For Dr. Megan Dischiavo, supporting students has always been at the heart of her work. Whether in the classroom, as Chair of the Department of Biology and Chemistry, or as a member of the SUNY Poly Foundation Board, her focus\u00a0remains\u00a0the same: helping students discover opportunities, pursue their passions, and achieve their goals.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dischiavo joined SUNY Poly in 2008 as a lecturer in anatomy and physiology after a successful career as a chiropractor and educator. What began as a transition into teaching quickly became a calling. Over the years, she has helped grow SUNY Poly\u2019s pre-health programs, coordinated anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology courses, and taken on leadership roles within the Biology and Chemistry Department. Today, she oversees academic programs that serve hundreds of students preparing for careers in healthcare and the sciences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her commitment to student success extends beyond academics. As a Foundation Board member for the past several years, Dischiavo brings a valuable faculty perspective to conversations about SUNY Poly\u2019s future. Invited to join the board by SUNY Poly Vice President of Institutional Advancement Andrea LaGatta, she saw an opportunity to connect her experience in higher education with her background as a small business owner and community member. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne of the things I enjoy most is seeing people from different backgrounds come together,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Foundation Board brings together individuals from the community who are passionate about helping SUNY Poly grow and succeed.\u201d Through those relationships, she has helped strengthen connections between the university and the broader Mohawk Valley community while sharing firsthand insights into the needs and accomplishments of SUNY Poly students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In board meetings, Dischiavo often highlights the impact that donor support has on students, from internships and outreach opportunities to academic programs that prepare graduates for meaningful careers. She believes that every gift, no matter the size, helps create opportunities that can shape a student\u2019s future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Dischiavo, the most rewarding moments come long after students graduate. In recent years, she has helped build new educational pathways and partnerships that create opportunities for students pursuing careers in medicine, nursing, respiratory therapy, and other health professions. She takes particular pride in seeing graduates achieve their goals and return to serve the communities that supported them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As many SUNY Poly alumni remain in the region, Dischiavo frequently encounters former students working as nurses, nurse practitioners, and healthcare professionals throughout the community. Seeing those graduates thrive, and knowing they are now caring for local families, reinforces the importance of the Foundation\u2019s mission. She believes that donor support creates opportunities that can change the trajectory of a student\u2019s life, often in ways that are not immediately visible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSometimes a student just needs one opportunity, one scholarship, one connection, or one person who believes in them,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Foundation helps make those opportunities possible, and you never know how far that impact will reach.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For Dr. Megan Dischiavo, supporting students has always been at the heart of her work. Whether in the classroom, as Chair of the Department of Biology and Chemistry, or as a member of the...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1101,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-foundation-news"],"yoast_head":"\n