CDL Connection Student Blog

The State University of New York mandates that the college conduct a referendum every two years so that students vote on whether to keep the current Student Activity Fee ($25)  as mandatory. Students will receive information directly, and the vote will take place between November 26 and December 7th.  

Thanks to the student activity fee fund, SUNY Empire State College students have seen many new direct and effective benefits. The annual student academic conference, enhanced graduation ceremonies, access to the alumni community offering job postings and career advice, an online resume service, lectures, group study, student art shows and an increase in student scholarships are just a sampling of what the fee supports.

The student activity fee greatly enriches the academic experience with so many events, activities and projects for students. Currently, the fee is billed on the student’s regular bill. This fee has not been increased in seven years and it is the lowest in SUNY.

Please vote “yes” to keep the $25 Student Activity Fee and support future college events!

Dr. Oriz (l) and Dr. Matias (r)

“Right now far too many intelligent and talented students are leaking out of the educational pipeline,” said SUNY Empire State College Professor Dr. Phillip A. Ortiz, area coordinator and mentor in Natural Science at the college’s Center for Distance Learning. That’s why Ortiz and faculty colleague Dr. Audi Matias worked on a grant proposal to bring mentoring resources middle school students interested in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

 Ortiz and Matias played a key role in writing and winning this $2.95 million National Science Foundation grant written to SUNY, the New York Academy of Sciences, and SUNY Empire State College.  The grant will help bring to scale a successful afterschool program in which SUNY graduate students and postdoctoral fellows mentor middle schoolers from high-need school districts in STEM-related topics.

 “The need for students to be more proficient in STEM subjects is increasing. By collaborating, we can help more K-12 students succeed while also providing graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with the opportunity to earn credit and become better teachers. I look forward to continued work on this project,” said Ortiz.

Keith Gurgui

In August 2009, Keith Gurgui had a lot to be thankful for. Varsity Crew Team Captain. Kingston High School Graduate. Active Lifeguard. Headed to Philadelphia University in the fall to begin his freshman year of college. To celebrate, Gurgui went on vacation to Bethany Beach, MD. Two days later, as he went for his final dive of the day, his landing changed his life forever.

Now 2012, with a home elevator, handicap-accessible vehicle, and daily OT and PT, Gurgui is paralyzed from the neck down. Still, Gurgui said, he “has a lot to be thankful for”.

“Through my accident and rehabilitation I have learned first-hand about the complex lives individuals with disabilities are forced to live, and the programs out there to support them. One of my goals is to advocate for the issues and concerns of this group to encourage support, equality, and research among politicians, doctors, scientists, social service organizations, schools, and anyone else who can help make life as equal and accessible for all,” said Gurgui, who is working to earn his Bachelor of Science in Communication & Political Science at SUNY Empire State College.

Keith, with his sister, Jackie

Gurgui realized that to be a more effective advocate, he would need education, training, and experience. He knew he’d benefit from college courses, however travel and attendance in a traditional classroom on a regular basis would be a challenging task, for both Keith and his family.

“After being introduced to Empire State College, I realized I could still earn my bachelor’s degree without the transportation or accessibility issues of a campus-based program. With a SUNY name and courses delivered completely online, I knew I found my opportunity. I was accepted to Empire State College in 2010, and enrolled in my first class called ‘Disabled in America’,” he said.

Speaking his assignments into Dragon NaturallySpeaking, a voice-to-computer translator, and clicking through a reflective dot on a head mouse, Gurgui has successfully completed five classes to date, and is actively engaged in his summer coursework.

“I go to school for what’s in my head, not in my hand…For the knowledge, not the piece of paper. I have a personal stake in laws and regulations and the people they serve,” Gurgui said. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos recognized this and selected Gurgui to be a member of the New York State Department of Health’s Spinal Cord Injury Research Board, which distributes grants to qualifying researchers around the state interested in specifically treating spinal cord injuries.

And that’s not all. In addition to a part-time course load, Gurgui works his day job as a Systems Advocate at the Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL). This is the same independent living center in Ulster County that assisted him back in 2009. He also attended the World Stem Cell Summit in Detroit, MI to learn about regenerative medicine’s research trends and treatment programs.

 What’s next for Gurgui? He has aspirations to start a fundraising organization to raise money for spinal cord injury research. However, he quickly added, “I keep busy. But the ultimate goal I work for every day is to get out of this chair.” And based on his accomplishments, there’s no doubt he has the motivation, commitment, and perseverance to accomplish it!

Stephanie Martino

Quote from CDL student Stephanie Marino to her mentor, Dana Henson:
“I have had the lovliest serendipity since coming to ESC. I love school! I choose classes that complement each other and I have been able to cross-reference ideas and make connections every single semester. My online classes are off to a good start!”    

When you connect with the “right” college, and the “right” classes at the “right” time, the decision to return to school is positively reinforced. The quote above captures Stephanie Marino’s enthusiasm for her goal to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies with a Concentration in Ethnic and Multicultural Studies through the Center for Distance Learning at SUNY Empire State College.

Marino, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, dropped out of college 30 years ago to pursue a career in music. She described herself as a “terrible student”. At age 50, she returned to ESC after a recommendation from her friend and ESC professor Silvia Chelala.  

“What an amazing time in my life! I want to say that this is one of the best decisions I have ever made.  The ESC staff from mentor to bookstore to professors and my classmates, have made my life richer and I have proven to myself that I really am a good student!”, said Marino, who currently works as an English teacher in Italy.

Upon graduation in 2013, Marino plans to continue her studies and pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching.

Ruby Tan and Dr. Bidhan Chandra

Please enjoy this post, written by Dr. Bidhan Chandra, after he met his student, Ruby Tan, for the first time (in person) at Saturday’s graduation festivities.

“Saturday’s graduation ceremony was truly great and memorable. I can’t imagine how much planning and hard work went in for making this event so memorable and so flawless. I would like to congratulate and thank everyone who was involved in the event planning and execution.

The student speakers were excellent. One of them was Ruby Tan. Ruby was my student in my International Business course in 2009. By chance, we were seated at the same table for reception after the graduation ceremony. We were very happy to meet each other. She said that I was her only mentor that she was able to meet so far. This made me feel so special. My wife (Usha) and I had wonderful conversations with her and her family. Her sister and brother-in-law came all the way from Singapore to be present and to celebrate Ruby’s achievement.

I have attended and enjoyed all CDL graduations ever since I joined CDL in 1996. I feel that these graduation events are the only opportunity for me, as a mentor, to see the fruits of our collective work as faculty, professional, and staff. It is a great joy to see the students and their families together. Please consider attending the graduation ceremony next year if you could not attend this year’s.”

- Written by faculty member and Area Coordinator, Dr. Bidhan Chandra

Lucia Ducci and Amy Hensberry at the Ponte Vecchio.

In January term, distance-learning students Amy Hensberry and Chris Roos completed the CDL course Introductory Italian: Language and Culture. A few days after the semester ended, they hinted how fun it would be to go meet their instructor, Lucia Ducci, in person, in Florence, Italy, to practice their skills. Without hesitation, Ducci answered, “Come visit!” and the rest is history.

Amy and Chris admire il Duomo in Florence, Italy.

Two months later Amy and Chris were standing in Palazzo Vecchio, chatting with Lucia, sipping on cappuccino, and ready to stroll through the Boboli Gardens.

“I enjoyed meeting my students (now friends!) in person and realize what a huge passion they have for Italian language and culture,” said Ducci, a native Italian who speaks fluent English and French languages. “I was very happy to see that they could interact using proper Italian not only with me, but with the waiter, taxi cab driver, and hotel staff, too,” she added.

In 2007, Ducci studied at the University of Florence, Italy, to earn her Ph.D. in International Relations and Contemporary History. She worked at Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA and at Boston College in Boston, MA for three years, before she decided to return to Italy to be closer to her family and friends. After returning to Italy, she always felt a tie to her students back in the States.

Chris Roos and Lucia Ducci Take a Break!

“I was on my couch, reading the New York Times, and I saw an ad for SUNY Empire State College. I immediately sent in my resume,” she said. A few months later, she was hired, teaching Italian language courses, and working to develop a new “Intermediate Italian” course for CDL. “Teaching at Empire State College is a wonderful opportunity for me. Although I have to stay up late because of the time difference, I can work in an American environment (which I love!), and stay and live comfortably at home here in Italy,” said Ducci.

Planning a visit to Florence? Lucia welcomes your email at lucia.ducci@libero.it. Buon Viaggio!

Rochelle Campbell was a self-proclaimed “typical (almost) baby-boomer who eschewed any all all things tech~y”. But that was so 2009…before she completed Empire State College’s Digital Storytelling course, taught by Dr. Tom Mackey.

Flash-forward to today…No longer a novice, this author, blogger, and short story artist fired up her Kindle this week and uploaded her first novel-length book, “Opening Up” on Amazon. Previously she published a collection of short stories called, “Leaping Out on Faith“, also available at Amazon.

Earlier this month, Campbell launched her “Notebook Blogiary” which features book reviews (and a clever ‘notebook’ rating scale); life vignettes; samples of her completed short stories or essays; and her thoughts and comments about all things reading or writing related.

“It has been a world wind few weeks!”, said Campbell, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies with a concentration in Written Communication at Empire State College in 2010. “This class [Digital Storytelling] helped me see that social media and various technology platforms could be my friends,” she said. Based on her immediate success and outstanding creative talents, Ms. Campbell has found herself a modern-day electronic collection of BFFs!

Connect with Rochelle Campbell on Twitter @NotebkBlogairy or via email at noveldreams2007@gmail.com.

“This is my second semester with the scholarship and with the financial help it has surely helped reduced the stress of going more into debt. I will have my bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in human resource management. I have learned so much that I feel I would not have learned in a traditional classroom.”
Bahr Scholar, Kelly M.
Bachelor of Science in Business, Management and Economics

Bahr Scholars and the Center for Distance Learning
This scholarship, created in the name of Empire State College alumnus Morton Bahr, assists union members and other workers by furthering their educational goals and enhancing educational access through distance learning.

As a Bahr Scholar with Empire State College Center for Distance Learning (CDL), you can earn your entire degree online. Busy, working adults are increasingly turning to the web for quality education that fits into their lives. Whether you’re on the road or prefer to study from the comfort of your home, the Center for Distance Learning offers you the chance to reach your goals.

Work With Faculty
Online learning offers dedicated, disciplined students the ability to earn a degree or upgrade skills with our proven web-based education delivery. You will have the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor to develop an individualized degree program that builds upon your interests, life experiences, needs and goals. Through this flexible program, you may work at times and locations that are convenient. Students communicate with faculty and course instructors by means of e-mail, telephone and through discussion areas online.

Stimulating, Challenging Courses
Center for Distance Learning courses are completely self-contained and are highly interactive through discussions with the instructor and other students.  With online learning, you progress at your own rate, and as a Bahr Scholar, you can take up to 2 courses for a maximum 8 credits per term. Keep in mind, however, that online courses are rigorous, requiring the discipline of systematic study, concentrated reading and carefully written assignments. To be successful, you will need to set aside substantial blocks of time for study, logging into your courses at least three times per week.  For example, with a 4-credit course, you should plan on a minimum of 10 hours of study time per week.

Other Bahr Scholars share their thoughts:
Catherine G. – “I finished my Associates Degree at Empire this past May and wasn’t sure I was going to continue to work for a Bachelor’s Degree. I have kids in college and high school and their education is more of a priority for me. Thanks to this scholarship, I will be able to complete my degree.  I am planning to earn a BS in Business Management and Economics.  I am excited and thankful for this wonderful opportunity.”

Zsuzsanna S. - “… I’m one year away from completing my degree in Social Theory, Social Structure and Change. Being a student at ESC has been a fantastic experience, and I met some really great people in the past two years.”

Robin J., B.S., Human Resources and Communications - “When the statement came from ESC the other day my husband and I looked at the $1700+ total and said to each other (again!) that without the Morton Bahr scholarship there’s no way I could be doing this.  It’s something I will remember for the rest of my life and always with deep gratitude and awe that there are people like Mr. Bahr out there whose ideals translate into action to make this a better world for working people.”

Cheryl O., B.A., Community and Human Services – “I felt like I had won the lottery when they called me! After I finished my degree plan and looked at all those classes it seemed like a huge hill to climb, but now I will be finished at the end of this year and get my degree. Never would have been possible without the scholarship! The best part is all of the support from the mentors and other staff at ESC.  I will miss that the most when I graduate, you get so much help and support here!”

Nancy D., B.A., Human Development - “This scholarship has made my life fantastic, and has given me amazing confidence in myself.”

Need More Information?
View this short video to tell you more about online learning at Empire State College or or additional information on the Morton Bahr Online Scholarship, visit this link to apply!

“Have you ever been to Mexico?”

Why not ask Chatterbot “Vira” (pictured at left) who recently placed 4^th an international competition (www.chatterboxchallenge.com) featuring 34 “bots” from around the world.

Vira is an internet-downloadable “chatterbot”, designed to simulate human intelligence and converse casually with humans when asked simple questions like, “What is 18+21+3” or “Can you give me an example of a living animal?”.

Created by Empire State College student Tom Joyce as final project for his CDL course Discrete Mathematics, Vira out-chatted 34 other English-speaking bots vying for a $1,000 cash prize.

Joyce’s work incorporates principles of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), which he refers to as “reinforced learning”, a combination of science and engineering which results in “intelligent” computer programs that can perform simple tasks like open an elevator door, interact within a video game, or have an actual speech-recognized conversation, like Vira.

“Finding ways to enjoy A.I. is important because designing it usually involves pushing the limits. Luckily building a machine that talks right back to you is an experience most find very entertaining and rewarding,” said Joyce, a New Jersey resident. “This is significant since it demonstrates that my research is going forward, and will provide a solid foundation for new and exciting innovations in the future,” he added.