Every October, SUNY New Paltz invites alumni back to campus for Reunion Weekend: a mix of nostalgia, inspiration and forward momentum. This year’s Reunion, Oct. 17-19, 2025, promises a rich variety of insight-filled panels among its many offerings, with conversations devoted to sharing personal journeys, professional lessons and the evolving world beyond college.   

These panels are a real link between life on campus and the world after graduation. Alumni talk about how their New Paltz experience shaped their skills, their networks and even the way they think, and how all of that helped them land and grow in their careers.  

It’s also one of the opportunities during Reunion that alumni can mingle with students, who are also invited to the panels. New Paltz students benefit immensely from these connections, as they learn from stories of how our graduates found their career paths, what surprises they encountered along the way, and how different industries keep changing.  

Meeting alumni, hearing their stories and swapping questions makes the connection between past and present feel alive.  

One highlight is the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Alumni Panel & Reception on Oct. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Lecture Center. With three dynamic panel discussions, there is something for everyone, brought to you by graduates from the Departments of Political Science & International Relations, Languages, Literatures & Cultures and Sociology. Panel topics include “Sociology Under the Knife: Lessons from New Paltz Resistance,” “Bridging Public Service and Private Sector Impact,” and “Your Language Degree at Work.”  

Featured speakers include Development Associate at Justice in Motion Claiane Rojas ’16 (International Relations; Latin American, Caribbean & Latinx Studies), Senior Consultant at Deloitte Ahmad Tipu ’19 (International Relations), and Managing Director, Head of Sustainability and Climate Client Coverage, Americas at MSCI Sarah Greenberg ’04 (Political Science). The formal panel is followed by a reception, giving alumni, students and faculty a chance to mingle, ask questions and make connections.   

"Being able to give back by sharing my experiences thus far post graduation is the biggest thing I’m excited about,” said Tipu. “I’m also really excited to hear about the other panelists, their journeys and their experiences after graduation. I think it’s really important to take the time and space to share each other's journeys. The only way that I have figured out my path forward is by hearing about others and what they’ve done so that’s why this opportunity feels special to me.” 

David Levinson '75 (Sociology) is a speaker for the Sociology panel, where he will discuss how his studies provided him with a life-long framework for pursuing social action to achieve social justice. 

“What makes this reunion special, especially to be a participant on this panel, is that it provides an opportunity to share with fellow alums and current students how sociology at New Paltz implanted the values that have guided my career and life for the past 50 years,” said Levinson. “It allows me to provide current faculty and students with a recounting of the rich sociological imagination that frames the current teaching, research and practice in the sociology department at SUNY New Paltz today.”  

Also on Oct. 17: the “Insights from the Industry: Alumni Panel on Marketing & Management Careers” provides a spectrum of real-world voices discussing brand strategy, operations, management and more.  

Panelists include: 

• Kathryn Howell ’18 (Marketing), Senior Manager, Social Media, New York Islanders 

• Amara Kutos ’18 (Communication Studies; Digital Media Management), Associate Director of Digital Marketing, Blue Earth Diagnostics 

• Casey Wolter ’17 (Journalism), Marketing Consultant, Bain & Company 

• Jamie Ericksen ’20 (Management) ’21g (Business Administration), Senior Analyst, American Express 

• Luke Gamboli ’21 (Marketing) ’22g (Business Administration), Marketing Specialist, Blue Hill Data Services 

• Madison Engler ’23 (Marketing) ’24g (Business Administration), Product Manager, Harney and Sons Fine Teas 

• Johnathan Fratus ’22 (International Business Management), Specialist, Creative Partnerships - Activation, NBCUniversal 

This engaging event, happening at 5 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 17 in Science Hall 181, offers current students a unique opportunity to hear firsthand experiences, career journeys and professional insights from alumni working across a range of industries. 

“I’m truly honored and excited to return to my alma mater as an alumna to speak on this panel,” said Howell. “New Paltz has given me so much, and it’s incredibly rewarding to give back by supporting and guiding current students as they prepare to launch their careers.” 

On Oct. 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Science Hall 181, sit in for a conversation about one of the fastest-growing industries in New York State. “Exploring the Future of NY Cannabis with SUNY New Paltz Alumni” will feature professionals spanning sales, regulation, wellness and entrepreneurship sharing how they navigate a fast-changing profession. The program builds on new offerings at New Paltz, like the School of Business’s Cannabis On-Demand Workshop for those interested in compliance and management.  

Panelists such as Green Consultant at Uptown Green Report Jordan Green ’09 (Communication Studies), Co-Founder of Latinas Grow Carlene Pinto ’10 (Sociology), Physical Therapist at More Life RX Dr. Denzel Cherry ’11 (Biology), and CEO of BuyCoreCoffee Edward Moore ’94 (Black Studies) bring diverse perspectives.   

“One thing I look forward to doing during Alumni Reunion is bridging the gap between older Hawk alumni and more recent Hawk alumni,” said Green. “Many superheroes stand in front of us in plain site on a daily basis and during Alumni Reunion, especially the panels will help cast a light on those superheroes.” 

Green will be primarily speaking about the complexities that come with being a legal cannabis operator, regulatory compliance, marketing and branding opportunities and transitioning into a cannabis career. 

“The array of sessions and experiences available provides a great chance to reconnect with others and take some time to come back to campus,” said Tipu. 

SUNY New Paltz’s Reunion 2025 leverages alumni panels as more than just “talks”: they are engines of mentorship, markers of collective memory and springboards for future connections. We will see you there. 

For more information or to register, visit newpaltz.edu/reunion-2025/.