Stony Brook University SUNY Korea

  Dr. Pyungryun Brian Yu has been appointed as Vice President for Administration and External Relations of the State University of New York, Korea (SUNY Korea), effective April 29, 2024.  Before joining SUNY Korea, he held various government positions including but not limited to CEO of the Incheon Global Campus Foundation (IGCF), Vice Commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA), Secretary General of the Incheon Metropolitan City Council, Director General of Incheon Metropolitan City Government.  Dr. Yu brings a strong track record of experience in administration and external relations and his extensive and in-depth background will greatly contribute to the growth of SUNY Korea, enhancing all aspects of university administration, operations, and external relations. Throughout his career, Dr. Yu has been recognized for his outstanding meritorious service and exemplary leadership. During his tenure leading IGCF, Dr. Yu earned the highest grade (S) in the CEO performance evaluation conducted among government-funded institutions by the Incheon City Government (2023). He has also been awarded with the Order of Service Merit (2006), which is given to outstanding public officials, and a Presidential Commendation for Investment Promotion (2015).  Academically, Dr. Yu has lectured in Urban Administration at Inha University, holding a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the same institution, an MPA in Public Administration from the University of New Haven in the United States, and a B.C. in International Trades from Kyung Hee University in Korea. He passed the Public Administration Examination in 1994.   한국뉴욕주립대학교는 유병윤 행정대외협력부총장이 취임했다고 29일 밝혔다.  유병윤 신임 부총장은 1994년 행정고시에 합격 후 공직에 입문했으며 인천시 투자유치담당관, 국제협력관, 정책기획관을 역임하고 인천시의회 사무처장과 인천경제자유구역청 차장, 인천글로벌캠퍼스 운영재단 대표이사 등을 지냈다. 또한 경희대 무역학과를 졸업, 미국 뉴헤이븐대에서 행정학 석사 인하대에서 도시계획학 박사 학위를 받았으며 인천시 산하 출자•출연기관 기관장 성과평가 S등급(2023), 투자유치공로 대통령표창(2015), 근조훈장(2006) 등을 수상한바 있다.

    The Alumni Mentoring Day event, held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at SUNY Korea C103, provided current students an opportunity to gain insights from ten notable SUNY Korea graduates (SBU & FIT). These alumni are now essential members of several Korean companies, like Banzai Living, Deloitte Anjin, Hanwha Global, Hyundai Motors, LG CNS, top IT company, Samsung C&T, Samsung Electronics, Thingsflow, and Musinsa 29cm. They generously shared their career paths, valuable job search recommendations, and strategies for developing skills in the workplace. During three mentoring sessions, students and alumni interacted on a wide range of themes, from industry-specific questions to individual career goals, fostering meaningful connections and broadening their professional networks. The format of the event facilitated intimate interactions between current students and alumni, allowing for personalized mentorship experiences. Participants were treated to lunch while being introduced to the accomplished alumni, who illuminated the pathways to success within their respective industries. Every organization that was represented has distinct perspectives on the dynamics of the Korean job market and the skills necessary for thriving in diverse professional environments. Furthermore, through conversing with SUNY Korea's notable alumni, students not only gained valuable insights but also enhanced their educational knowledge and improved their opportunities for the future.  The Spring 2024 Alumni Mentoring event demonstrated SUNY Korea's commitment to supporting the comprehensive professional growth of its students. Through the building of a connection between academia and industry, the event enabled participants to envision and follow career paths that fulfill them. Students obtained invaluable advice through open discussions and personal guidance, giving them the abilities and self-confidence to navigate the complexities of the modern labor market. As the university continues to foster such meaningful engagements, it strengthens its role as a catalyst for enabling the next generation of leaders and innovators.        Written by Student Reporter, Amirbek Zokirov (amirbek.zokirov@stonybrook.edu)  

  A team of students from FIT’s School of Business and Technology, representing the United States, developed an innovative retail concept and presented it at the Future Retail Challenge, an international student competition at the annual World Retail Congress, held in Paris April 15–17, with colleges competing from Amsterdam, London, and Lille, France. The FIT team comprised Megan Antkoviak, an International Trade and Marketing major from Beavercreek, Ohio; Prashita Bassi, a Fashion Business Management major from Lucknow, India; Jesse Cabble, an International Trade and Marketing major from Carle Place, New York; and Kaitlyn Hassan, a Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing major from West Palm Beach, Florida. Click here to read the original article.  

From left: Edgar A. Garrido, Dana Flores, Grismar Bueno, Renata Quijano, Mellány Sánchez, and Aldo Araujo. Image courtesy of MFIT.   When Dana Flores, Advertising and Marketing Communications ’22, arrived at FIT, she had three specific goals in mind: to meet the college’s president, Dr. Joyce F. Brown; to work with The Museum at FIT (MFIT); and to help Latinx fashion gain more media representation. A proud Mexican American, Flores, who was born in Houston and raised in Chicago, had a bilingual and binational upbringing. This gave her a strong sense of cultural pride as well as the confidence to exist in society’s majority culture. During her time at FIT, Flores wanted to create a space where fellow Latinx students could connect, network, and thrive. It became her mission.   Click here to read the original article.  

  In a celebration of the extravagance and self-expression of the 1970s and 1980s, the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume unveils its latest exhibition, "Retro Party 7080." Running from April 17th, 2024, to May 31st, 2024, this exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant fashion culture of two iconic decades. The 1970s and 1980s are often remembered as times of boundary-pushing creativity, where fashion became a canvas for bold statements and individuality. "Retro Party 7080" captures the essence of these eras, highlighting the evolution of Korean fashion and the significant influence of designers from that time. At the heart of the exhibition lies a tribute to the transformative power of fashion. What was once considered niche or underground in the 1970s blossomed into mainstream trends, while the 1980s embraced excess and opulence like never before. From disco balls to power suits, every garment tells a story of innovation and cultural shift. The exhibition not only showcases iconic pieces from the past but also celebrates the enduring influence of 1970s and 1980s fashion on contemporary design. Through a curated selection of garments and accessories, visitors can trace the lineage of these decades, witnessing how their legacy continues to shape modern aesthetics. "We are thrilled to present 'Retro Party 7080' to our visitors," says Linda Kim, curator of the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume. "This exhibition is not just a journey through fashion history; it's a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the enduring spirit of the 1970s and 1980s." As visitors step into the exhibition space, they are transported back in time, surrounded by the sights and sounds of a bygone era. From disco beats to neon lights, every element of "Retro Party 7080" is designed to evoke nostalgia and spark joy. Whether you're a fashion enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a dose of retro inspiration, "Retro Party 7080" promises an unforgettable journey through the golden age of fashion. Join us as we celebrate passion, nostalgia, and the timeless allure of 1970s and 1980s style.   Written by Maxine Cochanco of IVY Magazine

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. addresses the ceremony honoring the 2024 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE) winners in Albany. Photo by Valerie Caviness/SUNY   Thirteen Stony Brook University students were honored by the State University of New York (SUNY) with the 2024 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE) — the highest honor awarded to SUNY students who have best demonstrated academic excellence and leadership. The awards ceremony was held April 11 in Albany, NY. The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 and acknowledges students who have received recognition for distinguished achievements. This year, 193 students from 62 campuses received this award. Nominations are sought for students who have best demonstrated the integration of SUNY excellence within many aspects of their lives, including academics, leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, campus involvement, community service, research and development, and the arts. Click here to read the original article.   

A rendering of The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City.   Stony Brook University students are invited to compete in the first-ever Climate Exchange AI Innovation Challenge, where teams from eight universities will present cutting-edge solutions to stormwater management challenges faced by New York City. The Challenge is presented by The New York Climate Exchange along with its partners: Stony Brook University, City University of New York, Duke University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), IBM, Moody’s, New York University, Pace University, Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Washington. Students will develop stormwater management solutions using IBM’s watsonx.ai technology and the Call for Code platform, Moody’s insights and datasets, and GOLES’s community touchpoints. Stormwater management is critical in enabling coastal resiliency efforts and an important component of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ recently announced Green Economy Action Plan. Click here to read the original article. 

  The QS World University Rankings — a leading organization for international rankings — rated the world’s top universities by subject area, and once again placed Stony Brook University’s Physics and Astronomy program in the top 100, coming in at #99. Eight other subjects placed in the top 300 globally: Natural Sciences (#191), Mathematics (#151-200), Geology (#201-240), Geophysics (#201-240), History (#201-230), Biological Sciences (#201-250), Computer Science and Information Systems (#251-300) and Psychology (#251-300). To produce the rankings for this year, QS analyzed the reputation and research output of almost 5,000 institutions. From this group, 1,561 were ranked across 55 narrow subjects and five broad subject areas, creating more than 19,100 entries. Click here to read the original article. 

    A Spring 2024 Internship Panel event was held in SUNY Korea building C103. Jiyoon Kim (FBM) from FIT, and Suyeong Park (AMS), Sangbin Park (BM), and Hajung Seo (TSM) from Stony Brook, participated in the panel to share their internship experiences with their colleagues.  Their stories, which shared their internship experiences in various fields based on their respective majors, provided a lot of interesting information for the students. First, Jiyoon Kim of FBM shared her internship experience at three fashion and marketing companies: EUNE, ZARA, and BY Sophie. She emphasized that she received support from the school when applying for these internships, and that the help from the Career Development Center was especially useful. She also advised her juniors to read emails from the Career Development Center carefully, and said that it would be helpful to thoroughly analyze each company's official website when writing their resumes. AMS major Suyeong Park introduced his experiences as a deep learning engineer at SPOIT. He shared his experiences in both academic settings and internships, and imparted specific advice to his juniors. Business major Sangbin Park shared his experiences as a marketing assistant for a home appliance company called Tefal. It was impressive to see him motivate his colleagues through his experiences. Finally, Hajung Seo of the TS department introduced her experiences as an administrative assistant at GSC, and conveyed tips on writing a resume as well as secrets to passing the internship. After sharing their useful experiences, there was time for students to ask questions and receive answers directly from the panel members. Internship panel events have become more frequent thanks to the panels that answer the questions of juniors with honest and concrete answers. Panel members also shared their difficulties, successes, and useful experiences from their internships. They talked candidly about the things they considered while choosing an internship and the differences between their respective experiences.  A large number of students attended the event, at which simple snacks were provided. The event delivered valuable information to the students while also giving them a chance to reflect on their experiences and think about re-organizing their academic lives. In addition, it was effective in promoting communication and bonding among students. An official of the student council said, "Through this internship review sharing event, we were able to receive helpful information, and it played a big role in network formation and motivation among students," adding, "We hope that such useful events will continue to be held in the future." This event provided valuable information to college students preparing for employment after graduation, and provided a place for communication to grow together by helping students who will have experience through internships. We hope that such useful events will continue to take place in the future. For the future, we hope for successful internships for all students and look forward to hearing about their positive experiences.   Written by Student Reporter, Suhyun Kim (suhyun.kim@stonybrook.edu)  

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, SUNY Korea and General Motors Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU was signed by Arthur H. Lee, President of SUNY Korea, Hector Villarreal, President CEO of GM Korea, and Brian McMurray, President of GMTCK. Through this MoU, SUNY Korea and GM Korea plan to carry out various educational support activities, including hosting seminars on new mobility technologies, conducting mentoring sessions and internships, creating educational programs to lead future industries, and providing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education programs for local community students. President Arthur H. Lee stated that SUNY Korea is pleased to have the opportunity to enhance the capabilities required by global companies and grow into a future talent through our memorandum of understanding with GM Korea, especially considering our strengths in engineering and management. President Lee emphasized the common interests, particularly highlighting the contribution of people within the local community towards education and the automotive sector. Following his welcoming remarks, Hector Villarreal, President and CEO of GM Korea, added in his speech that GM Korea is looking forward to discovering more innovative and creative programs and supporting the development of talent to lead the rapidly changing future industries. Lastly, Brian McMurray, President of GMTCK, expressed excitement about the partnership with SUNY Korea, emphasizing the opportunity to collaborate with talented students and faculty.   Written by Student Reporter, Hyeonha Hwang (hyeonha.hwang@stonybrook.edu)

  Daniel Julian ’25 — the URECA researcher of the month for April — is an Honors College junior double majoring in physics and applied mathematics. Since January 2023, he has been working under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Jesús Pérez-Ríos on using machine learning for atomic and molecular physics, and was listed as a co-first author for his contributions to a Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy article titled, “The database of spectroscopic constants of diatomic molecules (DSCDM): A dynamic and  user-friendly interface for molecular physics and spectroscopy.”   Click here to read the original article.   

  In their fourth semester, students of FIT at SUNY Korea are offered an internship course program that allows them to get first-hand experience in the working industry. Not only do they get to experience working in an actual company, but they are also trained in working ethics and future career skills. This year, the program has 15 Fashion Business Management students working in well-known global brands such as Sejung Company, bySophie, Banzai Living, and IPark Mall. Didier Dubot is a jewelry brand under Sejung Company and the department in which 2 FIT students were placed. At Didier Dubot, students were assigned tasks such as market research, brand analysis, and site reviews—all of which aligned with what they learned throughout their previous semesters. With this, students could apply the knowledge and skills they gained from their courses in a professional work environment. The interns were also tasked with a store visit, during which they examined Didier Dubot’s collections at Coex mall while also conducting a competitor analysis by browsing nearby luxury accessory brands.   Several students were asked about their experiences. Pamela Wang said, “Interning at the HDC IPark Mall at Yongsan, Seoul, I joined the Content Development Team and am working on planning pop-up stores.”   For Maxine Leye, “Working at the startup company Banzai Living Inc., there are many hats to wear as I get direct insight on how the beauty industry works from product research, packaging selection and digital marketing. Mindful creativity and effective time management are some of the key aspects of the internship.”  Arim Lee added, “At LIE Collection, I had the opportunity to apply the skills I learned in school, such as Photoshop and Excel, in real-world scenarios. This hands-on experience allowed me to grow professionally and personally, gaining valuable insights and proficiency.” Overall, the internship program offers students a valuable opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings and develop essential professional skills. The upcoming 'Internship Panel Event' on March 3rd, hosted by the Career Center, will further enrich this learning experience by providing a platform for students to listen as their fellow colleagues, who have experienced internships, share their insights and tips on how they were able to search for their internships, the application process, and how they plan to use the experience on their next career path.  Written by Meann Ho and Jennifer Christiana of IVY Magazine  

  On March 27th, 2024, more than 300 students from SUNY Korea, the University of Utah Asia Campus, George Mason University Korea, and Ghent University Global Campus gathered in the IGC Auditorium to hear a presentation by Hanwha Aerospace, the largest aerospace company in South Korea.  The event was organized to share information about career opportunities in the increasingly vital aerospace industry.   The key point made during the presentation is that opportunities to build a career with the Hanwha Group is not limited to engineering students alone.  Mechanical Engineering graduates might seem to the obvious candidates to work in these companies, but Hanwha Group is interested in majors from many backgrounds who can work in the many different divisions of their companies.  The presentation focused on the benefits of working in a large company and the concerns of young people entering the marketplace, especially regarding lifetime employment and the working environment. Hanwha was clearly interested in courting the more than 150 SUNY Korea students in attendance and building interest in this growing industry.  The students were clearly excited to hear of these opportunities for their future and gained crucial information for their future job-hunting efforts. Written by Student Reporter, Sean Keunho Kim (keunho.kim@stonybrook.edu)

Students from Stony Brook University’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program spent two Saturdays with scientists from Brookhaven National Laboratory. Photo by David Rahner/Brookhaven National Laboratory.   Women in Science and Engineering students got a glimpse into life as a scientist at BNL As part of an ongoing collaboration between Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and Stony Brook University, students in Stony Brook’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program spent two Saturdays at BNL completing hands-on activities with scientists from the lab’s Physics Department and the Nuclear Science and Technology Department, and engaging in conversations with scientists about the passions, triumphs, and difficulties that come with a career in STEM. Click here to read the original article. 

On March 23, 2024, at the IGC Small Theater more than 80 students from SUNY Korea, George Mason University Korea, University of Utah Asia Campus, and Ghent University Global Campus gathered for the "Talk to Me in Korean" (TTMIK) event. This event aimed to immerse international students in the world of Korean language study and a deeper understanding of Korean culture. Throughout the event, students participated in various activities to improve their language skills and cultural awareness. From conversing in Korean to sharing personal stories from their experiences in Korea, students embraced the opportunity to expand their language proficiency. To add more involvement to the event, students demonstrated their proficiency by delivering speeches in Korean. Also, lunch was provided to students where they had their meal communally, further forging new connections, and improving their cultural exchange. In addition to practicing their language skills, students delved into various cultural activities, including the intriguing Korean Sentence Explorer and the challenging Korean Culture ‘True or False’ Quiz. These activities tested participants' knowledge and also sparked curiosity and dialogue surrounding Korean culture and the winner of the quiz won a prize by answering all of the questions correctly. The TTMIK event proved dynamic and exciting, promoting intercultural understanding and language skills among participating students. As the program came to an end, students took away an improved understanding of Korean culture and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the Korean language.   Written by Student Reporter, Amirbek Zokirov (amirbek.zokirov@stonybrook.edu)