Innovation Unleashed: How SUNY Poly is Shaping the Future 

In a bold move further positioning itself at the forefront of innovation, SUNY Poly  unveiled ten pioneering research centers this past fall, each poised to tackle some of today’s most pressing challenges. This ambitious initiative is fueled by a significant $2.7 million allocation from New York State’s 2023-24 budget, part of a historic $163 million boost in direct operating aid to SUNY campuses.  

Over the past three years, SUNY Poly’s sponsored programs have experienced a remarkable 119% growth, a trajectory expected to accelerate with the establishment of these centers. Notably, this expansion does not include the forthcoming Semiconductor Processing to Packaging Research, Education, and Training Center, slated to open in Fall 2026, which will further cement SUNY Poly’s leadership in research and innovation.  

A Glimpse into the New Research Centers 

  • Artificial Intelligence Exploration (AIX) Center: Co-directed by Dr. Steven Schneider and Dr. William Thistleton, AIX encompasses a laboratory for foundational model studies, an accelerator for application development, and a studio dedicated to user experience research. The center aims to drive innovation through academic publications, external funding pursuits, AI application development, and by offering training resources to both local businesses and international partners.  
  • Center for Advanced Semiconductor Materials and Devices (CASMAD): Under the leadership of Dr. Iulian Gherasoiu, CASMAD focuses on advancing research and education in semiconductor science. Its expertise spans material science and novel device architectures with applications in power electronics, renewable energy, sensors, optoelectronics, energy storage, and Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS).  
  • Center for Business and Applied Ethics: Directed by Dr. Jim Staihar, this center promotes research, teaching, and outreach in business and applied ethics. Situated within SUNY Poly’s AACSB-accredited College of Business, it aims to positively impact the Mohawk Valley and beyond.  
  • Center for Design, Interdisciplinary Research, Engineering, Art, and Media (DREAM): Led by Dr. Ana Jofre, DREAM serves as a campus hub for the arts, attracting visitors, hosting esteemed guests, and showcasing faculty work. The center supports curriculum development in the arts and integrates them into STEM education, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations in areas like creative computation and game design.  
  • Center for Health Innovations and Humanitarian Engineering (CHIE): Directed by Dr. Joanne Joseph, this center advances knowledge in mental, physical, community, and environmental health, while promoting technological innovations applicable to health fields.  
  • Center for Safe and Secure AI Robotics (CESSAIR): Under Dr. Emilio Cobanera’s leadership, CESSAIR focuses on the development of AI robotics with an emphasis on safety and security, ensuring these technologies benefit society at every stage.  
  • Center for Smart Infrastructure and Sustainability (CSIS): Directed by Dr. Zhanjie Li, CSIS aims to position SUNY Poly as a national leader in creating resilient, intelligent, and sustainable infrastructure systems, contributing to societal and environmental well-being.  
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Research Center: Led by Dr. Byeongdon (Don) Oh, this center spearheads SUNY Poly’s efforts toward DEIB excellence, collaborating with various partners to empower the campus community and surrounding areas.  
  • Global Center for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (GCAMM): Under the guidance of President Wole Soboyejo, GCAMM engages an interdisciplinary team in cutting-edge research and education in advanced functional materials and manufacturing, addressing global challenges in these fields.  
  • Wireless and Intelligent Next Generation Systems (WINGS): Directed by Dr. Arjun Singh, WINGS aims to lead advancements in terahertz and sub-terahertz communications, leveraging artificial intelligence and automation to develop next-generation wireless systems.  

With these centers, SUNY Poly is not only expanding its research horizons but also reinforcing its commitment to addressing societal needs through innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. As these centers begin their work, they will certainly contribute significantly to both the academic community and the broader society. 

The early years were defined by resilience. With no permanent campus, the college held classes in repurposed spaces—most memorably in the former Globe Mill on Court Street in Utica—serving transfer students and working adults eager to complete their degrees. These “mills era” beginnings forged a close-knit academic community, grounded in practicality and perseverance. Even as plans for a permanent campus were delayed by fiscal uncertainty and political debate, supporters never lost sight of the mission: to educate students in ways that directly met regional and workforce needs. 

That persistence paid off in the 1980s with the development of the Marcy campus, a transformative milestone that gave the institution room to grow and a physical home worthy of its ambitions. Over time, SUNY Poly expanded its academic offerings, facilities, athletics program, and student life, reinforcing its commitment to hands-on learning, applied research, career readiness, and a sense of community. Each chapter reflected an ability to adapt, while staying true to the institution’s founding purpose. 

Today, SUNY Poly operates as a single-campus institution in Utica, home to four colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences—and serves approximately 3,000 students. Its polytechnic model blends professional, technical, and liberal arts education, ensuring students graduate ready to contribute on day one. 

“For 60 years, SUNY Poly has helped shape lives and strengthen the Mohawk Valley through education, opportunity, and innovation,” said SUNY Poly President Winston Soboyejo. “This anniversary is both a celebration of our legacy and a call to continue building the future—together with our students, our partners, and our community.” 

That future-focused approach is evident in SUNY Poly’s expanding K–12 outreach and growing network of industry partnerships. Recent milestones—including the inaugural Wolfspeed Endowed Chairs, MOAs with Assured Information Security, Griffiss Institute, Mohawk Valley Health System and Masonic Medical Research Institute, the launch of the NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence, and the largest new undergraduate class in SUNY Poly’s history, with 800 students enrolling in 2025—underscore  the university’s role as a driver of innovation, talent development, and regional growth. 

As SUNY Poly marks its 60th anniversary, the celebration honors not only institutional milestones, but the people who made them possible—students who balanced work and study, faculty who built programs from the ground up, staff who sustained momentum through change, and a community that consistently believed in the power of public higher education.  

The yearlong 60th anniversary celebration began on January 21 with a special kickoff event featuring From the Mills to Marcy author John Swann, retired SUNY Poly professor John Marsh, and President Soboyejo, and will culminate in a signature Anniversary Gala in September 2026. A full list of events can be found at this link. Together, these moments will reflect on a remarkable journey, from improvised classrooms in former mills to a modern polytechnic institution, while reaffirming a shared commitment to the next generation. 

Sixty years on, SUNY Poly stands as proof that when education, innovation, and community align, lasting impact follows. 

This article used information from the book, “From the Mills to Marcy,” by John Swann.