Graduate School has new welcome centerBy Sharon Feder '06 With over 1,400 students enrolled in graduate programs and about 1,200 students applying each year, the Graduate School is growing and finding new ways to accommodate its students. 
In an effort to strengthen communication between the office and prospective graduate students, it recently opened a welcome center at the Center for Continuing and Professional Education. Established in 1947, the school coordinates a diverse group of master's degrees in education, business, engineering, humanities, the health professions, and math and science education. In addition, it awards certificates of advanced study in School District Business Leader; School Building Leader/School District Leader; School District Leader/Alternate Route - Transition D; Clinical Nurse Specialist - Adult Health; and offers some coursework for a Ph.D. in educational administration, in collaboration with SUNY Albany. The graduate school consists of four full-time staff members: Laurel Garrick Duhaney, associate provost and dean of the graduate school; Vika Shock, assistant to the dean; Debbie Brown, secretary; and Lynne Legato, clerk II. 
As the Dean, Dr. Garrick Duhaney chairs the Graduate Council, a campus governance body; participates in the formulation, interpretation and implementation of Graduate School policies; and coordinates graduate programs and initiatives. While Shock oversees graduate admission, she also coordinates GOP waivers and graduate assistantships from matriculated candidates. New to the Graduate School, Legato oversees graduate applications, and Brown, who has worked in the office for over 25 years, "brings to her work a depth of knowledge and breadth of experience in dealing with issues ranging from matriculation to graduation," said Garrick Duhaney. The Graduate School handles graduate admissions, but also becomes a central office for graduate students once they have matriculated. The staff works with academic departments on campus to ensure a smooth matriculation process for their students. "The graduate staff is involved in numerous activities," said Garrick Duhaney. "We promote a culture of academic excellence, support graduate programs and candidates and keep current with educational trends and policies." 
The office also funds creative project awards for graduate students and works with the graduate council in selecting recipients for the awards. In fact, communicating with students has become a large part of what the office does and has shaped what they're trying to do. Recently, the staff has published a graduate school newsletter to offer students and faculty within the graduate school information about ongoing programs and opportunities. "It turned out to be a really nice way to highlight students' accomplishments and keep in touch," said Shock. For more information on the graduate school, visit www.newpaltz.edu/graduate or call the office at x3285. Debbie Brown was not present for photos. |
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SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 |
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News Pulse is published every other week for the faculty and staff of SUNY New Paltz by the Office of Public Affairs. It is printed in-house on recycled paper. To submit information to the newsletter, please complete the online submission form. If you are requesting inclusion in the October 10 issue, your submission must be received by noon on Tuesday, October 4. Contact Eric Gullickson with any questions. Phone: 845-257-3245 | ||||