With broad spaces to find and invent herself, Emma Hyde ’24 was able to explore a career path and her artistic passions during a fruitful three years at SUNY Potsdam. As she set her course to promising opportunities in her home state, Hyde reflected back on a formative experience in the North Country.
Hyde completed her work at the SUNY Potsdam Law Enforcement Training Institute in the fall of her sophomore year, learning tools for tackling the tough mental aspects of police work, the importance of de-escalation techniques, and an officer’s role in helping to knit and hold the fabric of community—aspects of harmony not unlike the flow of dance.
“Director Duquette and Dr. David Bugg were amazing instructors, teachers, advisors and individuals who will always have a tremendous impact on my educational and career journey,” Hyde said. “LETI showed me that I can handle more than I know. The program challenged me mentally, emotionally and physically.”
Hyde drew inspiration from human services coursework and mental health classes with Assistant Professor Dr. Lauren Diamond-Brown, with whom she always felt comfortable asking questions and delving into different aspects of sociology. Hyde also had the opportunity to work with staff in the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice to monitor and create content for the department’s Instagram and Facebook accounts.
“This gave me a lot of creative expression and education, along with attending multiple events with other staff and students within and outside the department,” she said.
Hyde took advantage of social opportunities and forged bonds through student life, participating in TRIO, Dance Ensemble, American College Dance Association, the Student Government Association, the Women, Gender and Leadership program, the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society, the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society, and many other campus groups, events and activities.
A few hours after receiving her degree in Criminal Justice—and leveraging the experience of an internship in the probation department at the Oswego County Public Safety Center—Hyde headed to a promising job as a park ranger at Selkirk Shores State Park. The work gave her experience patrolling and assisting the public at the park and boat ramps while she looked ahead to graduate school at SUNY Oswego.
Having a relative who worked in nuclear power plant security and another who was a school counselor, Hyde arrived early at her interest in protecting and serving the public. But it was the internship with Oswego County Public Safety that cemented her determination to become a probation officer. She has been accepted to SUNY Oswego to pursue an advanced degree in mental health counseling, which will help her reach her long-term goals.
Hyde also has wings to wear on her feet when she wants or needs to. At Potsdam, she took ballet and jazz, and performed in student, faculty and senior dance concerts.
“It would be amazing to keep up with dancing in whatever format that is, whether it is taking classes at a local studio for exercise and joy—or performing in concerts like I did at SUNY Potsdam to be part of the performing arts community,” she said.
As she looks ahead to what’s next, Hyde has a clear, unwavering goal.
“I want to be that person, personally and professionally, that people know they can lean on for trust and support,” she said. “The next 10 to 15 years, I will continue to strive to be someone who people can count on for anything.”
Article by Bret Yager, portraits by Jason Hunter