AISS Newsletter: September 2025
Notice for Faculty
It is now time to submit Mid-Term Student Performance Progress Reports. Please submit reports by October 13, 2025. Progress Reports help students know how they are doing in your course.
Academic Program News, 2025
New Academic Programs Launching Fall 2025:
- Environmental Studies BA: A new program, the Environmental Studies BA is housed in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences. This degree replaces the Interdisciplinary Studies BS with a Concentration in Environmental Sciences.
- Game Design and Development BS: A new program, the Game Design and Development BS is housed in the Information Sciences and Technology Department, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity.
- Interdisciplinary Studies BS with a concentration in Legal Studies: A new interdisciplinary program, the Interdisciplinary Studies BS with a Concentration in Legal Studies was developed by the College of Arts and Sciences and Rockefeller College with faculty from Criminal Justice, History, Philosophy, and Political Science. This new program has two co-directors, one from each college. The current co-directors are Professor Matt Ingram (Political Science) and Professor Ariel Zylberman (Philosophy).
New Undergraduate Certificate Launched Fall 2025:
- Spanish Bilingual Certificate: A new certificate, the Spanish Bilingual Certificate is housed within the Department of Languages, Literature, and Culture, College of Arts and Sciences. This credential shows students’ bilingual competency in Spanish and English.
SED Approves Former Interdisciplinary Programs as Standalone Degree Programs in Fall 2025:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BS: This program has functioned as an interdisciplinary collaboration between the departments of Biology and Chemistry for years. Students earned their Interdisciplinary Studies BS with a concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. SED recently approved the program to become its own bachelor’s program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
- Financial Market Regulation BS: This program has functioned as a collaboration between departments in the Massry School of Business and the Department of Economics, College of Arts and Sciences for years. Students earned their Interdisciplinary Studies BS with a concentration in Financial Market Regulation. SED recently approved the program to become its own bachelor’s program in Financial Market Regulation.
Major Updates to Academic Programs in Fall 2025:
- Art BS: The Art program, formerly a BA program, was recently approved by SED as a BS degree program. The change is linked to the number of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) credits required for the BA relative to the BS degree. The program also changed credit totals for some classes to better reflect course workload. These changes will be reflected in updates to the requirements of the new program.
- Emergency Management & Homeland Security BS: SED approved CEHC’s request to change the name of their Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security degree. The program also saw some updates to the academic requirements.
- Interdisciplinary Studies BS:
- Documentary Studies Concentration: Updated changes with SED.
- Globalization Concentration: Updated changes with SED.
Academic Coaching Offered in AISS
The Office of Academic Progression and Success has four dedicated academic coaches who work one-on-one with students to help them master time management and improve their study skills. The academic coaches also help students build confidence and develop self-advocacy skills as they navigate the transition to college, balance life’s demands, overcome challenges, and stay on track to graduate.
The Academic Coaches in the Office of Academic Progression and Success are:
Raven Scott has been an Academic Coach within AISS for three years. She earned both her bachelors and master’s at the University at Albany. She also oversees the Peer Assisted Student Success Mentoring Program (PASS).
Danielle Vassi has been an academic coach in AISS for three years. Prior to that, she was an academic advisor in the Academic Support Center. Danielle holds a master’s degree in School Counseling from the Sage Colleges.
Dr. Nicole Cosentino has over 20 years tutoring and coaching experience, specializing in executive functioning, and supporting individuals with autism through personalized strategies. She is also multilingual, currently studying ASL, and holds a Ph.D., in Queer Modernist Literature from UAlbany.
Rose Gruszecki most recently served as an academic advisor at the University at Michigan and before that she served as an educational advocate in the Maine Migrant Education Program.
New York State Senate & Assembly Internship Applications are Open Now for Spring 2026
These New York State Senate and Assembly Internships have undergraduate students work on research and administrative responsibilities in a New York State Senator or Assemblymember’s office during the legislative session. The application submission deadline for spring internships is October 15th at 11:59pm.