’s EOP Program Creates Strong Model for Success

A graduation rate of nearly 80 percent and a retention rate in the 90th percentile are points of pride upon which to build even greater success for director Maritza Martinez and her committed staff.
Experts Advisory: The Power of Big Data to Improve Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Whether it is the TSA, institutions of higher education, government agencies, each sector can potentially benefit from utilizing data to improve intelligence and risk analysis for emergency management. On February 25, the President’s 3rd Annual Forum on Data will explore the role that data analytics plays in better protecting the United States.
Professionalism in Criminal Justice was Learned at UAlbany

Former National Institute of Justice Director John Laub Ph.D.'80, says UAlbany proved to be ‘transformative’ in his life and career.
A Case Study on a Campus's Sexual Assault History
Writer and mountaineer Jon Krakauer will discuss his latest book Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town (2015) on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. in Page Hall on the Downtown Campus.
Mega-Bank's Scholarship Fund Creates Exciting New Study Abroad Opportunities in Latin America

March 11 application deadline for summer and semester programs at leading universities in Argentina and Brazil, funded by Santander Bank of Spain.
Medical Director Recommends Education on Zika Virus
This is the time of year when students make plans to travel during spring break. Student Health Services Medical Director Rebecca Kobos, M.D., advises students as well as faculty and staff, to learn more about the Zika virus, especially if they are planning travel to areas where the mosquito-borne illness has been reported.
A Calling to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

President Jones tells a North Carolina audience that all in academe must be more engaged with external communities and be eager for open dialogues on race with a new generation of students.
Milk — and the American Consumers' — Ever-Evolving Story

Historian Kendra Smith-Howard explores the interface of 20th Century environmental history with the histories of agriculture, consumer culture, technology and public health.
President Jones Welcomes His Former Ensemble to Campus for an Evening of Story and Song
President Robert J. Jones invites the University community and the public to a special presentation by his former ensemble, Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. in Page Hall. Tickets are free, but registration is required to reserve a seat. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
From Classroom to Grassroots

SPH student Colleen Dundas stepped 8,000 miles outside her comfort zone to have a powerful, unforgettable experience in a developing nation, thanks to the Global Health Program and the Peace Corps.
Research Projects Examine Prostate Cancer Screening, Treatment

Scientists at the University at Albany’s Cancer Research Center (CRC) are developing three new projects aimed at improving prostate cancer outcomes for New Yorkers. The studies will focus on examining minority health disparities, understanding the role of environmental pollution and risk for the disease, and developing less invasive screening tests in prostate cancer diagnosis.
Welcoming Abstracts in the Museum

Brooklyn-based abstract painter Keltie Ferris, whose "Body Prints and Paintings" exhibition runs through April 2 at the Museum, invites the observer to view her art without intimidation.
Eleven from Campus Take Part in Finding Data-Driven Solutions to Nation’s Problems

UAlbany experts take part in NSF-funded effort that will address concerns of particular interest to the Northeast Region, including finance, health, government and higher education.
Malatesta Honored Nationally for Advisement

Director of Advisement Services JoAnne Malatesta will be presented with a National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Excellence in Advising Award during the organization’s Northeast conference in Portland, Maine, March 9-11.
Armao and Bass Teach Investigative Reporting Skills in Tunisia

Professors Rosemary Armao and Thomas Bass will lead workshops in investigative reporting in Tunisia this summer, where they are helping to develop a Center for Investigative Reporting.
President’s Critical Conversation to Explore Issues of Diversity, Race and Inclusion

More than 150 students, faculty and staff expected to participate.
Capital Region Leaders Unite Behind UAlbany's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

They urge $20 million in capital funding be included in state budget to turn one-time Albany High School building into a state-of-the-art facility.
Students Turn Out for Campus Recreation's First Fit Fair

Students showed up to try out everything from kickboxing to exercise equipment at Campus Recreation’s first Fit Fair earlier this week.
Spring Discussions on Contemporary Issues Start Today in the Science Library

University Libraries series “Campus Conversations in Standish,” engaging students, faculty and staff, begins at 12:35 p.m. with a Rabi Musah talk on psychoactive plants.
Capital Region Leaders Unite Behind UAlbany's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

They urge $20 million in capital funding be included in state budget to turn one-time Albany High School building into a state-of-the-art facility.
NYSWI Hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning Alum Stephen Adly Guirgis, March 3

Theatre department alum, the 2015 Pulitzer winner for drama, visits as a guest of the New York State Writers Institute on Thursday, March 3, for both an informal seminar and reading in the Recital Hall.
Campus Community Discusses Diversity, Race and Inclusion

On Tuesday evening, to a packed Campus Center Ballroom, President Jones invited students, faculty and staff to begin an open dialogue regarding race, diversity and inclusion on the University at Albany campus.
University Offers Workplace Safety Sessions

Do you know what to do if there is a chemical spill in the laboratory or if the toaster oven in the shared kitchen area catches fire? Have you ever used one of the external defibrillators that dot the academic podium? What should you do if a student who is angry about a grade follows you to your car?
President's Forum on Data Spotlights Emergency Management, Homeland Security

On Thursday, February 25, the University convened nationally recognized leaders for a series of conversations on emergency management and homeland security at the President’s 3rd Annual Forum on Data.
A New Home for UAlbany's New College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Capital Region leaders are unified in their support for the University's plan to transform a century-old former public school building into a home for its new College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Center for Health Workforce Studies Finds Underserved Populations in Kentucky at Risk for Oral Health Disparities

A recent Center for Health Workforce Studies (CHWS) report details disturbing findings about the oral health of people in the state of Kentucky.
An Admirable Yarn: MBA Student Weaves 55 Scarves in Two Weeks for the Homeless

Valerie Chew combines marketing skills with arm-knitting talent to aid a worthy cause — and start her own fashion design firm.
Acclaimed Choreographer Twyla Tharp Visits Campus to Discuss Her Career, Mar. 1

Eminent choreographer Twyla Tharp will visit the University on March 1 at 7 p.m. in Page Hall to kick-off a new Capital Region initiative, Pathways to Dance, designed to support dance creation and presentation. The event is free and open to the public and is coordinated by the Performing Arts Center and the New York State Writers Institute.
An Uplifting Evening

On Saturday, more than 600 people packed Page Hall on the downtown campus for a special presentation by President Jones’ former ensemble Sounds of Blackness. The Grammy-Award winning group performed a 90-minute program that ranged from African songs and spirituals, to gospel and R&B, as well as passages/recordings of Martin Luther King.

February 2016 NewsCenter Archive

University News