Stony Brook University SUNY Korea

  Yena Kwon, a Spring 2022 graduate of SUNY Korea's FIT program, has recently secured an exciting position as a Digital Marketing & Media Trainee at Christian Dior Couture, LVMH group in New York City. In this interview, Yena shares her inspiring journey—from studying at one of the top fashion schools to landing her dream role at one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands.  Can you introduce yourself? Hi! My name is Yena Kwon, and I am a recent graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology. I earned my AAS in Fashion Business Management at SUNY Korea and completed my BS in Advertising and Marketing Communications, with minors in Multi-Sensory Branding and Economics, at FIT New York. Why did you choose to study at SUNY Korea FIT? My passion for fashion stems from its ability to reflect people's state of mind and its responsiveness to changes in economic, historical, and environmental conditions. I was always fascinated by how fashion influences personal identity and representation. I believed that SUNY Korea FIT was the best choice for a unique educational experience that combined global perspectives with a strong foundation in Fashion Business Management while allowing me to gain insights into both the Korean and international markets. What made you continue to join your studies at FIT New York? While New York City is often celebrated as a Dream City, I have deepened my curiosity about the professional environment, the business dynamics, and the everyday life in New York. Although uncertainties exist, I was determined to embrace this opportunity to fully explore and challenge myself in ways that might not be possible in the future. I have set my goal to immerse myself in the fast-paced, innovative environment that New York is known for, and to gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate and succeed in such a dynamic city. I believe that this experience will not only challenge me but also significantly contribute to my personal and professional development. Can you tell us where you are working, and how were you able to join? I am currently with Christian Dior Couture as their Trainee in the Digital Marketing and Media team. I am involved in every stage of communication, from planning to the production of campaign materials, and managing editorial content for magazines and news outlets in the North American regions. During my time at FIT, I developed a strong interest in the branding and communication aspects of fashion, which plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining a brand's identity. As I built up my portfolio in brand marketing, I applied for the Digital Marketing & Media Trainee position at Christian Dior Couture through LinkedIn during my final semester. After successfully navigating a three-stage interview process, I was thrilled to receive an offer to join the team. What is your most memorable experience at SUNY Korea? My most memorable experience is when I studied with friends late at night in the lounge and in the IGC library. I think it was such a special moment that was created from SUNY Korea’s family-like atmosphere. I would never be able to imagine doing the same here in FIT New York. I also really enjoyed working on a fashion film project for my Creative Presentation course when we collaborated with Utah University’s film students. Being heavily involved from planning to execution, it was a meaningful experience for myself as it helped me concretize my passion towards advertising and marketing in fashion. In what ways has SUNY Korea FIT contributed to your career development? Are there specific lessons or skills you learned that have been particularly valuable? SUNY Korea provided me with a unique educational experience with the dual advantage of studying under the FIT curriculum in Korea. It prepared me to understand global fashion trends and branding strategies, which are essential in a dynamic field like fashion marketing. This experience, along with the network and resources provided by SUNY Korea, played a significant role in shaping my career aspirations and equipped me with the skills and confidence needed to secure my position at Christian Dior Couture. I also would like to mention the Career Development Center (CDC) at SUNY Korea which played a pivotal role in my academic and professional success. The CDC provided invaluable guidance and resources that helped me navigate the complexities of career planning and development. Through their internship panels, networking events, and one-on-one career counseling, I gained insights into the industry and honed my skills in areas such as resume building, interview preparation, and job search strategies. What advice would you offer to students pursuing their academic and professional goals? For students who are pursuing their academic and professional goals, I highly recommend utilizing all the support and resources offered by your school! The Career Development Center, for example, was significant in my own career journey, providing invaluable assistance through its extensive network and supportive guidance. Additionally, getting involved in various clubs and school activities was also beneficial. It not only provided opportunities to connect with friends from different majors but also offered valuable experiences and led me to fully explore myself.                 

        SUNY Korea professor Neal Dreamson was named a Top Scholar (0.5%) by ScholarGPS in the categories of Digital Electronics and Pedagogy for his strong publication record, the impact of his work, and the notable quality of his scholarly contributions. Neal Dreamson, who teaches in the Department of Technology and Society, was ranked 73rd in the world in the field of “Pedagogy” and 32nd in the world in the “Digital Electronics” category.  ScholarGPS (https://scholargps.com) provides rankings of individuals and institutions overall (in all fields), in 14 broad Fields (such as Medicine, Engineering, or Humanities), in 177 Disciplines (such as Surgery, Computer Science, or History), and in over 350,000 Specialties (such as Cancer, Artificial Intelligence, or Ethics). Professor Dreamson stated, “Research originality comes when we think outside the box, moving away from competitive thinking within domestic systems and pursuing contributions based on humanism. This eventually leads to competitiveness in the international community.” Dr. Neal Dreamson received his Ph.D. in Socio-Cultural Philosophy from the University of Queensland. He contributes to the Incheon community through roles in various educational committees and conducts future education research with the National Education Commission.            

Transfer Student Convocation is one of the many events and activities that make up New Seawolves Welcome Week.   College life is full of milestone moments. Picking your major. Your first college class. Your last final exam. Interviewing for and perhaps even landing your first full-time job. Walking across the graduation stage. However, the moments no one talks about are those first moments as a college freshman. Emotions are high; some people have never been away from home before. Some miss their siblings. Some cannot get comfortable in a dorm bed. And, it can be lonely.  While we often put emphasis on milestone moments, it is this first touchpoint with the college experience that sets the stage for the entire experience. That’s why Stony Brook University’s New Seawolves Welcome Week has become a critical part of welcoming the newest incoming class to our campus community.  Click here to read the original article.  

<From Left to Right: Wada Yoshiaki, Member of the Republic Democratic Party of Japan; Pyungryun Yu, Vice President of SUNY Korea; Kada Hiroyuki, Member of the Republic Democratic Party of Japan>   Two members of the Republic Democratic Party of Japan visited SUNY Korea on August 7th to discuss ways to promote global education between the two counties. The Liberal Democratic Party has shown interest in Korea for its highly developed semiconductor companies and STEM-focused education. They especially expressed high interest in STEM education and industry-academic cooperation at SUNY Korea, a representative institution of global education.  Pyungryun Yu, Vice President of SUNY Korea, attended the meeting with Wada Yoshiaki and Kada Hiroyuki, Members of the Republic Democratic Party of Japan. They discussed the background and status of the establishment of the Incheon Global Campus and SUNY Korea, as well as the current status of industry-academia cooperation and future prospects. Wada Yoshiaki said, "I was able to hear about SUNY Korea after a visit to the State University of New York (SUNY), meeting with the Vice Chancellor, and I am very happy to understand and fully discuss the successful educational model of Korean campuses. I hope we will show deep interest in the achievements of STEM education and seek ways to cooperate with each other for the development of global talent and industry-academia cooperation in the future." “We are happy to introduce the excellent education system and industry-academic cooperation model of New York State University to Japanese political and research officials through this visit,” Vice-President Pyungryun Yu said. "We look forward to developing relations in the future through exchanges between the two countries."

Stony Brook University hosted a Technology Innovations Expo on July 23, part of a two-week summer program that ran from July 14-27. Photos by John Griffin.   Spinal cord injuries affect a person’s life in unfathomable ways, with no bodily system left untouched. Each year, 17,000 people in the United States have to confront this life-altering condition, which carries significant physiological and emotional challenges. Stony Brook University hosted a Technology Innovations Expo on July 23, aimed at bettering the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries. The Expo was part of a two-week summer program that ran from July 14-27, following a well-received program that took place in 2023. Click here to read the original article.  

  On Monday, July 23rd, 17 students from the Fashion Design Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) were invited to the newly opened Chanel & Moi – Les Ateliers Seoul. This location marks the fifth Chanel Les Ateliers worldwide, a significant milestone for the brand as the number “5” has significant meaning for the founder, Gabrielle Chanel, making the Seoul location particularly noteworthy. Recognizing the growing demand for high-end fashion in Korea, Chanel opened this latest atelier to connect more closely with its customers. The place not only offers a wide range of exclusive services but also provides comprehensive after-sales support for all Chanel products. One of the highlights is the opportunity for one-on-one connections with one of Chanel’s ‘Tailor Apprentice,’ a top specialist who possesses an in-depth understanding of the brand’s unique characteristics. During their visit, the FIT students participated in Chanel’s first-ever ‘Career Day’ at the new atelier. They were given a tour of the workshop and introduced to a special Chanel’s Apprentice Program. This recruitment initiative aims to educate and inspire young talent, fostering a new generation of designers who will continue the Chanel legacy. They were also given the opportunity to connect with the tailors and ask one-and-one questions about what it is like working at Chanel. The event emphasized the importance of building trust and maintaining strong relationships with loyal customers, highlighting how crucial it is to offer exceptional service. For the FIT students, this was a unique opportunity to gain insight into the inner workings of a leading fashion house and potentially secure employment to further develop their skills.    

<Students from the NSLI-Y Program at the SUNY Korea Quad> The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Summer Immersion program offers high school students the chance to gain knowledge in critical foreign languages and cultures, funded by the U.S. government. Since 2013, SUNY Korea has hosted the NSLI-Y Korean Language and Culture Summer Immersion program in collaboration with Stony Brook University’s Center for Korean Studies. NSLI-Y offers instruction in several languages, including Arabic, Mandarin, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian, Russian, and Turkish. Heejeong Sohn, the Associate Director of the Center for Korean Studies, directs the Korean language summer program. Under her direction, the program has thrived alongside the rapid development of Songdo. Initially, Songdo was still developing, but today it boasts modern amenities and efficient transportation, making it an attractive location for students. The six-week program features a rigorous curriculum with daily Korean language instruction and immersive cultural experiences. Students engage in real-life activities and field trips across Korea, deepening their understanding of Korean society and culture. The global popularity of K-pop, K-food, and K-dramas has increased interest in the Korean language and culture. As a result, the program requires students to have basic Korean language skills before arrival, enabling them to delve deeper into their studies. This year, 20 students from 16 states were selected from a competitive pool of 4,800 applicants. Hailey, a student in this year’s program, learned about NSLI-Y from a college counselor. Her interest in studying Korean and experiencing the culture was sparked during the pandemic while listening to K-pop. Starting with a basic understanding of Korean grammar and small conversations, her language skills improved significantly over the six weeks. "The culture is beautiful, the food is amazing, and the hard work, ethics, and appreciation for public property, family, and elders are really unique and special," she remarked. Another student, Emmanuel, cherished his experience during a temple stay in Gyeongju. He enjoyed conversing with a Buddhist monk and appreciated participating in the Buddhist lifestyle and the extensive walking involved.   Professor Heejeong Sohn, the Director of the NSLI-Y Korean Language and Culture program, is also the Assistant Director and Advanced Senior Lecturer in the Department of Asian and Asian American Studies at Stony Brook University. She earned her Ph.D. from Stony Brook University, where she studied history and taught Korean, eventually establishing the Center for Korean Studies.           <Left: Heejeong Sohn, Director of the NSLI-Y Korean Language Program, RIGHT: Hailey and Emmanuel, students from the NYSLI-Y Korean Language Program>

High school students and instructors in the STEP program visited Canine Companions in July. Photos by John Griffin.   This is the second summer that Professor Mei Lin (Ete) Chan from the Department of Biomedical Engineering and her group have participated in the STEP program, a New York State Education Department effort that encourages and prepares more underrepresented minority and low-income secondary school students for entry into scientific, technical, health and health-related professions, including many areas where licensure is required.  Chan is the academic advisor for 3D PATH, a newly formed student club at Stony Brook University. It is a continuation of a student group called Hands in Hands, which focused on 3D printing prosthetics. Under the leadership of club president Ciara Woellhof, 3D PATH has expanded to include all kinds of 3D-printed assistive technology. The group works with community centers, nursing homes and various high school and elementary students to carry out its initiative.  Click here to read the original article.  

  Meet Provost and Professor Hamid Hefazi at SUNY Korea. In this interview, he shares valuable insights into the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) and his journey to joining IGC. He discusses how IGC offers a global education and a diverse range of experiences within Korea's advanced technological society. Click here to watch the full interview: LINK

India Pagan practicing with the Puerto Rico women’s basketball team.   Stony Brook University women’s basketball alumna India Pagan is representing Puerto Rico at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the second Olympic appearance of her career. Pagan made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Seawolves women’s basketball player, and third Stony Brook student-athlete ever, to compete in the Olympic Games. She also made Connecticut history as the first New London native to compete in the games, and was a member of the first-ever Puerto Rican women’s basketball team to qualify and compete at the Summer Olympics. Click here to read the original article.  

  Home Products Development at FIT is designed for and by the growing home products industry, and its students are encouraged to think creatively and broadly about solutions to challenges that face the industry and consumers—from toilet paper dispensers to coffee makers to body pillows. Marc Littlejohn, adjunct instructor in the program, had a framework for the capstone class that focused on a highly creative and collaborative approach for developing products that meet consumers’ ever-changing needs, while also satisfying the growing demand for job candidates with the specific skills that make the program’s graduates excellent hires in the industry. In this year’s senior capstone class, Annie Hassan, Home Products Development ’24, put the framework to use when she developed her final project, Solariscape (see diagram above). Solariscape uses window curtains with thin-film photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight into electricity that can power a single-family home. The PV cells are glued onto the back of a curtain with an attached 650W microinverter. The solar cells weigh 100 times less than a traditional solar panel and can generate 18 times more power/kg. The idea, Hassan said, came from the fact that only 5% of single-family homes in the United States utilize solar power; and since her assignment was to develop a product that was not yet in the market, Hassan saw an opportunity. Click here to read the original article.  

  In May, Ron Amato, professor of Photography and Related Media, released Artists of Provincetown, a book of photographic portraits of artists who live in the seaside Massachusetts town. Made over a period of eight years, the book contains 84 images of sculptors, painters, photographers, and writers, illustrating the artistic breadth of this 125-year-old community, known as the United States’ oldest continuous art colony. The book was produced in collaboration with the Provincetown Art Association and Museum on the occasion of the exhibition Ron Amato: Artists of Provincetown, which opened in June and is on view through August 18. Click here to read the original article.  

  SUNY Korea professor Seung-Bok Choi was recognized last month with a prestigious “Best Researcher Award” for International Research Awards on Sensing Technology from the journal Sensors. Choi, a distinguished professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has published 6 papers in the journal over the last year. His recent publications include: i) "Sensor-Less Control of Mirror Manipulator Using Shape Memory Polyimide Composite Actuator: Experimental Work,” Sensors, vol. 24, no. 12, June 2024, Article No. 3910 (19pp), doi.org/10.3390/s24123910 ii) "Sensors and Sensing Devices Utilizing Electrorheological Fluids and Magnetorheological Materials – A Review,” Sensors, vol. 24, no. 9, May 2024, Article No. 2842 (23pp), doi.org/10.3390/s24092842  iii) “A Novel Tactile Sensing System Utilizing Magnetorheological Structures for Dynamic Contraction and Relaxation Motions,” Sensors, vol. 23, no. 22, November 2023, Article No. 9035 (17pp), doi.org/10.3390/s23229035. (Video Link: https://encyclopedia.pub/video/video_detail/1020) Sensors is an international open-access journal published by MDPI that covers research on sensors. Along with the IEEE Sensors Journal, it is one of the leading journals in the field. Professor Choi received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Inha University, and MS and PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University. He has been serving as a leading professor at SUNY Korea since March 2021 after retirement from Inha University. He has published over 700 SCI journal papers so far, 80 SCI journals with SUNY Korea, and was ranked #1 scholar in the world evaluated by ScholarGPS.com in the area of vibration control.   

  Two Stony Brook students have been selected as recipients of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, an award recognizing outstanding undergraduate, PhD-bound students in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering (STEM). This year’s winners are Gabriella Vaccaro, biochemistry, and Zain Zaidi, chemistry.  For the 2023-2024 academic year, 1,353 students were nominated by 446 academic institutions from a pool of more than 5,000 students nationally. A total of only 508 were selected as scholarship recipients. Each Goldwater Scholar is awarded up to $7,500 towards tuition cost, mandatory fees, books, and room and board for their remaining years of undergraduate study.  “These undergraduates do not dream small; Zain hopes his research will impact climate change through renewable energy and Gabriella is dedicated to getting better results faster using bioinformatics,” said Ashley Staples, director for external fellowships. “Supporting the Goldwater applicants is always an inspirational endeavor, and this year was no exception.” Click here to read the original article.  

The Impact of Families on the Success of College Students Extensive research has revealed that families profoundly influence college students' educational performance. These studies have uncovered key insights into the complex dynamics of student-family relations. In general, millennial college students have closer bonds with their parents and family than previous generations. On the other hand, student mental health, financial support, and campus safety have increased parents' interest in their students’ overall health, well‐being, and academic success. Student-family interaction topics include (1) Frequency of contact with family, especially mother; (2) Levels of parental financial involvement; (3) independence from family; (4) Siblings’ influence; and (5) Parents’ educational background. Family dynamics, culture, educational background, and socioeconomic status all play a role in shaping the level of parental or family involvement. This involvement, when balanced, can be a powerful catalyst for academic success. However, when parents excessively meddle (hover) in students’ college life, positive results might sometimes be seen academically, while socially, the students are adversely affected. This is what is referred to as helicopter parents. A student should be allowed some autonomy to survive life after college. Academic success may not warrant success after college because of what might seem like total dependence on the parents. It's crucial to maintain a healthy balance in family involvement. Families can support college students in many positive ways, and this support can make a significant difference in their journey. The most crucial role families can play in their student's success is providing emotional support. With the new academic expectations and a different social environment, parents’ emotional support and understanding can give students the confidence to deal with challenges. Maintaining an open line of communication might be the most important support to offer students. Encourage them to open up about their experiences, challenges, and successes. Try to balance actively listening with respect for student's privacy and boundaries. Support them if they fail. Failures can be a powerful lesson as long as they learn from it. If students can benefit from counseling or support services, it's crucial to encourage them to take advantage of these resources. College is an opportunity for students to develop independence and grow. It is also the time for parents to develop an adult-to-adult relationship with their college-aged students. Parents can often experience some positive and negative emotions themselves. Some of these feelings will be tied to their concerns about their student, but many feelings are more related to the changes in their life situation. Some helpful ideas for parents are to stay connected to students but not overwhelm them. Give them some space, but watch them from the sidelines. Support students' pursuit of interests and push their potential. Encourage them to get involved in organizations, clubs, or sport teams to help them better integrate with different friend groups and the campus community.  Time management is essential for student success. Parents can teach students to prioritize tasks, create a schedule, and maintain a healthy balance between studying, resting, exercising, and socializing. They can also encourage them to find the best organizational time management system. Mental Health is another important issue. Students, particularly freshmen, are under much pressure to adjust to the college experience and do well academically. Studies show that 1 in 3 college students in Korea at some point experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. Parents should watch for any warning signs. Encourage and help students to seek academic and emotional help if needed. Understanding that each individual has different abilities, parents should avoid comparing and contrasting students' achievements with their siblings. Parents' role is to encourage the development of each child to the best of their ability. Student success is broader than academic success. It also means developing strong and mature individuals who will be successful in their careers and personal lives. Click here to read the article.