Convocation Day

April 23, 2026 | 10 a.m.

Baldwin Gymnasium

Keynote Speaker:

Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard

President/CEO,

American Association of Community Colleges

Convocation Day Schedule

Reception
Time: 9 – 10 a.m.
Location: Student Center Lobby

Keynote Address – Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, President/CEO, American Association of Community Colleges
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
Location: Baldwin Gym

Panel Sessions

As part of Convocation Day, we invite students, faculty, and staff to participate in one of this year’s engaging panel discussions. These conversations are designed to spark dialogue, share expertise, and explore the evolving role of AI across disciplines and campus life.

Digital Ethics

Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: TH 102
Moderators: Chris Keaty, keatycr@sunybroome.edu and Tim Skinner, skinnertj@sunybroome.edu
Panelists: Conor Morrison, Eli Buchanan, Aidan Butora, Rayne Tracy, Ahmet Algi

This will be a student panel discussion on the ethics surrounding A.I. and other technologies. They will discuss its appropriate uses, environmental concerns, as well as what students today are saying about the ethical implications of AI.

Critical Thinking in the Age of AI

Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: TC 203 & via Zoom (Meeting ID: 938 2891 7867 Passcode: 037487)
Moderator: Beth Richards, richardsem@sunybroome.edu
Panelists: Sasha Asinovsky, Johanna Pilny, Dr. Kennie Leet, Clint Jones.

This panel will explore the evolving relationship between AI and critical thinking in higher education and potentially society more broadly. Designed as a thoughtful and engaging conversation, the session will bring together panelists with differing perspectives on AI’s role in shaping how we learn, analyze information, and make decisions.

The Pros and Cons of AI within Campus Services

Time: 1 – 2 p.m.
Location: TC 203
Moderator: Melissa Martin, martinmm2@sunybroome.edu
Panelists: Kristina Martemucci, Lian McGuane, Ashley Gaige, Deena Dement, Sasha Lofthouse, Noah Roth, Debbie Miller

This panel will explore the pros and cons of relying on artificial intelligence (AI) within student support services.  Panelists will examine the benefits of AI in areas such as counseling, tutoring, accessibility resources, and success coaching, while also addressing potential drawbacks.  Featuring both support service professionals and students who utilize these services, the discussion will offer a balanced perspective on how AI can enhance, complicate, and reshape the student support experience.

AI and Pedagogy

Time: 2 – 3 p.m.
Location: DH 201 & via Zoom (Meeting ID: 959 6158 0617 Passcode: SUNYBCC)
Moderators: Denisa Talovic, talovicdm@sunybroome.edu and Leora Kenney, kenneyl@sunybroome.edu
Panelists: Amira Davis, Peter Kravsky, Alistair Krempel, Sushma Madduri, Brett Masteller-Warren, Andrew Robertshaw, Zac Strenkert, Fatima Becirovic

From the perspectives of both teachers and students, this panel will look at various ways in which AI is taking shape and finding “Its” voice, while sharing how those engaging with this pedagogy have found it to be exciting, challenging, sometimes frustrating, and yet undeniably, a new “feature” of our lives.

The Physical Sciences and AI

Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
Location: DH 201
Moderator: Brian Tavarez, tavarezbd@acad.sunybroome.edu

This panel will explore real-world applications like data analysis, modeling, and healthcare innovation. It will highlight how AI supports scientific work, daily technology and how students can begin engaging with these tools today.

Hornets Challenge

Time: 3 p.m. (arrive by 2:45 p.m.)
Location: Outdoor Obstacle Course, across from the Broome County Sheriff’s Department is the entrance (up the hill from SUNY Broome)
Contact: Leigh Martindale, Criminal Justice

Join the Criminal Justice & Emergency Services Department, Physical Education & Sport Studies Department, Broome County Sheriff’s Department, Regional Law Enforcement Recruits, and SUNY Broome Office of Public Safety for this event.

Log off, show up, and get moving – you can ask AI for a workout, but it can’t do your workout for you! Join us for the following event and challenge yourself – unplug and get active; no screens required!

Student Research Showcase

Time: 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: DH 225-226
Moderator: Sasha Asinovsky

This session will give students an opportunity to showcase their original work, highlighting their projects, research, lab work, portfolios, and other creative work.

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We look forward to a dynamic and thought-provoking Convocation Day and encourage broad participation across campus.