UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is pleased to announce the promotion of Michael Badolato to Director of Career Services and Experiential Learning. In this new role, Badolato, who previously served as the university’s Career Services Coordinator, will develop a model in which students participate with employers in project-based and experiential learning opportunities. More specifically, employers and students will collaborate in interdisciplinary teams on new advancements and solve real word problems.

“Michael Badolato continues to be a tremendous asset to SUNY Poly,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Jennifer Adams. “His passion for helping our students develop the tools necessary to secure meaningful internship and job opportunities is unmatched, and I know he will continue to thrive in this expanded role.” 

“I look forward to strengthening the outstanding collaboration we have with our employer partners and developing new relationships in the region and throughout New York State,” said Badolato. “These new initiatives will enhance the learning experience for our students and allow them to apply their classroom knowledge in real, practical settings. Our partners have been so supportive of our students, and we value the investment they make in SUNY Poly. I look forward to helping meet workforce needs while preparing students with the skills and competencies vital to making them successful once they leave SUNY Poly.”

Badolato has spent the majority of his professional career in higher education, in a variety of roles, most of them student focused. He has a breadth of experiences in terms of the types of institutions at which he has worked, as well as diversity of students he has served. He has worked at small and medium-sized private institutions, a Jesuit college, a community college and worked previously at SUNY Poly, where he was an Admissions Counselor and the International Admissions Advisor, before later returning as Career Services Coordinator. He has also worked in other student service roles, including financial aid, disability services, and advising.

Badolato, a Rome native, is a member of the Central New York Recruiting Consortium and SUNY Career Development Organization. He holds a B.A. in Communications from SUNY New Paltz and is completing his M.S. in Information Design and Technology at SUNY Poly.