Architecture students present redevelopment plans for more business opportunities and revitalization of Main Street in Alfred, NY
From Alfred State College, pictured is Mayor Ninos review student plans
ALFRED, NY, December 15, 2025 –Alfred State College (ASC) has launched a new initiative called Research with Real Results to highlight the applied innovation taking place across campus. While national headlines often focus on shrinking research budgets, Alfred State continues to demonstrate a different kind of success: hands-on problem solving that benefits employers and communities throughout New York State.
“Research supports many goals across higher education,” said President Dr. Steven Mauro. “Alfred State focuses on work that strengthens our students and our region. Faculty members inject hard-earned work experience into classrooms and labs, and students apply that knowledge to projects that employers value. Research with Real Results gives us a way to show that strength more widely.”
That work happens daily in more than 200 labs, shops, studios, and clinical settings. Students and faculty move quickly from concept to testing to practical solutions. This reflects Alfred State’s history as a career-focused institution where learning by doing remains central. US News recently recognized Alfred State as the number one school for undergraduate teaching among all northern regional colleges. Most instructors bring significant industry experience to their teaching, which keeps projects grounded in real-world needs.
“Applied discovery is part of who we are at Alfred State,” said Dr. Carrie Cokely, vice president of academic affairs. “When faculty, students, and industry partners work side by side, the results have real value for our region and for New York.”
The initiative is organized around four pillars that distinguish Alfred State’s approach:
- Experienced Faculty: Industry practitioners guiding meaningful, hands-on work.
- Industry Partnerships: Projects shaped by employer and community needs.
- Student Innovation: Ideas developed and tested from a student’s first year forward.
- ROI for Real Outcomes and Impact: Results that support workforce and community growth.
College leaders view research not only as discovery, but as progress delivered where it counts most: in rural towns, small business sectors, and industries that rely on career-ready talent. Students gain experience that prepares them for strong careers, while communities gain access to practical solutions that are ready for implementation.
“Donors and grant funders increasingly recognize that applied innovation at Alfred State drives economic momentum,” said Danielle White, vice president of institutional advancement. “They want to help accelerate solutions that improve lives and create opportunities.”
Several projects demonstrate that focus:
Smart Farming Robotics: A National Science Foundation award of $474,000 supports new robotics and automation pathways in agriculture, expanding efficiency and preparing students for high-demand careers.
Lower-Carbon Cooling Patent: An ASC student and professor patented a cooling process modeled on human perspiration that reduces reliance on hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants and offers a climate-friendly alternative for refrigeration and cooling systems.
Rural Water Access Solutions: Students partnered with the Allegany County Department of Health to design strategies that improve access to drinking water, supporting both public health and future economic development.
Farm-Powered Renewable Energy: Alfred State students earn high honors in the AHA Collegiate Competition each year, including a biogas digester concept that converts manure into usable energy, helping dairy farms reduce emissions and improve financial stability.
Community Design for Small-Town Revitalization: Architecture students developed concepts for the Town of Friendship, NY, and Village of Alfred, focusing on beautification, new business opportunities, and long-term community renewal.
Research with Real Results showcases how Alfred State has a growing impact across New York’s workforce and communities. The initiative highlights applied work that has long been central to the college’s mission, while encouraging faculty and students to pursue new challenges and solve problems. Project stories and updates are featured at AlfredState.edu/RealResults.
