When Shakeil Thomas reflects on her journey, it didn’t begin with a perfectly mapped-out plan. It began with a moment. Working as a Patient Access Representative in a busy emergency room, she was often the first point of contact for patients. Every day, she handled critical patient information, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, something shifted. She saw …
Fatimah Alfarhood ’26 has never been afraid to explore, pivot, and ultimately find her path. A psychology major at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, her journey reflects both personal determination and the power of a supportive academic community, one that has helped her shape a clear vision for her future in optometry. As a first-generation Collegiate Science …
Read more “A Vision Through Her Lens: Fatimah Alfarhood ’26’s Path from Psychology to Optometry”
When John Nunez began his academic journey, he didn’t start in healthcare, he started in actuarial science. Drawn to data, analysis, and problem-solving, it seemed like a natural fit. But over time, John realized something was missing: a connection to people and a sense of purpose behind the numbers. As John explored new paths, he found himself …
Read more “From Numbers to Impact: How John Nunez Found His Path in Health Informatics”
John Pertell ’26 isn’t just earning a master’s degree in computer science—he’s doing it in just four years. A native of Northville, New York, a small town on Great Sacandaga Lake, Pertell took an accelerated path from the start. Through early admission, he completed his senior year of high school at Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FMCC), …
Justin Osmond, a senior in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) program at SUNY Poly, has shaped his college experience around a clear priority: building a strong foundation for a career in engineering through hands-on learning, research, and real-world application. Originally from Boonsboro, Maryland, Justin came to SUNY Poly with a dual interest in academics …
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As a full-time Information Design & Technology (IDT) graduate student, Carly Pimpinella is building the technical and design foundation to match the creative work she already does every day at SUNY Poly. In her role as Enrollment Communications & Marketing Specialist, Carly helps shape the journey of undergraduate, graduate, and international students—from the moment they …
Alexander Golovchik found his passion in the intensity of critical care, where complex cases, quick decisions, and compassionate communication all converge. As a senior in SUNY Poly’s 1+2+1 nursing program, he has spent the past four years building the knowledge, confidence, and clinical skill required to be exactly that. Alexander’s academic foundation began with the …
When Lisha Hassan Vasudev was growing up in India, she was drawn to mathematics for its clarity and logic. That passion has followed her through every phase of her education, culminating in her current journey as a graduate student in SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Data Science and Analytics (MS) program. What began as a love for …
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Jessi Jaramillo’s career has taken more turns than the average mountain bike trail, a fitting metaphor for someone who tackles both challenges with the same determination and quick learning. Originally from Brooklyn, Jessi moved upstate as a teenager and studied political science at SUNY Binghamton. She minored in Latin American studies, drawn by an interest …
For Karina Shanne, nursing has always been more than just a profession. It has been a lifelong journey of learning, teaching, and service. After earning her Associate degree from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in 2012 and her BSN from Utica University in 2014, she went on to practice as a bedside nurse. But it …
From Goshen, New York to Abu Dhabi, and from the soccer field to the research lab, Ryan Primus has charted an extraordinary path during his time at SUNY Poly. A student in the 4+1 BS/MS computer science program, Ryan is one of two SUNY Poly students selected to receive this year’s prestigious Chancellor’s Award for …
Standing at the counter of a Donovan Hall Bio Lab, Amna Khan eagerly waits for faculty mentor Dr. Margarita Orlova to prepare a field-realistic pesticide solution to document its effects on pollinator cognition and health. Khan is one of three students doing separate bee-related projects with Dr. Orlova as part of SUNY Poly’s 10-week Summer …
Read more “Record number of SURP students delve into the world of research”