At a glance
The Presidential Aspiring Leaders (PAL) Program was created recently for students who possess a strong work ethic, display commitment and dedication to their studies, are engaged in the community and the college, and are looking to strengthen their leadership skills.
A brand-new program at Alfred State is aiming to help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
The Presidential Aspiring Leaders (PAL) Program was created recently for students who possess a strong work ethic, display commitment and dedication to their studies, are engaged in the community and the college, and are looking to strengthen their leadership skills. Students within the program are expected to become familiar with and abide by Alfred State’s core values of respect, integrity, service, and dedication.
Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan said, “Alfred State has some extraordinarily talented students. We are excited to be part of their educational experience, get to know them better, and share their success with our community.”
In order to qualify for the program, a student must be a senior, have a 2.5 GPA or higher and have two faculty or staff recommendations that are supported by the dean of their school and approved by their division’s vice president. The president will make final selection of the nominees.
As a PAL member, students will participate in quarterly dialogues on leadership topics with the president, provide feedback on campus issues, and attend a minimum of six assigned events with Sullivan, other faculty or staff, or alone on behalf of the President’s Office. These events include Accepted Student Days, Homecoming and Family Weekend, local/state/federal legislative meetings, state and county fairs, SUNY special events, various ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and more.
Program. In the first row, from left to right, are Michelle Margeson, Nathan Mattice, Dawei “David” Tao,
and Louis Tomassi. In the second row, from left to right, are Robert Privitera, Cassandra Ryan, Cory
Farley, and Elisabeth Wolff. In the third row, from left to right, are Don Schrader, Bryanna Godfrey,
Dillon Fairhead, and Kaieel Ward. In the fourth row are Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan and
Executive Assistant to the President Tammy Conrad.
The initial group of PAL students includes:
- Dillon Fairhead (mechanical engineering technology, Conesus)
- Cory Farley (electrical construction and maintenance electrician, Wellsville)
- Bryanna Godfrey (financial planning, Barton)
- Michelle Margeson (technology management, Hornell)
- Nathan Mattice (electrical construction and maintenance electrician, Caledonia)
- Robert Privitera (human services management, North Tonawanda)
- Cassandra Ryan (mechanical engineering technology, Gloversville)
- Don Schrader (human services management, Hamburg)
- Dawei “David” Tao (human services management, Nanjing, China)
- Louis Tomassi (architecture, North Tonawanda)
- Kaieel Ward (interdisciplinary studies, Brooklyn)
- Elisabeth Wolff (technology management, Camden)
Students hold the distinction for the academic year beginning in the fall semester and ending when the spring semester concludes. Upon completion of the program, PAL students will receive a letter of recommendation from Sullivan and will be recognized at the college’s Honors Convocation and Commencement ceremony.