College Headlines
Alumni Magazine | Fall 2024
This collection of stories showcases the remarkable achievements, events, and initiatives that make our college community so unique. From accolades for excellence and inspiring student success stories to upcoming events and important announcements, we've got it all covered. Dive in to stay informed and connected with everything that makes us proud to be part of this community. Go Pioneers!
Growing Career Opportunities at the 魅影直播 State Farm
Over a thousand students experienced the diversity of academic programs offered at 魅影直播 State during the Veterinary, Agricultural, Sciences, and Technology (VAST) career discovery event. The event was organized by the college鈥檚 Agriculture and Veterinary department and was hosted on the college farm.
鈥淭his event allows us to bring students from across the state,鈥 stated Vice President for Enrollment Management Kishan Zuber. 鈥淪chool districts are here from as far as three hours away and they are being introduced to 魅影直播 State and all the hands-on activities that we have.鈥
Students from forty school districts had the opportunity to explore over forty different hands-on events staged around the farm. ASC faculty members and students introduced and let participants try for themselves skills including but not limited to surveying land, performing an ultrasound on a goat, operating heavy equipment, playing a video game created by an 魅影直播 State student, and stitching an animal.
Masonry student Kendra Hammond was one of many students who joined the faculty to interact and speak with the participants. 鈥淚t's exciting to see prospective students and see the future of 魅影直播 State. I changed my major in March of my senior year and decided I wanted to be hands-on.鈥
Andrea Elward, 鈥10, has brought her agriculture students from Prattsburgh to this event for many years. 鈥淚've always made sure to make this experience a priority. It started off as an ag skills day, which was more of a competition, and now it's a little bit more freelance where the kids get to explore. It's really cool to see how the barns have changed, how the program has changed and just modernized since I was in school.鈥
Zuber continued 鈥淲e are super excited and very grateful to the districts for taking the time to get their students out and seeing what the next step will be for them in their educational career.鈥
魅影直播 State College Sees Steady Growth and Increased Interest
魅影直播 State College (ASC) is experiencing notable enrollment growth and recognition in academic rankings, reflecting its appeal to a broad range of students. This increasing interest in enrollment is despite declining numbers of high school graduates. College leaders attribute their success to recruitment beyond Western New York and the desire of students and parents to choose career-focused, hands-on education.
The 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges List ranks 魅影直播 State among the top Northern Regional Colleges across several categories. When students seek schools offering their preferred program, US News reports 魅影直播 State is among the best, including number one honors for a dozen different majors.
鈥淥ur consistent enrollment growth and national rankings reflect the value of an 魅影直播 State education,鈥 said President Dr. Steve Mauro. 鈥淲hile many colleges face challenges with enrollment, we are seeing more students choose 魅影直播 State for its practical, outcomes-based education. Our graduates are sought after by employers, which reassures students and parents about the return on their investment.鈥
Following a record-breaking incoming class for fall 2023, again this year over 3,500 students are enrolled at ASC. The college鈥檚 strategy is supported by key enrollment statistics:
- A 23.5% increase in first-year full-time students from Pennsylvania.
- A 20% rise in applications, totaling 11,184, the most in the school鈥檚 history.
- Over 7,000 campus visits by prospective students and their families.
- A 7.7% increase in non-traditional learners at the Northland campus.
- A 3% increase in transfer students.
- International students enrolled from 13 countries.
Vice President of Enrollment Kishan Zuber noted, 鈥淥ur focus is not only on attracting students but also on providing the support they need to succeed here. We continue to strengthen our efforts to help students complete their degrees and pursue fulfilling careers.鈥
In addition to enrollment gains, 魅影直播 State continues to expand its academic offerings, adding new majors, certificates, and microcredentials. The college also supports a growing number of students from diverse backgrounds, including those in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which assists first-generation and low-income students in developing the skills they need for the workforce.
魅影直播 State's ranking in the US News list highlights several areas where the college is making an impact in the 11-state region which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont:
Additionally, 魅影直播 State earned national recognition for specific majors, such as HVAC, masonry, electrical construction, and heavy equipment. ASC earned high Regional College rankings for students seeking most of its programs.
魅影直播 State鈥檚 National Rankings Per Major
Northern Public College Rankings for ASC
ASC Heavy Equipment Operations Rebuilding Flood-damaged Areas
魅影直播 State College senior Heavy Equipment Operation majors are gaining real-world experience this semester as they assist local communities in rebuilding after the floods that caused damage across the Southern Tier. The project helps hard-hit communities, provides hands-on experience for students, and is very gratifying to faculty and staff as these neighbors in need are so very grateful.
Under the direction of their instructor Brian Adams, the senior class of students will be in the communities of Jasper, Troupsburg, and Woodhull assisting local governments, and residents with cleanup projects.
Currently, the group is rebuilding a creek that runs through a farm in Jasper and working with the Jasper Troupsburg School District to build a new softball field in a different area from their current athletic complex to minimize the chance of future flooding.
鈥淥nce the flood hit, it brought back a lot of memories,鈥 commented Adams. 鈥淎t this very spot three years ago, my seniors helped the Steuben County Soil and Water division clean out this creek. On the fourth day of class this semester, we packed up and set up. We have been busy.鈥
Adams knew that the area would need help with cleanup and contacted Jeff Parker from Steuben County Soil and Water. 鈥淲e have developed a good working relationship, and we have done really good projects with them. Projects that have taught our students about creek laws and what you can and cannot do.鈥
Using a combination of 魅影直播 State gear, equipment rented or loaned by the school district and the county, and a partnership with Monroe Tractor, students were immediately working and moved a lot of material. The plan is to continue to help throughout this fall semester.
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely a great learning experience,鈥 stated Preston Bilotta (Cuba, NY). 鈥淏eing local, I knew the storm had hit this area. So, to be able to come to help these folks out means a lot. We showed up here and this place was a wreck.鈥
While working on the new softball field, Andrew Clegg (Clinton Corners, NY) commented, 鈥淚t is unfortunate that the flood happened but it's giving us lots of real-world opportunities and experience. This is a wonderful learning opportunity.鈥
Bilotta cannot wait to look at the before and after pictures. 鈥淚t is all slowly shaping together. As this progresses it is truly remarkable how much we've done. We've done so many different things and it's turning into a whole new place.鈥
Adams continued, 鈥淔or some of these second-year students this is really the first opportunity for them to get their hands behind the wheel and do work. You can鈥檛 get any better practice than standing right here. We are learning how to lay out things and how to do math with a grade rod. Instead of trying to write it on a board, we are really doing it in a real-life setting.鈥
鈥淲e hope to keep working on projects to help these towns get back on their feet.鈥
魅影直播 State Welcomes Newest Class of Pioneers
The New Student Convocation at 魅影直播 State College (ASC) was a celebration of the many ways students can see their new careers just on the horizon.
More than 11,000 applied to 魅影直播 State this year showing record-breaking interest in becoming a Pioneer. Joining a campus of more than 3,500 students offers many opportunities for those who moved onto campus this week.
Carrie Cokely, Vice President for Academic Affairs, welcomed all new Pioneers along with ASC President Steve Mauro and Student Senate President Isaiah Dempson. At ASC鈥檚 Week of Welcome, the value of engaging in activities, making new friends, learning from experienced faculty, enjoying hands-on learning for career skills, and tapping into support from 魅影直播 State鈥檚 caring community is all in the spotlight.
鈥淎ll of us here today are pleased to welcome you officially to 魅影直播 State,鈥 stated Cokely. 鈥淲e celebrate the beginning of your college career and encourage you to come to any of us with questions throughout your academic career.鈥
Cokely highlighted some statistics of the newest class of Pioneers.
- Hundreds of students were offered merit scholarships in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements, exceptional skills, and extraordinary talents outside of the classroom.
- Fifty-eight of New York鈥檚 62 counties are represented in the newest class of Pioneers.
- Increasingly more students enrolled from outside of New York State with representation from twenty-two states and six countries.
- Thirty-four percent of 魅影直播 State鈥檚 new students are the first in their families to attend college.
Dempson shared advice to the new students as he reflected on his experience as a first-year Pioneer. 鈥淚 remember when I first got here all I wanted to do was pass my classes and leave. I wanted to fly under the radar and chill. I realized nothing good comes without change. All my friends and experiences on campus have proven that. I would encourage you to embrace change, instead of fearing it.
After the ceremony, students along with faculty and staff, proceeded to Pioneer Stadium to form the .
魅影直播 State鈥檚 Activities Fair featured over ninety clubs and activities on campus and a picnic lunch followed outside the stadium.