Convocation formally marks the start of the academic year. Attended by students, faculty, staff, and administrators, the ceremony is a reaffirmation of our commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and the academic, cultural, and social growth of our entire community.
2026 Convocation Program
Join us as we welcome the SUNY Poly community and begin the 2026–2027 academic year.
Welcome
Welcome
Dr. Andrew Russell
Provost
Remarks
Remarks
Dr. Winston Soboyejo
President
Keynote
Keynote Address
Dr. Megan Dischiavo
Chair of the Department of Biology and Chemistry;
2026 Recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Closing
Closing Remarks
Brittany Morawiec
VP of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
College Leadership
Dr. Abdullah Eroglu
Dean, College of Engineering
Dean, College of Engineering
Dr. Mark Kittleson
Dean, College of Health Sciences
Dean, College of Health Sciences
Dr. Babak Elahi
Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Dr. Yasser Alhenawi
Dean, College of Business
Dean, College of Business
Keynote Speaker
Meet this year's featured Convocation speaker.
Dr. Megan Dischiavo
Senior Lecturer and Chair, Department of Biology and Chemistry
2026 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Megan Dischiavo is a Senior Lecturer and Chair of the Department of Biology and Chemistry at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, where she has been a dedicated educator and academic leader since joining the university in 2008. She oversees programs that prepare students for careers in healthcare and the sciences while teaching anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology.
Before transitioning to higher education, Dr. Dischiavo built a successful career as a chiropractor, bringing valuable clinical experience into the classroom.
A 2026 recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Dr. Dischiavo is recognized for her outstanding commitment to student learning, mentorship, and academic excellence. She is passionate about helping students discover opportunities, achieve their goals, and prepare for successful careers.
Dr. Dischiavo also serves on the SUNY Poly Foundation Board, where she provides a faculty perspective and advocates for expanding student opportunities through scholarships, internships, outreach initiatives, and academic partnerships.
She has helped develop educational pathways for future healthcare professionals and takes pride in seeing graduates thrive in medicine, nursing, respiratory therapy, and other health professions. Her dedication to teaching, service, and student success reflects her belief that education can transform lives and strengthen communities.
