(SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Dec. 30, 2015) Merodie A. Hancock, president of SUNY Empire State College, has joined the United Way of the Greater Capital Region board of directors.

As a member of the board, Hancock will be responsible for promoting and guiding United Way of the Greater Capital Region as it works to improve lives and advance the common good.

Hancock served on the board of United Way of Isabella County, Mich., during the time she was the vice president at Central Michigan University Global Campus.

“I am honored to join United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s board of directors,” said Hancock. “Working together with my colleagues on the board, the staff, volunteers and United Way partners, we can accomplish so much more than any one person or single organization in addressing the diverse community needs throughout the Capital Region.

“SUNY Empire, through strong undergraduate and graduate programs, including community and human services, human development, public affairs, education and policy studies, educates students who devote their careers to improving the quality of our lives and communities. SUNY Empire faculty, students and staff also bring their energy and skills in service to their communities as volunteers and as part of their research, teaching and learning. Serving on the United Way of the Greater Capital Region board is a natural extension of SUNY Empire’s rich tradition of providing service and community engagement.”

Hancock was named to the board on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 1 United Way, Albany, N.Y., and her three-year term of office began Tuesday, Dec. 1.

About United Way of the Greater Capital Region

United Way of the Greater Capital Region identifies community needs and brings people, resources and partners together to address priorities in the areas of basic needs, education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life and the cornerstones of a strong community. Learn more at www.unitedwaygcr.org.

About SUNY Empire State College

Empire State College, the nontraditional, open college of the SUNY system, educates more than 20,000 students worldwide at eight international sites, more than 35 locations in the state of New York, online, as well as face to face and through a blend of both, at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s levels.

The average age of an undergraduate student at the college is 35 and graduate students’ average age is 40.

Most Empire State College students are working adults. Many are raising families and meeting civic commitments in the communities where they live, while studying part time.

In addition to awarding credit for prior college-level learning, the college pairs each undergraduate student with a faculty mentor who supports that student throughout his or her college career.

Working with their mentors, students design an individual degree program and engage in guided independent study and course work onsite, online or through a combination of both, which provides the flexibility for students to choose where, when and how to learn.

Students have the opportunity to enroll five times during the year.

The college’s 77,000 alumni are active in their communities as entrepreneurs, politicians, business professionals, artists, nonprofit agency employees, teachers, veterans and active military, union members and more.

The college was first established in 1971 by the SUNY Board of Trustees with the encouragement of the late Ernest L. Boyer, chancellor of the SUNY system from 1970 to 1977. Boyer also served as United States commissioner of education during the administration of President Jimmy Carter and then as president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

More information about the college is available at www.esc.edu.

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Media contact: David Henahan, director of communications

518-587-2100, ext. 2918

David.Henahan@esc.edu