While the doors to the Ulster BOCES Career Academies at iPark 87 officially opened to more than 1,400 of Ulster County’s high school juniors and seniors in early September, nearly 200 educators, business/industry leaders, government officials, state education officials, and representatives from higher education were able to explore the new facility on Friday, October 3. The guests joined over 100 Ulster BOCES young professionals, staff, and administrators at its new state-of-the-art training center in the former IBM-complex on Enterprise Drive in Kingston for an official ribbon-cutting event with the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“This event is about so much more than the opening of a new building—it is the unveiling of a new story for Ulster County, and for New York State. Today, we are cutting more than a ribbon. We are cutting ties with old ways of thinking—siloed systems that too often limit opportunity—and we are stepping together into a new educational model: one that places students and their families at the center of economic mobility, workforce development, and community revitalization," said Ulster BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Jonah Schenker as he opened the event before giving the microphone to student representatives Elizabeth Harris (New Visions Health, Highland CSD) and Arnoldo Umana (Law & Public Service Academy and CITL, Onteora CSD) who spoke about how Ulster BOCES has expanded their leadership, communication, and career readiness—echoing the day’s central theme: young professionals are already engaged, skilled, and ready to design the futures they deserve.

Remarks were also made by U.S. Congressman Pat Ryan, New York State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty A. Rosa, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, SUNY Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development & Upward Mobility Christopher White, Archtop Fiber CDO Shawn Beqaj, National Resources CEO Lynne Ward, Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce President Ward Todd, and Assistant Superintendent for Learning & Design Peter Harris. Following the event, guests were provided with student-led tours of the new high-tech labs and collaborative learning spaces.

A highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of a $1 Million gift from longtime advanced manufacturing partners Allendale Machinery and the Gene Haas Foundation, presented by Allendale Machinery Vice President Marty McGill, who recognized Ulster BOCES as a leading national model for high-quality CTE and strengthening the region’s talent pipeline.

“The opening of Ulster BOCES’s new Career and Tech Center is a giant leap forward for our community – creating the leaders of tomorrow, right here in the Hudson Valley,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “BOCES is an absolutely shining example of what happens when we present our students with the opportunities to pursue anything they set their minds to. The Center will prepare our young people to succeed here today, and for their kids to thrive in the future. I am incredibly grateful for all of the tireless efforts of folks across our community to make this happen.”

The Ulster BOCES Career Academies at iPark 87 were developed in close collaboration with National Resources (iPark 87 developer) and a growing network of industry partners, including Snap-on, Trane, Lincoln Electric, Fastenal, Mohawk, and the Council of Industry, as well as higher-education partners SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Ulster. Neighbor and partner Archtop Fiber—which has scaled to 130 employees, including Ulster BOCES-trained talent—underscored the campus’s role as a live pipeline from classroom to career.

In her remarks, Lynne Ward spoke directly to the students, welcoming them to iPark and reflecting on the opportunities they have before them at their new home. "So I think we have a great future with all this innovation," she said, and then referenced a comment made by a colleague earlier in the day. "He made the stunning remark to me that this is actually AI proof here because what's going on here are real jobs by real people running ahead of AI."

The Ulster BOCES Career Academies at iPark 87 closely align with the newly released New York Inspires framework and the Portrait of a Graduate, emphasizing equity, belonging, proficiency-based learning, and real-world outcomes for all students. New York State Commissioner of Education Dr. Betty A. Rosa said, “It’s applied learning. It’s taking the standards work and applying that learning. And that really creates opportunities for engagement, excitement, enjoying what they do, and also making it relevant and truly giving our students the brushes and the canvas to paint that beautiful tomorrow which creates their portrait.”

Rosa says the Ulster BOCES model at iPark matters not only in terms of New York Inspires, but also in its focus on proficiency-based learning, rigor, application, and opportunities to give young people the advantages of being economically sufficient, experienced, and able to dream.

“And so, it is our call to action to everyone in this room to make sure that as we cut the ribbon, we stay connected, stay focused, and ensure that the purpose of a place like this—one that sends a powerful message of belonging and intentionality—can be replicated in many places and for many students throughout this amazing state, so they can continue to build their portrait of tomorrow,” she said.

About Ulster BOCES Career Academies at iPark 87

Ulster BOCES delivers career pathways that go far beyond teaching a trade—cultivating critical thinking, communication, collaboration, adaptability, leadership, independence, work ethic, and innovation so every learner can develop their unique self, contribute to community, build capacity, and engage in continuous inquiry. This is achieved through Ulster BOCES’ commitment to Deeper Leading & Learning, guided through the principles of Crew and equity-based dispositions of process-based learning. Crew at Ulster BOCES is an intentional practice that provides consistent, long-term relationships and builds trust and belonging for all. This supportive structure strengthens academic progress, well-being, and real-world readiness. 

"The Career Academies at iPark 87 have been guided by three simple but powerful design principles: height, light, and visible systems. These principles shape the form of this space, and they also reflect the openness, the transparency, and forward vision that define our work together," said Assistant Superintendent for Learning & Design for Career Pathways Peter Harris. "Today, as you tour the facility, your hosts will show you how these ideas come alive in all the design that is all around you. You will also see something—the expeditious and momentous redefining of the former IBM space, now reborn in this first phase of opening. Some of the spaces already feature the tools and technologies you’ll experience on the tour, while others will soon be filled with advanced technology, engaging design, and industry-defined innovation and finishing touches that define our identity."