People Like Me
There are thousands of interesting student stories at SUNY Canton. Here are a few. #peoplelikeme
-
Salvador (Sal) Diaz
Baseball connected Salvador (Sal) Diaz with SUNY Canton. Originally from Norwalk City, California, the Health and Fitness Promotion major recently transferred from Gallaudet University when the college for deaf, hearing impaired, and signing communities shuttered its baseball program.
-
Lydia Austin
Lydia Austin of Potsdam is documenting SUNY Canton student history as it unfolds. The Graphic and Multimedia Design major has served as the Paysonian Yearbook editor for the past two years.
-
Natasha Marero-Keppis
Natasha Marero-Keppis, a Criminal Investigation major from New York City, said her college journey began with a high school bus trip to SUNY Canton.
-
Emily Crossway
Early Childhood major Emily Crossway of Adams embarked upon a journey of personal growth and transformation at SUNY Canton.
-
Kylee Donnelly
Kylee Donnelly is an EOP student from Massena majoring in Applied Psychology. Kylee has been a highly involved student on campus with a promising future who caught the attention of the college’s EOP staff.
-
Jaden Muniz
Jaden Muniz of New York City came to SUNY Canton in search of freedom, independence, and growth while pursuing his love of animals. While here, he’s developed a support network of friends, colleagues, educators, and his fraternity brothers.
-
Tashmir Eggleston
In just a few short months, first-year student Tashmir (Taz) Eggleston of Newburgh is developing a solid connection with the community of Canton.
-
Bella Haydt
College courses are not the only heavy lift in Isabella (Bella) Haydt’s life. In addition to being a full-time student Funeral Services Administration major, she’s a national championship powerlifter.
-
Mellinia Morrison-Perez
Mellinia (Mimi) Morrison-Perez of Monroe came to SUNY Canton for its picturesque landscape and made the college her home.
-
Bronson Sharrow
Bronson Sharrow is majoring in Information Technology in preparation for a future career at his home on the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation.
-
Mikayla Nicol
Mikayla Nicol of Lowville selected SUNY Canton because of the Veterinary Science Technology program and its proximity to her home.
-
O’Dourghty “Odie” Cunningham
O’Dourghty “Odie” Cunningham is not a traditional SUNY Canton student. Instead of a classroom and lab environment, most of his education takes place behind the wheel of one of the college’s tractor-trailer trucks.
-
Alondra Maldonado
Alondra Maldonado is a first-generation immigrant from Guadalajara in Jalisco, Mexico, who is working as a SUNY Canton Presidential Intern at the St. Lawrence County Center for History and Culture in Canton.
-
Arianna Hooper
Orianna Hooper of Churubusco enrolled in the Automotive program to further her dreams of restoring old cars. She currently has a project underway while in college.
-
Harold Chaves
Harold Chaves, originally from Downtown Manhattan, is an Emergency Management major who takes classes online from Portland, Oregon.
-
Eli Larson
Eli Larson, a Mechatronics major from Greenville, is accomplishing more than he thought he would in college.
-
Decker & McAdams
A pair of non-traditional SUNY Canton students have started a lasting friendship as adult learners studying online in the Funeral Services Administration program.
-
Colleen Cheney
Colleen Cheney of West Stockholm majors in the Graphic and Multimedia Design program and is the President for the SUNY Canton chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
-
Ismail Abdelmegied
Ismail Abdelmegied of Livingston Manor is a senior in Game Design and Development with a passion for playing and creating video games.
-
Rudie Nyom
Rudie Nyom is an international student from Cameroon, Africa who majors in Finance. She chose her major because she wants to start her own investment company after completing her education.
-
Jack Hyland
Jack Hyland is a Technological Communications major from Baldwinsville. Jack also plays Overwatch for the SUNY Canton esports program.
-
Summer Foster
Summer Foster of Dansville is a freshman in the Veterinary Science Technology program who grew up with a passion for soccer and animals.
-
Mathew Greene
Mathew Greene of Waddington has learned the art of motivation, hard work, and perseverance while studying in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology program and working to fabricate the College’s steel bridge.
-
Elizabeth Carrera
Elizabeth Carrera, a junior in the Veterinary Technology program from Long Island, has combined her love for both art and science by creating a business drawing pet portraits.
-
Alyssa Pitcheralle
Alyssa Pitcheralle from East Greenbush majors in Homeland Security and minors in Applied Psychology at SUNY Canton.
-
Patrick Madonna
Patrick Madonna of Syracuse is a senior in the Information Technology program at SUNY Canton. He selected his major because it had career stability and allowed him to use his talents with technology in an exciting way.
-
Muzamil Kaila
Muzamil Kaila, a Sudanese American from Syracuse, is a senior in the Automotive Technology program who was inspired to pursue his interests by his family and a popular Disney animated feature film.
-
Shannen Gallagher
Shannen Gallagher from Gouverneur is using her time in the Graphic and Multimedia Design program to complete a comic she started in her youth.
-
Elizabeth Nichols
Elizabeth Nichols, a Veterinary Science Technology senior from Churubusco, is considered royalty in the dairy industry.
-
Samantha Dayter
Samantha (Sam) Dayter of Cohoes is an award-winning two-sport athlete working on her third degree at SUNY Canton.
-
Allison Lashway
Allison Lashway from Hudson Falls is a senior in the Criminal Investigation program. She minors in both Forensic Science and Forensic Victimology. SUNY Canton has provided the hands-on work with professors that Allison had hoped for when coming to college.
-
Dae Wilson
Dae Wilson of Washington Heights enrolled in the Funeral Service Administration program in the spring of 2020. Dae uses they/them pronouns and shared their personal SUNY Canton story.
-
Jalyn Maranda
SUNY Canton Criminal Investigation major Jalyn Maranda of Harlem said she came to SUNY Canton back in 2019, right before the pandemic “took the world by storm.”
-
Debbie Flack
Debbie Flack of Ogdensburg is a junior in the Technological Communications program. She is a nontraditional student who came back to college later in life after getting married and having children.
-
Calvin Reid
Calvin Reid from the Bronx chose SUNY Canton because of his interest in technology and esports. The Cybersecurity program allowed him to pursue his interests and become an active student on campus.
-
Aayliah White
Aayliah White plays women's lacrosse for the Kangaroos and is a junior in the college's Health and Fitness Promotion major.
-
Anikko Serrano
Anikko Serrano of the Bronx came to SUNY Canton in 2020 during the height of COVID restrictions. The senior Electrical Engineering Technology major said he struggled with his studies during his first year in relative isolation before realizing all the resources available to assist him with his college career.
-
October Lukach
October Lukach is a senior Funeral Services Administration from the Newburgh area in Orange County. October uses they, them, and their pronouns and said they were initially afraid they wouldn't get into SUNY Canton.
-
Taylor Ewing
Taylor Ewing from Nova Scotia decided to come to SUNY Canton so he could play for the men’s hockey team. He is a sophomore in the Management program, and plans to graduate in 2026.
-
Victoria Bonavita
Victoria Bonavita of West Babylon has always had a passion for helping animals, that’s why she decided to come to SUNY Canton and enroll in the Veterinary Technology program. However, she didn’t make the journey to Canton alone, she brought her cat Luca with her.
-
Carter Pooler
SUNY Canton Sports Management major Carter Pooler of Adams Center said he chose SUNY Canton so he could earn a degree while playing lacrosse for the Roos.
-
Danielle Reyes
Senior Danielle Reyes of Rockaway Park, Queens decided to attend SUNY Canton because of the Veterinary Technology bachelor’s degree, which is one of a few of its kind in the nation.
-
Marissa Massey
Marissa Massey of Watertown is a senior student in the Funeral Service Administration program. She said her classes have allowed her to discover her passion for helping people.
-
Darlene Anselm
Darlene A. Anselm is a picture of well-rounded student success at SUNY Canton.
-
Nicholas Oddey
Nicholas Oddey of Malone is a sophomore in SUNY Canton’s Criminal Investigation program. He said he chose SUNY Canton because it was only a half-hour away from his home, so it’s easy to go see his family.
-
Kelly Hu
Kelly Hu of New York City came to SUNY Canton for the Graphic and Multimedia Design program. She has loved drawing since she was six years old and has always wanted to learn new styles and approaches to develop her art.
-
Richard Haller
Richard Haller of Richville is a freshman at SUNY Canton planning to major in Technological Communications. He has lived in the North Country his whole life and chose Canton because it was close to home.
-
Brennan Harmer
Brennan Harmer of Madrid is a junior at SUNY Canton in the Sports Management program who plays both soccer and basketball for the Roos.
-
Tyler Fuentes
Tyler Fuentes of Monroe became involved with SUNY Canton’s Cross Country team and a member of the campus’ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) squad. The Homeland Security junior said the college was a perfect fit because it offered all his educational interests.
-
Victoria Ingels
Victoria Ingels of Glenville knew SUNY Canton’s Crime Analysis program would be the perfect opportunity for her as both a mother and a full-time employee. She enrolled in the program online for a fast track to her four-year degree.
-
Erin Stickney
Erin Stickney of Norwood quickly found her place as a transfer student at SUNY Canton. She selected the college’s Technological Communications Program because she loves both photography and social media.
-
Muhammad Shabbir
Muhammad Shabbir of Kingston quickly felt at home in SUNY Canton’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology program. Muhammad chose the college because he said he wanted a hands-on academic experience with career potential.
-
Alec Knowles
Alec Knowles of Parishville said his SUNY Canton Story revolves around his passion for video games. The Esports Management major is a member of the college’s League of Legends team, which won second place in last year’s ECAC championships.
-
Emma Bortnick
Emma Bortnick of Canton knew she wanted to be a nurse from a very young age and continued a family legacy by attending SUNY Canton.
-
Charliann Friedman
Charliann R. Friedman is a campus leader in her program of study, a senior Resident Assistant (RA), and a Senior Student Ambassador in the Office of Admissions. Originally from Schenectady, she joined the college as a transfer student and is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology and a minor in Applied Psychology.
-
Peter Parrish
Peter Parrish of Edwards has found his place at Canton on the SUNY Canton Steel Bridge Team.
-
Anthony Probst
Anthony Propst is a comic book lover who shared his enthusiasm with the entire college during the recent College Comic Con.
-
Gabrielle Gyampoh
Gabrielle Gyampoh from Middletown is one of several college student ambassadors who are responsible for engaging with prospective students and providing first-hand knowledge about the SUNY Canton experience.
-
Nicholas Abrantes
Nicholas Abrantes of Lake George celebrates his academic success by passing along his skills and knowledge through his campus job at the Betty J. Evans Tutoring Center.
-
Miranda Mejia
Miranda Mejia’s goal in life is to help families say goodbye to their loved ones. The sophomore said she learns best through hands-on practice, and that she’s found her place in the college’s Funeral Services Administration program.
-
Sara Lynch
Sara Lynch of Potsdam is the first recipient of the “Women in Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) Scholarship,” an award created by college alumni and friends to support female students interested in this STEM field.
-
Kara DeWeese
For Kara DeWeese of Queensbury, horses and the stock market share commonalities. The junior Finance major has used SUNY Canton to help start her career with the end goal of restarting her equestrian enthusiasm.
-
Chris Gilman
Junior Chris Gilman of Tupper Lake was originally attracted to SUNY Canton because of the iconic water tower at the front of campus.
-
Ladonna Smith
Being the only female student in the classroom is the norm for Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology student Ladonna Smith of Mount Vernon.
-
Zachary Ahola
Senior men’s hockey forward Zachary Ahola of Hancock, MI, said he selected SUNY Canton because the area gave him the feeling of being home away from home.
-
Charlotte Baldwin
Aspiring graphic artist Charlotte Baldwin of Potsdam has ignited her creativity in SUNY Canton’s Graphic and Multimedia Design program.
-
Stephanie Washington
Online student Stephanie Washington of Syracuse said SUNY Canton, and her family, have given her the support she needed to work toward advancing her career at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital.
-
Miqueas Guerrero Martinez
Miqueas Guerrero Martinez was born in the Dominican Republic and moved with his family to Yonkers in 2013. He chose SUNY Canton because of his love of the outdoors and rural environments.
-
Quran DuBois
Quran DuBois is a third-year Health and Fitness Promotion major from Niagara Falls who wants to become a physical therapist after graduation. He is also a guard for the Roos men’s basketball team.
-
Jaydelynn Tamblin
Jaydelynn Tamblin, a first-year Applied Psychology major from Gouverneur, said she was apprehensive to start college. She was able to overcome her fears with support from her friends, and the faculty and staff at SUNY Canton. She provided some advice for those thinking about starting their education.
-
Dimitri
In our first installment of the “Pets Like Me” series, meet Dimitri, an emotional support dog who lives in Rushton Hall with his owner, Victoria Hanna of Malone.
-
Benjamin York
Benjamin York of Auburn is a leader on the award-winning Student Steel Bridge Team.
-
Chelsey Raven
Chelsey Raven of Ogdensburg is a Nursing major and a forward for the Kangaroos women’s basketball team. She said she chose SUNY Canton because it gave her the opportunity to stay close to home while studying nursing and playing basketball.
-
Cassidy Asiamah
Cassidy Asiamah of the Bronx has just become one of SUNY Canton’s newest student leaders. She was selected to serve in the first class of SUNY Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Ambassadors and will be one of 20 individuals statewide to advocate for her peers.
-
Daniel DePhilippis
In 2019, Esports Management major Daniel DePhilippis from Galloway, N.J., quit his job in tech support at a cable company to pursue his love for gaming.
-
Gyniah Jenkins
Gyniah Jenkins of Harlem is the President of Beta Sigma Zeta Sorority Inc. and a Criminal Investigation major. She recently received an American Red Cross scholarship after her sorority helped orchestrate a campus blood drive with the Wellness Promotions office.
-
Karly Rothvoss
For Karly Rothvoss, flexibility was important when she decided to enroll in the Agribusiness Management program.
-
Luis Torres Rivera
Luis Torres Rivera from Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, is a Health and Fitness Promotion major and a pitcher for the men’s baseball team. He said he chose SUNY Canton because it gave him the opportunity to become more independent and study what he loves.
-
Briannah Isaac
In a few weeks, senior Briannah Isaac will be the first in her family to graduate from college.
-
Robert Akomezogho
Robert Akomezogho, an international student from Gabon, wants to help a North Country hospital defend against hackers this summer.
-
Justin Brooks
Justin Brooks, a sophomore in the Esports Management program, found the same camaraderie on the college’s esports team as he did growing up playing football in Syracuse.
-
Brigit Tejada
Brigit Tejada is a Veterinary Technology major and animal lover from Manhattan, New York. She said she selected SUNY Canton because it was one of the only four-year programs in her field.
-
Sirena Alvarez
Sirena Alvarez, a sophomore in the Health and Fitness Promotion program, was born in Helsinki and was raised in Jyväskylä, Finland. As an international student, she said she selected SUNY Canton after being recruited by Coach David LaBaff.
-
Thomas Contino
Thomas Contino of Henderson is putting the finishing touches on the college’s newest mural in Nevaldine Hall South. Tom is a prolific painter in the Graphic and Multimedia Design program and an avid musician.
-
Judson Foote
Judson Foote of Hermon decided to become a nurse because people told him he couldn’t. The 36-year-old father of four has been a commercial truck driver, is an ordained minister and a private pilot.
-
Felicidad Christensen
Felicidad Christensen picked SUNY Canton's Funeral Services Administration program because she wanted to go into a field where she could help people and be involved in her community.