KINGSTON – SUNY Ulster President Dr. Alison Buckley, who took the reins of the college in Stone Rodge in July, will be the keynote speaker at the Ulster Chamber of Commerce Holiday Breakfast. The December 13th event is being held at Wiltwyck Golf Club at 404 Steward Lane in Kingston from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Chamber President Ward Todd said the breakfast will also feature a performance of Holiday Songs by the Kingston High School Choir, the recognition of several outgoing board members and Chamber Corporate Sponsors as well.
“I will speak broadly about how SUNY Ulster can support the economic vitality here in Ulster County,” Dr. Buckley said. “One important thing as we come through COVID is the critical role SUNY Ulster plays in supporting economic vitality through making sure that we’ve got a well-trained workforce.”
Buckley said Ulster County is home to roughly 68,000 people without any post-high school credential. They may have some college, but no certificate or degree.
“My goal is to make sure that we are serving that population and providing real meaningful educational opportunities so our residents can earn a family-sustaining wage,” she said. She hopes to reach out and make sure adults know of SUNY Ulster’s many offerings, from microcredentials to two-year degrees.
“I think the critical component is making sure our residents know that they can go back to school to get ahead,” Buckley said. “It’s about going back to get ahead.
Buckley comes to Ulster County with more than 20 years of experience in both college and university settings in executive leadership, enrollment management, marketing, recruitment, and program and budget management. She has degrees from Randolph College; the University of Delaware; the University of Dublin, Trinity College; and the University of Maryland. Her doctorate is from Northeastern University.
She most recently served as the vice president for enrollment management and student affairs for Connecticut State Community Colleges.
Buckley called SUNY Ulster a “gem”—the college is ranked the No. 1 community college in the state based on academics, affordability, and other factors.
