You may not know his name, but if you’ve traveled through Central New York, you’ve likely experienced the impact of Anthony Roach’s work.
Anthony’s path to a fulfilling career in transportation began in the Mohawk Valley through a route many local students know well: starting at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) and transferring to SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) to complete his degree. Today, Roach is putting that education to work at the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), helping deliver safe and reliable travel across Region 2.
Building a Strong Foundation at MVCC
Roach earned his Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology from MVCC in 2016, an applied sciences program that gave him both technical preparation and personal growth.
“MVCC taught me there was more to life than high school and how refreshing that was,” Roach said. Being close to home while gaining “a new sense of responsibility and freedom” helped shape his transition into college life. He also recalls the expectations set by professors as a defining part of his early college experience.
He credits MVCC advisor Margaret Reilly with helping him see his future more clearly. Reilly, he said, was essential in showing him his options and helping him recognize his own potential.
After MVCC, Roach transferred into the Civil Engineering Technology program at SUNY Poly, graduating in 2018. He describes the move as smooth and student-focused. “Transitioning to SUNY Poly from MVCC felt like an even easier process than initially applying to colleges,” he said.
Continuing at SUNY Poly also supported two goals he cared about: minimizing student debt and graduating prepared for a purposeful career in civil and transportation engineering.
Roach’s education translated quickly into professional momentum. He passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Civil exam just two weeks after graduating from SUNY Poly, which he attributes to the strong curriculum across both institutions.
“The breadth of courses provided at both institutions was invaluable,” he said, adding that it helped expand his worldview and keep an open mind. Both MVCC and SUNY Poly also developed the skills he relies on daily, including meeting aggressive deadlines, producing high-quality work, and communicating effectively with professors and peers. While group projects were not common, he says the ones he did complete showed how challenging collaboration can be, and how necessary it is in professional practice.
Serving the Region at NYSDOT
Roach now serves as a Senior Transportation Analyst at NYSDOT within the Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Unit. His roles include:
- Mohawk Valley Transportation Management Center (MVTMC) Manager
- Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Coordinator
- Surface Transportation Controller (STC)
The TSMO Unit combines technology, strong partner communication, and a Driver’s First policy to preserve roadway capacity and improve the security, safety, and reliability of the transportation network across Region 2, including Madison, Oneida, Herkimer, Hamilton, Fulton, and Montgomery counties.
“One of NYSDOT’s core objectives is to operate the existing transportation network efficiently while providing travelers with safe and reliable travel conditions,” Roach said. “Our unit strives to do exactly that.”
Roach hopes to give back to MVCC and SUNY Poly as NYSDOT’s partnership with both institutions continues to grow.
“My team’s work directly impacts tens of thousands of transportation users every single day,” he said. “MVCC and SUNY Poly have certainly helped me find and obtain this fulfilling career.”
