Upstate Institute Field School

In the summer of 2009, 22 Colgate students worked for community, not-for-profit and government organizations as part of the Upstate Institute Field School. Four years ago, with the help of a seed gift from Sandra and Doug Campbell, the Upstate Institute launched the Upstate Field School.

The Field School matches students with regional community, government or non-profit organizations to develop and implement projects that bolster organizational capacity. Field School fellows work with a community partner to create and complete projects that will have a positive social, economic, cultural or environmental impact on the Upstate region. As a fellow of the Upstate Institute, students are responsible for building relationships in the local and regional community. Through this experience, students will complete independent work on innovative projects that provide a community benefit and in so doing develop a deeper understanding of the issues facing the Upstate region and a strong appreciation for what the region has to offer. 

Fellows work approximately 35 hours a week for 8–10 weeks with a partner organization. Students will provide a variety of services to the organization, which may include conducting research projects, developing training programs, working with clients, participating in program development and writing or researching grants. In addition, fellows will participate in a weekly seminar on campus in which they share information and ideas about their projects, develop specific skills, and delve into regional issues.  

Field School Fellows have been placed with the following organizations in past summers:

Abraham House

Curry Knox, '09: Summer 2008

Agricultural Economic Development Program at Madison County

Michael Palmer, '10: Summer 2009

Katy Morley, '10: Summer 2008

Adult Learning Center

Sarah Lee, '08: Summer 2007

Bassett Healthcare Cooperstown

Casey Gorman, '11: Summer 2009

Michael Komosinski, '11: Summer 2009

BRiDGES

Molly Gamble, '09: Summer 2009

Lea Furutani, '10: Summer 2008

Liz Harkins, '09: Summer 2007

Steve Hayden, '08: Summer 2006

Tori Theisen, '06: Summer 2005

Town of Cazenovia

David McKenzie, '08: Summer 2007

Cazenovia Area Community Development Agency (CACDA)

Kevin Williams, '10: Summer 2009

Cazenovia Community Preschool

Paige Cross, '11: Summer 2009

Cazenovia Preservation Foundation

Kevin Williams, '09: Summer 2008

Cazenovia Public Library

Raul Guerra, '09: Summer 2009

Central Adirondack Laboratory for Environmental Sciences

Ryan Streams, '09: Summer 2008

Chenango Canal Association

Rachel Surprenant, '08: Summer 2008

Chenango Nursery School

Sarah Lee, '08: Summer 2007

Chenango Summer Music Fest

Daniel Prial, '07: Summer 2005

Chenango United Way

Allison Bush, '09: Summer 2008 and Summer 2009

Daniel Cavazos, '10: Summer 2008

Daniel Lawrence, '09: Summer 2007

Julia Heymans, '08: Summer 2006

Colgate University Athletics

Sam Levy, '08: Summer 2006

Community Foundation of Oneida and Herkimer Counties, Inc.

Swetha Peteru, '08: Summer 2008

Kyla Dzwilewski, '08: Summer 2007

Community Memorial Hospital

Grace Baik, '10 : Summer 2008

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County

Chris Vincent, '08: Summer 2006

Earlville Opera House

Katherine Byrns, '10: Summer 2008

Allison Salewski, '09: Summer 2007

Sarah Miller, '07: Summer 2006

Alicia Gleason, '08: Summer 2005

For the Good, Inc.

Kelly Boyle, '10: Summer 2009

Hamilton Central School

Chris Glendening, '09: Summer 2008

Shamina Chasteen, '06: Summer 2006

Becky Armstrong, '06: Summer 2005

Hamilton Obstetrics & Gynecology

Susan Taffe, '06: Summer 2005

Hope House

Chris Glendening, '09: Summer 2009

Curry Knox, '09: Summer 2008

House of the Good Shepherd

David Pokorny, '10: Summer 2008

Iroquois Indian Museum

Claudia Piacente, '09: Summer 2009

Kelberman Center

Jen Frenett, '10: Summer 2009

Cara Delaney, '08: Summer 2007

Legal Aid Society of Mid New York, Inc.

Dante Armideo, '10: Summer 2009

Leighann Kimber, '10: Summer 2009

Ruben Leavitt, '08: Summer 2008 and Summer 2007

Carolyn Theis, '08: Summer 2006

Lorenzo State Historic Site

Kaitlin Tufts, '10: Summer 2008

Jeremy Bennick, '08: Summer 2007

Sarah Woodworth, '07: Summer 2006

John Steigerwald, '07: Summer 2005

MADArt, Inc.

Rachel Solomon, '09: Summer 2009

Madison County Department of Health

Sarah Hesler, '09: Summer 2009

Allison Taylor, '09: Summer 2008

Madison County Department of Social Services

Kate Serrurier, '09: Summer 2007

Jane Sheehan, '08: Summer 2006

Darcy Richardson, '06: Summer 2005

Madison County Historian

Joe Evans, '06: Summer 2006

Ananya Das, '12: Summer 2009

Madison County Stop DWI

Molly Gamble, '09: Summer 2009

Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees

Mark Castiglia, '09: Summer 2008

Jeremy Fisher, '10: Summer 2007

Alicia Gleason, '08: Summer 2006

National Abolition Hall of Fame

Moana Fogg, '10: Summer 2009

Kate Joyce, '09: Summer 2008

Carrie Dewitt, '07: Summer 2007

Lydia Gottesfeld, '08: Summer 2006

Lauren Johnston, '07: Summer 2005

The Neighborhood Center

Laura Simocko, '09: Summer 2008

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

John Demloer, '08: Summer 2006

Tara LaLonda, '06: Summer 2005

New York State Department of Labor Division of Employee Services

Ben Callaway, '07: Summer 2007

Oneida Community Mansion House

Chris Glendening, '09: Summer 2009

Fiona Mulligan, '07: Summer 2007

Oneida Public Library

Rachel Solomon, '09: Summer 2009

Opportunities for Chenango, Inc.

Robert Lucas, '09: Summer 2007

Elizabeth Turner, '08: Summer 2006

Emily Crantz, '07: Summer 2005

Partnership for Community Development

Alden Ellis, '07: Summer 2005

Resource Center for Independent Living

Carly Turro, '09: Summer 2008

Matt Inbusch, '08: Summer 2007

STOP NYRI, Inc.

Tom Blonkowski, '07: Summer 2007

Southern Madison Heritage Trust

Sam Torrey, '09: Summer 2007

Katie Flood, '06: Summer 2005

The Exhibition Alliance (TEA)

Tim Hogarth, '06: Summer 2005 and Summer 2006

Anne Newton, '06: Summer 2005

Upstate Cerebral Palsy

Cara Delaney, '08: Summer 2007

Villages of Canastota and Chittenango

Matt Mills, '07: Summer 2006

Visualization Lab at Colgate University

Kayla Sutherland, '11: Summer 2009

Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program at Utica College

Teesa Bahana, 11: Summer 2009

Grifin Goldsmith, '09: Summer 2008

Youth Philanthropy Project at Colgate University

Emily Katz, '09: Summer 2009