Class of 2030 Summer Academic Institute

A Program Review from Assistant Director Ryan Roche

My second Summer Academic Institute (SAI) experience at Skidmore is officially in the books! This summer, we had the privilege of welcoming 42 new students into the OP family as members of the Class of 2030. As always, our community brought together students from near and far, with new scholars joining us from China, Canada, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Delaware, Arkansas, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, and, much to my personal excitement, Jersey City, New Jersey, my hometown! And, of course, New York City was very much in the house.

Academically, our students were challenged in true OP fashion, but what stood out most was their resilience, their willingness to trust the process, and the relationships they built along the way. Throughout the summer, students formed meaningful connections with our SAI staff, their peers, and professors — relationships that helped transform challenging college-level coursework into opportunities for growth and confidence.

For the first time in quite a while, we were able to offer both physics and a math course during SAI. I know what you’re thinking: two STEM courses during the summer sounds intense, and to be fair, it was! But our faculty once again went above and beyond to meet students where they were and help them successfully make the transition into college academics. A special shoutout goes to Professor Halstead, who somehow managed to make physics fun for his eighth consecutive summer with OP, and to our new math faculty, who proved that sometimes the path to understanding a difficult problem includes patience, encouragement, and apparently an ice cream cake delivery to tutoring. We were also excited to bring back Introduction to Sociology, alongside our foundational reading and writing courses that continue to prepare students for the academic demands ahead.

One thing that made this class particularly special was the community-building that started well before students arrived on campus. Through Discord, social media, and other online spaces, friendships had already begun to form before move-in day. By the time SAI started, many students were greeting one another like old friends. In many ways, that captures one of the most important parts of the Opportunity Program experience: creating spaces where students can build genuine connections early, develop a sense of belonging, and know they have a community supporting them before the semester even begins. 

Of course, SAI would not be SAI without some fun along the way. The Great Escape and Fun Spot in Queensbury remained crowd favorites, and Learning Associate Adam has officially cemented his status as the undisputed OP go-kart champion. Between classes, tutoring, activities, late-night conversations, and plenty of laughter, our students experienced one of the most important lessons of college life: learning how to balance hitting the books with building friendships and creating memories.

None of this would have been possible without our incredible summer staff, faculty, and OP professional staff. Our team consistently led with empathy, compassion, and a commitment to keeping student needs at the forefront. They challenged students when needed, supported them through difficult moments, celebrated their successes, and ultimately provided the kind of welcome into the OP family that makes this program so special. 

Personally, I think we can officially call this summer a success: I only had to come back to campus after hours about 11 times, and at least nine of those were because we were having fun, not because something had gone wrong. In SAI terms, I’ll take that as a win. 

To the Class of 2030, thank you for trusting the process, trusting one another, and allowing us to be part of the beginning of your Skidmore journey. We are incredibly excited to see the relationships you’ve already built continue to grow throughout the next four years.

2026 Events and Programming

Building Community, Learning, and Exploring Together

From celebrating the end of summer in the campus garden to exploring the outdoors, developing new skills, and sharing meals together, OP has been busy creating opportunities for students to connect, learn, and make the most of their college experience.

We kicked off the fall semester with a Gardening Party in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability, to celebrate the end of summer and to harvest food from the campus garden. Students came together to enjoy the harvest while learning more about sustainability initiatives across campus. The event offered a chance to connect socially, get hands-on experience, and reflect on the importance of sustainable practices in our everyday lives.

Looking ahead, we plan to continue this theme with a Tote-Bag Painting event at the end of the semester, where students can design their own reusable bags and take home a personalized reminder of the importance of sustainability.

Our ongoing OP Lunch series also continues to bring students and staff together for informal monthly gatherings. These lunches provide a welcoming space to relax, catch up, build relationships, and strengthen the sense of community that makes OP special. Sometimes, the best opportunities to connect happen over a shared meal and good conversation!

This semester, students also had the opportunity to strengthen an important life skill during a Public Speaking Workshop led by Artist-in-Residence Teisha Duncan in the Theater Department. Students explored strategies for overcoming public speaking nerves, engaging an audience, and delivering effective presentations. Whether speaking in class, presenting a project, or preparing for future professional roles, students gained valuable tools to help them communicate with greater confidence.

We also teamed up with the Outing Club to introduce an exciting new collaborative event: Learn S’MORE About Outing Club! Students and staff gathered around the campfire to roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and learn about the many ways to get involved with outdoor recreation at Skidmore. Outing Club members introduced participants to hands-on equipment, including tents and a slackline, while sharing information about gear rentals and how to join future outings. The event offered a fun, low-pressure way for students to discover new interests, learn outdoor skills, and connect with fellow campus adventurers.

The collaboration continued with a joint OP and Outing Club hike around beautiful Lake Bonita on a crisp October morning. Surrounded by the colors and fresh air of fall, participants had the chance to enjoy the outdoors, get moving, and spend time together beyond the classroom. These experiences highlight the value of exploring new activities and building connections across campus.

As the semester winds down, we’re looking forward to another edition of a familiar favorite: Cooking with Kelli! Students will gather with Kelli for a hands-on cooking experience and learn how to prepare a delicious new dish. The event promises good food, shared learning, and plenty of fun. One thing is certain: students should come hungry!

From sustainability and skill-building to outdoor adventures and shared meals, this semester has been full of opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. We’re grateful to everyone who has participated and helped make these events possible. Here's to finishing the fall semester strong and continuing to build a vibrant, connected OP community!

OP Staff Updates

Our staff continue to make a meaningful impact in the OP community through their dedication, collaboration, and commitment to student success. Catch up on the latest staff news and accomplishments!

Kelli Rouse, director, completed another successful SAI program experience and fall planning. After welcoming 42 new scholars to the OP family, she took some time to rejuvenate on her first ever cruise to the Bahamas. She’s been bit by the bug and is already looking forward to the next excursion. At the beginning of the fall semester, Kelli was thrilled to announce the creation of our Laptop Loaner Program, funded by the New York State Education Department. We are so proud of the scholars who told their stories and the importance of continued HEOP support. With a continued caseload of advisees, Kelli most looks forward to the Cooking with Kelli workshop. However, she is also thrilled to partner with the Outdoors Club and introduce our scholars to the wonders of Skidmore’s backyard and all it has to offer. She will continue to oversee the daily operations of the program and build bridges that will ultimately benefit our OP scholars.

Amarilis Francis, assistant director for advising, has spent much of the year working closely with OP students through advising, programming, and welcoming new students into the community. OP programs this year have included a public speaking workshop, a Financial Literacy in Your 20s program, and a gardening party in collaboration with the Sustainability Office. She has also continued her work with the Residential Curriculum Leadership Team and co-teaching Academic Transformations. Both have given her opportunities to think broadly about how students experience learning, belonging, and support at Skidmore.

Ryan Roche, assistant director for student outreach,took his passion for educational access on the road this fall, visiting high schools and community-based organizations throughout New York City, Albany, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. His recruitment travels also took him to Ohio, where he spent an extended period connecting with prospective students, families, and school counselors. Whether he's meeting students close to home or hundreds of miles away, his goal remains the same: expanding access to higher education and welcoming the next generation of scholars into higher education. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and son, grilling, and cheering on his favorite professional sports teams, the New York Yankees and New York Giants, who continue to provide him with an unwavering sense of loyalty and, occasionally, the false hope of another championship. After a great deal of thought and reflection, Ryan has made the significant decision to accept a new professional opportunity, and he will be leaving Skidmore at the end of November. He extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone he’s worked with for allowing him to be part of their journeys and for making his time at Skidmore so meaningful.

Joshlin Sheridan, academic counselor and STEM advisor, loves working with OP scholars and supporting them as they navigate college, discover their strengths, and work toward their goals. This year, she co-taught Academic Transformations and advised students interested in health professions through the Health Professions Advisory Committee. She also contributed to campus initiatives focused on supporting first-generation college students. Outside of work, Joshlin can usually be found baking too many cookies, attempting to keep her sourdough starter alive, and seeking out new places to hike or paddleboard.

Devin Madkin, administrative assistant, continues to maintain the everyday responsibilities, financial tasks, marketing, and social media for the office. During the summer, like always, she supported SAI preparations, purchasing supplies for students and program staff, booking all-weekend trips and transportation, and making sure everyone had what they needed for these trips. Once summer ended, she transitioned into fall planning and preparing for the students to return to campus: rehiring student workers, organizing the office, and mentally gearing up for a busy beginning of the semester. When Devin wasn’t in the office, she was out enjoying the beautiful weather, working her second job, doing seasonal cleaning at home, and taking fun day trips to different locations around New York.

Adam Evans, learning associate for humanities/social sciences,had a great summer teaching during SAI and getting to know the students of the Class of 2030! He was bummed that we had to cancel the OP Fall Fishing Trip due to bad weather, but the fall semester is otherwise going great. He has a great group of students in his Academic Writing courses, and he’s enjoying spending time with his advisees, old and new. Outside of work, he’s kept busy with his own fishing trips in between an intense schedule of kids’ sports.