Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
In this video, Aidan Ackerman shares what drew him to SUNY ESF and why it’s been the perfect place to grow his work. With a background in digital technology, he was excited to find a role where he could combine his skills with ESF’s strong mission and environmental expertise. Right away, he found himself collaborating with faculty on projects that bring climate change research and sustainable resource management to life through visualization and modeling. For Ackerman, being at a smaller, research-driven college means constant collaboration, close connections with students, and the chance to do work that really makes an impact.
Ackerman also talks about his role in the classroom, where he teaches design studios, seminars, and electives. He describes the studio experience as the “heart and soul” of design education, where students take everything they’ve learned and apply it to real projects. From creating detailed construction documents — essentially the blueprints of their designs — to exploring new digital tools, his students leave with the skills and confidence to land internships and jobs. What makes ESF stand out, he explains, is the shared sense of mission across campus and the strong alumni network that opens doors at every level. For him, it’s a place where big ambition and hard work come together, and where
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Keep up with us 🌱
Instagram: @suny.esf
Facebook: @sunyesf
TikTok: @sunyesf
Esf.edu
In this video, Aidan Ackerman shares what drew him to SUNY ESF and why it’s been the perfect place to grow his work. With a background in digital technology, he was excited to find a role where he could combine his skills with ESF’s strong mission and environmental expertise. Right away, he found himself collaborating with faculty on projects that bring climate change research and sustainable resource management to life through visualization and modeling. For Ackerman, being at a smaller, research-driven college means constant collaboration, close connections with students, and the chance to do work that really makes an impact.
Ackerman also talks about his role in the classroom, where he teaches design studios, seminars, and electives. He describes the studio experience as the “heart and soul” of design education, where students take everything they’ve learned and apply it to real projects. From creating detailed construction documents — essentially the blueprints of their designs — to exploring new digital tools, his students leave with the skills and confidence to land internships and jobs. What makes ESF stand out, he explains, is the shared sense of mission across campus and the strong alumni network that opens doors at every level. For him, it’s a place where big ambition and hard work come together, and where
_____
Keep up with us 🌱
Instagram: @suny.esf
Facebook: @sunyesf
TikTok: @sunyesf
Esf.edu
