SUNY Poly names AVP for marketing and communications

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MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) has hired Erin Bushinger as its new assistant vice president (AVP) for marketing and communications. A SUNY Poly graduate, Bushinger brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic marketing, communications, and brand development to the role. Bushinger most recently worked as VP of marketing at Standard […]

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MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) has hired Erin Bushinger as its new assistant vice president (AVP) for marketing and communications.

A SUNY Poly graduate, Bushinger brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic marketing, communications, and brand development to the role.

Bushinger most recently worked as VP of marketing at Standard Heating, Cooling & Insulating, where she directed and executed all marketing strategies, according to a SUNY Poly announcement. Prior to that, she spent seven years at Assured Information Security (AIS), where she built the company’s Marketing and Communications Department from the ground up, expanding its reach and enhancing its reputation in the cybersecurity industry. Bushinger’s career also includes nearly a decade at Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS), where she led media relations, major marketing campaigns, and strategic communication initiatives.

In her new position at SUNY Poly, Bushinger will oversee its institutional branding, communications, marketing, and public relations, managing the Office of Marketing and Communications and serving as the university’s spokesperson. She will also guide the creation and implementation of an integrated marketing plan that elevates SUNY Poly’s profile, supports enrollment and engagement, and strengthens connections with students, alumni, and the community.

Bushinger is in her fourth term on the board of directors for the United Way of the Mohawk Valley, serves on its Marketing Committee, and is a graduate of the Leadership Mohawk Valley civic-leadership development program. She is also a recipient of the Central New York Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty Award.

“I’m honored to return to my alma mater in this role and contribute to an institution that has had a profound impact on my life and career,” Bushinger said in the SUNY Poly announcement. “By working collaboratively across departments, we will develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that tells SUNY Poly’s story of innovation, excellence, and societal impact.”

Bushinger holds a master’s degree in information design and technology from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

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Community Foundation adopts new investment-management model

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UTICA, N.Y. — The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has implemented a new investment-management model, naming longtime consultant Crewcial Partners as its outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO). Based in New York City, Crewcial has worked with the Community Foundation for several decades, per a recent foundation announcement. The expanded partnership marks a new

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Based in New York City, Crewcial has worked with the Community Foundation for several decades, per a recent foundation announcement. The expanded partnership marks a new phase in managing and growing the Community Foundation’s charitable assets, the Utica–based nonprofit said.

This strategic move reflects the foundation’s “ongoing commitment” to long-term sustainability and sound financial stewardship of its more than $220 million investment portfolio.

For 30 years, Crewcial has worked with the Community Foundation and its investment advisory group (IAG), providing strategic investment guidance and oversight. Under the previous structure, investment decisions required approval from the Community Foundation’s board of trustees. Now, as the designated OCIO, Crewcial will take on full discretionary authority over key investment decisions — including ownership of investment-manager selection, replacement, and portfolio management.

To ensure the best fit for this expanded role, the Community Foundation conducted a request-for-proposal process and spoke with multiple investment firms, per its announcement. Following a “thorough evaluation” by the IAG and Community Foundation leadership, the board of trustees unanimously approved Crewcial as the selected partner.

“In the interest of our donors and the agencies we support, the Community Foundation conducted an exhaustive search to identify the best partner to guide us through a rapidly evolving investment landscape,” Robert Bojanek, chair of the Community Foundation’s investment advisory group, said. “We are confident that selecting Crewcial and adopting their OCIO model will strengthen our ability to generate the returns needed to sustain and grow our impact. The OCIO approach provides us with the ability to respond quickly to market changes, helping to safeguard and grow the resources entrusted to us. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with Crewcial in this next chapter.”

“We’re honored to continue our decades-long partnership with the Community Foundation in our new capacity as OCIO,” Mike Miller, chief investment officer of Crewcial Partners, said in the Community Foundation announcement. “Our deep familiarity with their mission, values, and long-term goals allows us to act with both speed and conviction in navigating today’s ever-evolving investment landscape to help ensure they can sustain their impact, grow with intention, and operate effectively for generations to come.”

The transition to an OCIO model will allow Community Foundation staff and the IAG to “concentrate more fully” on strategic priorities, core operations, and philanthropic growth, the foundation contends.

However, the advantages of this partnership extend beyond just internal capacity, the Community Foundation notes.

The Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Agency Funds provide local charitable organizations with investment and gift-administration services. Through this new OCIO partnership, organizations that establish an Agency Fund will also benefit from the same investment expertise and oversight.

“It is our responsibility to steward our community’s assets both now and for years to come,” Erika Eastman, chief financial officer of the Community Foundation, said. “This new model supports our mission and future, and we feel confident that with Crewcial’s deep knowledge of our organization and proven expertise that we are set up for great success.”

WCNY training program uses $490K from CNY Community Foundation program

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Central New York Community Foundation announced that it has a local impact-investing program that has closed on a $490,000 deal for WCNY’s Entertainment Academy until funding from a state-grant contract is fulfilled. This project is receiving funding from a certificate of deposit (CD) that the Community Foundation has established in partnership

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This project is receiving funding from a certificate of deposit (CD) that the Community Foundation has established in partnership with Pathfinder Bank.

WCNY — Central New York’s public-communications organization — is located at 415 W. Fayette St. in Syracuse.

WCNY’s Entertainment Academy is a 28-week, workforce-development training program. This new agreement will allow WCNY to host the training program while awaiting reimbursement from Empire State Development. The course teaches 25-to-39-year-olds from underserved neighborhoods the skills needed to work in the television and film trades.

The program is comprised of 14-week sessions, during which up to 40 students learn skills in shopcraft, gaffer, and grip work as well as the operation of aerial lifts. Those involved can apply those skills to higher paying film production and warehouse jobs. WCNY says most of the previous participants who started the training while on public assistance have since been able to reduce or fully eliminate their assistance within a month of completing the program.

“We are grateful for the partnership with the Central New York Community Foundation, Pathfinder Bank and the New York State Economic Development Corporation,” Carol Opee-Stelios, VP of human resources and workforce development at WCNY, said in the Community Foundation announcement. “This type of community coalition is instrumental in allowing WCNY to train talented and committed people for jobs in our region’s growing television and film production industry.”

Through its impact-investing program, the Community Foundation forms similar agreements for the benefit of nonprofit organizations and unincorporated organizations working with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor that seek larger amounts of support than its nonprofit bridge-loan program can provide. The Community Foundation is responsible for intake and preliminary due-diligence review. Applications that meet the Community Foundation’s internal standards could be eligible to receive a lower interest rate from a local bank over the duration of a CD term, the Community Foundation said.

The bridge loan and CD line of credit programs are designed to help nonprofit organizations continue essential community services while awaiting the receipt of approved grant funding. It is common for government agencies and other funders to require awardees to draw down funds on a reimbursement basis, often taking several months to process reimbursements.

“It is not uncommon for Central New York nonprofits to wait several months to receive grant payments, forcing them to alter services or find other stop-gap measures,” Frank Ridzi, VP of community investment at the Community Foundation, said. “The vital work of local community organizations is our top priority, so by providing flexible support through this loan fund, we hope to help ensure their services continue.”

This investment marks a total of more than $6.5 million now advancing housing, business development, and lending through the Community Foundation’s local impact-investing program. Impact investing allows the organization to use its financial resources to make investments that generate both financial returns and positive social outcomes. In 2023, the foundation’s board of directors approved a policy that allows the use of up to 5 percent of its main investment pool for the purpose of impact investment.

Syracuse University chancellor to depart next June

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The current academic year at Syracuse University will be the last for Chancellor Kent Syverud. He plans to step down as chancellor and president in June 2026, after more than 12 years in the job. Saying the decision comes “after much reflection,” Syverud, who turns age 69 in October, announced his decision

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The current academic year at Syracuse University will be the last for Chancellor Kent Syverud.

He plans to step down as chancellor and president in June 2026, after more than 12 years in the job.

Saying the decision comes “after much reflection,” Syverud, who turns age 69 in October, announced his decision to students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and friends in a letter posted Tuesday, Aug. 26, on the school’s news website.

The Syracuse University board of trustees in December 2022 had announced it had extended the Syverud’s contract to 2026. His departure coincides with the expiration of that contract.

Syverud, who grew up in Irondequoit, wrote, “Serving this University has been the greatest privilege of my career.” He has been Syracuse chancellor since January 2014, when he formally took office, succeeding Nancy Cantor.

In the letter, he noted the project work on the Syracuse campus during his time as chancellor. That included the National Veterans Resource Center, the Barnes Center at The Arch, along with the renovated JMA Wireless Dome and renovated Schine Student Center. “You have transformed our campus into a more dynamic and vibrant living and learning environment,” he said to the university community.

As the letter continued, Syverud said, “Applications and enrollment have reached record levels. And together, we have confronted one of the most disruptive decades in the history of higher education, including navigating a once-in-a-century global pandemic that required more of our people than ever before. I marvel at the extraordinary talent of our Orange community. And you’ve done all this while putting the University in strong financial shape, with truly balanced budgets and record fundraising.”

He also thanked the Syracuse University board of trustees for the faith it placed in him in selecting Syverud as the school’s 12th chancellor and president in September 2013.

Syverud ended the letter, saying, “Although our time in leadership will end next June, [my wife] Ruth [Chen] and I will always be part of this extraordinary Orange community. We will remain Forever Orange.”

Binghamton University’s new president to start in November

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VESTAL, N.Y. — Binghamton University has its next president following an Aug. 19 vote by the SUNY board of trustees. The system selected Anne D’Alleva as Binghamton’s eighth president. D’Alleva, currently the provost and executive VP for academic affairs at the University of Connecticut (UConn), is scheduled to begin her duties in Vestal on Nov.

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VESTAL, N.Y. — Binghamton University has its next president following an Aug. 19 vote by the SUNY board of trustees.

The system selected Anne D’Alleva as Binghamton’s eighth president. D’Alleva, currently the provost and executive VP for academic affairs at the University of Connecticut (UConn), is scheduled to begin her duties in Vestal on Nov. 1, Binghamton University said in its announcement.

She will succeed Harvey Stenger in the president’s role.

`”I am deeply honored to accept the position of president of Binghamton University and to join the distinguished SUNY system,” D’Alleva said in the announcement. “Binghamton has a remarkable tradition of academic excellence, research innovation and community engagement, and I am inspired by the dedication of its faculty, staff and students. I look forward to working collaboratively with campus and community partners to build research strength, expand opportunities for students, enhance alumni involvement and advance the University’s impact in New York, the nation and the world.”

D’Alleva is described as an accomplished academic leader who has focused on advancing student success. She has also been involved in multidisciplinary and collaborative efforts to expand UConn’s work in AI (artificial intelligence) and quantum technologies, partner with the state’s tribal nations, and expand academic offerings at the university’s four regional campuses.

D’Alleva has led UConn’s academic enterprise, including strategic planning, budgetary management, faculty development, and curriculum innovation across the university’s 14 schools and colleges. She also leads initiatives that support student success, faculty excellence, and institutional impact, per the Binghamton announcement.

“I want to offer my heartiest congratulations to Anne D’Alleva on being selected as Binghamton University’s next president,” Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said. “She brings with her a reputation as a multidisciplinary collaborator in research and scholarship, a leader in expanding and enhancing Connecticut’s facilities, and an administrator who has developed innovative solutions to support student success. I wish Anne the best in her time as Binghamton president, and I look forward to many future successes for the University, its people and the local community.”

The first woman to serve as provost in UConn’s history, D’Alleva had previously served as dean of the School of Fine Arts since 2015 and first joined the UConn faculty as a joint appointment to art history and women’s, gender and sexuality studies in 1999. She received her bachelor’s degree in art history from Harvard University and her master’s and doctorate degrees in art history from Columbia University with a graduate certificate in feminist theory.

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