News

Debbie Sydow, president of Onondaga Community College (OCC), will present a seminar exploring education access at community colleges. This three-credit class, offered through SU’s School of Education, will be held on the OCC campus during the spring 2012 semester. Sydow will be assisted by Kristine Duffy, vice president for enrollment management and student development at OCC.

The course will benefit those who seek a leadership role in post-secondary education, or a position in research or teaching at a community college or at partnering institutions. Those interested in a career in educational policy with a government or nonprofit educational agency would also benefit from the course.

Sydow is the seventh president of OCC. Under her leadership, OCC has experienced enrollment growth and developed a comprehensive strategic enrollment management program and centralized enrollment services. She has also created a Regional Higher Education Center, a new sustainability initiative and a highly acclaimed Arts Across Campus series.

For more information about this Syracuse University course, contact Barb Witek at 315-443-4763 or email sweber@syr.edu.

At the Dec. 1 session of the Institute for Retired People (IRP), Elizabeth Dailey, executive director of the Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) system, will discuss the operation of the OCPL, the trends in library services and usage, and current plans to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the 23-year-old Central Library.

Dailey was appointed director of the Onondaga County Public Library in 2009, having served the county library system for 30 years. She graduated from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick, where she earned a master’s of library science degree.

The program, running from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., is free and open to the public. IRP sessions are held at the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville.

IRP is a community program established by University College of Syracuse University, dedicated to the principle of lifelong learning. For more information on IRP, call 443-4846.

Patricia Gregory, registered nurse and longtime puppy trainer, will share the intricacies of the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and America’s VetDogs at this week’s Institute for Retired People. She will be introducing the audience to Luke, her 1-year-old puppy in training, at the Nov. 17 session of Institute for Retired People (IRP) from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Sessions are held at the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville.

Gregory graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, having worked until this past February as an ICU nurse in a community hospital on Long Island. She has been a volunteer at the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and Americas VetDogs located in Smithtown, N.Y. on Long Island, for the past 20 years. Gregory trains puppies to be well-behaved, focused and socially adapted, and ready to become a guide dog or assistance dog.

IRP is a community program established by University College of Syracuse University, dedicated to the principle of lifelong learning.

Heidi Holtz, director of grant making at the Gifford Foundation, and Stephen Butler, executive director of the Cultural Resources Council, will discuss the IDEAS Collaborative (Initiative to Engage and Develop Audiences), at the Nov. 3 session of Institute for Retired People (IRP) from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Sessions are held at the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville.

The intent of the IDEAS Collaborative is to strengthen the fabric of the cultural community in Syracuse and Onondaga County. By working together, funders, grantees and community members share the common goals of increasing cultural participation, identifying and growing sustainable audiences and uncovering opportunities for cooperative activity and resource sharing. Join the group for a firsthand account of how the Central New York cultural community is working together to share talents and resources.

IRP is a community program established by University College of Syracuse University, dedicated to the principle of lifelong learning. For more information on IRP visit http://www.yesu.syr.edu/IRP or call 443-4846.

The Connective Corridor is emerging as a signature strip of cutting-edge cultural development connecting the University Hill with downtown Syracuse. Robbi Farschman, director of community engagement and economic development at Syracuse University, will explain the Connective Corridor at the Oct. 20 session of the Institute for Retired People (IRP) from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Sessions are held at First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville.

In addition to the bus route, the Corridor includes bike paths, imaginative lighting, public and interactive art, signage and directional systems that will help spur cultural and economic development.

Among other projects, the Connective Corridor is funding the construction of a new outdoor plaza at Syracuse Stage, a facelift at the Community Folk Art Center, façade improvements for buildings along the Corridor and reconstruction of Forman Park on East Genesee Street. Farschman will provide an overview of these and other projects under way and planned in the Connective Corridor.