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SUMMER/FALL 2012
NEWSLETTER
for SUNY Plattsburgh Graduate Students Volume 6, Issue 1
physics, social studies or Spanish.
PROGRAM NEWS
Graduate Studies
Successful completion of this 30 to 33-credit
hour graduate program leads to recommendation
Counselor Education for professional teacher certification. The pro-
gram has been designed so it can be completed
Department within a calendar year.
At the center are four core courses (12-credit
Stephen Saiz, Chair of the hours) that allow teachers to focus on and build
Counselor Education Depart- strength in the art of teaching using content-
ment, retired in June after many specific projects.
years of dedicated service to Students choose one of three concentrations (9
SUNY Plattsburgh. Dr. Saiz to 12-credit hours): literacy, special education, or
is a recipient of the Chancel- early childhood education.
lor’s Award for Excellence in Finally, the program also allows teachers to
Teaching. His other honors tailor their own professional development with 9-
include a Dean's Award for Outstanding Teaching credit hours of electives in graduate education or
in Professional Studies, an E. Gordon Poling Schol- content-area coursework.
arship for academic excellence, the Mary Gordon While Heidi Schnackenberg is the
Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Native M.S.Ed. Program Area Coordina-
American Student, the Crazy Horse Memorial tor, the new Teaching and Learn-
Scholarship, and the North American Society of ing Program Leaders
Adlerian Psychology Scholarship for contributions for this graduate
to the field of Adlerian Psychology. program are David
Replacing Dr. Saiz as Chair of the Counselor Iasevoli at the
Education Department is David Branch Campus in
Stone, Associate Dean of Edu- Queensbury and
cation, Health, and Human Ser- Sarah Hackett (pictured at left) at
vices. Dr. Stone has a Ph.D. in the Main Campus in Plattsburgh.
Counselor Education from Ohio
University; an M.A. in Psychol- Educational Leadership: Michael Johnson is
ogy, Guidance, and Counseling sharing coordination of the C.A.S. in Educational
from the University of Northern Leadership Program with
Colorado; and a B.A. in Sociology from Florida Daniel Starr. Dr. Starr is
State University. Superintendent of
Schools at Corinth Cen-
Teacher Education Unit tral School District and
has taught a number of
Teaching & Learning: SUNY Plattsburgh graduate level classes in
has a new degree: the M.S.Ed. in Teaching and the Educational Leader-
Learning. The program, which recently garnered ship Program. He was instrumental in starting up
approval from both the State University of New our unique G.O.A.L. Program which encourages
York system and the New York State Education promising educators to consider careers in school
Department, is designed for strong educators administration. Dr. Starr is taking primary re-
who want to improve their teaching skills. It is sponsibility for directing the graduate internship
open to those who have their initial teacher certi- program as well as working to complete our up-
fication in childhood education (grades 1-6); K- coming T.E.A.C. evaluation. Dr. Starr is a wel-
12 music or visual arts; or 7-12 biology, chemis- comed, valuable addition to our Educational
try, earth science, English, French, mathematics, Leadership Program.
Summer/Fall 2012 Graduate Studies Newsletter—page 2
Literacy Education: From April 9th to 26th, SUNY of us had lost family members to cancer and those who did
Plattsburgh Literacy Education graduate students created, not wanted to support their fellow classmates by making the
implemented, and assessed professional development work- decision to focus our collaboration project on children‘s
shops. The students worked in pairs to survey interests and cancer. We came to the conclusion that we would make
develop workshops based on reported needs. Their target ―Literacy Bags‖ for the children in the Oncology Unit at
audiences included education undergraduate students, coun- Vermont Children‘s Hospital.
seling and education graduate students, and employees at These bags would include leveled books along with activi-
SUNY Plattsburgh’s daycare center. The literacy students ties children could play with while undergoing chemother-
conducted their professional development workshops on apy. It was not an easy task to raise money for these bags,
campus in Sibley and Ward Hall, and the topics they ad- but thanks to the Plattsburgh community we were able to
dressed included emergent literacy, balanced literacy, utiliz- raise over $1,000 by holding bottle and can drives.
ing literacy in counseling, and using effective vocabulary ―The project was a success, and we were able to deliver
strategies within the content areas. The students were given the bags to the hospital. We were even able to deliver sev-
the opportunity to implement the coaching strategies they eral bags to the children personally. It was a life changing
learned by teaching adult learners and collaborating with moment to see the looks on the childrens‘ and their parents‘
other professionals. The success of the professional develop- faces as they lit up to discover what was in each bag.
ment workshops has resulted in a new collaborative partner- ―As the semester came to an end and our project was
ship between the education and counseling departments. complete, we were overwhelmed with a sense of community,
happiness, and the impact that we knew we had made. We
didn‘t want it to end there. We had learned so much about
ourselves, our peers, our community and the difference we
can make that we did not want our journey to end. That is
when we decided to start the Literacy Club.
―The pillars of our club are very similar to those we were
asked to focus on in our collaboration project. The Literacy
Club focuses on Social Justice, Democracy, Community,
Multicultural Competencies and of course Literacy.
―We continue to not only become closer with one another,
but also with our community. We are forever grateful for
the opportunity our program has given us, and even more so
for forever changing the way we look at ourselves. We now
know that making a difference can be done with many peo-
ple or just a few.
From left to right: a Fletcher Allen Administrator with Literacy graduate ―Our journey has been a long but enriching one, which
students Joe Cross, Alan Aguglia, Sarah Frankel, and Harmony Buskey. we hope to continue. We want to thank our professors, fam-
Other graduate students who were involved in this amazing project were
Katie Matthews, Ashley Tyo, Catherine Sample, and Andrew Sokol. ily and friends for the support and assistance we have re-
ceived throughout these past 2 semesters. Through this
strong support system, we hope to continue our efforts in
According to students in Literacy for Democracy and making a difference in the world. "
Global Societies, ―It took just one semester in the Literacy
Education Graduate Program for us to realize something so M.S.T. Childhood Education and
simple and realistic. We can make a difference. With the M.S.T. Adolescence Education Pro-
help of our professors and peers we have learned the impor- grams: Lisa Srokowski, an M.S.T.
tance of democracy in a classroom, social justice and of Childhood Education student at the
advocating for all children, but most importantly we have Branch Campus in Queensbury, has this
learned how literacy can tie into all three. We have grown advice to offer other students about her
to become a family and a community of learners. We are not experiences in graduate school: ―Two
afraid to question each other while also giving support years ago I was a new student at SUNY
whenever needed. Plattsburgh, and for an entire decade
―Our endeavor to create a Literacy Club started last se- prior, I was a stay-at-home mom. I wanted nothing more
mester. At the time we were enrolled in Dr. Bobys‘ class, than to teach; after all, I know how to work with children.
Literacy for Democracy & Global Societies. Stepping into But first, I had to overcome my fear of the graduate class-
class that first day none of us realized how much of an im- room in order to earn the opportunity to stand alongside
pact this program was going to have on our lives as future students and teach in my own classroom.
educators. One of our goals for that class was to create a ―Nerves and anticipation about the unknown will fade
group collaboration project in which we would need to fo- quickly because you are about to embark on one incredible
cus on the four main purposes of the class; literacy, democ- journey. The ride is fast, and time flies. One blink and it‘s
racy, social justice and community. As a class we brain- over. Become a sponge and learn everything you possibly
stormed ideas of what we would like to advocate for. Many can in and out of the classroom, use every opportunity with
Summer/Fall 2012 Graduate Studies Newsletter—page 3
your teacher mentors and students to find precious teach- in the summer ESL courses provided on campus. For oth-
able moments, take the time to make a difference, and con- ers, English is a second native language. We look forward
nect with the students and people you meet along the way. to expanding our access to international perspectives from
―There are days when the ride may be bumpy. These are new countries with each new matriculating class of interna-
your opportunities to learn the most, make a change, and tional graduate students, as the more perspectives we can
move forward as a stronger person and teacher. Remember engage in our learning environment, the greater our global
that your professors and mentor teachers were once stu- understanding and ability to lead around the world.
dents; they are your most valuable support system and have A new graduate certificate is available in Leadership at
walked many miles in your shoes. both the Branch and Main Campuses. The 12 credit-hour
―In a snap, you will no longer wear the distinction of program is for individuals who may not need a full master’s
‗M.S.T. Teacher Candidate,‘ instead you will forever be a degree for their career or who would like to take a few
lifelong-learner, a teacher – the person with the extraordi- courses in this graduate program before applying for admis-
nary opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child.‖ sion. All four of the below courses can be credited to the
M.S. in Leadership Program if the student gets grades of B
or better in the classes:
MLS 501 Holistic Leadership: Seminar in Theoretical
Foundations (3 cr.)
MLS 510 Studies in Leadership Communication (3 cr.)
MLS 537 Leading and Learning in Groups (3 cr.)
MLS 581 Ethics in Leadership (3 cr.)
Admission requirements include:
A baccalaureate degree.
A grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
An Application for Admission to Graduate Study
(including the application form, statement of purpose,
Bryan Allyn, pictured far right in the blue shirt, with his boy‘s group in
North Carolina.
two letters of recommendation, resume, undergraduate
and graduate transcripts, and a $45 application fee).
We’ve also heard from Bryan Allyn, an M.S.T. Child-
hood Education graduate from the Branch Campus who now
teaches elementary art in a school outside of Raleigh, North
Natural Science
Carolina. ―I just wanted to wish you a happy new
SUNY Plattsburgh’s Professional Science Master’s
year! Everything in North Carolina is going great and you
(PSM) in Environmental Science Study Option has been
were right...this is a beautiful area. I just wanted to wish
approved and recognized for affiliation at the national level
you a happy new year! I have been doing really well profes-
with the Council of Graduate Schools. Programs recognized
sionally. My kids‘ art work ranked in the top ten at the State
as PSM programs use the official PSM logo on their web-
Fair this year and I feel like I am really making a difference
sites and on other marketing materials, are listed on the
with the boys‘ group I have been running I hope everything
sciencemasters.com website, and have access to PSM pro-
is well in Queensbury, and thanks again for helping me
motional materials and activities offered by the Council of
achieve my dream job!‖
Graduate Schools (CGS) through a grant from the Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation. PSM recognition provides assurance that
Leadership the program conforms to nationally accepted criteria. Rec-
ognized PSM programs agree to use the name “Professional
The Master of Science in Leadership program is increas- Science Master’s” and the PSM logo on websites and other
ingly global in reach. The current student body includes 9 promotional materials.
international students from 6 foreign countries. Students on Tim Shearman (pictured at left), a Fall 2011 graduate of
a variety of U.S. visas represent the countries of Argentina, the M.S. in Natural Science Graduate Program, has been
Brazil, Canada, China, St. Kitts, and Taiwan. These interna- accepted into a Ph.D. program at Clem-
tional students have received their undergraduate degrees in son University. Joshua Jabaut com-
sport and wellness, engineering, public relations and market- pleted his M.S. in Spring 2012 with Dr.
ing, business and finance. This diverse cultural mix pro- Karina Ckless. Joshua has been ac-
vides a rich learning environment and many opportunities to cepted into the George Washington
discuss the different leadership perspectives that are consid- University Medical School. Recently,
ered normal in their home countries and how that may differ he had this to say about his experience
from country to country and even region to region within the at SUNY Plattsburgh: ―I must say that
same country. I was very impressed with the M.S. in
Some students have taken advantage of the opportunity to Natural Science Graduate Program
improve their English communication skills by participating and thrilled with my research advisor, Dr. Ckless. I accom-
Summer/Fall 2012 Graduate Studies Newsletter—page 4
plished so much during my time at Plattsburgh. I am Graduate students and faculty from other graduate programs are
grateful for the opportunity to have completed the pro- also invited to participate in the Open House.
gram. I am sure that it prepared me for my future studies in On February 10, 2012, Dr. Charette invited Ms.
medical school. Thanks for everything!‖ Elizabeth Shoiry, M.Ed., and Ms. Andrea Prupas, M.A.
Two active candidates, George Maynard and Erin to travel from Montreal, QC and present: Interventions for
Hayes-Pontius, are working toward completing thesis Students with Special Needs: A Focus on New Assistive
work with advisor Dr. Tim Mihuc in Spring 2013. Technologies. New innovative assistive technologies are
having a significant and positive impact on remediation for
the students with Learning Disabilities, Autism Spectrum
School Psychology Disorders and ADHD. Ms. Shoiry and Ms. Prupas identi-
During the 2011-2012 academic year, the School Psy- fied and described the characteristics and learning profiles
chology Graduate Program faculty and students were ac- of the targeted disabilities, provided an overview of com-
tively engaged in presenting research. Dr. Laci Charette, mon assessment tools used, described common recommen-
Director and Assistant Professor, co-authored a poster pres- dations based on assessment results, and demonstrated ef-
entation along with graduate students as well as other fac- fective software and mobile assistive technology tools.
ulty. Revisions to the NEPSY to Enhance Neuropsy- The workshop was positively received and participants
chological Assessment of Children with Autism Spectrum indicated that the presentation was highly informative, could
Disorders (Charette, L., Casey, D., Dunham, K., Webster, be directly applied to their role in the school, and will help
M., Gaeddert, W., Egan, P., & Ryan, J.) was presented at address the needs of students with disabilities. The School
the 2011 Annual Conference of the New York Association Psychology Graduate Program looks forward to inviting Ms.
of School Psychologists in Verona, NY. Dr. Dina Casey, Shoiry and Ms. Prupas back for future workshops.
School Psychology graduate student, along with Dr.
Charette and Dr. Katherine Dunham have submitted the Speech-Language Pathology
poster presentation, Evaluation of Theory of Mind Among
Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and The New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Associa-
Typically Developing Children, to be presented at the 2012 tion’s 52nd Convention took place in Saratoga Springs
Annual Conference of the New York Association of School from April 26th to 28th. Nancy Allen
Psychologists in Niagara Falls, NY. (pictured at left) and Patrick Coppens
Dr. Patricia Egan (pictured at left), presented a poster session entitled Edu-
Associate Professor, co-authored the cating Students About Evidence-Based
poster , Establishing Aerobic Exer- Practice: Transitioning Between Class-
cise Routines in Children with Au- room and Clinic. Dr. Coppens also pre-
tism Spectrum Disorders Through sented a 2-hour seminar entitled Applied
Shaping Procedures, with Kelly Evidence-Based Practice: How to use
Hendry, School Psychology gradu- Scientific Thinking in Clinics.
ate student, and Andrea Martino,
Research Foundation, that was pre-
sented at the Annual Meeting of the
New York Association for Behavior
Analysis in Saratoga Springs. Dr.
Egan also co-authored and spon-
sored a poster presentation at the 2011 Annual Conference
of the New York Association of School Psychologists in
Verona, NY: Weak Central Coherence and Autistic Traits in
Parents of Individuals with Autism as Measured Through the
Embedded Figures Test and the Autism Spectrum Quotient
(Hyde, A., Egan, P., Phillips, D., & Charette, L.).
Dr. Dale Phillips, Associate Professor, supervised the
research behind two posters presented in Albany highlight- At the Convention, Ray Domenico was honored with A
ing SUNY scientific activities. Katy Banato and Leah Special Citation for Extraordinary Contribution to the field
Dama presented the Demographic Variables of Rampage of speech-language pathology. Pictured above are (from
School Shooters, and Alexandra Hyde presented Gender left to right): Jane Downey, President of NYSSLHA, Ray
Typing in Infants‘ and Childrens‘ Clothing and Toys. Domenico, Roberta Wacker, and Gary Jones, Chair of
Each spring semester the School Psychology Graduate Pro- NYSSLHA Honors & Awards Committee.
gram hosts its annual Open House. The goal of the Open House Finally, the 18th Annual Alzheimer’s Conference was held on
is to provide continuing education opportunities to local school campus on Friday, May 4th. Patrick Coppens presented a semi-
psychologists, as well as interesting and research-based training nar titled Improving Communication and Behavior in Demen-
opportunities to the school psychology graduate students. tia: The Speech-Language Pathologist‘s Perspective.
Summer/Fall 2012 Graduate Studies Newsletter—page 5
―I never thought to myself ‗If I get this degree, I will get
ALUMNI NEWS this promotion.‘ However, I received a promotion - within
30 days of graduating - to be responsible for two plants and
―I would like to share my story I hired two individuals to report to me. I was thrilled and
with you about why I decided to go amazed at the opportunities this program provided. I am
back to school. My name is Sherid- pleased to be counted as one of the many graduates of the
ian Aiken, and I go by Sherry. I am Plattsburgh Branch Campus at SUNY Adirondack.‖
currently a Sr. Human Resource
Manager with a global company. I
have been in Human Resources Greg Stevens wrote this about his experiences: ―My story
and Safety for over 25 years in of higher education and participation in SUNY Platts-
various positions with different burgh‘s Leadership program, revolves around the courage
companies. I would like to think to make the move!!! See I was never the best student during
that my education has evolved my undergraduate work. In the late 1980s I graduated high
along with my career. I never school, went on to SUNY Cobleskill where I received a de-
really chose Human Resources and never really thought gree in Liberal Arts, then to SUNY Plattsburgh where I
‗this is the career I want.‘ We found each other. graduated with a degree in Mass Communications. I en-
―Working in Human Resources provides a great advan- joyed college life, but I did not give my studies the commit-
tage to see trends in hiring, watch the latest and greatest ment required to get good grades.
business programs as well as conduct research. I realized ―Fast forward to 2010. I had been a 4-H Educator at the
that I was starting to hire individuals with Bachelor‘s with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, for al-
certifications and experience. I also realized that a Mas- most 10 years. Cornell Cooperative Extension is a not-for-
ter‘s degree was something that businesses desired in candi- profit organization that provides community education in
dates. In addition, I observed that businesses, including the the areas of agriculture, human ecology, and 4-H. My Ex-
business I worked for, spent a great deal of time, money and ecutive Director had been pushing me for several years to
energy developing and training employees, managers and go back to school to get a degree and make myself more
supervisors in leadership. I also noticed that Master‘s in marketable at the Extension and beyond. Without more edu-
Business were becoming very common and almost all candi- cation, the ceiling was rapidly approaching. Although still
dates had them. nervous to move forward, something clicked and I thought ‗I
―I decided that I wanted to get my Master‘s, but not in can do this, I have to do this!‘
business. I wanted a degree that had value for my field and ―So I started searching out colleges. There are so many
value for me personally. I felt my credentials were solid, schools that offer online degrees, but I knew that wasn‘t for
but I was searching for the future and what a degree would me. Almost 17 years had passed since I was in classroom
do for me personally first and professionally second. I real- (as a student), and I needed more structure. So I finally
ize this may sound strange, but I had reached a point in my came full circle and looked into the Leadership program at
career and my personal life where I was searching for per- SUNY Plattsburgh. What caught my attention immediately
sonal development. I searched for some time and found that was how the program was setup. I was actually able to go
Plattsburgh offered a Master‘s in Leadership and was one to a classroom, sit in front of a teacher, and learn! And,
of the only universities in this area to offer such a unique with the Queensbury Branch Campus, I only had to travel
degree. I found that this degree would not only provide me 30 miles.
the personal development I wanted, but also the profes- ―Still nervous I attended my first class. I looked around
sional development needed in my career. the room and thought ‗wow, there are people here of all
―This program changed my life. I found that it was every- ages and from many diverse backgrounds.‘ I was not the
thing I wanted. The program challenged me personally and only one taking on this new challenge. I walked out of that
professionally to be more than I ever thought I could be. I first class energized with the feeling that I can do this.
learned about myself and how others see me. I had to hold ―Throughout my 2+years in the program, I have nothing
the mirror to myself many times; sometimes I didn‘t like but high praise for the education I received, the staff, and
what I saw. Through the program, I found I could learn the facilities. The advisors and professors were second to
about myself and grow. I loved the challenge. I met some none. They understood that we were young professionals
great people who I now call my friends. I learned to em- who had lives outside of school and were flexible while pro-
brace technology. Remember, I was a returning adult stu- viding an educational experience that met the needs of each
dent and had to learn about on-line classes quickly. I found student.
the program designs allowed for exposure to real world ―I graduated from the program in the Spring of 2011.
applications. We work in a global world and Plattsburgh Since then I have been promoted to a Resource Educator,
has embraced the technology that helps prepare students for and I have become more confident in my abilities to achieve
virtual world teams, virtual program management along great success in future endeavors. Many thanks to Dr. Sue
with deadlines and commitments. As a Human Resource Catana and the rest of the professors for making this experi-
Professional, these are critical skills that employees need to ence, one I will never forget!‖
possess in order to be successful in business.
Summer/Fall 2012 Graduate Studies Newsletter—page 6
responsibilities around clients,‖ and yet ―her students hug
FACULTY AND STUDENT her with tears in their eyes during the appreciation gather-
ACHIEVEMENTS ing for graduate students and their families before gradua-
tion. Dedication, commitment to excellence, continued
KeyBank Foundation Scholarships: In the Spring of growth and self-sacrifice are the foundation of Dr. Wacker‘s
2012, Key Bank gave out five, $1000 scholar- teaching excellence.‖
ships to local graduate students. Winners of Jean Ann Hunt, an associate professor in
the scholarships were Timothy Warren in the the Teacher Education Unit, is also a recipient
M.S. Natural Science Program; Lauren Carter of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in
(pictured at right) in the C.A.S./M.S.Ed. Teaching. Dr. Hunt has been highly involved
School Counselor Program; Noelle Whitney in in the campus and community. Her student
the C.A.S./M.A. School Psychology Program; evaluations rank her highly in all of her
James Bracy in the M.S.Ed. Special Education courses. Comments from these evaluations
Program; and Jennifer Quinn in the M.A. in indicate that she is warm, enthusiastic and
Speech-Language Pathology Program. We are grateful to passionate about her subject matter. ―Her teaching has
Key Bank for making the scholarships available to each of changed who I am as a person and as a future educator,‖
these remarkable graduate students. wrote Sarah Frankel, a Literacy Education graduate student,
Graduate Excellence Award Scholarship for Spring in a letter of support. ―She has inspired me to take action
2012: Jonna Reamer, M.S.T. Adolescence Education Pro- and teach my students to do the same. … Dr. Hunt is not
gram, was awarded the Spring 2012 Graduate Excellence only my professor; she is my mentor and advocate and my
Award. inspiration.‖
Graduate Diversity Fellowships for the 2012-2013 Aca- Congratulations to Jill Myers, a Secretary II for three
demic Year: Five newly accepted graduate students were departments, including the graduate department of Coun-
awarded Graduate Diversity Fellowships for the coming year: selor Education. Jill is receiving the Chancellor’s Award for
Shakira O’Garro and Takia Cabellero in the M.S. in Men- Excellence in Classified Service.
tal Health Counseling Program; Venessa Gaston in the Bethanne DelGaudio (pictured at left), Director of
C.A.S./M.A. in School Psychology; Kewsi Burgess in the Teacher Certification and Graduate Advis-
M.S.Ed. in Literacy Education; and Jacqueline Chan-Seng ing, and Marguerite Adelman, Director of
in the M.S.T. in Adolescence Education in French. Graduate Admissions, presented a special
Student Recognized By Anti-Hazing Organization: A interest forum on The Role of Graduate Ad-
graduate student in the M.S.T. Adolescence missions in Combined/Accelerated Under-
Education Program in Math has been recog- graduate/Graduate Programs at the National
nized for his participation in a national haz- Association of Graduate School Profession-
ing prevention organization. Eric Bran als’ (NAGAP) 25th Annual Conference in
(pictured at left) has been appointed as the Austin, Texas, from April 25th to 28th.
student representative to the HazingPreven- We welcome Stephen Danna as the
tion.org Board of Directors. Eric will be a new Dean at the Branch Campus in
Resident Director this fall as he works on his Queensbury. Dr. Danna has his B.A. in
graduate degree. Biology from Maryville College, Tennes-
Faculty and Staff News: The Lake see; an M.S. in Oceanography from Old
Champlain Research Institute (LCRI) Dominion University, Virginia; a C.A.S.
honored Dr. Ken Adams (pictured far in Education Administration from SUNY
right with Dr. Tim Mihuc, Director of Plattsburgh; a C.A.S. in Brain Research in
the LCRI) with its Award of Excellence. Education from the University of Washington; and an
The award has only been given once Ed.D. in Brain Research from Sage Graduate School.
prior. Dr. Adams, a SUNY distinguished Doug Selwyn, Jan Maher (pictured below), and Bob
teaching professor of environmental science, has been teach- Ackland made presentations to high school students and
ing on the campus for 31 years. Adams plans to retire at the teachers from Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger who were a
end of this school year. part of SUNY Plattsburgh’s Youth Leader-
Roberta Wacker, a professor in the Commu- ship Program with Francophone Africa
nication Disorders and Sciences Department, from March 24th to April 14th. Dr. Ack-
is a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for land gave a presentation in French on The
Excellence in Teaching. Student surveys American Educational System. Dr. Maher
show that her students believe her classes to and Dr. Selwyn presented on American
be difficult, yet rank her quality of instruction History, Democratic Principles, and the
highly and her clinical supervision even Responsibilities of Citizenship. In addition, Teacher Educa-
higher. According to Michael Morgan, tion Unit faculty members met with the African teachers
Dean of Education, Health and Human Services, her work from Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger to learn about the chal-
with graduate students is demanding because of the ―serious lenges they face in their educational institutions.
Summer/Fall 2012 Graduate Studies Newsletter—page 7
students doing field work, along with professors embedded
TEACHER EDUCATION in the schools. He likened it to the old campus school
TAKES OVER model.
―It allows for a laboratory for college students to have
PLATTSBURGH SCHOOLS’ hands-on direct work with public school children; the
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM professors are able to be involved with our teachers on a
closer basis. The college will have that much more of a
The Plattsburgh City School District Board of Education partnership connection with the district.‖
unanimously approved a proposal by SUNY Plattsburgh’s ―It is exciting,‖ Jean Mockry
Teacher Education Unit to take over the district’s (pictured at right) said. ―The schools
afterschool program at its elementary and middle schools in will be extending their learning day,
the Fall of 2013. engaging our students daily.‖
Submitted by faculty from the Division of Education, ―We‘re really looking to strengthen
Health, and Human Services, the proposal — called Project our partnership,‖ Jean Ann Hunt said.
CONNECT — picks up the reins of the current 21st Century ―We want a stronger connection with
Afterschool Program, ensuring continuity of care and an students and their families.‖
increase in educational opportunities for those enrolled in The Project CONNECT team has
the program. already begun preliminary plans with
The 21st Century Program was a four-year grant from the its students. A few students who are
New York State Education Department obtained by the taking summer courses at SUNY Plattsburgh are looking at
school district to help close achievement gaps and make activities and experiences they can bring to the program so
positive differences in the lives of children and their they can hit the ground running in the fall, Hunt said.
families. The state grant is set to expire in June. ―We‘ve already had students who have asked about the
―One of the basic tenets of the program,‖ she said.
grant was for schools to take SUNY Plattsburgh has always enjoyed a close relation-
this money, design a program ship with area schools with regard to student teacher
and learn how to implement it placement. In 2007, the teacher education program changed
so we could then carry on when its field-placement component in order to get students into
the grant money dried up,‖ said the schools earlier in their college career.
James “Jake” Short (pictured ―It is highly stressful for teachers to allow first-year
at left), Superintendent of college students into their classroom,” George Still said.
Plattsburgh City Schools. ―It‘s Project CONNECT gives student teachers more opportunity
not so easy, especially when we to practice early.
knew our school budget Hunt agreed, adding that the first-year student teachers
couldn‘t afford to keep it will be mentored by graduate students, ―those students who
going.‖ already have their teaching degrees who are going on for a
Short said the district sent out a master‘s,‖ Hunt said.
request for proposals, and ―the college proposal came in ―That‘s the piece that I love about this,‖ Morgan said.
very strong and was very exciting.‖ ―We‘re having our students be able to engage in those kinds
―We wanted something that would of mentoring experiences. It gives them the ability to be
focus on strengthening our what they want to be when they graduate.‖
partnership with schools,‖ said Elementary education students aren’t the only ones who’ll
Michael Morgan (pictured at right), benefit. Students in speech and hearing and special
Dean of Education, Health, and education — and those whose teacher education programs
Human Services at SUNY are specialized in areas such as math, science, language arts
Plattsburgh. and foreign languages — will be able to participate, which
The Project CONNECT team — in turn benefits the students in the aftercare program.
which consists of George Still, Jean ―There‘s an excitement,‖ Mockry said. ―This has brought
Ann Hunt, Denise Simard, Jean all our programs together. It has become a collaboration,
Mockry, and Sarah Hackett — and that‘s exciting.‖
maintains that it’s a natural fit for the ―We‘ve always had a good working relationship with
school district because part of the SUNY Plattsburgh,‖ Short said. ―This is just another
mission of teacher education is opportunity for collaboration. The college has a large
getting SUNY Plattsburgh students into the field for their number of ready-to-go graduate and undergraduate
program of study. students who want to work with our kids. They need the
―As we looked at it and thought about it, we saw how it access. We have the need. I can‘t think of a better
extends the educational component of a school,‖ Short said. partnership that ties our elementary-age students right on
Short said that the teacher education unit will have through the university system ―
Summer/Fall 2012 Graduate Studies Newsletter—page 8
Aug. 31: Last day to submit Authori-
NEWS YOU CAN USE zation to Register for
Credit-hour Overload
Online Graduate Student Orientation: Graduate Admis-
(4 PM); deadline for sub-
sions has prepared an online Graduate Student Orientation Hand-
mission of independent
book for new and continuing students. The Orientation Hand-
study, research practicum
book will remain on the Graduate Admissions website through-
and internship registration paperwork to the
out the year, serving as a one stop resource for graduate students:
Registrar's Office (4 PM)
www.plattsburgh.edu/admissions/graduate/orientation/
Sept. 2: Course add/drop ends (11:30 PM)
On-campus Graduate Student Orien- Sept. 21: Diploma Applications for December 2012 and
tation and Reception: New and con- January 2013 graduating students due in Regis-
tinuing graduate students at SUNY trar's Office; last day to apply for in-state resi-
Plattsburgh are cordially invited to dency for Fall semester
our FIRST Graduate Student Orienta- Oct. 8-9: Columbus Day observed (no classes)
tion and Reception on Friday, August Oct. 28: Spring 2013 priority registration begins for all
24, 2012. While new students are matriculated graduate students and all SUNY
encouraged to attend the two-part Plattsburgh at Queensbury students (10 AM);
orientation (see schedule below), Winter 2013 priority registration for all matricu-
continuing and new students are in- lated graduate students begins (10 AM)
vited to join President John Ettling Nov. 20: Classes end (10 PM) for Thanksgiving Break
and SUNY Plattsburgh faculty and Nov. 26: Classes resume
staff at the Welcome Reception. Dec. 8: Final week begins
1:45 to 2:00 PM: Registration Dec. 14: Fall semester ends (noon)
2:00 to 3:00 PM: Orientation to SUNY Dec. 15: Commencement (10 AM);
Plattsburgh Services for Graduate Stu- Dec. 24: Winter (5 week web) classes begin
dents (Career Development Center, Jan 7: Winter (3 week) classes begin
Financial Aid, Health and Psychologi- Jan. 21: Martin Luther King Day (no classes)
cal Services, Library, etc.) Jan 25: Winter Session ends
3:15 to 4:15 PM: Degree Program Orientation Jan. 28: Spring Session classes begin
(Students attend a specific program
orientation in an ACC Meeting Room)
4:30 to 5:30 PM: President John Ettling’s Welcome The Graduate Studies Newsletter is produced twice a year by
the Director of Graduate Advising and Teacher Certification and
Reception for new & continuing students
the Director of Graduate Admissions. Items can be submitted for
You’ll have the opportunity to meet graduate students from the newsletter at any time to:
across the campus and from all graduate programs. RSVP to Bethanne DelGaudio, Director of Graduate Advising &
the Graduate Admissions Office by Friday, August 17th at Teacher Certification, delgaubg@plattsburgh.edu OR
564-4723 or email at graduate@plattsburgh.edu Marguerite Adelman, Director of Graduate Admissions,
Keeping your Email, Technology, & Library Access: If you adelmaml@plattsburgh.edu OR
do not enroll in a course in the Spring or the Fall semester, the Jennifer Clancy, Keyboard Specialist 2—Graduate Advis-
ing, jclan001@plattsburgh.edu
Banner system will deactivate your email and net ID (even
though you are still considered a matriculated graduate student). Graduate Program Contacts:
If you would like to continue utilizing library and technology Counselor Education
services, you will need to pay a fee of approximately $40.50 for David Stone at stoneda@plattsburgh.edu
the semester. You are not obligated to pay this fee, but if you are Leadership
completing a thesisor have taken an incomplete, it may be to your Suzanne Catana at catanasl@plattsburgh.edu
benefit to do so. Please contact the Director of Student Accounts Natural Science
at 518-564-3120 for more information. Tim Mihuc at mihuctb@plattsburgh.edu
School Psychology
Laci Charette at charetlm@plattsburgh.edu
Speech-Language Pathology
IMPORTANT DATES Ray Domenico at domenira@plattsburgh.edu
Teacher Education Unit:
Aug. 17: RSVP for Graduate Student Orientation and/or Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)
Reception Heidi Schnackenberg at schnachl@plattsburgh.edu
Aug. 24: Graduate Student Orientation, Angell College Master of Science for Teachers (M.S.T.)
Center (ACC), Cardinal Lounge, 2 to 4:15 PM. Robert Ackland at acklanrt@plattsburgh.edu
Aug. 24: Graduate Student Welcome Reception, ACC, C.A.S. in Educational Leadership
Cardinal Lounge, 4:30 to 5:30 PM Michael Johnson at johnsomj@plattsburgh.edu
Aug. 27: Fall classes begin Daniel Starr at dstarr@plattsburgh.edu
