The Office of University Life and other SUNY Administrative offices work with the following professional groups serving as liaison to SUNY Administration on matters related to student life. You may contact professional group officials listed if you wish to know more about the organization.
The State University of New York Alcohol and Other Drug Professionals work together with campus leaders, educators, and students to support best practices, research, and connection to community resources to address the deleterious impact of substance abuse on students and the campus community. This SUNY wide professionals group provides an opportunity for professional development, the use of shared resources, and the promotion of best practices to address substance abuse and related issues that impact student health and success.
This group meets the third Friday of each month during the academic year and maintains an active listserv.
Current contacts at SUNY System Administration are:
Sara Saplin - Sara.Saplin@suny.edu
Janice Miller-Whitney - Janice.Miller-Whitney@oasas.ny.gov
The Association of SUNY Counseling Center Directors is composed of Directors/Administrators of Counseling Centers throughout the SUNY system. Their mission is to promote and assure the highest possible degree of mental health and wellness of students and campus communities within the SUNY system, and to share best practices across campuses. SUNY Counseling Directors are both administrators and direct service providers, serving as counselors, campus consultants, and educators. The Association serves its mission by advocating for various mental health services on campuses, meeting regularly to connect with cross-campus colleagues, collaborating with SUNY System Administration, and interfacing with other mental health organizations.
Current contacts at SUNY System are:
Julie Maio - Julie.Maio@suny.edu
The State University of New York Career Development Organization, Inc. (CDO) serves to promote the professional growth of the membership and to develop and maintain professional communication among career development personnel. The organization acts as a professional forum for discussion of career planning and placement policies and procedures with the goal of promoting and maintaining a high standard for the profession. CDO assists each student in learning, searching, and serving.
CDO seeks to identify ways to work collaboratively with business and industry to make connections between employers and SUNY students. The organization meets three times per year and offers a statewide job fair. The SUNYCDO web site, www.sunycdo.org, offers listings of Job and Career Fairs being held SUNY-wide as well as information on making the most of a job or career fair.
Current president is Jessie Stack Lombardo (SUNY Geneseo) - stack@geneseo.edu
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Diana Pasterchick - diana.pasterchick@suny.edu
The College Union and Campus Activities Professionals Organization (CUCAP) provides a professional voice for statewide issues, mandates, and concerns for campus life professionals. CUCAP offers networking opportunities for SUNY campus professionals and serves as the recognized state forum for the formal exchange of information. The organization also provides and promotes professional development experiences and growth.
CUCAP represents a common theme of student development and campus activities, including programming, student governments, student media, fraternities and sororities, leadership development, service learning, union and facility operations and student activity fees.
The organization meets twice each year and offers a spring professional development conference.
Current president is Rachelle Hall (Westchester CC) - Rachelle.hall@sunywcc.edu.
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Geraldine Gutierrez - Geraldine.Gutierrez@suny.edu
The Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers (CCSAO) of the State University of New York (SUNY) is an organization composed of the highest-ranking student affairs official of each State College, Technical College, and University. The organization meets quarterly to review current issues, policies and procedures related to the management and administration of student affairs programs and services in SUNY. Membership in the Council and involvement in its meetings provide opportunities for professional development and serve as a catalyst for continuous quality improvement of student affairs programs and services in SUNY.
The mission of the Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers of the State University is to support and enhance the ability of its members to fulfill their responsibilities and achieve the goals of their respective institutions in an exemplary manner by: working with system administration on the development of policies that affect students, student life, and the mission of the University; providing a forum for communication and professional development among chief student affairs officers with the System administration; and serving as an advocacy group for University support for students, programs, and services that facilitate access to higher education, student involvement, student learning and student success.
Current president is Richard Gatteau (Stony Brook) - richard.gatteau@stonybrook.edu
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Cheryl Hamilton - cheryl.hamilton@suny.edu
The Council of Community Colleges Chief Student Affairs Officers provides an avenue for senior level Student Affairs administrators and professionals at each of the thirty community colleges within the State University of New York to unite collaboratively and cooperatively for purposes of communication, professional growth, and enhancement of practices.
The purpose of the Council is to cultivate strong interrelationships between the member institutions and the SUNY-wide community; to promote systems that enhance effective communications between and among member institutions and the SUNY-wide community; to serve as a resource to its institutional members in accomplishing their mission through the exchange of information for further enhancement of practices, services and programs which serve to enrich student life; to promote and sustain a healthy work environment that fosters professional and personal development; to empower members to work as an integrated team striving to fulfill the mission and vision and to enhance and heighten the awareness, understanding and appreciation of/for community colleges while fostering mutual respect for the individual member institutions.
The Council meets to conduct business semiannually (typically in mid-June and October) during the three-day fall and summer conference.
Current president is Kate O’Sick (SUNY Adirondack) - osickk@sunyacc.edu
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Cheryl Hamilton - cheryl.hamilton@suny.edu
The State University of New York Disability Services Professionals provides an opportunity for professional development, the use of shared resources, and the promotion of best practices for SUNY professional staff working in Disability Services offices. This group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00am for group consultation and updates. SUNY System Administration maintains an active listserv for the group.
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Lauren Rodriguez - lauren.rodriguez@suny.edu
The New York State Disability Services Council is the NYS Chapter of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). The organization is made up of representation from SUNY, CUNY, Independent, and Proprietary colleges and universities, who each have their own sector within the organization. The SUNY Sector works closely with System Administration. NYSDSC provides professional expertise within disability service in higher education while proactively facilitating change for the benefit of the disability community in higher education. NYSDSC meets twice a year and has a listserv for members. There is a fee for membership.
Questions about membership, email: membership@nysdsc.org
Current NYSDSC President is DeAnne Martocci, Hudson Valley Community College
SUNY Sector liaison at SUNY System Administration is Lauren Rodriguez - Lauren.rodriguez@suny.edu
The State University of New York-Fraternity/Sorority Affairs Officers (SUNYFSA) has been formed to develop and maintain professional communication among SUNY Fraternity/Sorority Affairs personnel, and to serve as a forum for the discussion of policies and procedures with the goal of promoting and maintaining high standards for the profession.
Current President is Samantha Thompson (Stony Brook University) - Samantha.thompson@stonybrook.edu
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Geraldine Gutierrez - Geraldine.Gutierrez@suny.edu
The State University of New York Multicultural Professionals was established in 2022 to help support the systems core value of diversity. The professionals come together to foster relationships and share information to work toward creating welcoming communities across our campuses for students from diverse backgrounds. By collaborating with each other they can share best practices, programming, and resources to develop professionally and create experiences university wide.
This group meets bi-monthly during the academic year.
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Geraldine Gutierrez - Geraldine.Gutierrez@suny.edu
The State University of New York Pantry Directors group was established in 2021 to bring together a group of like-minded individuals across our campuses who work towards ending food insecurity. These professionals gather to share resources across the system and within their respective regions to further be able to provide much needed resources at our campus pantries and to work together in collaboration with other non-profits in their respective areas.
This group currently meets monthly.
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Gillian Kiernan - Gillian.Kiernan@suny.edu
SUNY Residence Life and Housing Administrators was formed to (a) advocate for the needs of students utilizing student housing on those campuses within and affiliated with the State University of New York system, (b) provide informational resources and educational programs related to students’ needs on such SUNY and SUNY affiliated campuses, and (c) encourage related programming and fiscal policies that improve the campus housing experience for students in the SUNY system. www.sunyrlha.org
Current President is Jason Fishner (SUNY Delhi) – fishnejt@delhi.edu
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Sara Saplin – sara.saplin@suny.edu
The State University of New York Athletic Conference was formed in 1958 and is comprised of 11 four-year institutions. The purpose of the organization is to develop, facilitate, and regulate the varsity intercollegiate athletics among member institutions. With 18 different sports, the SUNYAC is one of the strongest NCAA Division III conferences in the nation. Member programs often receive bids to national tournaments and several programs have won national championships. The SUNYAC values academic success, providing several different awards for students who achieve in the classroom.
The SUNYAC office is located on the Fredonia campus under the leadership of Dr. Patrick Damore. Members of SUNYAC meet three to four times a year and elect a new president at the annual meeting which is held in May. Additional information can be obtained from www.sunyac.com.
Current Commissioner – Tom DiCamillo - sunyacsports@gmail.com
Current contact at SUNY System Administration – Sara Saplin - sara.saplin@suny.edu
The Student Assembly is the official organization by which State University students can participate in university-wide governance. The Assembly provides a forum for consultation and the exchange of information between State University students, the Chancellor, and the State University of New York Board of Trustees on matters of a university wide nature which affect student concerns, procedure for electing the student member of the State University of New York Board of Trustees (The Student Assembly President), and finally, a communications network for campus student government leaders.
Current President is Alexander “Alex” Ruiz – alexander.ruiz@sunysa.org
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Geraldine Gutierrez - Geraldine.Gutierrez@suny.edu
The Student Government Advisors is a group of individuals tasked with overseeing and advising the student government group(s) at their respective institutions. The listserv is used to share resources and communications about ongoing systemwide initiatives, as well as share notifications of developments within SUNY SA.
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Cheryl Hamilton - cheryl.hamilton@suny.edu
State University of New York Student Conduct Association was formed to develop and maintain professional communication among SUNY Student Conduct personnel, and to serve as a forum for the discussion of policies and procedures with the goal of promoting and maintaining a high standard for the profession. To accomplish its purpose, the organization sponsors a variety of educational and professional development programs; advances the highest standards of professional conduct; and reflects the professional concerns of its members. Membership in this organization shall be by individual, and it shall be open to all professionals within the SUNY system who affirm that they spend a significant amount of their time dealing with students and student behavior in the context of a collegiate judicial system.
Current president is Rebecca Nadzadi (SUNY Cortland) - rebecca.nadzadi@cortland.edu
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Michelly Peña - Michelly.pena@suny.edu
SUNY CAMS was established to represent the interests of SUNY campuses regarding all issues relating to military-connected students; to provide a forum to discuss strategy and solutions for common issues and campus concerns and how best they can be addressed; to bridge the gap between students and the campuses; when requested, will provide consensus on a course of action on initiatives presented by the SUNY Chancellor’s office; act as a conduit for information sharing and dialogue with SUNY System Administration, its 64 campuses and every member of the SUNY military-connected population. SUNY CAMS may also serve as an active partner in coordinating any professional development events.
The membership of SUNY CAMS is comprised of all campus categories to include, University, Technology, Community and Doctoral Degree granting institutions.
Current contact at SUNY System Administration is Diana Pasterchick - diana.pasterchick@suny.edu
Office of University Life,
Cheryl Hamilton, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Life, Opportunity Programs, & Student Advocate - cheryl.hamilton@suny.edu
Gillian Kiernan, Anti-Hunger/Nutrition Coordinator - gillian.kiernan@suny.edu
Lisa Kelsey, Administrative Assistant - lisa.kelsey@suny.edu
Diana Pasterchick, Coordinator of Veteran and Military Affairs - diana.pasterchick@suny.edu
Lauren P. Rodriguez, Psy.D., Director of Resources for Students with Disabilities - lauren.Rodriguez@suny.edu
Sara Saplin, Director of University Life and Opportunity Program Operations – sara.saplin@suny.edu
Geraldine Gutierrez, Interim Director of Student Engagement - geraldine.gutierrez@suny.edu
Maureen Maillard, Manager of Child Care Services - maureen.maillard@suny.edu
Lalia Camacho, Administrative Assistant and Event Administrator - lalia.camacho@suny.edu