Meet the Winter Commencement 2023 Platform Party

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- December 1, 2023) With Winter Commencement just over a week away, here’s who you’ll see on the stage making sure our graduates enjoy their important day! 

President Lisa Vollendorf

At Commencement You Can Find Me: Speaking to our graduates and handing them their diploma covers as they cross the stage 

My Message to Our Graduates: I love meeting our students and hearing their stories at commencement! 

Provost Nathan Gonyea

At Commencement You Can Find Me: Emceeing the event 

My Message to Our Graduates: I’m most excited about seeing the pride in the eyes of graduates’ friends and families as they walk across the stage. We all need a community to support us through our academic journey. Commencement is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the community. 

Associate Provost for Student Success Seana Logsdon 

At Commencement You Can Find Me: Helping President Vollendorf hand out diploma covers to our graduates 

My Message to Our Graduates: As we celebrate our graduates, I am always inspired by their journeys – both the challenges they have overcome and the successes they are celebrating – and truly appreciate hearing the stories of those who have supported them along the way. It is such a privilege to be a part of commencement each year and I am so looking forward to it! 

Director of Academic Support Sophia Mavrogiannis 

At Commencement You Can Find Me: Reading the names of our graduates as they cross the stage 

My Message to Our Graduates: Every graduate here today has a story that started before SUNY Empire, and what’s most exciting to celebrate is that now they all have a story that includes SUNY Empire—and a SUNY Empire degree. Commencement is the day that celebrates the academic achievements of so many people on so many different journeys. It highlights both the success of our graduates and the success of everyone at SUNY Empire in supporting students to meet their academic goals. The joy and excitement resonating from our graduates and their loved ones at commencement is unlike anything else! 

Associate Professor Kymn Harvin

At Commencement You Can Find Me: Leading our graduates to and from the stage as the Mace Bearer 

My Message to Our Graduates: Love has made this day possible...your love of learning, love of family and friends who support you, and love of the SUNY Empire community that has believed in you from day one.  We delight in celebrating YOU, graduates!

Assistant Professor Cailyn Green

At Commencement You Can Find Me: Speaking to our graduates as the faculty speaker 

My Message to Our Graduates: This commencement is very special to me as I have my first mentee graduating. Being able to watch my first mentee walk the stage to pick up their degree gives me chills in the best possible way. The fact that the University is seeing the work I am doing to contribute to the field of human services, and has offered me the honor to speak to this graduating class truly means the world to me.

Administrative Assistant Rebecca Monaghan 

At Commencement You Can Find Me: Singing the National Anthem 

My Message to Our Graduates: Commencement is truly vibrant! It's so exciting to be in the room as students and families anticipate their huge accomplishments and hard work coming to fruition. This is my favorite part of the job.