Mohawk Valley Community College

Mohawk Valley Community College is a public community college located in Utica, New York, Oneida County, New York, and Rome, New York, Oneida County, New York. The college was founded in 1946 as the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences at Utica, with the goal of providing vocational education and technical training to veterans returning from World War II, including those who served in the European Theatre of World War II and the Pacific Theatre of World War II. The college has since expanded to offer a wide range of academic programs, including associate's degrees in fields such as business administration, nursing, and engineering, with partnerships with institutions like SUNY Polytechnic Institute and Clarkson University. The college is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, which includes other institutions like University at Albany, Binghamton University, and Stony Brook University.

● History

The college's history dates back to 1946, when it was established as the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences at Utica, with the support of Governor of New York Thomas E. Dewey and New York State Legislature. The college's early years were marked by rapid growth, with enrollment increasing from just over 200 students in the first year to over 1,000 students by the mid-1950s, including GIs who attended the college under the G.I. Bill. The college became a part of the SUNY system in 1963, during the administration of Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and has since expanded to include campuses in Rome, New York, and Verona, New York, with partnerships with local businesses like Mohawk Valley Health System and National Grid (US). The college has also established relationships with other institutions, including Hamilton College, Colgate University, and Syracuse University.

● Academics

The college offers a wide range of academic programs, including associate's degrees and certificate programs in fields such as business administration, nursing, engineering, and computer science, with courses taught by faculty from institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which also accredits other institutions like University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Columbia University. The college has also established partnerships with local businesses and organizations, including Mohawk Valley Health System, National Grid (US), and Oneida Nation Enterprises, to provide students with internship and job training opportunities, as well as with institutions like Rochester Institute of Technology and University at Buffalo.

● Campus

The college's main campus is located in Utica, New York, with additional campuses in Rome, New York, and Verona, New York. The college's campuses feature a range of facilities, including librarys, computer labs, and athletic facilities, such as the Jorgensen Athletic and Events Center, which hosts events like the NCAA Division III basketball tournament, and the Utica Memorial Auditorium, which has hosted performances by artists like Elvis Presley and The Beatles. The college is also home to the MVCC Rome Campus, which features a range of facilities, including a child care center and a workforce development center, with partnerships with institutions like Herkimer County Community College and Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

● Student Life

The college offers a range of student life activities, including clubs and organizations, intramural sports, and community service opportunities, such as the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. The college also features a range of facilities, including a student union and a fitness center, with equipment from companies like Life Fitness and Precor. The college's student government is responsible for planning events and activities, such as the Welcome Week and the Spring Fling, which have featured performances by artists like Kanye West and Taylor Swift. The college also has a range of student media outlets, including a newspaper and a radio station, which have covered events like the Super Bowl and the Olympic Games.

● Athletics

The college's athletic teams, known as the Hawks, compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Mountain Valley Conference (MVC), which also includes teams from institutions like Herkimer County Community College and Fulton-Montgomery Community College. The college offers a range of sports, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball, with games played at facilities like the Jorgensen Athletic and Events Center and the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The college has won several championships, including the NJCAA Division III basketball championship, and has produced athletes who have gone on to compete at the NCAA Division I level, including athletes who have competed in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship and the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship.

● Notable Alumni

The college has a range of notable alumni, including business leaders, politicians, and artists, such as Utica, New York Mayor Robert Palmieri, Oneida County, New York Executive Anthony Picente, and Grammy Award-winning musician Joe Bonamassa, who has performed with artists like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The college has also produced athletes who have gone on to compete at the professional level, including NFL player Will Smith, who played for the New Orleans Saints, and MLB player Matt Harvey, who played for the New York Mets. Other notable alumni include author Richard Russo, who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Empire Falls, and actor Bobcat Goldthwait, who has appeared in films like Police Academy and Scrooged.