SUNY Morrisville’s Norwich Campus was a great start for Zan Stewart and he is on track to do great things.
Stewart, a native of Norwich, New York, graduated from Norwich High School in 2015 and then took a gap year, living in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, before returning to his hometown and enrolling at SUNY Morrisville’s Norwich Campus, where he graduated with his degree in human services in 2019.
“I chose SUNY Morrisville’s Norwich Campus because it was a great fit for me,” Stewart said. “The campus is only three minutes from my home and I was able to attend college and work part-time in town.”
Not only was the Norwich Campus convenient, but Stewart also always felt comfortable and appreciated there. With class sizes of fewer than 15 students, he got to know his peers, professors and staff.
Stewart appreciated the family atmosphere of the Norwich Campus and that it was a place where he could enjoy and trust others. He was particularly appreciative of his human services professor, Dr. Julanne Burton, who kept the classes honest, active and enjoyable.
Stewart attended classes at the Norwich Campus, but always felt a part of the greater Mustang community and enjoyed all that the Morrisville Campus had to offer.
He played football for one year as a kicker and punter for the Mustangs. The 45-minute drive made it convenient for him to practice, play and experience all of SUNY Morrisville in all of its locations.
His helping nature led him to pursue a degree in human services.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve enjoyed helping people and lifting them up,” said Stewart, who plans to work in substance abuse counseling.
Stewart is working with the Norwich Liberty Partnership Program, working with at-risk middle-school-aged children in grades 6-8. He works with them on personal issues, school issues, class work, peer conflicts and family conflicts.
On Aug. 10, Instant Admit Day & Orientation at Norwich, Stewart worked with the summer program, where he is bringing middle-schoolers to campus and other places, such as Norwich Meadows, Rogers Center and Chenango State Park.
“The kids get out to do stuff in a structured setting,” he said. “They are building skills without even knowing they are doing it.”
He plans to continue his education with sights set on becoming a substance abuse counselor — with SUNY Morrisville on his short list of potential colleges.
