SUNY Potsdam Teams Up with St. Lawrence College and Mohawk Council of Akwesasne for New Degree Program

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From left, St. Lawrence College President Glenn Vollebregt, SUNY Potsdam President Kristin G. Esterberg and Grand Chief Abram Benedict of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne sign a new program agreement.

POTSDAM, NY (09/06/2016)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam is proud to announce a new partnership with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and St. Lawrence College in Ontario. The three institutions have joined forces to offer a degree completion program in archaeological studies.

Indigenous students can begin their studies by earning a general arts and sciences diploma from St. Lawrence College through the program offered at the Iohahi:io Education and Training Centre in Akwesasne. Mohawk students can then transfer to SUNY Potsdam to complete their junior and senior years in the College's renowned archaeological studies baccalaureate program.

"SUNY Potsdam is proud to partner with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and St. Lawrence College on this exciting initiative," said President Kristin G. Esterberg. "Our archeological studies program is unique, and our faculty and students regularly conduct filed work researching the history of indigenous peoples in our region and beyond. Through this partnership, we hope to prepare students to become leaders in this field."

Grand Chief Abram Benedict of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne said that that there is a need for archaeological specialists in this region, "as the St. Lawrence Seaway holds centuries of shared history." Residents of Akwesasne will be trained for an interdisciplinary and in-demand career.

"This agreement will provide a seamless transfer opportunity to help students get prepared for rewarding careers as archaeologists. We are pleased to be able to offer this with our partners at the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and SUNY Potsdam. It is a truly unique dual credential offering that goes across borders," said Glenn Vollebregt, president and CEO of St. Lawrence College.

The mission of the anthropology department at SUNY Potsdam is to provide students with knowledge of the five fields of anthropology and to give them practical experience in communities so that they can approach the world professionally and anthropologically.

The College's archaeological studies program offers students a chance to gain hands-on field experience working alongside experienced faculty as undergraduates. Past field school projects have included work in the North Country and the Adirondacks, and as far away as South Africa. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/Anthro.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. As the College marks its bicentennial in 2016, SUNY Potsdam will celebrate a 200-year legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,100 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and leadership in the arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community is nearing the completion of Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which has raised $33.5 million for scholarships and programs.

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