State University of New York-Empire State University

Former name	Empire State College
Type	Public university
Established	1971; 54 years ago (1971)
Parent institution	State University of New York
Endowment	$14.5 million[1]
President	Lisa Vollendorf
Academic staff	160 full time and 490 part time
Students	9,545 (2023)
Undergraduates	7,789 (2023)
Postgraduates	1,756 (2023)
Location	Saratoga Springs, New York , U.S.
Colors	Orange, blue, black    [2]
Nickname	Bluebirds[2]
Mascot	Blue the Bluebird[2]
Website	sunyempire.edu

Empire State University (SUNY Empire) is apublic university headquartered inSaratoga Springs, New York. It is part of theState University of New York (SUNY) system. Empire State University is a multi-site institution offeringassociate,bachelor's,master's,doctoral degrees, and distance degrees worldwide through the Center for Distance Learning. The university has approximately 12,000 undergraduate students and has an acceptance rate of 51%.^[3][4]The university is accredited by theMiddle States Commission on Higher Education.^[5]

The School for Graduate Studies offers master's degrees. Empire State University's Center for International Programs also has special programs for students inLebanon through theAmerican University of Science and Technology,Czech Republic, and Greece. From 2005 to 2010, Empire State University andAnadolu University in Turkey offered a joint MBA program. It also has arranged learning opportunities withUAW-Ford University,United Steelworkers of America, Corporate Noncredit Training, Navy College Program, and theInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local Union #3). Empire State University administrative offices are located inSaratoga Springs, New York.

Empire State College was designed by then SUNY ChancellorErnest Boyer in a document titled "Prospectus for a New University College."^[6] In 1971, Ernest L. Boyer, chancellor of theState University of New York, conceived a new college for the state's public university: a college dedicated to adult student-centered education. Empire State College was designed removing impediments to access such as time, location, institutional processes, and curricular customs. In this design, students would individually define their academic needs, purposes, and efforts. The college would be flexible in supporting them through its faculty, policies, and procedures, to achieve college-level learning.^{[citation needed]}

In 2020, Empire State University named its first-ever mascot, Blue the Bluebird. A campus-wide vote took place and Blue the Bluebird beat out other finalists, Cam the Chameleon and Van the Vanguard. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni cast 9,922 total votes in the finals. Thebluebird isNew York'sstate bird.^[2]

The university offers undergraduate and graduatedistance education, extensivetransfers of credits from other universities, prior-learning assessment for knowledge gained throughindependent studies,standardized evaluations, and the opportunity to design one's own degree with anacademic advisor or mentor.^[13]

In 2024,U.S. News & World Report ranked Empire State University No.151-165 out of 171 Regional Universities North, No.57-60 in Top Public Schools, tied at No.392 in Nursing, and No.161 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.^[15]

• Stephen Chan (American politician), NY State Senator
• Amy Arbus (2003), photographer^[16]
• Ita Aber, artist and curator^[17]
• Kenny Barron (1978), jazz pianist^[18]
• Ginny Brown-Waite (1976), former memberU.S. House of Representatives^[19]
• Herman Benson (1975), Union Reformer^[20]
• Dawoud Bey (1990), photographer^[21]
• Frank Enea (1993), musician and composer
• Alice Fulton (1978), English professor, winner of the 1991MacArthur Fellows Program Award, commonly referred to as the "genius" award, for poetry^[22]
• Susan Gibney, actress^[23]
• Deborah Gregory (1986), author ofCheetah Girls^[24]
• Karl Grossman (1976), professor of journalism SUNY Old Westbury, author, TV program host
• Bob Herbert (1988),The New York Times columnist^[25]
• Rich Hickey (1992), creator ofClojure programming language^[26]
• Erick Johnson, American contemporary artist^[27]
• Bernard Kerik (2002), former Commissioner of theNew York Police Department^[28]
• James J. LeCleir (1974),U.S. Air ForceMajor General^[29]
• Steven McLaughlin, member of theNew York State Assembly,County Executive ofRensselaer County, New York^[30]
• Kathy Muehlemann (1978), abstract painter & professor^[31]
• Elliott Murphy (1988), singer-songwriter & author^[32]
• Mae Ngai (1992) historian,Columbia University^[33]
• Alan Rachins (1974), television actor^[34]
• Mark J.F. Schroeder (1982), New York Commissioner of Motor Vehicles^[35]
• Norman Seabrook, former president Of New York City Correction Officers' Benevolent Association (1995–2016), convicted on corruption charges^[36]
• James M. Sheppard (1999), chief of theRochester Police Department and member of theMonroe County Legislature^[37]
• Randall Terry (2006), anti-abortion activist andConstitution Party nominee for the2024 United States presidential election
• Melba Tolliver (1998), journalist, reporter, and news anchor^[38]
• Herb Trimpe (1997), artist on "The Incredible Hulk" comic series^[39]
• Bob Watson (1999), major league baseball player and executive^[40]
• Reggie Witherspoon (1995), college basketball coach^[41]

• University of New York, Tirana
• University of New York, Prague
• SUNY Learning Network
• Non-traditional student

Wikimedia Commons has media related toEmpire State College.

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43°04′40″N73°46′57″W / 43.0777°N 73.7826°W /43.0777; -73.7826

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• State University of New York
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• Buildings and structures in Saratoga Springs, New York
• Universities and colleges on Long Island
• Tourist attractions in Rockland County, New York
• Universities and colleges in Rockland County, New York
• Universities and colleges in Syracuse, New York
• Empire State University

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