Immerse yourself in a campus culture that's as eclectic as you are.
Built to Endure
After a life-changing cancer diagnosis at 19, Megan Mills ’26 returned to SUNY Potsdam determined to keep going—on the ice, in the classroom, and beyond. Now in remission, she’s channeling her experience into helping others through fitness, proving the power of resilience, community and purpose.
It starts with a single word—but it’s part of a larger transformation in literacy education. Through the Reading Ready program, SUNY Potsdam students are working one-on-one with local children to build foundational reading skills and confidence.
From the training room to the weight room, SUNY Potsdam exercise science students are turning classroom knowledge into real-world impact. Through hands-on internships across Northern New York, they’re building skills, confidence and connections that will power their careers.
From the classroom to the national stage, Jaidan Kertenis ’26 turned preparation into performance—earning top honors in a business ethics competition with a standout 90-second pitch. Drawing on her confidence as both a musician and student-athlete, she delivered a powerful, polished presentation under pressure.
Through immersive field experiences—from the Bears Literacy Program to full-time student teaching—Emily Jordan ’26 is gaining the skills, confidence and compassion to help young learners grow, one lesson at a time as she prepares for a career in early childhood education.
Music education major Ryan Godfrey ’28 has already composed more than 30 works—and this semester, the Crane Wind Ensemble premiered his original piece, "More Than This.” Blending creativity, teaching, and performance, he’s building a future where composing and music education go hand in hand.
A lifelong dream has become a reality for Caramia Carista ’26. The SUNY Potsdam junior was recently hired to be an on-air broadcaster for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Division I Swimming & Diving Championships on ESPN+. From overcoming a career-ending injury to becoming a trailblazer in a male-dominated field, Carista has turned resilience into opportunity, building her voice behind the mic and advocating for greater coverage of women’s sports along the way.
A 13-year partnership between SUNY Potsdam and the New York State DEC has helped return endangered spruce grouse to the Adirondacks—strengthening ecosystems, launching careers, and leaving a lasting legacy of research, mentorship and applied learning. Dr. Glenn Johnson and alumna Angie Ross ’02 have completed the Spruce Grouse Translocation Program, a landmark effort to increase population numbers and improve genetic diversity by relocating birds from remote regions of Ontario and Maine to New York’s boreal forests.
SUNY Potsdam alumnus Fire Captain William F. Burke Jr. ’77 is remembered not only for his heroism on Sept. 11, 2001, but for a life rooted in compassion, learning, and community. From the friendships he formed at Potsdam to the scholarship created in his name, Billy’s impact continues to shape lives.
Crane School of Music alumna Emma Marhefka ’21 took center stage at the Metropolitan Opera, winning the Laffont Competition and experiencing a full-circle moment shaped by talent, perseverance, and powerful Crane connections.
From classroom to career, SUNY Potsdam geology grads hit the ground running. Ty Paddock ’25 and Jesse Bullock ’25 used the hands-on training and mentorship of Dr. Mike Rygel to pass the NY State Fundamentals of Geology exam—and landed jobs right out of school in the North Country.
