UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is proud to announce that Andrea Hemmerich, Director of Student Academic Success & Advising, has been selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the State University of New York’s (SUNY) Academic Momentum Campaign Fellows.

Announced by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., the Academic Momentum Campaign provides campuses with financial support and technical assistance to strengthen student retention and completion. As one of 24 faculty and staff selected through a competitive process from across the SUNY system, Hemmerich will support campuses in implementing evidence-based strategies to increase college persistence and graduation rates. Representing different regions of the state, the fellows bring significant expertise in structured advisement, degree mapping, course scheduling, early alerts, first-year experience, gateway course completion, teaching and learning, and other high-impact practices designed to improve student outcomes.

“At the heart of this work is a simple goal: ensuring every student feels supported, seen, and empowered to reach graduation,” Hemmerich said. “The Academic Momentum Campaign represents an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the SUNY system to strengthen evidence-based advising and student success strategies that make a measurable difference in students’ lives. I’m honored to represent SUNY Poly in this important systemwide effort.”

“Since joining SUNY Poly, Andrea has brought exceptional leadership and vision to our student success initiatives,” said SUNY Poly Provost Dr. Andrew Russell. “Her commitment to holistic advising and her instrumental role in implementing our new STAR Advising Model have strengthened the way we support students at every stage of their academic journey. Andrea’s collaborative approach and deep dedication to student achievement make her exceptionally deserving of this recognition as an inaugural Academic Momentum Campaign Fellow. We are proud to see her leadership recognized at the system level.”

Hemmerich joined SUNY Poly in 2024 and brings a strong track record of advancing student-centered advising practices. She began her career in higher education at Paul Smith’s College, guiding first-year and transfer students through the admissions and enrollment process. That foundational experience shaped her deep commitment to student-centered success and collaborative institutional growth.

She earned her master’s degree in higher education administration from Merrimack College and went on to serve for six years as Transfer Services Coordinator at Finger Lakes Community College. More recently, Hemmerich was the Director of Guided Pathways Advising at CT State Community College – Quinebaug Valley, where she led initiatives focused on holistic advising and student persistence before returning to her home state of New York to join SUNY Poly.

At SUNY Poly, Hemmerich remains committed to building collaborative partnerships across campus and strengthening systems that support students from enrollment through graduation. Her selection as an Academic Momentum Campaign Fellow reflects both her leadership in the field and SUNY Poly’s ongoing commitment to empowering students to thrive and complete their degrees.