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Federal funding renewed for Utica University student-support services program
UTICA, N.Y. — Utica University on Wednesday said the U.S. Department of Education has renewed funding for the school’s TRIO student-support services program for another

Barclay Damon expands New York City office inside Rockefeller Center
NEW YORK CITY — Syracuse–based law firm Barclay Damon LLP announced it has relocated its New York City office within Rockefeller Center to a newly

MVCC names Beilein head coach of men’s basketball team
UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) on Tuesday said it has hired Patrick Beilein as the head coach for its men’s basketball team,

Berkshire Bank Foundation invests nearly $400,000 in local nonprofits during Q2
Berkshire Bank Foundation says it invested nearly $400,000 in communities through grants and other giving in the second quarter of the year. Several Central New York organizations were among the 100 nonprofit organizations in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont that the foundation invested in from April to June. Berkshire Bank Foundation is
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Berkshire Bank Foundation says it invested nearly $400,000 in communities through grants and other giving in the second quarter of the year.
Several Central New York organizations were among the 100 nonprofit organizations in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont that the foundation invested in from April to June.
Berkshire Bank Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Berkshire Bank, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), which is headquartered in Boston.
Recipient organizations include Crouse Health Foundation Inc. of Syracuse; Resource Center for Independent Living Inc. of Utica; Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Inc. in Utica; Contact Community Services Inc. of DeWitt; Home Headquarters Inc. of Syracuse; and Rome Art and Community Center in Rome.
“We’re committed to building a future where every community has the tools it needs to thrive,” Lori Kiely, managing director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation, said in the announcement. “These investments reflect our belief in the power of local nonprofits to drive meaningful, lasting change.”
About Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bank says it works with customers and clients in New England and New York. It operates 83 branches, including eight in Central New York. They include locations in Utica; two in Rome; two in New Hartford; along with Whitesboro, West Winfield, and Ilion. Berkshire Bank provides services through its commercial banking, retail banking, consumer lending, private banking, and wealth-management divisions.

Bryant & Stratton formally opens new high-tech nursing lab at Liverpool location
CLAY, N.Y. — Bryant & Stratton College on Friday morning formally opened its new nursing lab at its Liverpool location at 7805 Oswego Road in

Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council names new director
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) has appointed Tom Knipe as its new director, beginning in September, the organization announced. Knipe brings an array of experience in transportation, planning, economic development, program management, and government administration from previous roles as deputy director of economic development for the City of Ithaca and
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ITHACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) has appointed Tom Knipe as its new director, beginning in September, the organization announced.
Knipe brings an array of experience in transportation, planning, economic development, program management, and government administration from previous roles as deputy director of economic development for the City of Ithaca and director of the Tompkins County Tourism Program.
He has played a key role in many local projects and organizations such as the recent establishment of the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center and Shared Kitchen Ithaca. Knipe also authored the Ithaca Bicycle Boulevard Plan and Tompkins County Priority Trails Strategy. He also worked for 11 years in the bicycle-transportation field in Portland, Oregon and is co-founder of Bike Walk Tompkins.
“Tom is a creative leader with strong interpersonal, administrative, and planning skills,” ITCTC Policy Committee Chair Rod Howe said in the announcement. “His knowledge of and commitment to Ithaca and Tompkins County will be a tremendous asset. The ITCTC is excited to welcome him as our next director.”
Knipe replaces Fernando de Aragón, who is retiring after more than 27 years with the ITCTC. Under his leadership, the ITCTC successfully attracted funding for transportation infrastructure and programming for Tompkins County communities. He was a key participant in many initiatives including development of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail and the formation of Ithaca Carshare, per the announcement.
The ITCTC is Tompkins County’s metropolitan planning organization charged with facilitating countywide transportation planning.

TC3 among schools getting ready for SUNY Reconnect program for adult learners
DRYDEN, N.Y. — Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) in Dryden is among the SUNY schools preparing for the new SUNY Connect initiative. Under Gov. Kathy

Local group 9 Fresh buys Cazenovia College campus
CAZENOVIA, N.Y. — A group of local investors that calls itself 9 Fresh says it has purchased the former Cazenovia College campus, which shuttered on

SUNY Poly names new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute has named Babak Elahi as its new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 17. Elahi most recently served as dean of the College of Sciences and Liberal Arts at Kettering University. He has also held leadership positions at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), including associate
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MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute has named Babak Elahi as its new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 17.
Elahi most recently served as dean of the College of Sciences and Liberal Arts at Kettering University. He has also held leadership positions at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), including associate dean and head of liberal arts.
“Dr. Elahi’s leadership arrives at a pivotal time for SUNY Poly, as we continue advancing our mission to offer a distinctive STEM education that prepares students for the 21st century and beyond,” SUNY poly President Winston Soboyejo said in an announcement. “His deep understanding of interdisciplinary scholarship and inclusive academic environments will further elevate SUNY Poly as a welcoming, research-driven institution committed to addressing society’s grand challenges and improving lives in the Mohawk Valley and across the globe.”
Elahi earned his Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Rochester and has taught courses spanning literature, media studies, communication, ethics, and leadership. He is the author of “The Fabric of American Literary Realism” and has published widely on topics ranging from American realism to Iranian diaspora media and storytelling.
“Returning to upstate New York and joining the SUNY Poly community feels very much like a homecoming,” Elahi said. “I’m honored to help shape the future of the College of Arts and Sciences at such a dynamic and forward-looking institution. I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, and students to foster a rich culture of collaboration and innovation.”
SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s colleges also include businesses, engineering, and health sciences.

Airports across the Upstate region to use federal funding for projects, replace equipment
Airports serving Oswego County, Ithaca, the Binghamton area, and areas of the North Country are among 16 facilities awarded a total of more than $21
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