SUNY News: Chancellor King Announces Inaugural Sustainability Faculty Fellows During New York Climate Week
September 23, 2025
Faculty Fellows from Multiple Disciplines Hold First Meeting to Assist other Faculty in Incorporating Climate and Sustainability Topics into Existing Courses and Develop New Applied Learning Opportunities
Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today recognized New York Climate Week with the announcement of SUNY’s inaugural Sustainability Faculty Fellows. The 11 fellows, representing 11 SUNY campuses, will assist other faculty in incorporating climate and sustainability topics into existing courses and develop new applied learning opportunities.
“SUNY is proud to be a key partner in Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to build a resilient and sustainable New York,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “With climate change affecting all elements of our society, from extreme weather emergencies to the emerging clean energy field, our students will need to be knowledgeable about sustainability to thrive as citizens and in their careers. Today’s students are eager to participate in climate action, and SUNY is taking steps so that New Yorkers are prepared.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “As key stakeholders convene for New York Climate Week to discuss the developments of a more resilient and sustainable future for all, SUNY is helping to lead the way. The challenges facing New York State, and our entire global civilization, due to climate change require our passionate dedication to meaningful action, and we applaud the inaugural Sustainability Faculty Fellows for being true leaders in this field.”
The inaugural Sustainability Faculty Fellows, who will support faculty to incorporate sustainability and climate topics into a wide range of courses, are:
- Adam Charboneau, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Lecturer of Sustainability Studies
- Whitney Crutchfield, Fashion Institute of Technology, Assistant Professor of Textile Development and Marketing
- Neyda Gilman, State University of New York at Binghamton, Associate Librarian / Assistant Head of Sustainability and STEM Engagement
- Nick Henshue, State University of New York at Buffalo, Associate Teaching Professor of Environment and Sustainability
- Will Hong, SUNY New Paltz, Associate Professor of Digital Media and Journalism
- Jeremy Jiménez, SUNY Cortland, Associate Professor of Foundations and Social Advocacy
- Rebecca A. Pinder, Columbia-Greene Community College, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
- Orla Smyth LoPiccolo, Farmingdale State College, Professor of Architecture and Construction Management
- Jack Tessier, SUNY Delhi, Professor of Biology
- Augusta Williams, SUNY Upstate Medical, Assistant Professor of Public Health
- Jean Yang, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Equipping students with climate and sustainability skills is critical to building New York’s clean energy economy. SUNY’s Sustainability Faculty Fellowship will expand opportunities in classrooms statewide, supporting a diverse workforce that can generate growth and climate resilience in every region.”
The Sustainability Faculty Fellows will advance climate literacy and knowledge of sustainability topics throughout the SUNY system by developing pedagogical resources and providing support for faculty as they develop and teach courses across a broad spectrum of disciplines and levels of study from microcredentials through doctoral programs. The Fellows were selected following an open call for nominations.
The announcement coincides with SUNY’s Climate Week events including:
- A discussion in partnership with the New York Sierra Club on the environmental challenges that may affect the ski industry.
- A convening with the New York Climate Exchange and Global Battery Alliance (GBA) on building a sustainable, circular, and resilient battery value chain.
- A conversation with SUNY Press author Akiko Busch, Riverkeeper’s Habitat Restoration Director David Stormer, and Carter Strickland on the ecological and social benefits of dam removal and the collaborative work transforming waterways across our region.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.