University at Albany

The University at Albany presented degrees to nearly 4,900 students at the 2026 Commencement ceremonies including Massry School of Business undergraduate and graduate students who were ready to make their mark in the world. Before crossing the commencement stage, these Massry high achievers were honored at the third annual Graduating Student Achievement Awards. The Graduating Student Achievement Awards honored standout students across all Massry programs, from undergraduate marketing to the MBA program. These awards recognize students who demonstrated exceptional work and contributions to Massry over the 2025-2026 academic year. "The Massry School of Business Student Achievement Award recipients represent the best of all that the school has to offer," said Massry Dean Paquita Davis-Friday. "These students excel academically while founding and leading student organizations, competing in and supporting athletics, and volunteering in the community, with some navigating a new country. We couldn't be prouder of them and the example they set, and we look forward to their continued engagement as alumni." As these students join the ranks of UAlbany alumni, they carry forward the Massry School of Business legacy of innovation and leadership. Massry graduates and alumni continue to make an impact across industries, and this year's award winners are no exception. Congratulations to all graduates, with a special round of applause to those honored at the Student Achievement Awards. Your hard work and dedication have laid the foundation for a bright and successful future.

The Chancellor's Award recognizes students for academic achievement, leadership, campus involvement and community service. This year's recipients reflect that range and the different ways a UAlbany experience can take shape. Addison Yang, of Saugerties, N.Y., pursued a dual major in accounting and business administration, with concentrations in finance as well as information systems and business analytics. He chose UAlbany for its proximity to home, campus culture and career opportunities, with the support of his family. Yang's interest in business began in high school, where an elective course in financial management first sparked his interest in the field. "My favorite UAlbany memory was the two-week study abroad experience in Paris, where I studied luxury brand management and explored the city with new friends," he said. Yang, a first-generation college student, will attend New York University this fall to pursue a master's degree in accounting and hopes to apply his skills in a career focused on solving global issues.

The University at Albany's College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) is proud to announce that its four-person team, the UAlbany Cyber Danes, advanced to the semifinals of the prestigious Atlantic Council Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge. The 15th annual Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, held in Washington, D.C. in March, was hosted by the Atlantic Council's Cyber Statecraft Initiative in partnership with the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. The Cyber Danes joined 39 teams from universities around the world at the event for two rigorous days of strategy, teamwork and competition, responding to realistic cybersecurity incidents and developing actionable solutions to mitigate evolving crises. The University at Albany congratulates the UAlbany Cyber Danes on their outstanding performance at the 2026 Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge.

University at Albany men's lacrosse student-athletes Silas Richmond and Max Neeson have earned America East weekly awards, the conference announced. Richmond was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week, Neeson was named the Defensive Player of the Week. Richmond continued his tear as one of the best scorers and facilitators in the country. The senior from Delta, British Columbia, scored four goals while adding two assists in UAlbany's 12-9 victory over Vermont. He sits second in the entire country, averaging 5.36 points per game. Neeson had an incredible game against the Catamounts, limiting Vermont's top two goal scorers to just two goals combined. He was the anchor of a defense that kept Vermont to only nine goals, continuing UAlbany's defensive dominance of holding America East opponents to single digits. Neeson himself scored two goals with the long pole, one of which came from 20 yards out, with the other traveling the entire length of the field. The senior from Pottstown, Pennsylvania added two caused turnovers and two ground balls.

Seven graduate students from the University at Albany's Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences and Atmospheric Sciences Research Center inspired excitement at the 2026 American Meteorological Society (AMS) Annual Meeting after returning home with first, second and third place awards for oral presentations and poster presentations. The American Meteorological Society is a group of committed, dynamic scientific professionals who work to advance atmospheric sciences, technologies, applications and services to benefit society. Students from UAlbany who attended this year's annual conference prepared and presented research posters and oral expositions to professionals and experts in the weather, water, and climate atmospheric sciences community. Student presentations were judged by research quality and presentation skills and winners were awarded a monetary prize and an award certificate.

University at Albany students attended the 2026 MIT Reality Hack, one of the largest extended reality (XR) hackathons in the world - and took home multiple awards. At the event, participants compete for prizes by building an application using immersive technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. The Hack was sponsored by companies such as Qualcomm, Meta, Caldwell, Raven Resonance, Petricor, Preview Labs, Quasar Lab, and American Medical Extended Reality Association (AMXRA).

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 Dean's Letter of Commendation at the University at Albany recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of part-time undergraduate students. To qualify for the Dean's Letter of Commendation, 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.

World Representatives are first-year students in the Living-Learning Community Program chosen by their Community Assistant and faculty mentor by early October to take on a leadership role and advise First Year Experience with ideas and suggestions. They sit on one of four World RepresentativeSubcommittees that help plan the All World events that take place each spring: Worlds Gone Wild (the L-LC version of the Olympics) and the World Video Awards (the L-LC version of the Oscars), assist with social media and marketing, plan team building and in-service events as well as support and plan activities for FYE's Affinity Groups. 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.

The Dean's Letter of Commendation at the University at Albany recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of part-time undergraduate students. To qualify for the Dean's Letter of Commendation, 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 University at Albany is welcoming students back to campus for the start of the Fall 2025 semester, including some 5,482 new Great Danes. More than 2,801 first-year students, from 35,664 applicants, are joining UAlbany's Class of 2029, with 358 students selected to be part of the University's Honors College, and 250 students enrolled as Presidential Scholars. In addition, more than 1,258 transfer students and 1,423 new graduate students are joining the campus community this fall. The Class of 2029 is among the most diverse in University history, with 56.6 percent coming from historically underrepresented groups. Students also hail from 30 different states and 39 countries. The class boasts an overall high school average of 90.2 percent.

University at Albany's Atmospheric Science 5th Year/PhD Candidate, Adam Deitsch has been chosen as a winner of the Student Poster Competition at 43rd Annual American Association for Aerosol Research Conference. The selection judges chose Deitsch for this competitive award among 180 other national students during the 2025 conference held in Buffalo, NY. Deitsch received a certificate as well as a cash prize for his poster titled, "Measuring Atmospheric Plastic and PFAS Nanoparticles with the High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer," which examined micro/nanoplastics (MNP) and per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) data gathered and its relation to Atmospheric impacts in New York State. The American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR) is a nonprofit professional organization for scientists and engineers who wish to promote and communicate technical advances in the field of aerosol research. The Association fosters the exchange of information among members and with other disciplines through conferences, symposia, and publication of a professional journal, Aerosol Science and Technology (AS&T). Association membership represents all areas of aerosol science including: Global Environment, Microcontamination, Air Pollution, Instrumentation/Measurement, Aerosol Chemistry, Material Synthesis, Aerosol Physics, Pharmaceutical Aerosols, Occupational and Public Health, Filtration/Separation, Atmospheric Sciences, Combustion, Biological Aerosols, Metrology/Standards, Indoor Air Quality, and Radioactive Aerosols/Nuclear Safety. Committed to the development of aerosol science and its application to important societal issues, AAAR offers an international forum for education, communication, and networking among leading aerosol researchers.

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.

Our Ph.D. student, Jack Appleman, recently led a special in-person workshop in NYC as part of Subway to Success, a week-long micro-conference sponsored by the Association for Talent Development - NYC Chapter! The workshop, "The Secret to 'Yes': Build Your Influence with Strategic Storytelling," focused on how storytelling can be used to Secure buy-in Win clients Advance careers Strengthen influence through the hero's journey and WIIFM (What's In It for Me) framework. Learn more about the conference here: https://atdnyc.org/Micro-Conference

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 President's Office, in partnership with Student Affairs & Enrollment, hosts a design contest for the annual UAlbany Holiday Card. Students are invited to submit artwork - including drawings, paintings, illustrations, photography or digital art - to the Annual Holiday Card Art Contest. Any UAlbany student in good academic and judicial standing is eligible to submit one entry with artwork that reflects one or more of the following themes: Wintertime fun and festivities on campus, The UAlbany spirit of innovation, collaboration and learning, Great Danes helping others or Hopes for the New Year. Entries are preferred with special emphasis placed on imagery not specific to any one seasonal holiday. All entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges selected by the University at Albany's Office of the President. Artwork will be judged on creativity, artistic merit and how it applies to the contest theme. The first-place winner's design will be featured on the University's digital holiday card, which will be shared with the campus community, donors and friends of UAlbany. Finalists will be announced via email in early December. First, second and third place winners receive a UAlbany scholarship.

Organized by the UAlbany Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment and Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, the essay contest has been running as part of the university's Constitution Day celebrations for several years. This year's prompt asked students if they would change the Preamble if they were writing it today. Each student received a monetary award, funded by the Rockefeller College Prof. Harold W. Adams Student Experience Fund, which was endowed by Tim Murphy, an alumnus of the college.

After a highly competitive election cycle, the University at Albany's Communication Department is proud to announce that Alexandra Stankus has been elected as the Graduate Student Representative for the Human Communication and Technology Division at the National Communication Association. According to The National Communication Association's (NCA) website, "The Human Communication and Technology division (HCTD) of the National Communication Association (NCA) promotes the research and study of the intersection between human communication and technology. The division is concerned with the broad spectrum of issues relevant to the field of human communication and technology. HCTD welcomes both quantitative and qualitative work that focuses on different areas of connection to, interaction with, and development of technology as a phenomena of human communication." Stankus's election reflects her commitment to research, leadership, and service within the field of communication where she will partner with other dedicated professional volunteers on their universal mission to advance communication scholarship, teaching and practice.

The Acker-Newman Fellowship is a prestigious entrepreneurship program within the Massry School of Business designed for MBA and business students. It supports students who aim to launch new startups or collaborate with existing ones across two academic semesters. Fellowship winner Shookofeh Beyranvand's startup covers the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters. Beyranvand was selected among many applicants for her entrepreneurial initiative and interdisciplinary background. Under the mentorship of Professor Heidi Knoblauch, she is currently working on a health-tech startup idea that applies AI to improve healthcare data management and compliance. Beyranvand's academic background in allied health sciences has strongly shaped her passion for developing business solutions that address inefficiencies in healthcare systems. The fellowship allows her to combine business training with medical knowledge to create innovative, impact-driven products. The University at Albany's Massry School of Business congratulates Shookofeh Beyranvand on her incredible, professional achievement.

Shookofeh Beyranvand was selected for the Fall 2025 cohort of the RISE Fellowship. The RISE Fellowship is a highly competitive entrepreneurship and innovation program at the University at Albany that empowers student-led startups to grow from idea to market. RISE supports eight student startups each semester, helping them connect academic research with real-world business impact. Shookofeh joined a startup as a product and business strategist to strengthen its business foundation. While the team had solid technical and academic capabilities, they needed guidance in business development. During his time at the startup, Shookofeh has conducted extensive customer discovery interviews, developed a complete business plan, and designed the go-to-market strategy. He coached the team in preparing and delivering a compelling investor pitch that led them to compete for the RISE investment prize valued at several tens of thousands of dollars.

Since September 2025, Shookofeh Beyranvand has served as the Product Manager of AI at Caldarium, a growing AI startup that develops intelligent data-cleaning and optimization tools for healthcare organizations, including hospitals, clinics and insurance companies. She currently works on a seven-member technical team on building an AI-driven product that automatically cleans, standardizes and organizes complex healthcare data, making it ready for analysis and decision-making. Once the data is prepared, customized AI models are deployed to generate performance insights and key KPIs for each organization. In her role, Beyranvand defines product features, aligns the business and technical sides of development, sets strategic goals and ensures the company stays ahead of its competitors. She is also involved in research and product design, and has learned to communicate fluently with the engineers by understanding technical AI concepts such as data schemas, API integration and model validation.

Air Force Major General Michael Bank, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Air National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

The Ada Craig Walker Award is given to a graduating undergraduate senior woman who "in judgment of the faculty best typifies the ideals of the University." Students who have received this award possess at least a 3.0 GPA and receive a scholarship of $2,000. The award was established in 1940 by Captain William John Walker in memory of his mother, Ada Craig Walker, class of 1871. 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.

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 Spellman Awards for Community Service recognizes African, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American heritage students at the University at Albany who have made notable efforts to enhance the quality of life for the University community. The Award for Outstanding Community Service is presented to students or organizations who meet one or more of the following criteria: Have demonstrated unselfish involvement in efforts to improve the quality of campus life; Dedicated considerable time and energy to worthwhile projects that benefit others; Identified by student peers, faculty and administrators as an individual or group which has consistently given of themselves to improve the University community. The program and the awards are named in honor and memory of Seth Spellman, Jr., past dean of the University's School of Social Welfare, serving until 1980. He was also a professor and past chair of the Department of Africana Studies, which he helped establish in 1969. In 1984, Spellman was awarded the rank of Distinguished Service Professor by the SUNY Board of Trustees for personifying excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership and community service.

The Dean's Letter of Commendation at the University at Albany recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of part-time undergraduate students. To qualify for the Dean's Letter of Commendation, 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.

Philip Rosero, a Business Administration Major and Finance/Management Concentration student at the University at Albany Massry School of Business, was selected to share his story on Amazon Prime's series, The College Tour. Hosted by Alex Boylan, the show provides a look into campus life through the perspectives of current students. In his segment, Philip offers a glimpse into his journey at Massry and in UAlbany's Army ROTC program. His narrative captures the ambition and determination that brought him from his hometown Masbate, Philippines to UAlbany, highlighting the university's global reach and role as a home for students from every corner of the world. During his appearance, Philip detailed the multifaceted experiences that have defined his college career. He spoke about his dedication as an ROTC cadet, where he develops the discipline and leadership skills essential for a future in military service. Furthermore, Philip showcased his academic growth since joining Massry, illustrating how the program has equipped him with the knowledge to excel. His story is a testament to UAlbany's commitment to fostering diverse talents and providing transformative opportunities for leadership, academic excellence and personal achievement.

The Dean's Letter of Commendation at the University at Albany recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of part-time undergraduate students. To qualify for the Dean's Letter of Commendation, 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.

Air Force Major General Michael Bank, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Air National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.