Making an Impact in the Community
Decked out in her Potsdam Bears’ hockey jersey, Elise Clifford ’26 energetically reads a Halloween version of “Goodnight Moon” to a group of second graders at Lawrence Avenue Elementary School. As she reads the final sentence and closes the book, the real event happens— students eagerly pepper her with questions about life at SUNY Potsdam and what it’s like to play on the women’s hockey team.
“We were asked some very interesting questions, and it really amazed me. Those kids were eager to learn about what we do at SUNY Potsdam, and they even asked what I do in the summers to continue getting ready for the season,” Clifford said.
The visit was part of Books with Bears, an initiative launched through Clifford’s involvement with the Student Athletic Advisory Committee at SUNY Potsdam. Since her freshman year, she has visited six different elementary school classrooms to share stories and spark conversations with local students.
“It’s allowed me to connect with the local community in hopes of making a lasting impact,” she said. “In my time as a collegiate athlete at SUNY Potsdam, our coach, Olivia Cook, has impressed on us that the most important thing is to be a good human. Community outreach is an important part of our culture here at Potsdam.”
Books with Bears is just one of several outreach efforts Clifford has taken part in during her undergraduate career. Over winter break—while many students were home for the holidays—Clifford and her teammates were back on campus preparing for upcoming games and hosting a holiday recreation ice-skating event at Pine Street Arena, Potsdam’s community rink. Members of both the men’s and women’s hockey teams helped children learn to skate and even brought chairs onto the ice so they could give rides around the rink.
A week later, Clifford and her team traveled to the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation to spend an afternoon playing hockey with children at the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club.
“My coach is from Akwesasne, and she’s made a really big impact on the community. We played hockey with them, tournament style, for four hours, and it was great—really fun,” she said.
At the start of the Fall 2025 semester, Clifford also joined student-athletes from across campus to welcome children back to Lawrence Avenue Elementary School, celebrating the completion of their first week with high fives and words of encouragement.
Making her Dreams Come True
Originally from Auburn, N.Y.—about three hours south of Potsdam—Clifford has dreamed of being a collegiate hockey player since she first laced up her skates at eight years old. Her father worked at the local ice rink, and after school she interacted with high school players preparing for their own college athletic careers. Years later, Clifford found herself in the same position, searching for a college that would allow her to pursue both hockey and her academic goals.
“I heard many good things about the opportunities within the SUNYAC conference. I also had a few past teammates who were already at SUNY Potsdam and enjoyed it a lot. Being from a small town, Potsdam also had a strong sense of community that felt like home,” she said.
From the moment she arrived on campus, Clifford quickly formed strong bonds with her teammates and her coach, who emphasized character and community engagement as cornerstones of the program.
“She impressed on us that being a good human is the most important thing. That will stick with me forever. She’s had a lasting impact on how I view community service as I get older,” she said.
In the classroom, Clifford has pursued a double major in political science and international studies, along with a minor in Spanish. From comparative politics with Professor Robert Hinckley to Technology in History with Professor Libbie Freed, she explored a wide range of subjects focused on current affairs, policy, and historical context.
“I have taken many classes with Professor Hinckley and really enjoyed the hands-on learning experiences that have shaped my experience here at Potsdam. And Technology in History was a very engaging class that encouraged thoughtful discussions and real-world application. My time at Potsdam has been full of great opportunities that have benefited me academically and beyond,” she said.
Balancing athletics, academics, and community service, Clifford is on track to graduate after just three years at SUNY Potsdam. She arrived with 22 college credits earned through courses taken in high school at her local community college. When she graduates in May, she plans to remain in the North Country while seeking internships and job opportunities in politics.
“I am interested in political campaigns, public policy, or government for my future career options and will probably look to continue my education once I gain more experience in the field,” she said. “I am excited to apply what I’ve learned at SUNY Potsdam to the next phase of my life.
More than anything, Clifford says she will carry forward the relationships and sense of belonging she found as a member of the women’s hockey team.
“My favorite thing about playing hockey at Potsdam has been the people I have gotten to know along the way,” she said. “We are a very close team and the friendships I have made here are some I will cherish forever.”
Article by Jason Hunter / Photos by Jason Hunter, Jesstine Avadikian, and Sophia Pleat '26