The goal of the SUNY Empire PRODiG Scholars Program is to support undergraduate and graduate student-scholars from historically underrepresented groups, including women in STEM disciplines, to progress into doctoral programs and faculty positions at institutions of higher learning. The 2021-22 Scholars cohort is comprised of 10 undergraduate and 10 graduate participants across fields of study and at different stages on their pursuit of a career in academia. This series will feature the students who are currently involved in the program, along with their goals and areas of academic interest. To learn more about this program, click here.

Georgia Tyner

Georgia Tyner is a SUNY Empire PRODiG Scholar and an ESC graduate student in the M.S. in Information Technology with a focus in Cybersecurity. Georgia was recently accepted into the SUNY SAIL Student Leadership Academy. The SAIL Institute provides innovative leadership development opportunities as well as cutting edge research on leadership, academic innovation, and critical issues in higher education. Georgia states, “I look forward to building upon my leadership skills and working toward a future I have been dreaming of.” In the near future Georgia plans on teaching and doing research in the digital forensics field.

She holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University, and has years of engineering experience with the FDNY and US Navy systems. She is proud to have been involved in project management with highly capable hardware and software engineers at PURVIS Systems over the last 34 years. Georgia is most excited about having written and self-published children’s health, wellness, and technology books. She hopes to spread awareness, acceptance, and empathy about various children’s illnesses and injuries.

She is a Queens, NY native and currently resides on Long Island. She enjoys participating in career days at local schools to talk about STEM careers and book writing. Her all-time favorite hobby is playing ice-hockey, which she hopes to pick up again soon.

Ian Grugan

Ian Grugan is a SUNY Empire 2020-21 PRODiG Scholar and a graduate of the M.A. in Social and Public Policy at the College. He has been accepted into North Central University (NCU) Doctoral of Criminal Justice program with an anticipated graduation of 2024.

He has worked for the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) since 2014, holding positions in both the Office of Youth Justice and currently the Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (specializing in Juvenile Probation). During his time with the DCJS, Ian has created and led a state-wide initiative to consider the intersection of LGBTQ probationer experiences and the criminal justice system. He has created an LGBTQ specific curriculum that is now a mandated piece of the NYS Probation Office Academy for NYS and is being delivered to all existing probation staff state-wide.

In the near future, Ian plans to move into a professor position at a higher education institution, teaching criminal justice, probation, criminal justice equity, and public policy. Additionally, he would like to conduct research on equity in the criminal justice systems, specifically related to LGBTQ individuals.Ian resides in Albany, NY, and is an avid bowler who competes in local leagues.