The Engagement Ring

By University at Albany Office for Public Engagement, Mary Hunt

The Engagement Ring features conversations with higher education professionals, scholars and community partners working to make the world a better place through collaborative approaches and solutions ... more

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FAQs about The Engagement Ring:

How many episodes does The Engagement Ring have?

The podcast currently has 37 episodes available.

The Engagement Ring episodes:

February 26, 2026 Capital Idea! First Mayoral Fellow Encourages Young People to Put Down Roots in Albany
Sean Millington, Inaugural Mayoral Fellow, City of Albany, NY
City of Albany, NY
Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Mayor, City of Albany, NY
Activate Albany
...more
22min
February 11, 2026 Preparing the Next Innovators and Problem Solvers
Application Dealine: Friday, February 13, 2026 (Scroll down for instructions on how to apply.)
GE Next Engineers New York Capital Region
GE Next Engineers
University at Albany College of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering
University at Albany
NY Creates
miSci
Capri O'Hara (see full bio below)
Dr. Bradley Thiel, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Professor, College of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering
GE Aerospace Foundation Launches Next Engineers with UAlbany, miSci and NY Creates
HOW TO APPLY:
The Next Engineers Academy application is now open. We encourage all interested 10th grade students to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore engineering, technology, and hands-on learning experiences.
To get started, students should first create an account and then begin the application through the online portal.
How to Apply page: https://www.nextengineers.org/how-apply-engineering-academy
Create account and Apply: https://www.nextengineers.org/locations/newyork
CAPRI O'HARA BIO:
Capri O’Hara is a recognized leader in workforce development, educational initiatives, apprenticeship programming, and engineering career pathways, bringing deep expertise to the fast-moving world of semiconductor education and training. Capri serves as the Director of Workforce Development at NY Creates, and as Director of GE Next Engineers – Capital Region, New York in partnership with University at Albany, where she plays a central role in building a strong, future-ready engineering talent pipeline.
Grounded in a student-centered, experiential learning philosophy, Capri works at the intersection of education, innovation, and industry. Her programs connect learners to real-world engineering opportunities, equipping them with the technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability needed to thrive in advanced manufacturing and high-tech careers.
Capri led the development and launch of a gateway New York State Registered Apprenticeship Program in partnership with NY Creates, the Center for Economic Growth, Hudson Valley Community College, and NIICA. She also helped launch the Capital Region BOCES New Visions Emerging Technologies Program, providing high school students with specialized training in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. Her portfolio spans K–12 engagement, postsecondary and faculty development, and immersive experiential learning initiatives, supporting learners across New York State and nationally.
Through strategic partnerships and a learner-centered approach, Capri is committed to inspiring curiosity, expanding access, and building inclusive pathways that strengthen the engineering and semiconductor workforce of the future.
...more
30min
January 21, 2026 Expanding Access to Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment Through AI
The Global Center for AI in Mental Health
Dr. Amy Nitza, Director, Global Center for AI in Mental Health, University at Albany
University at Albany
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Dr. Salvador Dura-Bernal, Director, Global Center for AI in Mental Health, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Health Innovation Exchange
SUNY PFA Assistant
New York State First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment
Supporting First Responders: Governor Hochul Unveils Findings of New York State’s First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment
Dr. M. Abdullah Canbaz, Assistant Professor, Information Sciences and Technology Department, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, Department of Information Sciences and Technology
From the UAlbany News Center:
Amy Nitza Joins UAlbany to Direct the Global Center for AI in Mental Health, May 6, 2025
UAlbany, Downstate Researchers Demo Prototypes for AI-Supported Mental Health Care, Sept 30, 2025

...more
35min
November 29, 2025 Creating a Pipeline and Action Plan for Nonprofit Leaders
Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Accelerator
Dr. Susan Appe
Dr. Jennifer Dodge
Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy
Professional and Continuing Education at UAlbany (PaCE)
University at Albany
...more
27min
October 13, 2025 A Little Intentional "Friction" in AI Learning Goes a Long Way Toward Improving Student Outcomes
Webpage for Haesol Bae
University at Albany homepage
UAlbany's AI Plus Initiative
National Academy for AI Instruction, press release from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
...more
34min
September 18, 2025 “Like Learning to Appreciate Spinach” —Developing Civil Discourse and Civic Engagement Skills
Dr. Angie Y. Chung, Professor, University at Albany
From the UAlbany News Center, March 14, 2024: Sociology Professor Tapped for SUNY Civic Education and Discourse Fellowship
Dr. Babette Faehmel, Professor, SUNY Schenectady College Community College
University at Albany
SUNY Civil Discourse and Civic Education and Engagement Fellows
SUNY — The State University of New York
SUNY Schenectady County Community College
Many Voices, One Call podcast
...more
47min
September 02, 2025 Closing the Gaps in Emergency Preparedness and Response
Dr. Jeannette Sutton
Jeannette Sutton, PhD. Disaster & Risk Communication
Dr. Nick Bassill
Message Design Dashboard
The Warn Room
State Weather Risk Communication Center (SWRCC)
Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC)
Center for Technology in Government (CTG)
University at Albany
Article from the UAlbany News Center:: UAlbany Researchers Develop FEMA Dashboard to Support Emergency Alert Messaging, July 15, 2025
Article from the UAlbany News Center: UAlbany's State Wether Risk Communication Center Featured in 'Cloud Warriors' Book, June 17, 2025
From Gov. Kathy Hochul's website: Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Preparedness in the Face of Extreme Weather, June 11, 2025
Article from the UAlbany News Center: UAlbany Researchers Support Launch of New York Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard, June 5, 2025
Article from the UAlbany News Center: State Weather Risk Communication Cener's Nick Bassill Featured on Department of Transportation Podcast, Feb 29, 2024
...more
57min
September 02, 2025 A Potential 'Game Changer' for Improving Emergency Preparedness and Response
DeeDee Bennett Gayle, UAlbany webpage
Article and video from UAlbany News Center: Disaster Response Researchers Test Virtual Reality Tool With Older Adults, August 26, 2025
News story from WTEN: Disaster prep software created by UAlbany researchers, August 29, 2025Article from UAlbany News Center:
Article from UAlbany News Center: CEHC Researchers Use Virtual Reality to Improve Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults, September 26, 2024
College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, University at Albany
Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, UAlbany
Extreme Events, Social Equity, and Technology Lab
...more
46min
June 25, 2025 Building A Hub for Multidisciplinary Research —UAlbany's Institute for Social and Health Equity (ISHE)
About Dr. Paul L. Morgan
Institute for Social and Health Equity (ISHE)
A study by Dr. Paul Morgan released in June 2025:
Morgan, P. L., Hu, E. H., & Oh, Y. (2025). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in School-Based Disability Identification. Educational Researcher, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X251347279
UAlbany News Center, Feb 22, 2024: UAlbany Launches the Institute for Social and Health Equity
ISHE Director Dr. Paul Morgan honored with the Kauffman-Hallahan-Pullen Distinguished Researcher Award
College of Integrated Health Sciences
Global Center for AI in Mental Health
Center for Social and Demographic Analysis
Center for the Elimination of Health Disparities
University at Albany
...more
35min
March 03, 2025 Breaking Down Barriers to Better Health and Well-being
The University at Albany's College of Integrated Sciences
Dr. Erin Bell, Dean, College of Integrated Health Sciences
Dr. Victoria Rizzo, Vice Dean, College of Integrated Health Sciences
University at Albany
Articles from the UAlbany News Center:
UAlbany Announces the New College of Integrated Health Sciences
Erin Bell Named Dean of New College Joining the Schools of Public Health, Social Welfare
...more
47min

FAQs about The Engagement Ring:

How many episodes does The Engagement Ring have?

The podcast currently has 37 episodes available.