Chancellor King Highlights Investments in Paid Internship and Research Opportunities for SUNY Students
June 9, 2026
Chancellor King Visited New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University to Showcase Internship and Research Opportunities
Reinforces SUNY’s Goal to Ensure Every Student Participates in a High-Quality Internship
Alfred, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today highlighted SUNY’s commitment to paid internships during a visit to the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. SUNY has set the goal that every undergraduate student will participate in a high-quality internship or other experiential learning opportunity that prepares them for their future before graduation. At the New York State College of Ceramics, students can participate in paid internships and research through the Summer Ceramic Internship program and the Engineering Summer Research Program.
"Internship opportunities are drivers of upward mobility that give our students the opportunity to gain hands-on job training that will prepare them for future careers," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Through SUNY’s robust internship programs and partnerships, we are investing in the success of our students and empowering them to explore career paths that interest them. My thanks to the SUNY Board of Trustees for their leadership and support. I applaud the New York State College of Ceramics for their work to provide students with high-quality internships that will prepare them for successful careers after graduation."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Through the support of Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY is able to invest in programs and initiatives that provide our students with vital opportunities to engage in paid internships and gain real-world career skills. We commend New York State College of Ceramics for their dedication to providing SUNY students hands-on learning opportunities and thank Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their continued investment and support in our internship programs."
Gabrielle Gaustad, Vice President of Statutory Affairs and Dean of the Inamori School of Engineering at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, said, "When I was an undergraduate student in the New York State College of Ceramics, I was so fortunate to participate both in our summer undergraduate research program on campus and in two internships – the hands on experiences gained in those summer programs set me on a path for success and I’m thrilled to be here 20+ years later to sustain and expand these programs, thanks to the support of the SUNY Board of Trustees, for years to come."
State Senator Tom O'Mara said, "We welcome SUNY's commitment to providing these opportunities to gain direct, invaluable learning and research experiences through the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. It's an outstanding initiative that will provide excellent, high-quality internships and other specialized training opportunities at one of SUNY's premier institutions. This commitment led by the SUNY Board of Trustees goes a long way toward leading and preparing a vital workforce for the future."
State Assemblymember Joe Sempolinski said, "As a member of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, I applaud the leadership of the SUNY Board of Trustees and SUNY’s commitment to the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and for creating internship opportunities for students at the College of Ceramics that provide the kinds of hands-on, real-world learning experience they need to join the workforce of tomorrow."
SUNY has five statutory campuses, including the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and at Cornell University, the New York State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, New York State College of Human Ecology, New York State School of Industrial & Labor Relations, and the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine.
At New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, opportunities for students to participate in internship programs and experiential learning include the Summer Ceramic Internship program and the Engineering Summer Research program. Students who participate in the Summer Ceramic Internship program work alongside studio technicians to gain hands-on experience with the operations that support professional art and design practice. Through this immersive experience, participants develop skills in ceramic studio organization and workflow, equipment maintenance, materials management, health and safety procedures, technical demonstrations, fabrication processes, and the use of specialized equipment. By engaging directly with the systems that sustain creative work, students gain a deeper understanding of the technical expertise, infrastructure, and collaborative efforts required to support artists, designers, and makers in educational, professional, and institutional settings. This experience provides valuable professional development while broadening students’ understanding of the many roles that contribute to successful creative environments.
The Engineering Summer Research Program provides students with the opportunity to work on research projects with faculty and graduate students. This year there are more than 50 projects funded by 16 different federal and state agencies. Additional professional development opportunities during the programs include industry field trips, specialized equipment trainings, and professional guest speakers, culminating in a research poster competition and celebration. During his visit, Chancellor King met with students to discuss their experiences in the two programs.
Paid internships are invaluable opportunities for students to learn on the job, be compensated for their work, and apply their academic experience to real world tasks. Through strong investment from Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, the SUNY Board of Trustees provides $14.5 million in annual state funding to support paid internships for students at State-operated campuses. In addition, SUNY awarded funding to 23 community colleges to expand access to stipends and wraparound services, including transportation and child care expenses, so students could complete internships. The 2026-27 Enacted State Budget includes $7.4 million for the SUNY Career Connected initiative. SUNY will invest these resources to support additional internships at State-operated campuses and community colleges, including research internships, public service internships, and industry internships.
SUNY has worked to expand paid internship opportunities for students through partnerships with organizations including the New York State Association of Counties, the New York State Insurance Fund, as well as an internship exchange program with the University of Puerto Rico and the conservation organization Para La Naturaleza. SUNY has also launched programs including the Mental Health Internship Program, SUNY Educational Opportunity Career Development Internship Program, Chancellor’s Summer Research Excellence Fund, the SUNY Institute for Local News, the Veterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program, and the SUNY Climate Corps. SUNY has also designated regional workforce coordinators across the state to assist campuses in identifying internship opportunities.
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, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its 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 $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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