While the mission and importance of education have remained the same over the years, the pillars underpinning the establishment have been continually evolving. “It is widely known that education has—and will always be—the great equalizer. Only an educated citizenry can support and participate in the creation of a prosperous global community,” says Joanie Mahoney, President of State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF). As the fifth President of SUNY ESF, Joanie has been leveraging her avid experience in different fields to drive the institute towards success.
Practicing Attorney to President
After completing her graduation from the Syracuse University’s College of Law, Joanie worked as a practicing attorney for several years. Later, she switched careers to become the County Executive of Onondaga County in New York. She became the first woman to hold and be elected to that position.
Inaugurated as Executive in 2008, Joanie was re-elected in 2012 and 2016. After serving for 11 years in the role, she stepped aside to take a role in higher education and joined SUNY ESF in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer. In November 2020, she was appointed as the President of the institute and has been one of the integral members of the SUNY ESF since then.
Catering to the Environmental Need
In the early years of the 20th century, New York’s forests had been decimated by people who were unaware of the time it would take for forests to repopulate. Thus, understanding that the wood products industry was important to the State’s economy and a growing interest towards sustainability, a movement began that resulted in the State’s first college focused on forestry located at Cornell University. However, the college closed its doors in 1903.
In 1907, William Bray began teaching Forestry and Botany courses at Syracuse University. Later in 1911, the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University was established and operated till the late 1940’s—when the college became a member of the newly formed State University of New York system. Shortly after, the faculty recognized the need to educate people about the environment and expanded the curriculum—before renaming the college to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 1972.
Student-focused Programs and Services
SUNY ESF is on a mission to advance the knowledge and skills and to promote the leadership necessary for the stewardship of both the natural and designed environments. As the only college in New York State dedicated exclusively to the environment, it provides 27 undergraduate and 54 graduate programs to 1800 undergraduate and 400 graduate students respectively.
In addition to the academic programs, the college provides numerous student-focused services. The Division of Student Affairs at SUNY ESF consists of academic support services, career services, student support, student conduct, diversity and inclusion, community service, student involvement and leadership, and student support, including the oversight for the college’s food pantry as well. “The Division collaborates with the Syracuse University’s Office of Disability Services to provide students with necessary accommodations,” says Joanie.
Joanie adds that the staffs in these offices work in partnership and collaboration with faculty, community partners, and students to create and facilitate opportunities—that promote student learning, advance students’ success, and ensure that learning happens inside and outside the classroom. ESF is dedicated to helping students achieve academically, get involved, contribute to the community, launch their careers, and have the basic principles and foundations for living a quality life.
The Unique Partnership
Joanie further mentions that ESF has men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic teams and clubs on its campus. Additionally, the college has developed a unique partnership with Syracuse University through which ESF students are invited to use and participate in curricular and extra-curricular opportunities provided by Syracuse University.
This partnership provides ESF students with access to more than 350 extracurricular clubs or activities at Syracuse University, including the marching band, drama and musical groups, sports clubs, and Greek life. It also gives students access to multiple dining halls, intramurals and fitness centers, world-class libraries, and coursework in subject areas that complement ESF’s laser-sharp focus on the environment. Furthermore, ESF students receive a diploma that carries the Syracuse University seal alongside the seal of SUNY ESF.
Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
“At SUNY, we recognize our diversity makes us stronger and smarter. We respect, encourage, and promote all aspects of human difference,” says Joanie. By promoting diversity on campus, ESF invigorates conversation, awakens curiosity, fosters civic engagement, and widens perspectives. Besides being a pathway to a culturally competent environment, ESF and all SUNY campuses are also the training ground for many future corporate and community leaders.
“ESF’s student body is sewn from the threads of our nation’s diverse quilt, where the views of all students across the educational spectrum are sought and given a voice,” Joanie continues. SUNY ESF’s Office of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity helps the college create a welcoming and inclusive environment for people from every background by promoting active cultural organizations and affinity groups. The office also upholds special initiatives for Native Americans, Women of Color, Men of Color, Veterans, LGBTQIA+, QTPOC, and graduate students.
Evolving with Technology
Joanie believes that technology drives modalities, global concerns drive content, and changing demographics drive the premises and promises that those in the educational community live by. According to Joanie, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted each of these realities. Technology has changed the work for the faculty—redefining the paradigm for curriculum delivery and relationship building.
The crisis highlighted the interconnectedness of the global community and motivated everyone to rally against a single force. The pandemic also caused prospective students and families to rethink decisions due to numerous challenges that emerged.
SUNY ESF has been leveraging technology to meet the educational needs of students. With the smart classrooms and contemporary labs, the college ensures that the students are comfortable with the current technology and eager to influence the future technology as needs evolve. While shifting to online classwork due to the pandemic, the college worked with faculty and students to make the change in modalities successful. “As a result, far more members of our society are able to offer classes in multiple ways,” adds Joanie.
Education with Collaboration
In the near future, Joanie expects to see students embrace education with a real sense of collaboration. She believes that there will be more variety in the way students receive their education. Joanie states, “Students have learned what they like and dislike about the online classes, whether they be synchronous or asynchronous classes. They also have an appreciation for the value of in-person classes and connections with faculty and fellow students.” She anticipates that administrators will have to listen to students and provide a menu of options to help them learn in ways that work best for them.
Commitment to Quality and Affordability
Joanie believes that the students’ interests and passions must be the bedrock for their academic pursuits. According to her, the long list of colleges/universities students want to consider should be primarily based on academic offerings. Alongside academics, she adds that students should evaluate the institution based on their requirements that range from location, size, to their comfort level.
Joanie advises students to visit the college campus to assess the feeling on campus, the spirit on campus, and how they fit in on the campus. Lastly, she believes students must consider the cost of education before choosing any college. Ultimately, ESF provides a great option for students as it is committed to providing both a quality education that opens doors and prepares students for meaningful careers, and an affordable education that ensures students will graduate with the least amount of debt possible.
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