With a growing emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—STEM programs—SUNYIT is preparing for a record number of freshmen this fall, and a substantial increase in the overall number of new students.

"The number of prospective freshmen who have confirmed their enrollment with paid deposits is up substantially over last year," said Jennifer Phelan-Ninh, director of admissions. “While the figures won’t be final for several more weeks, we’re projecting a freshman class well over 200 in number, more than twice the size of our first class a decade ago."

Ninh said while the number of expected transfer students will be about the same as last year's tally, the increasing number of four-year students indicates growing interest in SUNYIT’s new offerings in engineering, cybersecurity, and other disciplines. At the same time, projections for graduate student enrollment this fall are more than 50% higher than last year.

In recent years, SUNYIT has added a number of academic programs, including applied computing, biology, civil engineering, community & behavioral health, electrical and computer engineering, interdisciplinary studies, and network & computer security. Growth in academic offerings has been complemented by the $100 million expansion of the physical campus in Marcy, N.Y., with three new buildings—a student center, field house and residence hall complex—completed in the last two years. The latest campus construction project, the Computer Chip Commercialization Center, or “Quad-C,” is taking place under SUNYIT’s nanotechnology partnership with UAlbany’s College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering (CNSE).

"Our growing reputation and increasing recognition are the result of faculty and student accomplishment, as well as our new STEM offerings, including civil engineering and our much-anticipated mechanical engineering program," said William W. Durgin, provost. “As New York’s public polytechnic, we are becoming a college of choice for more students from across the state and all over the region looking for a high-quality, affordable college choice."

Durgin said fall 2013 projections also point to substantial enrollment growth in online offerings—SUNYIT offers a variety of courses and some entire degree programs online, including an MBA in technology management—and an increase in the number of new international students. One graduate nursing offering, M.S. in family nurse practitioner, is already fully subscribed and accepting applicants for fall 2014.

SUNYIT, the State University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome, is New York’s public polytechnic, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in technology and professional studies. Its academic offerings in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies, and its programs in professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing, are complemented by athletics, recreational, cultural and campus life programs, events and activities.