School of Arts & Sciences

Immerse yourself in the sciences, humanities and fine arts, in an environment that prizes creativity and discovery.

The School of Arts and Sciences at SUNY Potsdam exposes students to a variety of fields within the fine arts, sciences, humanities and social sciences. The School’s strong foundation in the liberal arts prizes creativity and inquiry, offering a full palette of study across the departments offering majors, minors and interdisciplinary programs that encourage hands-on learning opportunities for every student.

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Academic Departments

Sportscaster Dreams

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.

Full-Circle Journey

Nearly 40 years after first enrolling at SUNY Potsdam, Jeff Yette ’26 is finally crossing the finish line. From studio art student to IT leader at Clarkson University and now site manager at Corning, Yette built a decades-long career in technology—all while holding onto one bucket-list goal: earning his degree. Now just one course shy of completion through the College's interdisciplinary studies major, he’s proving it’s never too late to come back, reconnect your passions, and finish what you started.

Bringing Back the Spruce Grouse

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 recently 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.

Rock Solid Careers

From classroom labs to North Country mine shafts, SUNY Potsdam geology alumni are building meaningful careers close to home. Their training is helping drive discovery and innovation across our region.

Psychology and Purpose

From studying abroad in Cuba to completing two psychology internships, Gaby Ames ’25 has built her SUNY Potsdam experience around purpose, growth, and helping others.

Transfer to Success

Transfer student. Mentor. Researcher. Leader. See how Annabel Ubeda ’25 built her path in anthropology while making the most of every opportunity at SUNY Potsdam.

Bloodsuckers Beware!

SUNY Potsdam students are on the front lines of mosquito surveillance, tracking viruses like EEE and West Nile to help keep the North Country safe. 🦟💡 Supported by the Presidential Internship Program, their research is making a real impact—one trap at a time.

Old Fossils. New Spaces.

Dr. Page Quinton is bringing paleontology to life in the brand-new Environmental Science Lab, where students are getting hands-on experience learning how fossils are formed, studying mass extinction events, and examining evolutionary patterns based on the fossil record.

Learning to Fly

From mentoring young hawks to shaping the next generation of musicians, Sasha Truax’s journey blends hands-on experience with a deep commitment to both her studies and her community. Check out her story and see how the SUNY Potsdam senior is flying toward a bright future.

‘Best Job I’ve Ever Had’

Kate Favaro ’13 is turning her personal experiences with grief into a career dedicated to supporting others who are dealing with loss. Discover how her journey from a sociology student at SUNY Potsdam to a Grief Services Coordinator is helping normalize the grieving process and make a real difference in her community.

Future in Focus

Ever since he was in middle school, Lucas Scalcione '25 knew that he wanted to pursue a career in medicine, specifically ophthalmology. Now he has completed the rigorous MCAT exam, is wrapping up his degree in biology at SUNY Potsdam, and will be entering medical school next fall.

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