Upcoming Events

COLLEGE OF NURSING UPCOMING EVENT:

The Upstate College of Nursing is hosting an Instant Admission Day!

Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing journey? The Upstate College of Nursing is hosting an Instant Admission Day to help you move forward quickly and easily toward your next degree or advanced certificate!

Instant Admission Day – In-Person Friday, November 21, 2025 - (please bring a copy of your unofficial transcripts)

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Downtown Campus
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Community Campus

Virtual Appointments: Available November 20–23, 2025

To register for a virtual Instant Admission Day, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D49ADAE28AAFB6-60333889-spring

Admission Decisions Confirmed by: November 26, 2025

This special event offers an expedited admissions process for programs that do not require an interview, including:

RN-BS (Edge Program for current Upstate nurses) – Spring 2026 or Fall 2026 start
Education Certificate – Spring 2026 or Fall 2026 start
MS in Nursing Education – Fall 2026 Start
MS in Nurse Practitioner – Fall 2026 Start

Join us to:

Meet one-on-one with admissions counselors and faculty
Learn more about flexible options designed for working nurses
Receive an on-the-spot admission decision for eligible programs

We’ll also be hosting a Virtual Open House on Wednesday, November 19 at 7:00 PM, where you can meet program leaders, hear from current students, and get your questions answered before you apply.

To Register for the Virtual Open House, click here: https://engage.upstate.edu/register/CON.OH

Use this Zoom link to attend the open house: https://upstate.zoom.us/j/92547257699

Your professional growth matters to you, to our patients, and to our Upstate community.

Recent Alumni Events

2025 White Coat and Scholarship Awards Ceremony

August 23, 2025 - Syracuse, NY - The Upstate College of Nursing proudly hosted its annual White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Onondaga County Civic Center. This meaningful event celebrated approximately 60 students as they marked an important milestone in their nursing education and professional journeys.

The ceremony brought together students, faculty, alumni, and families in recognition of the dedication and compassion that define the nursing profession. A highlight of the evening was the symbolic presentation of white coats, signifying each student’s commitment to patient care, ethical practice, and professional integrity.

Dr. Mantosh Dewan, President of Upstate Medical University, addressed the students with words of encouragement and inspiration as they embark on this next step in their careers. His message reinforced the profound impact that nurses have on patients, families, and communities.

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in this year’s White Coat Ceremony. The Upstate College of Nursing Alumni Association is proud to celebrate your achievements and looks forward to supporting your continued growth and success in the field of nursing.

WHITE COAT ROCK HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES!

SPINAL CHORDS ARE PROOF THAT DOCS CAN ROCK.

May 15, 2025 - If you weren’t at Funk ’n Waffles on May 15th, you definitely missed something special.

White Coat Rock, a first-of-its-kind benefit concert hosted by the Upstate Nursing and College of Health Professions Alumni Associations, brought the house down with live music, Upstate pride, and serious support for student scholarships. The event sold out in advance and filled the iconic Syracuse venue with energy, laughter, and a crowd that was ready to cheer for their favorite healthcare rock stars.

The show kicked off with Spinal Chords, a high-voltage band made up of Upstate faculty, staff, and students. The crowd couldn’t get enough of powerhouse vocalist Olivia Laniak, a medical student who brought both talent and stage presence to every song. She was joined by a stacked lineup of Upstate talent: medical students Jian Li on keyboards and Humza Khan on guitar, Shaun Sergott from Neurology on guitar, Dr. Mike Vertino (Department of Neurology) on bass, and on drums—none other than Dr. Larry Chin, Chair of Neurosurgery and Dean of the College of Medicine.

Local favorite, Jam Theory, followed and rocked us into the night with a setlist that kept the crowd on its feet until the final note.

The night was more than just a good time - it was a meaningful celebration of our Upstate community and a powerful way to give back. All proceeds from the concert support scholarship and other initiatives benefitting the College of Nursing and College of Health Professions.

Photos from White Coat Rock courtesy of B. Fitz Photograpy

Find them on Facebook and Instagram @B.Fitz.Photography

COLLEGE OF NURSING DEAN'S RECEPTION 2025

COLLEGE OF NURSING CELEBRATES GRADUATES AT ANNUAL DEAN’S RECEPTION

May 3, 2025 - The College of Nursing held its annual Dean’s Reception at SKY Armory in downtown Syracuse to honor graduating students on the eve of commencement. This year, 42 students were celebrated for completing their nursing degrees. The program included congratulatory remarks from Dean Tammy Austin-Ketch, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, along with student addresses, residency certificate presentations, and the announcement of the 2025 Student Marshal. A highlight of the afternoon was the recognition of this year’s DAISY Award recipients, introduced by Caitlin Nye, PhD, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CHSE.

The Upstate Nursing Alumni Association was proud to support this special milestone, continuing its commitment to fostering community and celebrating academic achievement. The event provided an opportunity for faculty, alumni, and students to connect in a meaningful way and marked the transition from student to professional for the next generation of nurse leaders. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

See more photos <Link coming soon>

DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE POSTER SHOWCASE

CELEBRATING DNP STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE 2025 POSTER SHOWCASE

Congratulations to our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students on a successful 2025 DNP Poster Showcase! Held on March 25, 2025, this event highlighted the incredible work of our students as they presented their final scholarly projects - evidence-based initiatives designed to address real-world healthcare challenges and improve patient care.

The evening began with welcome remarks from Dr. Suzanne Sullivan and Dr. Lori-Jeanne West, followed by compelling presentations from DNP students Kayla Butler and Jayne Vamvakias. Their projects exemplified the DNP program’s focus on translating research into clinical practice, showcasing innovative approaches to improving healthcare outcomes.

A panel discussion featuring Dr. Aisha Lubega, Dr. Kristen Soper, Dr. Sheri Stone, and Dr. Caitlin Tomko provided further insight into the impact of evidence-based practice in nursing. Dean Tammy Austin-Ketch, commended the students for their dedication and contributions to the future of nursing.

The event continued with a poster session, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with students about their projects, which covered a wide range of topics aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery.

Congratulations to all our DNP students on this major milestone!

See more photos here

2024 College of Nursing White Coat and Schoalrship Awards Ceremony

October 16, 2024 - The Upstate College of Nursing proudly hosted its annual White Coat Ceremony and Scholarship Awards, a meaningful event celebrating both new and continuing students as they commit to advancing their nursing education. This year’s ceremony recognized students at different stages of their nursing journeys, marking a pivotal moment in their careers.

With generous sponsorship from Family Care Medical Group, the event brought together students, faculty, alumni, and supporters in celebration of the nursing profession. Special thanks to Family Care Medical Group for their invaluable support, which helped make this impactful evening possible.

Among the distinguished speakers was David Cadet, RN, who shared a powerful story of resilience and growth following a life-changing accident. His journey of experiencing patient care from "the other side of the bed" inspired students to reflect on the compassion and empathy that define great nursing. His message was a moving reminder of the profound impact nurses have on patients' lives—and on each other.

Dr. Mantosh Dewan, President of Upstate Medical University, also spoke, offering words of wisdom and encouragement as students embark on their next steps in the field. A central moment of the ceremony was the symbolic presentation of white coats, signifying each student's dedication to ethical practice and patient care.

In addition to the white coat presentations, scholarship recipients were honored with certificates, acknowledging their dedication to excellence in nursing. Congratulations to all our students and scholarship recipients—your commitment to patient-centered care, integrity, and growth is an inspiration to us all. The Upstate College of Nursing Alumni Association is proud to support your journey and looks forward to all you will accomplish.