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Business and Community Relations Reimagined…

Office of Workforce Innovation and External Relations

SUNY Oswego was founded in 1861 by Edward Austin Sheldon to provide education and opportunities to the local population with the mission to contribute to the common good

Today, SUNY Oswego remains dedicated to contributing to the common good as the most mission-critical public comprehensive university in Central New York.

In September 2023, SUNY Oswego’s recently named 11th President, Peter O. Nwosu, shared Vision 4040: Expanding SUNY Oswego’s Promise that serves as the blueprint for the years 2024-2040 – stating the institution’s commitment to doubling the number of graduates per decade by 2040 and to significantly increasing its economic and social impact on the region.

The Office of Workforce Innovation and External Relations Launched

To help achieve these goals, in the fall of 2023, SUNY Oswego’s long-standing Office of Business and Community Relations was reimagined and renamed as the Office of Workforce Innovation and External Relations (OWIER).

The OWIER provides a point of entry into SUNY Oswego for external partners and the public to develop and/or advance relationships with SUNY Oswego within three areas of focus:

  • Workforce innovation and upward mobility
  • Government and legislative affairs
  • Community-serving high-impact programs and resources 

Currently, the OWIER team offers to its partners and to the public workforce and leadership development programs and an array of community-serving high-impact programs and resources that are supported by SUNY Oswego and its regional partners.

Built Upon a Legacy of Impact

SUNY Oswego is proud of the responsibility it upholds to make positive economic, civic, and social impacts: 

  • SUNY Oswego is the largest public employer in Oswego County with 3,200+ full-time, part-time, and student employees in spring 2024 and 6,300+ total students enrolled (including 270 international students representing 35 countries);
  • Our employees and students make Oswego and the surrounding communities home and they enrich and strengthen our present and provide great optimism for our future. For example, in 2022-2023, 4,542 SUNY Oswego students participated in internships, co-ops, student teaching, research, civic engagement and other applied learning experiences
  • Annually, the vast majority of SUNY Oswego graduates choose to remain in New York State after earning their degree where they continue to make a positive impact:  99% of the Class of 2022 were employed and/or continuing education within one year of graduation and 87% were working in New York State.

In addition to employees, students, and graduates all making an impact on the community we share, SUNY Oswego’s capital plan projects also transform our environment: Over the last five years, SUNY Oswego construction projects exceeded $117 million and over $83 million was injected back into the New York State economy through the purchase of supplies, labor, and other directly related costs (2018-2023).

With support from the OWIER team members as your guide, SUNY Oswego is eager to strengthen existing partnerships and form new ones with public and private partners who share in our goals and ethics to educate, advance, and contribute to the economic and social health of the Central New York region

Program and Services Spotlight

 

U.S. Small Business Administration Award Receipient

Onondaga Community College Small Business Development Center

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a team of professional counselors who can assist you with all aspects of small business ownership.

Learn about SBDC

A group of people holding the Leadership Oswego County banner

Leadership Oswego County

Leadership Oswego County prepares a select group of county residents to become the community stewards of the future

Learn about LOC

Instructing a group of older adults to exercise their hands

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) encourages and fosters the development and maintenance of volunteer opportunities for Americans aged 55 & over.

Learn about RSVP

Instructor Bootcamp Co-Hort 1

Instructor Bootcamp

Designed to equip up to 120 professionals from in-demand career fields, the 40-hour Instructor Bootcamp (available at no cost to eligible participants) aims to prepare individuals to assume instructional roles in regional high schools, community colleges, adult education, and apprenticeship programs.

Learn About Instructor Bootcamp

Office of Workforce Innovation and External Relations 

121 East First Street
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315.312.3493
Email: [email protected]

Hours of Operation

8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Monday-Friday