SUNYCoW Is Less Than a Week Away

Two years.

That’s roughly how long we’ve been preparing to host the SUNYCoW (Council on Writing) Conference at our campus. This organization dates back to 1980—a year before I was born—and has included among its members and keynotes an impressive list of scholars, rhetoricians, and educators.

Two years ago, our Division voted to host this conference, and though the start of the process was slow—a form here and there, a little correspondence—the last few months have been intense, to say the least.

And for some reason, folks trusted me to lead bringing this conference—the first face-to-face event for the organization since 2019—to fruition. I have bumbled my way through finding and creating lists of all sorts, reading the fine print, and finding the courage to hit SUBMIT on numerous items (I nust have stared at that catering order for a week before gathering the courage to hit PLACE ORDER).

We have around 100 folks coming from all over the northeast, with a handful traveling in from the South and Midwest. We’re welcoming two keynotes, reps from an academic press, a whole class of ADK students practicing their hospitality skills at our registration tables, a local guide, a team of caterers, and even a musician for a reception dinner. Contracts are out, and purchase orders are pending. Conference materials are en route to my office for folder stuffing and prep, as are books to be raffled off during both days of the conference.

My to-do list is still longer than I’d like—especially when I take into consideration my regular teaching duties (3 courses now and beginning to prep for a winter course), running the writing center, writing my freelance pieces, and reviewing the ARC for my upcoming novel release. It’s…a lot.

But through the process, it becomes easier to see the folks who step forward to offer help—and then actually follow through on it. I’ve had folks jumping in from all angles to lend a hand in whatever way they can—and I can never thank them enough. It’s going to be another very long and somehow simultaneously too short week leading up to two days of conferencing, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m proud of what we’ve done, and so very grateful to the folks who have helped make it happen.

SUNYCoW Conference, October 24-25, 2025

Queensbury, New York