Office Location
The External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center is located on the second floor of the University Union (UU 260) above the Fleishman Center.
Walk-in Advising
*Walk-in appointments are not available over the summer. Email urc@binghamton.edu to schedule a summer appointment.
Basic walk-in appointments:
Monday 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesday 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Advanced walk-in appointments:
Thursday 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. with Director Steve Ortiz
Advising by Appointment
Scheduled appointments are available for research and scholarship advising. Please email with convenient times/days to urc@binghamton.edu.
Advising for External Scholarships:
Contact Dr. Susan Flynn (sflynn@binghamton.edu) to schedule a meeting to discuss applying to any of the following:
- Luce Scholars Program
- Truman Scholarship
- Gaither Junior Fellows Program
- Goldwater Scholarship
- Udall Scholarship
Advising for the Fulbright Program:
Contact Dr. Elisa Camiscioli (ecamis@binghamton.edu) to schedule a meeting.
Contact Information
Phone: 607-777-4325
Fax: 607-777-4345
Email: urc@binghamton.edu
Physical Address (for GPS):
Binghamton University
State University of New York
4400 Vestal Parkway East
Vestal, NY 13850
Mailing Address:
External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center
Binghamton University
P.O. Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
Meet the Team
Dr. Stephen R. Ortiz (He/Him), Director
Stephen Ortiz joined Binghamton University in 2010 as a member of the History faculty. He has published two books on the role of veterans in American politics. From 2016-2021, he served as Collegiate Professor of College in the Woods. In 2021, Ortiz took on the position of Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Enrichment. He became Director of the External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center in 2023, as part of his AVP responsibilities.
Associate Director, to be announced
Caroline Antalek (She/Her), Source Project Program Coordinator
Caroline Antalek is a proud Binghamton University alumna with a bachelor's degree in Spanish language and literature, and a minor in education. As the Source Project Program Coordinator, Caroline assists in the program’s facilitation and helps plan the poster sessions for Research Days. After graduating with her associate's degree from SUNY Broome Community College, Binghamton University was calling her name! Between volunteering as a translator for the Multicultural Resource Center, participating in undergraduate research, and studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, Caroline is grateful to Binghamton University for offering her a plethora of opportunities. As a former exchange student with Rotary International, Caroline has a passion for diverse cultures, language learning and education. Prior to starting at ESURC, she worked in admissions with a stellar team recruiting future Bearcats! When Caroline is not working with undergraduate research, you can find her at a concert, in the gym, or hanging out with her daughter and husband.
Barbara Kachmar (She/Her), Office Assistant
Barbara Kachmar is an alumna and retired employees of Binghamton University who has accepted a temporary Office Assistant position in the External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center. She brings over 25 years of clerical and administrative experience working with faculty, staff, students, various departments and off campus constituents. She has been known as the “Go To Person” because of all her knowledge and connections on campus and in the community. In her spare time, she travels the globe with family and friends by RV, ships, trains, planes and/or whatever means are needed to get where she wants to go. Barbara is the proud mother of two military boys who are serving in the Unites States Air Force which has contributed to her travels.
Dr. Susan Flynn (She/Her), Faculty Research and Scholarship Advisor
Dr. Elisa Camiscioli (she/elle), Senior Fulbright Advisor
Undergraduate Research Ambassadors
Abby Gifeisman (She/They)
Abby is a junior majoring in philosophy, politics, and law. She facilitates outreach events for the Undergraduate Research Center, including panels which showcase the research of BU students and staff. Abby founded the Interdisciplinary Research Club in September 2021 and has served as president since. Abby participated in the People, Politics, and Environment stream of the Source Project in 2020-21, researching the relationship between small businesses and gentrification.
Sydney Werner (She/They)
Sydney is a junior graduating in the fall of 2023 from Schenectady, NY. Her major is comparative literature with a minor in German. Her role at the Undergraduate Research Center includes all email correspondence, and creating the weekly research newsletter. Sydney has been involved in research since her freshman year at Binghamton and finalized her research during her time in the Summer Scholars and Artists Program. Her research involves Virginia Woolf’s novel To The Lighthouse. Her work has been published in the university’s undergraduate journal, Alpenglow. Hobbies of Sydney’s include film photography, reading, and creating playlists on Spotify.
ESURC Affiliated Offices and Programs
McNair Scholars Program
Gervlyne Auguste (She/Her), McNair Scholars Program Coordinator
Gervlyne Auguste currently serves as the program coordinator for the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program). She brings over 15 years of experience in educational and administrative management. Her academic experiences serve as an important framework that better allows her to understand and identify with a diverse range of students. Gervlyne's familiarities of being a first-generation college student with English as a second language present the main ideals that are the backbone of her educational philosophy. As a project coordinator, her primary mission is to help students navigate successfully through their academic careers while exploring their educational and career options. Her immediate responsibility is to prepare students to be self-sufficient and life-long learners. Her obligation is to contribute and remain attentive to issues pertaining to student services and retention. This is especially important when addressing the needs of underrepresented and underserved students.
In her spare time, she serves on several nongovernmental organizations as an advocate for better access to education, youth development and women owned businesses reaching life-long independence.
Gervlyne holds a Masters in Science degree with an Administration and Planning concentration from the University of Massachusetts in Boston and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Emmanuel College, Boston.
Régina Nguyen (She/Her), McNair Scholars Program Assistant Director
Dickinson Research Team (DiRT)
Dr. Robert A. Holahan (He/Him), Dickinson Research Team Director
Robert Holahan is an associate professor of environmental studies and political science and director of the Dickinson Research Team (DiRT). DiRT is a residential community-based research program that is the first of its kind in the United States. DiRT is open to students who are interested in research, regardless of major and prior research experience.
