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SUNY Potsdam Public Health Students, Faculty & Alumni Attend Statewide Conference

SUNY Potsdam Graduate Student Theresa Adams '24 & '26 Earns Prestigious Recognition from New York State Public Health Association

Potsdam, NY (04/29/2026) — A group of students and faculty from SUNY Potsdam's public health program recently attended the 2026 New York State Public Health Partnership Conference, held in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Undergraduate and graduate students had the opportunity to attend lectures and seminars, along with faculty members Dr. Kelly Bonnar and Dr. Missi Wooldridge '08, and were able to network with a number of alumni and organizations working in the field. The students included:

  • Theresa Adams '24 & '26 of Hogansburg, N.Y., who completed her baccalaureate studies and is now completing her Master of Science degree in public health
  • Shelbie Alguire '25 & '27 of Gouverneur, N.Y., who completed her baccalaureate studies and is now studying toward her Master of Science degree in public health
  • Jennifer Dalton '26 of Theresa, N.Y., who is completing her Bachelor of Science degree in public health
  • Raven Manchester '27 of Canajoharie, N.Y., who is completing her Master of Science degree in public health

Faculty member Dr. Missi Wooldridge '08 was a speaker in the plenary panel presentation, "Diverse Paths, One Purpose: Public Health in Action," as part of the New York State Public Health Corps Summit, to kick off the overall conference.

While at the conference, the group was able to connect with alumni and current public health practitioners, including Flo Joseph '23, Hillary Rabel '25, Whitney Callaghan '17, Dan Sweet '16 and Erin Streiff '18 -- all there representing their current work in the field. Likewise, graduate student Raven Manchester participated in educational activities and also represented her organization, MATTERS Network, while at the event as well.

Additionally, graduate student Theresa Adams '24 & '26 of Hogansburg, N.Y., was honored with the prestigious New York State Student Excellence in Public Health Award.

A Mohawk grandmother and single mother who worked for nearly 30 years at Kanonhkwa'tsheri:io, the Akwesasne Dental Clinic, Adams decided to return to SUNY Potsdam to pursue her lifelong dream of completing her college studies. Along the way, Adams earned the role of district chief in Akwesasne and worked for several years as a public safety dispatcher. While attending classes at Potsdam, she has worked two jobs and completed multiple internships and research projects. As part of one service-learning project, she analyzed ways to improve dental health outcomes among remote northern First Nations communities Cree Territory in Canada. She also had the chance to participate in New York University's Health Equity Symposium and has won several awards for her research and leadership.

"I truly believe public health was written in the stars for Theresa. It is her calling, and her ancestors walk with her, steady and proud. Theresa stands apart from her peers in both presence and purpose and brings forward not only academic excellence and decades of public health experience, but also the kind of wisdom that is rooted in community, land, and ancestral knowing," said Wooldridge, who nominated Adams for the award. "Her approach is rooted in reciprocity and respect, and Theresa's wisdom and approach make her a rare and powerful force in the field. She is a bridge between worlds demonstrated by her fluency in both Western public health frameworks and Indigenous ways of knowing."

SUNY Potsdam's undergraduate and graduate programs in public health are both now fully online -- allowing students to complete their degrees wherever they are located. Graduates are prepared for careers in chronic disease prevention and in areas such as substance abuse prevention, nutrition/dietetics, social work, sexual and reproductive health promotion. SUNY Potsdam public health alumni are employed in local, state and national public health agencies, and a range of non-profit organizations.

Internships, applied learning and career coaching are a critical component of the SUNY Potsdam public health program, which includes a capstone internship and research experiences to culminate their studies. Experienced faculty provide support and supervision to help students secure internship placements and complete hands-on research projects in their local communities or beyond. More than 40 percent of students completing internships through SUNY Potsdam's public health program are offered jobs by their internship sites at the end of their placements.

For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/publichealth.

About SUNY Potsdam:

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. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 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 culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.

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Media Attachments

From left to right, Shelby Alguire, Dr. Kelly Bonnar, Jennifer Dalton and Theresa Adams pose for a photo.

From left to right, Shelby Alguire, Dr. Kelly Bonnar, Jennifer Dalton and Theresa Adams pose for a photo while attending the New York State Public Health Partnership Conference in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Theresa Adams poses with her New York State Student Excellence in Public Health Award.

SUNY Potsdam graduate student Theresa Adams ’24 & ’26 was honored with the 2026 New York State Student Excellence in Public Health Award.

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