SUNY Oneonta

Hadley Chan has always loved astronomy. In their childhood bedroom, they had a big poster showing the moon landing, and their bookshelves were filled with encyclopedias about space. Studying physics and observational astronomy at SUNY Oneonta a decade later, Hadley is shooting for the stars.

Growing up in Maryland with parents who loved country music, Music Industry major Gideon Dean became a fan of the genre at an early age and soon began dreaming of a career in country radio. As one of just 41 college students from across the country selected for a yearlong mentorship program offered by the Country Music Association (CMA), he is one step closer to that goal.

Describe Oneonta in one word? That’s easy, according to senior Sociology and Africana & Latinx Studies major Aolat Salami: “Community.” Here’s why…

One of the biggest lessons senior Luke Mock has learned in college is that being successful in the music industry is all about who you know and how those people know you. SUNY Oneonta has been the perfect fit for him because of the connections he’s been able to make.

As both a transfer and a first-generation student, Maddie Nedell faced challenges in transitioning to college and completing her degree, If that wasn’t enough to overcome, Nedell also lost a loved one shortly after transferring to SUNY Oneonta.

As a Digital and Studio Art major with a passion for graphic design, Kelsey Etienne’s involvement on campus goes far beyond simply showing up for class and club meetings. During her time at Oneonta, she has completed rebrands for every club and organization she’s a part of, designing new logos and visual identifiers and putting into practice the skills she’s learning in the classroom.

Growing up in Oneonta with a mother who worked as a nurse and a father who loved exploring the wilderness, Amy Shultis knew early on that she wanted a career helping people and the environment. After taking three sustainability-focused, faculty-led trips to Guatemala, Japan and New Orleans while a student at SUNY Oneonta, she realized she could pursue both passions with a career as an environmental scientist.

There isn’t much on campus that senior Business Economics and Marketing major Bobby Lang isn’t involved in, from research to clubs to volunteer work. With tons of real-world, hands-on experiences under his belt, he’s getting ready to tackle his biggest dream yet: becoming a marketer in the world of sports.

Senior Meghan Field was a young girl when Hurricane Sandy hit, inspiring her dream of becoming a broadcast meteorologist. Thanks to the hands-on learning she’s had as a meteorology major at SUNY Oneonta, she’s well on her way to that dream.

Following his passion for photography, August Heminway completed a photo documentary project titled “A Rural Devotion” as part of an independent study at SUNY Oneonta.

Before even graduating from college, SUNY Oneonta senior Adrianna Newell got an opportunity many aspiring photographers can only dream of. In April 2022, a photo editor from The New York Times came across her work and emailed her to offer a freelance assignment photographing Danny Roberts from MTV’s “The Real World.” She said, “Yes!” and has since completed eight additional assignments for The Times.

From the age of 14, Ali Szymanski knew she wanted to become a physical therapist and help people. At SUNY Oneonta, she gained the knowledge she needed to prepare for that dream, and now she’s living it. Meet Alexandra Szymanski, PT, DPT, SUNY Oneonta Class of 2018.