Traditions & History

History of SUNY Poly

SUNY Polytechnic Institute: A Brief History

SUNY Polytechnic Institute, commonly known as SUNY Poly, has a rich history rooted in technological innovation and higher education in the Mohawk Valley. SUNY Poly was initially established in 1966 as a graduate and upper-division (transfer) institution in 1966 known as the Upper Division College at Herkimer/Rome/Utica. The college campus, located in Utica, occupies more than 400 acres, with major buildings, including four residential complexes, surrounded by trees and green landscape.

Today, SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees – via its four colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences – in engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including biology, game design, mathematics, and social sciences. Furthermore, as a polytechnic institution, SUNY Poly offers a robust and diverse range of professional, technical, and liberal arts programs, combining theory and practice to prepare graduates for rewarding careers that will enable them to be contributing members of society. With approximately 3,000 students currently enrolled, SUNY Poly recognizes that a strong, student-centered educational program is the foundation for baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral education.

Looking Forward

Guided by the four pillars of its Strategic Plan, SUNY Poly continues to evolve and is charting a path to becoming the State and nation’s premier public polytechnic, expanding its academic offerings and research initiatives to meet the demands of a rapidly changing technological landscape.