SUNY Potsdam Student Andrew Metz Serves as First Graduate Residence Director for Neighboring SUNY Canton

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Andrew Metz of Ilion, N.Y., is in his final semester of graduate courses at SUNY Potsdam and working as SUNY Canton’s first Graduate Residence Director at Heritage Residence Hall.

POTSDAM, NY (02/06/2013)(readMedia)-- A SUNY Potsdam graduate student is working as Residence Hall Director at SUNY Canton to help pay his college costs.

The College's first Graduate Residence Director (GRD) is Andrew Metz of Ilion, N.Y. Metz is in his final semester studying graduate-level Theater Education and Elementary Education.

Metz will be working for his room and board, his tuition for up to nine SUNY graduate level credit hours, and a stipend.

"This is the first time SUNY Canton has been able to hire a grad student for this position," said Molly A. Mott, SUNY Canton's Vice President for Student Affairs. "The new position is filling a full-time vacancy and will create substantial savings for Canton while offering Andrew the opportunity to work while completing his coursework."

Metz is the first in this position and oversees Heritage Residence Hall. SUNY Canton will be considering other applicants as vacancies become available in the College's other four residence halls.

"This is a win-win for everyone: our new GRD gets to go to graduate school for free, gain work experience and earn a living. SUNY Canton saves substantially while working with its partner College," said John M. Kennedy, Director of Residence Life.

"SUNY Potsdam graduate students gain work experience and build community as residence directors. We are glad that SUNY Canton will be making more of these positions available, so that students working on their master's degrees at Potsdam can gain financial support and build their resumes by working at our neighboring campus," said SUNY Potsdam Director of Residence Life Eric Duchscherer.

The Graduate Residence Director is one of many partnerships forming between the Student Affairs divisions at both colleges through shared services. SUNY Potsdam's residence life office hosted a shared training session for the professional residence hall staff members. Both colleges are also planning to share a guest speaker as a part of resident assistant training for the fall.

"We have developed a great working relationship with Potsdam and look forward to collaborating with them as we work to find ways to become more effective and efficient," Kennedy said.

About SUNY Canton:

SUNY Canton offers a variety of career-driven bachelor's degrees in addition to its associate and certificate programs. In the past year, the College added two new bachelor's degrees and expanded its facilities with a new athletic center, nicknamed Roos House, and the Grasse River Suites Residence Hall. The College's faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers flexible and convenient online courses and programs. The College's 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III as well as the USCAA.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

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