Staff profile
Gary Morris
Director, Career Services
Gary has worked at SUNY Oswego for 25 years, with a total of 28-years of experience helping students with career exploration and senior transition opportunities. He specializes in: moving students/alumni through the major and career exploration process; helping them understand how to turn their portfolio of experience and skills into a solid on/offline marketing plan for employers or graduate schools; and helping them find and compete for the best opportunities utilizing cutting edge tools, resources, and strategies. He has worked in Career Services at Hobart & William Smith, Union College and Kent State University, where he earned his M. Ed.
Conferences
State, Regional, and National Involvement/Contributions
State University of New York Career Development Organization, Inc., 1996-Present
• Board of Directors, 2004-2007 (Treasurer), 2008-2009 (Professional Development)
• Coordinator, State-wide Conference, 2007
• Committee Chair:
- Awards (Three terms)
- Technology (Two terms)
- Long Range Planning
- Newsletter (Two terms)
Central New York Career Development Association, Inc., 2007-Present
• President, January 2014-Present
• Board of Directors/Founding Member, 2007-2011
• Committee Chair:
- Staffing & Operations
- Webmaster
- Student Registration
- Videography
• Member:
- Member Awards (Two Terms) - Technology (three terms)
- Employer Relations (Two terms), - New Member Relations
- SUNY-wide Job Fair (two terms)
• Developed first webinar series for organization
Mid-Atlantic Association for Employment in Education, 2002-2006
• Board of Directors, 2002-2006
• Newsletter Editor, 2002-2006
National Association of Colleges and Employers
• Member, 1996-present
Capital Region Career Development Association, Member, 1995-1996
Rochester Area Career Development Association, Member, 1994-1995
Awards and honors
SUNY Career Development Organization: CAPSTONE Awards (best initiative across SUNY system)
• “First Destination Outcomes”, 2014
• “Sophomore Success”, 2011
• “Backpack to Briefcase”, 2009
SUNY Career Development Organization: Best in Category Awards
• "Imagine 2021" Excellence in Alumni Programming category, 2021
• “Model in Motion”, Office Operations Category, 2016
• “First Destination Outcomes”, Office Operations Category, 2014
• “Professional Etiquette – Beyond Which Fork to Use”, Recruitment Category, 2012
• “Sophomore Success”, Career Planning Category, 2011
• “Backpack to Briefcase”, Career Planning Category, 2009
• “Innovation in Presentations”, Placement Category, 2000
• “Senior Registration”, Placement Category, 1999
• “Teacher Recruitment Days Goes Online”, Placement Category, 1998
SUNY Career Development Organization: Special Recognition for Exemplary Service
• “President’s Award”, 2010
• “President’s Award”, 2009
• “President’s Award”, 2005
• “Outstanding Performance Award”, 2000
SUNY Oswego Omicron Delta Kappa: Induction, National Leadership Honor Society
SUNY Oswego Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity: Staff Community Service Award, 2012
SUNY Oswego Black Student Union: Certificate of Appreciation, 2013
Performances and exhibitions
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
• Imagine 2021 - Making Lemonade our of Pandemic Lemons
• Model in Motion - Building a Career Services Operation to Fit the Times (CDO and NYSCEEA)
• Career Services: Going Beyond the Job, Operation Inform Admissions Conference, 2014
• First Destination Outcomes, 2014
• Sophomore Success, 2011
• Poster Session: NYC Career Connections Event, 2005
• Transitions for Mid-level Career Services Professionals, 2004
• Nuts & Bolts Tech. that Works, 2004
• Issues for New Professionals - What the Beginner Needs to Know, 2004
• Lights, Camera, Action! Presentation Skills for the 21st Century, 2003
• Cutting Edge Tech., 2002
• Advanced Presentation Skills, 2000
• FileMaker Pro - Advanced Uses, 1997
• SUNY College Night, Syracuse NY
Education
MA, Higher Education Administration, Kent State University
BA, Communications, Psychology, SUNY Oswego
Classes taught
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS – SUNY OSWEGO
SYE Model Program:
Co-developed and implemented the inaugural "Imagine 2021" event
SYE Model Program:
Developed sophomore year experience program that was recognized as a national model after three years. Program was highlighted in the “Retention Success Journal” in 2012 and listed as a best practice within the University of South Carolina “National Resource Center.” Initiatives included welcome back programs, part-time job fairs, career exploration activities, a “major celebration” component, and financial literacy activities
Health Care Conference:
Initiated and co-coordinated annual conference designed to assist students in exploring health-related careers – including self-exploration, internships, and professional school preparation
Backpack to Briefcase:
Developed a multi-year program to assist seniors in the transition from college to career. Program recognized by SUNY Career Development Organization as best initiative across all categories
First Destination Outcomes:
Developed a cutting edge strategy to secure a significant response rate from our graduates within one year of graduation. Program recognized by SUNY Career Development Organization as best initiative across all categories. Resulted in one of the highest response rates in SUNY
Online Professionalism:
Developed and implemented our “Digital Dirt Squad” and LinkedIn Photo Booth concepts. Implementation has extended to Central New York high schools and alumni worldwide; listed as a key component of new ‘Professional Skills” course. Highlighted in “What Happens on Campus Stays on Youtube” amazon bestseller by Erik Qualm. Soon to be highlighted in next edition of “New Directions for Student Leadership.”
Ozmystory:
Developed an initiative to highlight and celebrate the career-related activities of our students and alumni
Management 494:
Developed and taught upper-division course designed to prepare seniors for the college to career transition. Taught course for ten years
Etiquette Dinner:
Transformed annual dinner into one of the most popular events on campus – sold out of tickets every time. Added “alcohol education” component to address professional consumption or abstention of alcohol in a variety of professional environments
Online Suite of Tools & Resources:
Secured funding to provide one of the most effective suites of online tools available at any Career Services office. Highlights include Optimal Resume, Candid Career, CareerShift, Focus II
Corporate Sponsorship:
Secured $57,000 in corporate funds to manage programs and purchase hardware for facilities
Test Drive and Pizza with Professionals:
Initiated and implemented career exploration programs that take students off campus to their potential future worksites as well as bring industry experts on campus for information exchange
NYC Career Connections
Collaborated with Alumni office to initiate and maintain award-winning networking program in NYC
Job-a-Rama:
Developed an on-campus job fair to address financial needs of students as well as hiring needs of campus departments.
First Office Website:
Developed one of the first Career Services websites in the country – and developed the first office website for SUNY Oswego Career Services – and four iterations since