UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) proudly announced the official launch of the NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence during a ribbon cutting ceremony held earlier today. The event brought together elected officials and leadership from Oneida County, the City of Utica, the New York State Legislature, and members of Congress, alongside campus leaders, faculty, staff, and students.

The transformative initiative was sparked by a $500,000 pledge from New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC) to support the creation of a cutting-edge interdisciplinary business center in Donovan Hall. In honor of this investment, the new interdisciplinary hub will bear the name NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence.

“We are deeply grateful to NYSTEC and our many donors for making this Center possible,” said SUNY Poly President Dr. Winston Soboyejo. “Their generosity is an investment in our students—the innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders of tomorrow. The NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence is more than a building; it is a hub where students will explore artificial intelligence, engage with the ethical challenges of business, and bring bold ideas to life. Together, we are creating opportunities that will prepare SUNY Poly graduates to succeed in a rapidly changing global marketplace.”

“We are proud to support the launch of the NYSTEC Business Center at SUNY Poly, which reflects our mission to strengthen communities and prepare the workforce of tomorrow,” said NYSTEC CEO Kevin Owens. “The center will be an important resource for the Mohawk Valley, driving economic development and creating new opportunities for students and businesses alike. Students will be exploring some of the most important and pressing technological and business issues of our time. This investment highlights our deep partnership with SUNY Poly and our shared commitment to the region’s growth.”

A Hub for Innovation, Ethics, and Entrepreneurship
The Center will serve as a vital hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary education, featuring:

•    AI & Business Lab: Exploring the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on business.
•    Business Ethics Initiative: Offering programs and events to address the moral complexities of modern business.
•    Entrepreneurship & Innovation Hub: Providing support for student startups, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
•    AI Trading Room: A state-of-the-art environment for students to engage with real-world financial market simulations.

The effort has been fueled by broad philanthropic support, with campaign co-chairs Steve and Gina Surace contributing $100,000 to make the AI Trading Room possible. Additional contributions have come from Greg & Maryrose Raab, the Community Foundation, M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund, Robert Ablett Memorial Fund, Community Investment Fund, Senator James H. Donovan Memorial Fund, Jerome & Donna Donovan, First Source Federal Credit Union, and the Joseph M. Asselta Charitable Trust. In total, the campaign has raised more than $885,000 to date.

SUNY Poly also announced that Assistant Professor of Business Ethics Dr. Jim Staihar, who directs the university’s Center for Business and Applied Ethics, has been appointed Executive Director of the NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence.

“I am grateful to our donors and partners whose generosity has made this vision a reality, and I am honored to help lead this exciting new chapter for SUNY Poly,” said Staihar. “The NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence will give our students hands-on opportunities to explore artificial intelligence, navigate the ethical challenges of business, and pursue their entrepreneurial ideas. It is a place designed to spark innovation and prepare our students to lead with both skill and integrity in today’s dynamic world.”

The launch of the center builds upon the recent reaccreditation of SUNY Poly’s College of Business by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction held by fewer than six percent of business schools worldwide. Achieving reaccreditation by AACSB reflects the university’s dedication to excellence, integrity, and innovation in business education, ensuring its graduates are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to deliver meaningful contributions across diverse industries and communities.