Michael Marrone ’14 – Turning Grit into Greatness
When Michael Marrone ‘14 looks back at his time at SUNY Poly, he sees more than just a degree in Communication and Information Design. He also sees the launchpad for a fulfilling career defined by creativity, perseverance, and purpose.
A native of the Mohawk Valley, Michael chose SUNY Poly over several other colleges, initially due to cost, flexibility, and proximity to home. “I was working part-time and couldn’t justify taking on massive debt when I knew I could get a high-quality education right here,” he explains.
Michael was driven from day one. His time on campus was focused and intentional—classes, studying at the library, hitting the gym, and building meaningful relationships with faculty. “Dr. Steven Schneider and Mark Medici really shaped the way I think. They didn’t just teach. They also challenged you to think creatively and critically, to be adaptable, and to seek out solutions others might miss.”
But college wasn’t without hardship. One of Michael’s defining moments came the day after his father passed away. “I showed up the next day and continued attending classes,” he recalls. “Because I knew my dad would have wanted me to be there. Keep pushing through adversity, that’s what he taught me.”
After graduation, Michael landed a marketing coordinator role at Mountainside Medical. He was quickly able to apply the skills he learned at SUNY Poly—writing, graphic design, presentation, and strategic thinking. “Everything I studied, I used,” he says. “It was a direct return on investment.”
Michael’s career continued to grow when he joined the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI), eventually leading their public relations department. Over six years, he and his team transformed the organization’s brand, handling everything from photography and videography to galas, commercials, social media, and print campaigns. “We made CABVI visible. People knew our work, and that was incredibly rewarding.”
But while building his professional portfolio, Michael was also cultivating a side passion: photography. Weddings, events, portraits, it started small and grew steadily. In 2023, he made the leap to entrepreneurship, launching Michael Marrone Photography. “I love the hustle, I love the grind,” he says. “But being an entrepreneur isn’t just about passion. You have to understand every part of your business, finances, marketing and branding. You’ve got to be intuitive and all-in.”
Today, Michael is proud of how far he’s come. As the first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree, his success is deeply personal. “My dad cried when I got my associate’s. Unfortunately he didn’t live to see me get my bachelor’s, but I know he’d be proud.”
To students and creatives alike, Michael offers simple but powerful advice: “Get experience—intern, shadow professionals, volunteer. A degree is essential, but experience makes you stand out.”
And when he talks about being a SUNY Poly alum, it’s with deep appreciation. “You don’t have to leave the area to build a great life. SUNY Poly gave me the tools, the mentorship, and the confidence to create the life I always wanted, and now, I get to live it.”
