Achievers • Fall 2022

Nine youth from across Allegany County came to the one-day camp that provided hands-on sessions covering the basics of firefighting. Topics included emergency dispatch and county emergency services, basic external operations, interior fire operations, and pump, hose, & nozzle operations. Dennis-Howe was a presenter in the emergency dispatch and county emergency service presentation.

Histed is part of the Leadership Allegany group that put on the event. Leadership Allegany is a program that provides a dynamic learning environment where adult professionals who live, work or have vested interest in Allegany County grow their leadership abilities, create connections, and impact their communities.

“My team and I were very happy with the success of the Allegany County Junior Fireman’s Camp. A tremendous amount of work went into ensuring the event’s success and we would like to thank the contributing local businesses, local county legislators Adam Cyr and Fred Demick, presenters from the Olean Fire Department, and the Friendship Fire Department. We received a great deal of positive feedback from camp participants as well as representatives from Allegany County who have voiced their support in ensuring this event is held annually within Allegany County.”

The hope of the group is that events like this will help raise awareness of the need for firefighters and encourage youth to pursue opportunities in the future.

VIDEO: Recruiting junior firefighters is a priority for Allegany County - THE WELLSVILLE SUN

Fortune was purchased at the Alfred State Spring Fling Consignment Sale in April. The sale, organized by the ASC Cal Club, find consignors and buyers while managing the washing, clipping, marketing, and taking care of the animals before the sale. 

At the National show, Fortune was 8th out of a class of twenty-five animals. There were over 2,000 dairy animals at the show. Prior to the event in Harrisburg, Fortune was named the Junior Champion Jersey at the Steuben County Fair.

ASC Lecturer Casey Arlig-Hinz is excited about the accomplishment. “I am extremely happy that Fortune went to a good home and was raised and shown by such a capable and passionate youth as Hope.”

Whitman feels the book is an important read for business/industry, educators, government, law enforcement executives, and police chief organization leaders. “The need for this book, discussing the issue of burnout, in this format is now.”

Whitman has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement. He previously was the Police Commissioner in York, PA (2003-2010), Police Commissioner in Troy, NY (1996-2003), and the Police Chief in Hornell, NY (1975-1996). He has taught at Alfred State since 2013.

Reviews of the book have been positive.

“Burnout is a real problem that affects all law enforcement officers at some point in their careers. Mark Whitman’s book explains how burnout occurs, and he gives the reader the tools to overcome it. In addition, he delves into the concepts of empathy and compassion, two areas that modern police leaders sorely need to understand to ensure their success. I highly recommend this book to all leaders who want to fully understand burnout and learn how to effectively develop strategies to deal with it within their agencies.”Ron Camacho

“As a business professional I found this fact-filled book to be extremely well written with some very sound pragmatic solutions to navigate through stressful situations and circumstances. Also woven throughout are some great leadership tips and some insightful views on how to become a better manager and an improved awareness of how I was contributing to my own subordinates' stresses. A must read!”Joe Perzia

The 187-page book was published in September and is available on Amazon. A New Understanding of Burnout: Empowering Change Through Prevention: Cracking the code of burnout for public safety but important for you! - Kindle edition by Whitman Ph.D., Mark L.. Self-Help Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com

Presented to a college employee who has made a profound impact on students. Each fall a student advocate is honored from nominations the nominations of just first-year students.

One nominator commented that, “Sarah Claud is the most kind, understanding, and helpful teacher I have ever had. She always goes above and beyond to ensure that the students understand the material and succeed. If a student ever needs help, she will put time aside to give you one on ones to help find a personalized way of learning for each student. Her passion for their profession and relationships she builds with the students engages the class and makes us excited for learn.”

Another student noted that Claud went the extra mile, created a positive environment, and was thoughtful about everything she said.

Claud received a golden apple for all that she has done to help students during the annual New Student Convocation.

The Architectural Experience Program (AXP), administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), is a framework that guides emerging professionals through earning and reporting their professional experience. It is required for becoming an architect in New York State.

Architect Licensing Advisors are responsible for disseminating up-to-date information on AXP to students and faculty at their school. Like the AXP State Advisors, these volunteers are informed on AXP by NCARB daily and communicate with the AIA, NCARB, and with each other regularly. These individuals are also considered trusted sources of information on AXP and are funded to attend the bi-annual Licensing Advisors Summit.

Chair of the Department of Architecture and Design, William Dean, AIA, is thrilled to have Toepfer serve in this role. “Bryan will be assisting what we have already found to be an incredibly active, dynamic, and engaged group of students and faculty”. 

Professor Toepfer is excited to start the new role. “I am always looking for opportunities to help increase the number of licensed architects in our community, and this is a perfect chance to continue that work with our very talented students.” 

Professor Toepfer holds both a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor of Science degree with focus on Architectural Technology from Alfred State. He is a Registered Architect and a long-standing member of the American Institute of Architects. In addition, Professor Toepfer is certified by NCARB and by the Project Management Institute as a Certified Associate in Project Management.

Mark Bloxsom, newly appointed Business Department chair and associate professor, recently earned his PhD in economics from the University of California Irvine.

Recently retired Associate Professor Dianne Clark has been awarded emeritus faculty status.

Francine Staba, a versatile associate professor in the department, has been named the interim associate dean of students and faculty development.

Current Business Department chair and Assistant Professor Susan Gorman is excited for her colleagues. “We are honored to present the achievements of these outstanding business department faculty. They have been prominent members of our division providing excellence in teaching modality, student advising, instructional design, and leadership both in-and-out of the classroom.”

The business department offers 10 programs for students desiring immediate employment, wishing to pursue a two or four-year degree, or looking to continue with graduate studies. Students gain hands-on experience that pays off for graduates entering the working world.

“The number of students graduating high school was decreasing even before the impact of COVID,” said ASC Chief Marketing Officer and Adjunct Faculty Russ Nunley. “This perfect storm of challenges means that college executives must become more innovative and responsive to what students and parents are seeking. Participants at the RNL conference know this could be an existential threat to their institutions.”

Nunley shared his marketing knowledge and assessment of current enrollment management challenges at the RNL executive gathering in Washington DC. His presentation asked the question "Is Higher Ed Dying or Dynamic? Changes in Student Perceptions of ROI."

He cited multiple studies that show how families considering college are increasingly worried about affordability and if the school will provide needed career skills to land great jobs or to become an entrepreneur. Recently many private universities and regional colleges have seen declines in enrollment, but Nunley's work is to go against that trend.

His advice is to tailor both external advertising and internal communications so that all can see a positive value proposition and believe in their purpose. Nunley says families respond best to messages about lower costs to attend and higher future salaries thanks to student skills that match in-demand jobs.

This lesson matches what he instructs students about marketing and communication best practices. Nunley has 20 years of real-world communication experience before he entered higher education. He notes that his time in class helps him stay in touch with his target audience which is important as attracting students has become increasingly competitive. 

Russ Nunley Biography

Blake has been a leader within the Association for Court Reporting and Captioning (NCRA) and is the chair of the Counsel of Approved Student Education (CASE). She was interviewed regarding her role with CASE and the future of the committee.

Full Interview

The CASE committee is responsible for the certification and development of court reporter student training and education programs nationwide.

The JCR is the premier publication of the court reporting industry and has featured Alfred State faulty, including Professor Blake, several times in the past.

Burr, owner of Burr Consulting, is the author of two books “Slay the Student Loan Dragon: Tips and Tricks on How to Conquer the Student Loan Game” and “$74,000 in 24 Months: How I killed my student loans (and you can too!).”

"The problem we've seen in the last 20 years or so is the layers of paperwork, or people applying for the program when it would be the wrong one and having to restart. The changes proposed are going to help streamline that process, make sure people get approved and make it easier for people in these nonprofits to get their loans wiped out if they do meet the 10-year minimum payment."

Full Interview