University at Albany

Jeesoo Jung, a PhD student in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany's College of Integrated Health Sciences, recently published an article in the British Journal of Social Work that assessed factors that influence how likely individuals are to prepare for disasters, including pandemics and natural disasters like hurricanes.

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

The Dean's List at the University at Albany recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of full-time undergraduate students. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher in their first semester of study and a GPA of 3.50 or higher in subsequent semesters.

The Cybersecurity Senior Capstone Project Partnership with TIAA Best-in-Class award recognizes exceptional contributions to the development of Incident Response and Data Loss Prevention plans. An outstanding collaboration with Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) cybersecurity professionals distinguished top performers to receive the Best-in-Class award. The Cybersecurity Senior Capstone Course is designed in a mixed asynchronous/synchronous format to combine a student's university skills and knowledge with a real-world scenario, empowering them to work directly with an industry partner to gain professional experience prior to graduation. The students log a total of 120 project hours before presenting their data loss prevention and incident response plan to industry partners at the end of the semester.

The Semiconductor and Microelectronics Leadership Program is an initiative from the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering to support high school and transfer students interested in semiconductor and microelectronics professions and provides scholars with a one-time, $5,000 award. This scholarship is funded through the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub, or NORDTECH, a $40 million consortium of academics, private sector chip companies and the Department of Defense. NORDTECH was established under the $52 billion U.S. CHIPS and Science Act. Through UAlbany's partnership with NY CREATES and industry leaders at the Albany NanoTech Complex, scholarship recipients also gain direct knowledge of the industry and its practices by participating in monthly activities. Students explore career opportunities, professional organizations, and they gain hands-on experiences and professional connections in semiconductors and electronics as they prepare for careers in these innovative, world-changing tech fields.

The Unsung Hero award recognizes a UAlbany department, student, student group, faculty or staff member who has made outstanding contributions to LGBTQ+ initiatives on campus or in the broader community. UAlbany has seen a large increase in resources and awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and strives to recognize and remember those who have contributed to this success. Lavender Celebration recognizes LGBTQ+ and allied students completing their bachelor's, master's or PhD degree who contribute to the LGBTQ+ community. Participating graduates are encouraged to invite friends, allies and family as they receive a rainbow tassel, hear from LGBTQ+ and allied alumni, meet fellow graduates and are received by LGBTQ+ faculty and allies.

World Ambassadors are sophomores who participated in a Living-Learning Community at the University at Albany in 2023-24. They connect with first-year students over the summer to answer new students' questions about life at UAlbany and assist the Community Assistant throughout the fall semester. Living-Learning Communities are a special opportunity to become engaged at UAlbany by bringing together new students, faculty, student leaders and advisors who create a unique experience around a special interest, such as a major, that helps students become involved and engaged with the campus community.

World Diplomats are juniors who develop and lead engagement and community service opportunities for several Living-Learning Communities at the University at Albany. They also administratively support student engagement events. Living-Learning Communities at UAlbany bring together new students, faculty, student leaders and advisors who create a unique experience that helps students become involved and engaged with the campus community.

The Cybersecurity Senior Capstone Project Partnership with TIAA Best-in-Class award recognizes exceptional contributions to the development of Incident Response and Data Loss Prevention plans. An outstanding collaboration with Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) cybersecurity professionals distinguished top performers to receive the Best-in-Class award. The Cybersecurity Senior Capstone Course is designed in a mixed asynchronous/synchronous format to combine a student's university skills and knowledge with a real-world scenario, empowering them to work directly with an industry partner to gain professional experience prior to graduation. The students log a total of 120 project hours before presenting their data loss prevention and incident response plan to industry partners at the end of the semester.

The University at Albany is welcoming students back to campus for the start of the Fall 2024 semester, including some 5,430 new Great Danes. More than 2,800 first-year students, from 32,320 applicants, are joining UAlbany's Class of 2028, with 223 students selected to be part of the University's Honors College, and 226 students enrolled as Presidential Scholars. In addition, more than 1,000 transfer students, including about 200 transfers from the College of Saint Rose, and 1,630 new graduate students are joining the campus community this fall. The Class of 2028 is among the most diverse in University history, with 55.6 percent coming from historically underrepresented groups. Students also hail from 23 different states and 33 countries. The class boasts an overall high school average of 90.3 percent.

More than 4,650 students in the Class of 2024 were celebrated during UAlbany's 180th commencement festivities. Among the graduates were an estimated 2,934 undergraduates and 1,719 graduate students, including recipients who completed their degrees during summer 2023, fall 2023 as well as winter 2024. The graduates join the ranks of mor ethan 200,000 UAlbany alumni worldwide. "For 180 years - since 1844 - UAlbany has been turning talented, driven students into globally engaged citizens. This year's class is no exception," UAlbany President Havidan Rodriguez told the graduates. "Yes, we know, you are graduating into an imperfect world. But all of the things that make this class uniquely special - your resilience, your values, your empathy, your thirst for understanding - will serve you well as you work toward greatness." An estimated 2,934 undergraduates from the Class of 2024 received degrees (including summer 2023, fall 2023 and winter 2024). The May 2024 graduates includes 34 percent who are first-generation college graduates and 27 who are veterans. The undergraduate degree recipients range in age from 19 to 68, with an average age of 23. Women make up 55 percent of the class. The graduates hail from 21 states and 27 countries. They received degrees in 55 different majors. Another 1,719 students from the Class of 2024 received master's degrees, doctoral degrees and graduate certificates, with 1,047 receiving their degrees in May. These graduate students come from 18 states and 37 nations. The average age of the graduate degree recipients is 28, with the oldest graduate student set to receive a doctoral degree at age 71, and the youngest receiving a master's degree at age 20. Among them are nine veterans.

The State University of New York Climate Corps Internship Program consists of paid summer internships offering immersive work experience in research and policy at state agencies with environmental and sustainability missions. Selection is based on applicants' demonstrated interest in sustainability careers and potential for leadership and innovation, with a preference for students from disadvantaged communities as designated by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and students facing related barriers to obtaining an internship experience. Climate Corps interns work with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Department of Public Services (DPS), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Office of General Services (OGS), the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), or SUNY System Administration. Empire State Development is funding the $500,000 program.

The Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Award is given to sorority and fraternity members and organizations who have contributed to their chapter, the Greek system, and the University. Through strong leadership and valuable service, these students and organizations have exemplified the ideals of brother and sisterhood and have worked to further develop Greek life at the University at Albany. The President's Awards for Leadership recognize and reward undergraduate and graduate students, as well as organizations that have made signficant contributions to enhance the quality of life at the University at Albany. Recipients have demonstrated a variety of accomplishments including extraordinary leadership, service, academic achievement and involvement within the University community.

The Returning Woman Award recognizes a student who serves as a positive role model for returning women. The recipient will have demonstrated her exceptional leadership skills through participation in campus activities and personal success in facing the challenges of pursuing her educational goals as a non-traditional student. The President's Awards for Leadership recognize and reward undergraduate and graduate students, as well as organizations that have made signficant contributions to enhance the quality of life at the University at Albany. Recipients have demonstrated a variety of accomplishments including extraordinary leadership, service, academic achievement and involvement within the University community.

The Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership in increasing the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion. This includes, but is not limited to, promoting appreciation of individual differences and working with others to find common ground. The President's Awards for Leadership recognize and reward undergraduate and graduate students, as well as organizations that have made signficant contributions to enhance the quality of life at the University at Albany. Recipients have demonstrated a variety of accomplishments including extraordinary leadership, service, academic achievement and involvement within the University community.

The Christine A. Bouchard School Spirit Award was established in honor of Christine A. Bouchard by her colleagues and friends, on the occasion of her retirement as Vice President for Student Affairs at the University at Albany. The purpose of this award is to recognize undergraduate students who best exemplifies and promotes school spirit. The President's Awards for Leadership recognize and reward undergraduate and graduate students, as well as organizations that have made significant contributions to enhance the quality of life at the University at Albany. Recipients have demonstrated a variety of accomplishments including extraordinary leadership, service, academic achievement and involvement within the University community.

The Five Quad Award is for an exceptional member of the University at Albany's student-run 24/7 volunteer ambulance service. The President's Awards for Leadership recognize and reward undergraduate and graduate students, as well as organizations that have made significant contributions to enhance the quality of life at the University at Albany. Recipients have demonstrated a variety of accomplishments including extraordinary leadership, service, academic achievement and involvement within the University community.

This award is presented to a graduating student who demonstrates a commitment of exceptional time and energy volunteering for CEHC to help improve the experiences of peers, future students, and the broader.

The Phi Beta Kappa Society honors the best and brightest liberal arts and sciences undergraduates from 293 top schools across the nation through a highly selective, merit-based invitation process. Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is recognized as America's most prestigious academic honor society. The Phi Beta Kappa chapter at the University at Albany, Alpha Alpha of New York, was founded in 1974 through the effort of History Professor DeWitt Ellinwood and a University Committee. Not long after, a group of dedicated UAlbany Phi Beta Kappa members at the University at Albany endowed a fund to award a prize to the highest-ranking graduating member of the Alpha Alpha chapter of New York. The founders included M.E. Grenander, James W. Corbett, Helen and Bernard Horowitz, Catherine Newbold, Kendall A. Birr, Jarka and Grayce Burian, and Mary Goggin.

The UAlbany Great Dane Award is given to any student who has demonstrated leadership in several co-curricular activities or significant leadership in one such activity during the current year. The President's Awards for Leadership recognize and reward undergraduate and graduate students, as well as organizations that have made significant contributions to enhance the quality of life at the University at Albany. Recipients have demonstrated a variety of accomplishments including extraordinary leadership, service, academic achievement and involvement within the University community.