Ashley McGraw Architects and Onondaga Community College Co-Present at 2025 NYAPPA Summer Conference
Susanne Angarano (CID, IIDA, ASID, NCIDQ, NCARB, AIA, ALEP, WELL AP, MCPPO), Principal, will co-present with David Furney, Dean of Health & Technology at Onondaga Community College, at the 2025 NYAPPA Summer Conference in Niagara Falls, NY on July 23.
Their presentation, From Rows to Relevance: Learning Reimagined Through Design, will examine how colleges can transform academic environments to better align with the cognitive needs of today’s learners and the evolving demands of the modern workforce. The traditional model of a theoretical academic experience is no longer enough for today’s learners. Students are career driven and seek opportunities for hands-on or project-based learning, and career environment simulation experiences.
Attendees will:
Explore the various drivers of this departure from traditional academic models, looking at the cognitive development of students, principles of neurodiversity in learning environments, industry evolution, and the changing workforce demands.
Review current thinking and innovations in this area as well as the design process and proof of concept for a selection of projects, focusing on the Onondaga Community College renovation and revitalization of the Whitney Applied Technology Center, including labs for semiconductor simulation, advanced manufacturing, and workforce training.
Review other examples from marketing and tech to health professions environments. Ultimately, student learning is enhanced, and they are better prepared for the post-graduation world.
About NYAPPA
The New York Chapter of APPA connects leaders in educational facilities management across New York State for knowledge sharing, networking, and professional development. The NYAPPA 2025 Summer Conference takes place July 22–24, 2025 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center.
