A member of SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s faculty is among those recognized in the Mohawk Valley with the prestigious title of “Woman of the Year.” Celebrating outstanding women in the community during the month of March in conjunction with Women’s History Month, Dr. Kathryn Stam, a professor of anthropology, was honored with other community members by the Mohawk Valley Chapter of New York State Women, Inc. at the “Women of the Year” awards dinner on March 20.

“We are very proud of Dr. Stam, whose well-deserved recognition shines a spotlight on her dedication to students, education, and her community,” said SUNY Poly Interim President Dr. Bahgat Sammakia. “Whether it is her commitment to the anthropological and sociological understanding of cultures through her research, her compassion and wisdom shown to the students she works with, or her tireless efforts with the refugee communities that support individuals as they begin new lives in the Mohawk Valley, Kathryn Stam is a role model to many. On behalf of SUNY Poly, I congratulate her on this award.”

The event, which has been held under various names and forms over the years, has been honoring professional women of the Mohawk Valley for several decades.

Stam earned her doctorate in social science (Anthropology and Sociology) from The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, an M.S. in Forest Resource Management from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont. Her areas of research include cultural anthropology, information design and technology, information security and information professions, anthropology of work, communication, refugee studies, and Thai studies.

Stam also serves as the President of the Board for the Midtown Utica Community Center, whose mission is to foster inclusive community participation by providing an environmentally sound facility for arts, recreation, celebration, and locally based human services in order to increase opportunity for personal and collective growth in our community.

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