{"id":2423,"date":"2025-12-04T09:19:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T14:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/?p=2423"},"modified":"2025-12-04T09:19:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T14:19:47","slug":"anthony-roach-18-from-mvcc-to-suny-poly-to-nysdot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/anthony-roach-18-from-mvcc-to-suny-poly-to-nysdot\/","title":{"rendered":"Anthony Roach \u201918: From MVCC to SUNY Poly to NYSDOT"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

You may not know his name, but if you\u2019ve traveled through Central New York, you\u2019ve likely experienced the impact of Anthony Roach\u2019s work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Anthony\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Roach\r\n
Anthony Roach (at right) in the field with colleagues.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Building a Strong Foundation at MVCC<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cMVCC taught me there was more to life than high school and how refreshing that was,\u201d Roach said. Being close to home while gaining \u201ca new sense of responsibility and freedom\u201d helped shape his transition into college life. He also recalls the expectations set by professors as a defining part of his early college experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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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. \u201cTransitioning to SUNY Poly from MVCC felt like an even easier process than initially applying to colleges,\u201d he said.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Roach\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cThe breadth of courses provided at both institutions was invaluable,\u201d 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Roach\r\n
Roach giving a presentation about transportation management.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Serving the Region at NYSDOT<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Roach now serves as a Senior Transportation Analyst at NYSDOT within the Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Unit. His roles include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n