The Engagement Ring: Recent Episodes
University at Albany Office for Public Engagement
The Engagement Ring features conversations with higher education professionals, scholars and community partners working to make the world a better place through collaborative approaches and solutions to societal challenges.
Kabel Nathan Stanwicks, Senior Assistant Librarian and Head of Access Sevices, University Libraries
Deanna DiCarlo, Head of Branch Services, Albany Public Library
University Libraries
Albany Public Library
UAlbany and Albany Public Library Partnership Offers More Access to Library Resources, UAlbany News Center, April 7, 2026
The Engagement Ring is produced by the University at Albany's Office for Public Engagement. Special thanks to our recording engineer Scott Freedman of UAlbany’s Digital Media Services. If you have questions or comments or want to share an idea for an upcoming podcast, email us at ualbanyope@albany.edu.
Professional and Continuing Education at UAlbany (PaCE)
Dr. Jennifer Miller, Executive Director, PaCE
University at Albany Office of the Provost, Division of Academic Affairs
J. Ramon Gil-Garcia, Professor, Department of Public Administration & Policy, Rockefeller College of Public Affaris and Policy, and Director, Center for Technology in Government (CTG)
Mila Gascó-Hernández, Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration & Policy, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and POlicy, and Research Director, CTG
Study: Empowering Communities: Public Libraries, Inclusive Civic Engagement and Artificial Intelligence
Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany (CTG)
University at Albany
Urban Libraries Council
From the UAlbany News Center, Sept 28, 2023: CTG UAlbany Examines Libraries’ Role in AI
Elaine Salisbury, Lecturer II, Journalism Program Director, Department of Communication
University at Albany
UAlbany Program in Journalism
UAlbany Journalism Program Pairs Students with Local Newsrooms (Article from the UAlbany News Center, January 21, 2025)
UAlbany, Spotlight News Win Award for Partnership to Strengthen Local Journalism (Article from the UAlbany News Center, September 11, 2025)
Center for Community News, University of Vermont
Institute for Local News at SUNY
Spotlight News
The Daily Gazette
Lumina Foundation
Press Forward
The New York State Writers Institute presented a conversation with Adam Aleksic on the future of language. The program took place at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on January 29, 2026. This event was mentioned in this episode of The Engagement Ring.
Books by Elaine Salisbury:
The Cruelist Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury
Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art by Aly Sujo and Laney Salisbury
Sean Millington, Inaugural Mayoral Fellow, City of Albany, NY
City of Albany, NY
Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Mayor, City of Albany, NY
Activate Albany
The Global Center for AI in Mental Health
Dr. Amy Nitza, Director, Global Center for AI in Mental Health, University at Albany
University at Albany
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Dr. Salvador Dura-Bernal, Director, Global Center for AI in Mental Health, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Health Innovation Exchange
SUNY PFA Assistant
New York State First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment
Supporting First Responders: Governor Hochul Unveils Findings of New York State’s First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment
Dr. M. Abdullah Canbaz, Assistant Professor, Information Sciences and Technology Department, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, Department of Information Sciences and Technology
From the UAlbany News Center:
Amy Nitza Joins UAlbany to Direct the Global Center for AI in Mental Health, May 6, 2025
UAlbany, Downstate Researchers Demo Prototypes for AI-Supported Mental Health Care, Sept 30, 2025
Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Accelerator
Dr. Susan Appe
Dr. Jennifer Dodge
Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy
Professional and Continuing Education at UAlbany (PaCE)
University at Albany
Webpage for Haesol Bae
University at Albany homepage
UAlbany's AI Plus Initiative
National Academy for AI Instruction, press release from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Dr. Angie Y. Chung, Professor, University at Albany
From the UAlbany News Center, March 14, 2024: Sociology Professor Tapped for SUNY Civic Education and Discourse Fellowship
Dr. Babette Faehmel, Professor, SUNY Schenectady College Community College
University at Albany
SUNY Civil Discourse and Civic Education and Engagement Fellows
SUNY — The State University of New York
SUNY Schenectady County Community College
Many Voices, One Call podcast
Dr. Jeannette Sutton
Jeannette Sutton, PhD. Disaster & Risk Communication
Dr. Nick Bassill
Message Design Dashboard
The Warn Room
State Weather Risk Communication Center (SWRCC)
Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC)
Center for Technology in Government (CTG)
University at Albany
Article from the UAlbany News Center:: UAlbany Researchers Develop FEMA Dashboard to Support Emergency Alert Messaging, July 15, 2025
Article from the UAlbany News Center: UAlbany's State Wether Risk Communication Center Featured in 'Cloud Warriors' Book, June 17, 2025
From Gov. Kathy Hochul's website: Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Preparedness in the Face of Extreme Weather, June 11, 2025
Article from the UAlbany News Center: UAlbany Researchers Support Launch of New York Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard, June 5, 2025
Article from the UAlbany News Center: State Weather Risk Communication Cener's Nick Bassill Featured on Department of Transportation Podcast, Feb 29, 2024
DeeDee Bennett Gayle, UAlbany webpage
Article and video from UAlbany News Center: Disaster Response Researchers Test Virtual Reality Tool With Older Adults, August 26, 2025
News story from WTEN: Disaster prep software created by UAlbany researchers, August 29, 2025Article from UAlbany News Center:
Article from UAlbany News Center: CEHC Researchers Use Virtual Reality to Improve Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults, September 26, 2024
College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, University at Albany
Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, UAlbany
Extreme Events, Social Equity, and Technology Lab
About Dr. Paul L. Morgan
Institute for Social and Health Equity (ISHE)
A study by Dr. Paul Morgan released in June 2025:
Morgan, P. L., Hu, E. H., & Oh, Y. (2025). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in School-Based Disability Identification. Educational Researcher, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X251347279
UAlbany News Center, Feb 22, 2024: UAlbany Launches the Institute for Social and Health Equity
ISHE Director Dr. Paul Morgan honored with the Kauffman-Hallahan-Pullen Distinguished Researcher Award
College of Integrated Health Sciences
Global Center for AI in Mental Health
Center for Social and Demographic Analysis
Center for the Elimination of Health Disparities
University at Albany
The University at Albany's College of Integrated Sciences
Dr. Erin Bell, Dean, College of Integrated Health Sciences
Dr. Victoria Rizzo, Vice Dean, College of Integrated Health Sciences
University at Albany
Articles from the UAlbany News Center:
UAlbany Announces the New College of Integrated Health Sciences
Erin Bell Named Dean of New College Joining the Schools of Public Health, Social Welfare
Dr. Camela Hughes
Cold Case Analysis Center at the University at Albany
Article from the UAlbany News Center -- Cold Case Analysis Center Comes to UAlbany's School of Criminal Justice
Article from UAlbany Student Press: St. Rose Cold Case Analysis Center Joins UAlbany
News report on WAMC/Northeast Public Radio’s Midday Magazine: Cold Case Analysis Center Opens at UAlbany
Article from the Times Union: University at Albany relaunches Saint Rose's former Cold Case Analysis Center
Website for Jorge González-Cruz
Recent articles from the University at Albany about Dr. González-Cruz's work and research:
Strengthening Puerto Rico’s Power Grid for a Resilient Future
UAlbany Researcher, Grad Student Team Up to Improve the Resiliency of Puerto Rico’s Power Grid
UAlbany Climate Scientist Awarded Federal Grant to Improve Resiliency of Coastal Power Grids
Climate Scientists Use Data from Hurricane Maria to Test Social Vulnerability Assessment Tool
UAlbany Climate Scientist Joins New Caribbean Climate Adaptation Network
5 Questions with Faculty: Jorge E. González-Cruz
Other resources:
Caribbean Climate Adaptation Network (CCAN)
University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences
Luma Energy Puerto Rico
Genera Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)
New York Power Authorigy (NYPA)
Bio for Dr. Nathaniel Cady
UAlbany Launches New Programs in Semiconductor Engineering
Q&A With CNSE’s Nate Cady: Why Everyone is Talking About Semiconductors
University at Albany's College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering
UAlbany's AI Plus
Chips and Science Act of 2022 -- information on the NSF Chips and Science page
Microelectronics Commons Hubs
Alexandra Smith's LinkedIn page
University at Albany School of Public Health
UAlbany News Center article: MPH Student Brings First Artificial Sky to Capital Region
James A. Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center
Our Lady of Mercy Life Center
RPI Lighting Center
Light and Health: Light and Older Adults
Biophilc Design
Artificial Sky and Mark Jenzen
About Mark Jenzen: Founder & CEO Mark Jenzen is a service-connected disabled veteran who spent quite a bit of time in and out of hospitals, not only with his own military-related training injuries, but also helping to improve outcomes for family members battling cancer.
Dr. Jean Moore
Center for Health Workforce Studies
Understanding and Responding to Registered Nursing Shortages in Acute Care Hospitals in New York.pdf
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
Q&A with Jean Moore, Director of UAlbany’s Center for Health Workforce Studies
University at Albany School of Public Health
Department of Health Policy, Management, and Behavior, UAlbany School of Public Health
Additional information on Dr. Moore’s research at ResearchGate
Jean Moore on LinkedIn
SPH Study: Health Workforce Shortages Persist in New York State
Dental Hygiene Scope of Practice: Why It Matters (Webinar)
University at Albany Nursing Programs
Special Olympics New York Unified Sports
Special Olympics New York
Article from UAlbany News (April 6, 2023): UAlbany, Special Olympics Team Up to Celebrate Unified Sports
Contact info for Jonathan Louie at UAlbany
University at Albany Campus Recreation
Michele Grimm's bio
Website for College of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering
University at Albany homepage
5 Questions with Dean Michele Grimm
NY Creates website
NY Creates -- Albany Nano Complex website
CHIPS and Science Act on Congress.gov
CHIPS and Science, NSF
Bio for Susan Appe
Website for Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy
Website for Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy Department of Public Administration and Policy
Website for the University at Albany
Website for the Peace Corps
Website for Peace Corps Prep at UAlbany
Website for the United Way of the Greater Capital Region
Website for the Blake Annex, Albany N.Y.
United Way of the Greater Capital Region ALICE webiste
Some of the organizations Dr. Appe's class has donated to:
Website for The MoonCatcher Project
Website for In Our Own Voices, Albany, NY
Website for the Commission on Economic Opportunity, Troy, NY
Dr. Nick Bassill, director of the State Weather Risk Communication Center
State Weather Risk Communication Center website
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) website
Center of Excellence in Weather & Climate Analytics at UAlbany website
University at Albany homepage
Nick Bassill's Center of Excellence webpage
NYS Mesonet website
Dr. Andrei Lapenas
UAlbany Department of Geography and Planning
Dr. Scott Kellogg
Radix Ecological Sustainability Center
Article: UAlbany Researchers Awarded $5 Million by U.S. Department of Agriculture to Improve Local Urban Forestry
Resource mentioned by Dr. Lapenas:
Dan Buettner
Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones by Dan Buettner
Bios:
Dr. Nicole Springer, Director, Institutional Capacity Building, Campus Compact
Dr. Emily Phaup, Manager, Professional Development, Campus Compact
Campus Compact website
References mentioned by Dr. Springer:
Doberneck, D. M., & Dann, S. L. (2019, September). The Degree of Collaboration Abacus Tool. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement 23(2), 93-107.
Link to the abstract for the aforementioned Doberneck and Dann article, The Degree of Collaboration Abacus Tool (from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1229786.pdf)
Diane Doberneck's bio: https://engage.msu.edu/about/people/opes/doberneck
Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, edited by Dr. Nicole Springer
May be of interest -- more on Dr. Nicole's role as editor of the MJCSL
Direct link to article-- https://ginsberg.umich.edu/article/meet-nicole-springer-our-new-mjcsl-editor
Liberty Partnerships Rising Stars Program
City School District of Albany
New York State Education Department Liberty Partnerships
Dr. Cheryl Dozier
UAlbany School of Education
UAlbany School of Social Welfare
RED Bookshelf
William S. Hackett Middle School
Paul Collins-Hackett, Executive Director, RED Bookshelf
Lina Dostilio, Vice Chancellor of Engagement and Community Affairs
University of Pittsburgh Office of Engagement and Community Affairs
Link to Dr. Dostilio's books through Campus Compact
Links to Dr. Dostilio's books (on Amazon):
The Community Engagement Professional in Higher Education: A Competency Model for An Emerging Field
The Community Engagement Professional's Guidebook: A Companion to The Community Engagement Professional in Higher Education
Campus Compact
A favorite quote of Dr. Dostilio's:
“For the simplicity on this side of complexity, I wouldn't give you a fig. But for the simplicity on the other side of complexity, for that I would give you anything I have.” ― Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Reference to research by Bringle & Clayton mentioned by Dr. Dostilio during the interview:
Clayton, P., Bringle, R., Senor, B., Huq, J., & Morrison, M. (2010). Differentiating and assessing relationships in service-learning and civic engagement: Exploitative, transactional, or transformational. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, Volume 16, Spring 2010. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mjcsl/3239521.0016.201?rgn=main;view=fulltext
Dr. Janine Jurkowski: https://www.albany.edu/sph/faculty/janine-m-jurkowski
Engaged Scholars Toolkit: https://livealbany.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/web_public-engagement/ETrRwjijXk5CuEHp0jA-0ZQB6NAU_X-yi714Fe2oaCVf2g?e=j0KXR7
Campus Compact: https://compact.org/
Campus Compact Resources for Engaged Scholars: https://compact.org/resources
UAlbany Office for Public Engagement: albany.edu/public-engagement
Alvaro J. Muñiz, J.D.
Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities
Innovation & Economic Prosperity Universities (IEP)
Commission on Economic & Community Engagement (CECE)
Maria Pidgeon
UAlbany Office of Community & Economic Development
UAlbany Innovation Center
Innovate 518
START-UP NY
National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps)
New York Business Plan Competition
Blackstone LaunchPad at UAlbany
ETEC
APLU Commission on Economic & Community Engagement
APLU IEP -- Innovation and Prosperity Universities
Dr. Laura Lindenfeld, dean of the School of Communication and Journalism and executive director, Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science
Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University
School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University
Clear + Vivid with Alan Alda
The Link -- Connecting Science Communication Research with Practice
NYKids website: ny-kids.org
Bio of Dr. Kristen WIlcox, Associate Professor, Educational Policy & Leadership, School of Education
Bio of Dr. Aaron Leo, Assistant Director of Research, NYKids
The study, "Gendered impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-method study of teacher stress and work-life balance" published in Community, Work and Family in September 2022.
A primary activity of NYKids is to conduct research and identify promising practices in odds-beating schools. Review NYKids research .
Read reflections from the NYKids team on the NYKids blog.
Provost Carol Kim's bio: https://www.albany.edu/provost/staff/faculty/carol-h-kim
Showcase home page: https://www.albany.edu/ualbany-showcase
University at Albany homepage: albany.edu
Dr. Mary Ellen Mallia's bio: https://www.albany.edu/gogreen/1.director.shtml
UAlbany Green Scene and UAlbany Office of Sustainability: https://www.albany.edu/gogreen
Albany Clean Energy Conservation Corps: https://www.albany.edu/gogreen/our_regional_environment.shtml
17 UN Global Goals: https://www.globalgoals.org
For information on Operation Weatherize Albany, or to inquire how you can volunteer or participate as a homeowner or renter, email gogreen@albany.edu.
Dr. Andy Berglund's bio: https://www.albany.edu/biology/faculty/j-andrew-berglund
The RNA Institute: https://www.albany.edu/rna
Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation: https://www.myotonic.org/
Muscular Dystrophy Association: https://www.mda.org/
Marigold Foundation: https://www.marigoldfoundation.org/
Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers (MDSRCs): https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/mdsrc
In the news...
UAlbany's RNA Institute wins grant to develop muscular dystrophy treatment, Times Union, Sept. 13,2022
More about Dr. Thenkurussi “Kesh” Kesavadas, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, University at Albany
Website for UAlbany's Division for Research and Economic Development
More information on Albany A.I.:
"UAlbany Engineering Building to Anchor New Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Initiative"
"The Albany Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Initiative," a message from UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez and Dr. Kesh Kesavadas
Follow the Division for Research and Economic Development on Twitter-- @ResearchUAlbany
Follow Kesh on Twitter -- @KeshUAlbany
The Engagement Ring is produced by the University at Albany’s Office for Public Engagement.If you have questions or comments, or want to share an idea for an upcoming podcast, email us at ualbanyope@albany.edu.
Visit the Office for Public Engagement online.
Dr. Sam Jackson's UAlbany webpage
Dr. Sam Jackson's Wordpress site
Dr. Sam Jackson's CV
Information about Dr. Sam Jackson's book, Oath Keepers: Patriotism and the Edge of Violence in a Right-Wing Antigovernment Group, (Columbia University Press, 2020)
Visit the Office for Public Engagement online.
Dr. Nick Bassill's bio: https://www.albany.edu/daes/faculty/nick-bassill
Visit the Center of Excellence in Weather & Climate Analytics: https://weatheranalytics.org/
Follow the center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UAlbanyWxCOE
Visit the NYS Mesonet online: https://www2.nysmesonet.org/
Visit the Office for Public Engagement online.
More information about Damian Bazadona, founder and president of Situation Interactive
Visit the Situation Interactive website.
Learn more about the Situation Project and SItuation Prize for Research: Community, Cause and Advocacy.
Visit the Office for Public Engagement online.
About Dr. Erin M. Bell:https://www.albany.edu/sph/faculty/erin-m-bell
Multi-site study on PFAS: http://www.albany.edu/sph/pfas
UAlbany Office for Public Engagement website: https://www.albany.edu/public-engagement
UAlbany Office for Public Engagement website: https://www.albany.edu/public-engagement
The RED Bookshelf website: https://www.theredbookshelf.org/