UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is proud to announce the renaming of its Department of Nursing to the School of Nursing, a change that reflects the program’s remarkable growth and impact. The timing of this announcement, made during a press conference earlier today, coincides with the 50th anniversary of SUNY Poly’s nursing program, which has educated generations of exceptional nurses who have made significant contributions to healthcare across the Mohawk Valley, New York State, and beyond.

“This renaming underscores the extraordinary achievements of our nursing program and its vital role in advancing healthcare for five decades,” said SUNY Poly Provost Dr. Andrew Russell. “I commend Dean of the College of Health Sciences Dr. Mark Kittleson, his predecessor Dr. Joanne Joseph for her leadership as interim dean, and our tremendous nursing faculty and staff. Their dedication and hard work have ensured that SUNY Poly continues to lead in nursing education and remains a beacon of excellence in the healthcare community.”

This pivotal moment aligns with exciting developments at SUNY Poly, including last year’s historic investment from New York State that will enable the expansion of the health sciences wing and the modernization of nursing labs in Donovan Hall. These enhancements reinforce SUNY Poly’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art education and addressing critical healthcare workforce demands.

“The timing of this renaming is especially meaningful as it aligns with the 50th anniversary of our nursing program,” said Dr. Kittleson. “It reflects not only the program’s rich history but also its bright future. I am deeply grateful to our nursing faculty and staff for their exceptional commitment and tireless efforts, as well as to campus leadership for their unwavering support in bringing this meaningful change to fruition.”

The newly named School of Nursing enhances opportunities for students, faculty, and the institution. It highlights SUNY Poly’s leadership in nursing education across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, honors the transformative contributions of nursing faculty, staff, and alumni over five decades, and broadens efforts to attract talented students, faculty, and donors to strengthen the program’s impact.

Flexible and Collaborative Nursing Pathways

SUNY Poly currently offers a range of nursing and health-related programs to meet the regional and statewide demands of the healthcare industry. In nursing, the RN to BS program provides registered nurses with associate degrees a fully online pathway to earn their bachelor’s degrees, while the unique 1+2+1 nursing partnership pathway, in collaboration with MVHS/St. Elizabeth’s College of Nursing, combines coursework at both institutions, allowing students to earn their associate’s degree, RN credentials, and a bachelor’s degree seamlessly. Graduate offerings include master’s degrees (MS) and certificate of advanced studies (CAS) in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education, along with a CAS and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) specializing in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, one of the few such programs in the region.

The Nursing Education MS program was recently ranked second in the state by registerednursing.org. Moreover, several of SUNY Poly’s nursing programs recently earned initial accreditation and reaccreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, with the DNP and CAS programs in Psychiatric Nursing receiving full five-year accreditation, the CAS programs for FNP and Nursing Education accredited for five years, and the previously accredited RN-BS, MS in FNP, and MS in Nursing Education programs awarded 10-year accreditations. Accreditation signifies that the program provides high-quality education, aligns with national nursing standards, and fosters continuous improvement. It also enhances graduates’ eligibility for licensure, certification, and advanced education opportunities, and it reassures employers and patients that the nurses are well-trained.

Beyond nursing, SUNY Poly’s College of Health Sciences also offers undergraduate degrees in Community and Behavioral Health and Health Information Management—one of a handful of programs of its kind in New York—and a fully online graduate program in Health Informatics, preparing students for leadership roles across healthcare disciplines.