Chancellor Meets with Faculty, Staff, and Students, Tours Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing and Danfoss Silicon Power

UTICA – State University of New York Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson visited SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Utica campus on Tuesday, May 15, when she toured the Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing (CGAM), as well as Danfoss Silicon Power, located in the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C).

While on campus, Chancellor Johnson, with SUNY Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development Grace Wang and SUNY Poly Interim President Dr. Bahgat Sammakia, met with faculty, staff, and students to discuss further enabling a positive pathway forward for the institution.

“SUNY Poly is distinctive,” said Chancellor Johnson. “Each of the two campuses offers different and complementary opportunities that have allowed SUNY Poly to rise to world-class levels.”

She stressed the importance of current academic opportunities at SUNY Poly, as well as how the institution provides the potential for partnerships that can lead to further growth for all involved. Chancellor Johnson saw that potential firsthand with a tour of CGAM, a 19,000 square foot facility that will provide an advanced manufacturing center to the community for businesses and individuals alike to work on projects with students or by themselves.

“On behalf of SUNY Poly, it was my pleasure to host Chancellor Johnson and Senior Vice Chancellor Wang at SUNY Poly where they saw the incredible academic opportunities which can lead to future partnerships on both campuses, driving further success for our institution,” said Dr. Sammakia. “The Chancellor’s candor and willingness to discuss innovative approaches to building on SUNY Poly’s framework provides an inspiring vision for the future, not only for our institution, but also for New York State.”

Chancellor Johnson also toured Danfoss Silicon Power, one of the world’s leading suppliers of power electronics and a vital member of the New York Power Electronics Manufacturing Consortium (NY-PEMC) where the company occupies two cleanrooms, a lab, and office space. Notably, Danfoss Silicon Power recently hired a SUNY Poly alum among their first wave of new employees.

In addition, Chancellor Johnson addressed faculty, staff, and students at a well-attended meeting that included SUNY Poly’s Albany campus via video conferencing. She took questions on a wide range of topics, discussing everything from the importance of the humanities to high-tech partnerships that can pay dividends.

“We need to look at where we are with realism and look to the future with optimism,” Chancellor Johnson said.

While discussing a sustainable future for SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Chancellor Johnson lauded the formation of NY CREATES (New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering and Science), which will in time take the place of affiliated organizations Fuller Road Management Corporation and Fort Schuyler Management Corporation to attract private investment and create high tech jobs as it partners with SUNY Poly and other stakeholders.

Chancellor Johnson also explained that a process will soon be underway for selecting a permanent SUNY Polytechnic Institute President following the departure of Dr. Bahgat Sammakia, who will conclude his service June 15. During the transition, there will be an interim President appointed who will lead a “Framework for a Sustainable Future” process to inform the next President. She reiterated the importance of a transparent and inclusive process with community input to ensure a bright future for the institution after an international search for the next president.

“The path forward will build on SUNY Poly’s excellence,” said Chancellor Johnson.

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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)

SUNY Poly is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica/Rome campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.