UAlbany-CNSE Reunification Update

Dear UAlbany Community, 

I am writing with some exciting news on several important milestones in the reunification of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) with the University at Albany.

In recent weeks, we have advanced our plan to move the 10 CNSE academic programs back to UAlbany through the necessary review, approval, and accreditation processes, including with the New York Department of Education, ABET - the accrediting agency for Engineering - and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The programs relocating to UAlbany include bachelor, master’s, and doctoral degrees in nanoscale science and nanoscale engineering; master’s and doctoral degrees in nanobioscience; and combined MD/PhDs in medicine/nanoscale engineering and medicine/nanoscale science offered jointly with SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. 

These milestones are the result of months of diligent behind-the-scenes hard work by faculty, staff, and the leadership teams at UAlbany, SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), and SUNY. This work sets the stage for the corresponding CNSE students to continue their studies seamlessly at UAlbany during the fall semester. This process also ensures the transition of the corresponding CNSE faculty and staff from SUNY Poly to UAlbany. Ensuring the reunification proceeds smoothly, and with maximum flexibility has been our top priority since Day 1. 

While much work remains to be done, these are significant waypoints on the path to reunification, and I hope you will join me in thanking the members of the reunification Steering Committee and Working Groups and countless others who have dedicated many hours throughout the spring and summer to keep this process moving forward. 

When our colleagues at CNSE rejoin UAlbany, they will do so under the banner of the newly re-named College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE) led by Dean Michele Grimm. This newly expanded academic unit, a consolidation between CNSE and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS), will leverage CNSE’s global reputation for nanotechnology and semiconductor research with CEAS’s growing enrollment and formidable strengths in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and environmental and sustainable engineering. 

I am also thrilled that Dr. J. Andres Melendez, current interim dean at CNSE, plans to stay on as chair of the newly formed Department of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to continue his important teaching and research here at UAlbany. Dean Melendez has been integral to the rapid progress of the reunification planning, and I am grateful for his partnership. 

Finally, this process has gone remarkably well due to the extraordinary partnership UAlbany has forged with SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Andrew Russell, Officer in Charge, and our colleagues at SUNY Poly have been collaborative, effective, and responsive, ensuring students, faculty, and staff could transition seamlessly before the fall semester began. We are very grateful to have the opportunity to work collaboratively with this outstanding group, including Dr. Russell and his leadership team. 

We envision a truly exciting future for teaching, research, and scholarship at UAlbany.  I expect to have more updates in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Havidán Rodríguez
President