Alfred State Architecture students win modular student housing challenge
Alfred State College (ASC) Architecture students Abigail Jones (Pittsford), Jack Christie (Geneseo), and Mason Miller (Fairport) earned first prize honors in a modular student housing challenge sponsored by Razak Associates.
Students in Design Studio I worked individually to design a modular student-housing complex for 100 students with a maximum of 30,000 square feet on the Alfred State campus. This was students’ first exposure to modular housing and working within tight design constraints.
Students had to consider a multitude of options for the project: site design, amenities such as dorms, bathrooms, laundry and kitchens, residential services, in addition to designing a building that was attractive and accessible to all users. Students used their experience living in on-campus housing, translated that experience, and identified needs into a workable building plan. The winning students submitted work that conformed to the basics of modularity and requirements of student housing but incorporated elements of their own style and precedent studies.
To prepare for the challenge, students visited a modular construction site at Signature Building Systems of Pennsylvania in Moosic, PA to understand the intricacies of modular housing.
Architecture professors, Alan Vlakancic, Matthew DiRado, and Bryan Toepfer were pleased with the results of this hands-on, project-based challenge. “The students’ understanding of the difficulties and unique solution to the problem provided an insight into student needs while conforming to the requirements that the college and the State University of New York necessitates. The utilization of circulation, codes and modularity coupled with unique materiality and programmatic choices from all of the entrants is advanced for this level and impressed the jury.”
Razak Associates President Mohamed Razak was proud to support the competition and excited to see the continued growth of the program. “We would like to congratulate Abby, Jack, and Mason on their first-place designs for a modular student residence hall. We look forward to seeing what these students and future Alfred State graduates brings to the field of architecture.”
Alfred State hosts DECA competition
The Alfred State College (ASC) business department welcomed high school students from five local schools as they hosted the Regional DECA competition.
DECA, Distributive Education Club of America, is an international marketing organization that helps students develop skills for successful business careers, build self-esteem, learn leadership skills and practice community service. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. There are more than 5,000 chapters worldwide.
Business Department Chair Susan Gorman is thrilled to have this event on campus. “This partnership provides an opportunity for both educational institutions at the secondary and higher education levels to learn from each other about applied, hands-on activities that will engage the next generation of student learners.”
Each student receives a business situation and has ten minutes to prepare a presentation. After their preparation time, students present their ideas to a judge and receive a score for their presentation.
Awards are given to the top scoring students overall and in each school district. Top finishers advanced to the state competition in March in Rochester.
Alfred State business department professors Mark Bloxsom and Joe Bailey joined Gorman as judges along with various local business and school leaders.
Alfred State students in Sorrento meet with USA Consul
The 19 Alfred State College (ASC) studying at Sant’ Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy had the opportunity to meet with Consul Karen Schinnerer, Press and Culture Secretary, at the USA Consulate in Naples recently.
Eighteen architecture students and one business student are part of the 100 international students that are spending the spring semester at the Sant’ Anna Institute. ASC professor William Dean, the chair of the architecture program, is also taking part in the study abroad program.
Consul Schinnerer said, “This kind of experience changed my life, when I was a university student: it opened the world to me. Probably at some point, it led me to the career that I chose. I think it is incredible that you have made this choice, it’s important and I hope that your experience is just as impactful on your life as it was on mine.”
“Like myself, each of you is an ambassador! You’re an American in a foreign country representing your culture, your experiences and you’re able to share them, not only with your fellow Americans ,with the Italians you meet every day in your life and through your travels and other experiences. Like myself, you are building relationships and expanding the relationships between Americans and Italians. At the end of the day that is what diplomacy is about!”
Alec Harrigan, an ASC student on the trip sees the chance to study abroad as an once-in-a-lifetime experience. "I have stepped out of my comfort zone through immersion in a foreign culture. While listening to US Consul Karen Schinnerer and Sorrento Mayor Massimo Coppola speak, I was drawn to the similarities between the US and Italy and the importance of maintaining a close friendship. I was happily surprised to hear how much of an impact I can make as an American student in Italy and as an informal ambassador for both Alfred State College and the US. I am looking forward to embracing this role further and developing connections internationally."
The President of Sant'Anna Institute Cristiana Panicco said, “The past two years have been challenging, but we are pleased with the large number of students we have received and those that we are expecting for future terms. Thanks to the Consul of Naples and the Mayor of Sorrento for being here. Their attendance today confirms their support to Sant’Anna and its efforts to create an international University.”
Alfred State, MVCC, SU, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and National Electrical Contractors Association partner to provide education pathway for Local 43 members
Alfred State College (ASC), Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC), Syracuse University, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 43, and the National Electrical Contractor Association (NECA), have joined forces to build an education pathway for IBEW Local 43 members.
The partnership provides apprentices in the NECA/IBEW Local 43’s five-year training program with a MVCC Electrical Service Technician AOS degree at no cost and an opportunity to earn a Project Management Certificate from Syracuse University, as well as a pathway to transfer seamlessly into Alfred State College’s bachelor’s degree program in Business Administration: Technology Management — a fully online degree that is highly accessible for working adults.
By leveraging preexisting agreements that Alfred State has with MBA programs around the state, including one with Syracuse University, the pathway for the IBEW population extends through a professional degree.
MVCC President Dr. Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D.; Alfred State College President Steven Mauro, Ph.D.; Dean, College of Professional Studies from Syracuse University Michael J. Frasciello, Ph.D.; IBEW Local 43 Business Manager/Financial Secretary Alan Marzullo; and NECA President James Engler made the joint announcement on April 8.
Alfred State’s President Mauro said, “Alfred State College is proud to partner with IBEW, MVCC, and Syracuse University to strengthen our long history of working with unions to create non-traditional pathways for career advances in the skilled trades. As advances in technology continue, skilled tradespeople will require greater competencies. It is partnerships like this that will provide advanced training for our electrical technicians who wish to gain a workforce advantage and become managers and leaders in their trade. We look forward to continuing our tradition of providing local and regional industry with workforce-ready graduates.”
MVCC President VanWagoner said, “Our coalition of diverse partners has constructed a first of its kind, non-redundant, coherent pathway for highly skilled electrical workers to advance along the project management career ladder that fundamentally relies on a noncredit-to-credit pathway breaking the traditional mold of higher education and acting as an exemplar model, ripe to replicate.”
SU Dean Frasciello said, “Our partnership with MVCC, Alfred State, and the IBEW is the first of many collaborations that provide talented students with the opportunity to advance their careers while shaping the future of the electrical trades and the industries they serve. This partnership focuses three of the region’s leading academic institutions on developing the next generation of future-ready electrical trades professionals.”
IBEW’s Marzullo said, “This complex but highly synergistic partnership will enable IBEW Local 43 to further enhance the welfare of our members while maintaining perfect alignment to our steadfast commitment of providing the highest quality of skilled electricians to our contractors. We have long provided college-level learning to our apprentices and we are thrilled that our college partners have identified a mechanism to recognize this. There is now great congruity between organized labor training and higher education and it is for the betterment of all.”
Construction Supervision program highlighted in Building the Southern Tier publication
Alfred State College’s (ASC) construction supervision program is highlighted in the latest edition of the Building the Southern Tier, the official publication of the Builders Exchange of the Southern Tier.
The article features insight on the BTech program from civil engineering technology chair Erin Vitale, civil engineering technology professor Tim Piotrowski, and 2022 construction supervision graduate Tim Wright.
The demand for graduates in this field is high according to Piotrowski “Most of our students already have four or five job offers. I just had a student come to me with job offers both around $60,000 with benefits.”
Six ASC students participate in Appalachian Teaching Project Symposium
Six Alfred State College (ASC) architecture students participated in the 21st annual Appalachian Teaching Project (ATP) Symposium, a regional economic development conference sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). ASC is one of 16 Appalachian Colleges and Universities that participated in this year’s project.
The team of Nicholas Crego (Spencerport), Kaitlin Girard (Ontario), Alan Espinosa Lopez (Millbrook), Vincent Orologio (Rochester), Craig Salzman (Binghamton), and Alicia Scroger (Batavia) presented Leveraging Historic Transportation Networks to Promote Heritage Tourism and Community Connectivity: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Allegany County, New York. The presentation was the culmination of a seven-week project that involved three architecture studios completing visualization studies for the communities of Belmont, Belfast and Fillmore.
To prepare for the ATP Symposium, 34 students enrolled in ARCH 7306 Design Studio 5 taught by Professors William Dean, Matthew DiRado, and Alan Vlakancic, a for-credit academic course to design and lead research projects in Appalachian communities to address regional challenges. Each ATP project reflects one of four themes that connect back to the ARC strategic plan: addressing community needs and challenges; economic development; tourism; and capacity building.
As a capstone to this work, students normally travel to Washington, D.C. to present their work to other student delegations from other ATP participating institutions, ARC leadership, and community leaders in a formal peer-to-peer conference setting hosted by ARC. This year, due to the continuing COVID-19 crisis, the ATP Symposium took place online.
“This was an exciting project for the students to work on in collaboration with the people in three different communities, and we had great turn-outs for each public presentation,” Dean said. “We also received a great deal of support from the Allegany County Department of Planning and Director of Planning Kier Dirlam and his staff. This project illustrates Alfred State’s commitment to civic engagement, applied learning, and making a local and regional impact.”
Since 2001, over 2,650 college and graduate students from across Appalachia have participated in the Appalachian Teaching Project. This is the 12th year a student delegation from Alfred State has participated in ATP. Many ATP alumnae have gone on to careers in public service, community development, and other related fields across the Region.
Summaries of each research project are available at www.arc.gov/appalachian-teaching-project/. ATP is one of four academies and institutes sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Through these experiential learning opportunities, participants build networks, hone skills, and cultivate an enduring commitment to Appalachia’s future.
“Appalachia needs young leaders, like those participating in the Appalachian Teaching Project, to bring forward-thinking economic development plans to life,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “This group of change-makers is capable of creating positive impacts in our communities, and I am excited to see the lasting effects these innovative projects will have on our region long-term.”
Supported by ARC and organized by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), students receive college credit for participating in ATP. Schools participating in ATP offer a directed seminar guiding students in developing and executing field-based research projects specific to the needs of their surrounding communities and in alignment with one of ARC’s strategic investment priorities.