Michael J. Castellana Named Chairman, Member of the University Council at the University at Albany
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Michael J. Castellana, chairman of the University at Albany Council.
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As chairman, Castellana will lead the University Council, established on state-operated campuses in the SUNY system to supervise the operations and affairs of each institution. The Governor appoints nine of the ten members of the Council. The tenth member is a student, elected for a one-year term by and from the students enrolled at the University at Albany.
SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “Michael Castellana has set education as a priority throughout his esteemed career, and consistently partnered with SUNY and the University at Albany to improve student services in the Capital Region, from cradle to career. I commend Governor Cuomo for making this exemplary appointment and look forward to the University’s enhanced partnership with SEFCU and Mr. Castellana.”
University at Albany President Robert J. Jones said, “I wish to extend my congratulations to Michael Castellana on being named by Governor Cuomo as the next Chair of the University Council. As a passionate two-time alumnus, Mr. Castellana has demonstrated in countless ways his devotion and commitment to the University at Albany. We greatly appreciate his willingness to once again serve his alma mater. I look forward to working closely with Michael and the other members of the University Council as we strive to collectively advance the well-being of our University for the betterment of our students, faculty and staff, as well as the greater Capital Region community.”
Castellana has a long-standing relationship with the University. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and his MBA from UAlbany in 1984 and 1992, respectively. He serves on the board of the University at Albany Foundation and the advisory board of the University at Albany MBA Advisory Council. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Small Enterprise Economic Development (SEED) program, a partnership between SEFCU, UAlbany and Empire State Development.''
As SEFCU’s President and CEO, Castellana leads the largest credit union in the Capital Region and the seventh largest in New York. Castellana joined SEFCU as a member of the executive management team and during his tenure has seen the credit union grow both geographically and in overall size. He will celebrate his 25th anniversary with the credit union this spring.
Since arriving at SEFCU, he has overseen the credit union’s growth in Albany County, and has expanded into Saratoga, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Broome, Onondaga, and Erie counties. Castellana successfully negotiated and completed six mergers throughout the Capital Region, Southern Tier, and Buffalo region.
Castellana directs all functional areas of the credit union and is responsible for its business planning and asset management. In addition, he serves as chairman of the SEFCU Foundation, a non-profit affiliation Castellana formed to pool the time, talent and financial resources of SEFCU staff in support of children’s causes. In the community, Castellana is chairman of the Board of Directors of the Capitalize Albany Corporation and serves on the board of Tech Valley Connect. He also serves on the advisory boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Anne Institute, the President’s Advisory Council of Hudson Valley Community College, Albany Promise Stakeholder Council, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council, which he chairs.
From the summer of 2011 through the fall of 2012, Castellana served as co-chair of the Capital Region Economic Development Council, a position he was also appointed to by Gov. Cuomo.
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A comprehensive public research university, the University at Albany-SUNY offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors and 125 master's, doctoral and graduate certificate programs. UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, education, public health,health sciences, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare and sociology, taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. It also offers expanded academic and research opportunities for students through an affiliation with Albany Law School. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.
