Testimonials
based on interviews with Hope Windle, 06/12-13/06
Renée Byer
Winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in Feature Photography
... attended Ulster County Community College from 1976 to 1978, earning an associate in arts degree with a major in liberal arts. She took courses in photography, design, painting, drawing, and art history. Many of her friends at the College went on to have successful careers. “Community college is a great stepping stone to a four-year college and career.”
Holly Bachor
Marketing Account Executive - HITS, Inc.
. . . she works for HITS, Inc., a special events management company, which produces Horse Shows in the Sun in various locations. Previously an intern at the company, she joined its marketing department and is now a marketing account executive. She works in vendor relations and on the marketing team that reaches out to competitors and trainers.
She calls her entrance into the Early Admissions Program, which enables talented high school students to complete their high school graduation requirements at SUNY Ulster and get college credit, “the best decision I ever made”.
Mark Perpetua
Zoologist
. . . he’s been collecting animals since childhood. By the time he enrolled at SUNY Ulster, he was sure that he wanted to study zoology. At the College, he met the teacher who became his mentor: biology professor Richard Kirgan. He graduated with a concentration in math and science and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology.
He shares his love of science with the high school students he teaches. He is also a dedicated herpetologist with a collection of reptiles that includes several alligators, snakes, and lizards. He and his son take their reptiles and other animals to schools, fairs, and other venues on a regular basis. His main goal: “To take what I have learned out to the public in order to raise awareness of the need for conservation of these animals.”
“I loved the education I got at Ulster County Community College. I encourage my students to attend SUNY Ulster to get the individualized attention that I received.”
Rebecca Mills
Media Supervisor
. . . a media supervisor at a prestigious advertising agency, working with a major client. Having gone on to earn a degree in business administration from SUNY Albany, she advises a cosmetic products company on how to allocate their $120 million advertising budget. Her job involves media research, a lot of math, and psychological insight into what makes women choose one company’s products over those of a competitor.
She credits her success to personal motivation and to the confidence she gained at SUNY Ulster. Confidence is what her time at SUNY Ulster helped her achieve, from achieving a straight-A average and exploring her interests through a variety of clubs. “My time at SUNY Ulster was an amazing experience.”
Dan Meisner
Tribute Performer
. . . an internationally known tribute performer, portraying Jake of the Blues Brothers, the role made famous by John Belushi. Also a film and television actor, stand-up comic, documentary film producer and director, screenwriter, and rock and blues musician.
The Theater program at SUNY Ulster “gave me the tools for success.” Within a month of entering the College in the fall of 1981, he was immersed in the Theater program. “It gave me the ability to never say to myself that I could not do something I wanted to do. The faculty were totally dedicated to student success.”
Jane Kithcart
Retention & Transfer Counselor
Student Support Services
My high school guidance counselor introduced the idea of going to SUNY Ulster because I wanted to take a major that would get me a job right away after I graduated. I majored in Secretarial Science with some courses in business.
My experience at SUNY Ulster as a student was good. I had a mentor and financial aid counselor and other administrative staff as well as my major advisor, all were always available to assist me toward achieving my educational goals. Now I am back as an administrator working with my mentor and fellow alums in the Student Support Services in the Learning Center, providing students the same careful attention I received.
After working for a couple of years, I transferred to SUNY New Paltz and received my bachelor's in Sociology and then proceeded too work in higher education before going on to receive my Master's in School Counseling from Sage Colleges.
I would recommend SUNY Ulster to a friend or relative only if they are ready to attend college. SUNY Ulster can prepare and introduce individuals to college life if they are going on to a four-year. SUNY Ulster is also more affordable than a four-year institution to start one's education.Olson Martinez
Fine Arts: Visual Arts Program
I come from a small village on the coast of Honduras. Soccer Coach Vizvary coached both my brother and me in the Bronx and told us about SUNY Ulster. My brother came here and he encouraged me to attend SUNY Ulster. When I arrived in New York, I only spoke the dialect of the village. Now I speak Spanish and English, am learning French and I want to learn 2 other languages.
I plan on transferring to transfer to a four-year school.
Suguru Nakamura
Engineering Science Program
When I started college, I wanted to study engineering, aerospace or robotics. But in Japan, there are only two engineering schools, so the chances of getting in are very limited. In the United States you have so many more engineering colleges and programs. I came to New Paltz to work on my English. I heard SUNY Ulster was a good place to start for engineering and then I could transfer. The Engineering Program is high quality and the people are nice, too!”
Matthew Eakins
L.A. Humanities and Social Science Program, graduated in May 2006
I chose SUNY Ulster because of its close location and cost and to accommodate my work schedule. I plan on transferring to a four-year school to continue my education toward a teaching degree. The professors here are more than happy to work with the students. They truly believe in the community college system and offer as much material and guidance as any other teacher would at a four-year school. Students should definitely take advantage of this college.
Maya Hall
Veterinary Technology Program
SUNY Ulster is the only place in the area that had a Vet Tech program. I'm from is Israel; my husband grew up in Woodstock so here we are. It works out for us to have my daughter at the Children’s center. I study, she has a great time.
Alex Carney
L.A. Humanities and Social Science
My experiences at Ulster have been fun, but challenging. It’s taught me college is really different from high school. I’ve had to learn to move on with work and can’t slack off. All of the professors and staff I’ve met are really nice and easy to talk to. There’s a good variety of courses, just not to the point I would like. It’s a great college. It’s in the community, so it’s close. It’s a good start and the price is right too!
I want to earn my associate’s degree before I transfer and I’m finishing the basic courses. I’m looking for a college that has programs that deal with the music business and music production.
Monica Trevino
Network Administration Program
After serving in the United States Army as a radio and secure communications technician, I decided to enroll at UCCC under the Network Administration degree program because I wanted to learn how to repair computers and troubleshoot networks.
Completing the program has offered me the opportunity to obtain employment as a computer technician, but also provided me with knowledge needed should I decide to seek employment as a junior network administrator.
Cristin O’Neal
Nursing Program
After completing my first undergraduate degree 13 years ago and working in the internet industry, I decided to go back to school to be a nurse.
My experience at SUNY Ulster has been both rewarding and challenging. I’m going to work at a local hospital and eventually go back to school to get my Master’s degree in nursing. My long term goal is to become a nurse practitioner.
If anyone asks me about SUNY Ulster and about the program, I’d tell them that nursing school is challenging but not without immense rewards. The friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had caring for patients have greatly enriched my life.
Sheena-Marie Heinitz
L.A. Humanities and Social Science Program
I knew I would be attending Ulster in my high school years, since I didn’t know what I wanted to major in and I decided Ulster would be a good start. I’ve enjoyed my experience here so far and I’d recommend it.
There are numerous courses to choose from and the atmosphere is healthy and educational with interesting programs and nice people. The courses offered are extensive and the faculty are really very helpful and personable. After I graduate from Ulster, I want to travel and continue my education.
Sean Nixon
Assistant Professor of Art
I came from New York, where I was working in the graphic design industry and teaching other professionals and college students. When I left the big city, I chaired a department at a university in Connecticut and then came here. I really like that this college is student centered – it’s an institution focused on teaching, meaning that the focus of the faculty is on student development through the teaching and learning process.
This geographic area is rich with opportunities for my students to experience real-life client settings. Each semester I introduce my students to actual design situations by solving a client’s design challenge. They research the client to understand goals and objectives and work through the creative process to offer the client a portfolio of possibilities for them to consider. The clients have been extremely grateful for the pro bono work and the students love the opportunity to do real work in the field.
Abdou Gaye
Faculty, French and African Literature
The geographic environment and the panoramic nature of the Hudson Valley reminds me of my native land, Senegal. With SUNY Ulster, I have found a fertile ground of academia, acceptance and friendship. I have found a school interested in embracing an internationally diverse student body as well as fostering an international academic program. I have the opportunity to reach students through teaching the French language and African literature as well in a mentoring capacity, beyond the classroom.
