Earlier this month, the SUNY Career Development Organization (SUNY CDO) celebrated its 50th conference, with Oswego professionals proving pivotal in successfully navigating the organization to this milestone.

In 1977, the SUNY Career Development Officers were a small group of professionals within the SUNY system gathering with a simple mission: help students succeed. Organizers noted the decades since have seen the body create something that has become a cornerstone for career services and experiential learning professionals across New York State ever since. 

With more than 250 current members on its roster, SUNY CDO celebrated its 50th annual conference in Clayton, with the gathering co-chaired by Tina Phillips, SUNY Oswego’s associate director of experiential learning and a past president of the organization.

As the 42nd president of CDO from 2024-25, Phillips said that past, present and future all interconnect for the organization and these major gatherings. 

“Our future lies in what we’re learning from those around us right now. I can honestly say, I would not have known how to survive in my profession this past decade without the people I’ve met in this organization,” Phillips said. “The mentors we have in CDO are our biggest (and often loudest) cheerleaders from all corners of the state.” 

Phillips is one of several Oswego professionals who have served as presidents in the past two decades, including Gary Morris (2023-24), Christy Huynh (2019-20) and Bob Casper (2006-07). 

She noted that the organization spent half a century proving that career development is about far more than just jobs or internships: It is about purpose, opportunity and quality mentorship that propels future industry leaders to their full potential. 

Nearly 120 practitioners attended the 50th-anniversary event, taking place June 3 to 5 at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel and co-chaired by Chris Lagrow, senior associate director of career services at SUNY Fredonia. 

With a theme of “Foundation to Future: What’s Around the Riverbend?,” the conference aimed to both honor the organization's rich history and also explore the evolving landscape of higher education and career development. The conference brought together career services professionals, experiential learning leaders, employer relations specialists and student success advocates for three days of collaboration, networking and celebration. 

Attendees engaged in keynote presentations, breakout sessions, mentoring opportunities and special anniversary events designed to reflect on SUNY CDO's foundational achievements. Special guest attendees included David Anderson, the organization’s first president from 1977-79 (retired from SUNY Fredonia) and Tom Slocum, third president from 1980-82, as the conference provided an opportunity to connect with the leaders who helped establish and shape SUNY CDO during its formative years. 

In addition to professional development sessions, the organization was proud to be able to dedicate its annual raffle proceeds –- $2,145 this year -- to benefit the Northern NY Community Foundation’s Next Step Education Program, an entity that offers financial support to individuals who reside in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties and are seeking to advance their education. 

As the conference gathered along the St. Lawrence River, it served as a reminder that SUNY CDO's greatest strength has always been its people, Phillips said. From seasoned professionals who helped shape the organization to first-time attendees beginning their own journeys, the conference embodied the spirit of mentorship and innovation that continues to guide the organization, even when we don’t know what is around the next bend. 

Any professional who is interested in joining SUNY CDO for the 2026-27 membership year is able to learn more on www.sunycdo.org. All staff and faculty are welcome and encouraged to connect.

–- Submitted by Experiential Learning