RG&E – NYSEG Chief Executive and AU Alumni Patricia Nilsen gives keynote speech
From Alfred University, a selfie with Dean and Vice President Thomas Orrange
ALFRED, NY – Alfred University hosted its Opening Convocation Thursday afternoon at the Galanis Family Arena, welcoming more than 450 new students to campus and marking the beginning of the University’s 190th academic year. Classes for the 2025-26 year begin on Monday, Aug. 25.
Patricia Nilsen, a 1988 Alfred University graduate and a groundbreaking leader in the energy industry, provided the keynote address to 416 first-year and 36 transfer students.
Nilsen double-majored at Alfred, earning a bachelor’s degree in English and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and went on to earn a master’s degree in English from Syracuse University in 1990 and a master’s degree in adult education from Elmira College in 1996. She is CEO of Avangrid companies New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E).
Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, including NYSEG and RG&E, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Nilsen’s appointment in 2022 made her the first woman to lead the companies in their combined 175-year history.
Nilsen—with degrees in English, art, and education—discussed the non-traditional educational route she took to becoming a CEO in the energy field. The diversity of her academic coursework, and that of the positions she has held over a career in the energy industry that began in 1992, prepared her for the challenges of leading large utility companies like NYSEG and RG&E.
After serving in Human Resources for five years, Nilsen was appointed manager of Customer Satisfaction and Outreach, a role she held for nine years before moving to Corporate Communications and Customer Service. She has served in a number of high-profile leadership roles throughout her tenure, including leading emergency preparedness response for all eight of Avangrid’s electric and natural gas companies. From 2013-16 she served as manager of Outreach and Municipal Relations and from 2016-21 she was director of Emergency Preparedness.
She served as Avangrid’s vice president for Reliability Assurance and Emergency Preparedness—responsible for compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards, ensuring emergency readiness and response, and serving as the COVID business liaison officer for Avangrid Networks—before her appointment as president and CEO of RG&E and NYSEG in 2022.
Nilsen encouraged students to explore all Alfred University has to offer, including the many intersections offered through co-curricular and extracurricular programs.
“Move between friend groups, try a hobby or three. You’re safe to do that here,” she said. “Pursue pathways that are out of your lane. They will enrich you. Stop, explore, and experiment. Doing that made me more comfortable with change.”
Mentorship, along with Inclusivity and Intersections, is one of Alfred University’s three core strengths. Nilsen also stressed the importance of finding people to guide them during their time at Alfred and beyond. “This is the time to find your mentors,” she said. “Don’t sleep on that.”
Nilsen told students that their time at Alfred will be the most one of the most exciting and fulfilling periods of their lives, when they will achieve the most personal growth and lay a lasting foundation for making the world a better place.
“Today, your energy is running high. Who could not be motivated by what lies ahead?” she said. “You’re here to alter the course of your life. The ripples of that will change the world for the better.”
Thomas Orrange, dean of Student Experience and interim vice president for Student Experience, welcomed the new class, which includes students from 29 countries and 33 states.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you to Alfred University. This is truly an exciting day,” Orrange said. He urged students to seek out mentors and encouraged them to attend the university’s second annual Mentorship Day on Oct. 3. “No one is too big or too small to be in your web of support here at Alfred University.”
Senior Artem Kolisnychenko, Student Senate president, addressed the gathering as well, recalling his own Opening Convocation.
“Three years ago, I was sitting where you are now. I was curious and a little overwhelmed,” said Kolisnychenko, one of four students from Ukraine who enrolled as first-year students in 2022.
He advised students to move away from their comfort zones, participate in clubs and organizations, and take advantage of all Alfred University has to offer.
“Alfred is a place to take risks and experiment,” Kolisnychenko said. “Enjoy yourself. College is about experiences. Build memories that will stay with you long after graduation.”
Mark Zupan, Alfred University president, talked about the university’s three core strengths—inclusivity, intersections, and mentorship—and encouraged students to embrace them.
Zupan noted that Alfred University was first institution of higher education in the United States to make its curriculum fully open to female students and is also one of the first institutions in the nation to admit African American and Native American students.
“We take pride in being inclusive since our founding in 1836,” he said. “It means you belong, and you matter. You’re here because we want you here.”
Zupan noted the wealth of intersections available to students, pointing to a wide variety of academic majors, minors, double majors and 4+1 degree offerings. There are co- and extra-curricular opportunities available to students in the labs and studios and through participation of more than 80 student activities, and numerous places to explore, including Foster Lake, the renowned Stull Observatory, and the Maris Cuneo Equine Park.
“We have plentiful and potent intersections,” Zupan said. “Take advantage of them.”
He said that while students will chart and navigate their academic and career paths, it is important they form relationships with people—faculty and academic advisers; fellow students and staff members—to help guide them along with way.
“Seek out human connections while you’re finding your purpose,” he said. “The CEO of you, is you. Your path will be enhanced by your mentors.”
