Geneseo Summer Academy: Live and Learn on Campus

SUNY Geneseo campus
Registration coming soon 

Program Overview

Geneseo Summer Academy is a one-week residential program for high school students who want to prepare for college, explore academic interests, and gain real college experience. Students will live in residence halls, eat in dining halls, and participate in hands-on learning led by Geneseo’s expert faculty.

Through four interdisciplinary tracks, students will dive into topics like sustainability, political thought, activism through art, and creative writing. Small class sizes and interactive workshops allow for personalized learning and leadership development.

This program helps students stand out in college applications by offering college-level academic experiences, networking opportunities, and a deeper understanding of life at a nationally recognized public honors college. 

Date: July 12-18, 2026
Cost: $1750

Students who complete the program and choose to attend Geneseo as undergraduates will receive a one-time $500 scholarship toward non-tuition costs.

Courses

Discovering the Subatomic World

How do we know about electrons, photons, or atomic nuclei? What kinds of experiments allow us to determine the properties of these tiny parts of the Universe? In this course, we will learn about the experiments and mathematical models that have revealed the subatomic world, and we will make our own measurements to investigate these questions! 

Professor: Kurt Fletcher

Kurt Fletcher is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Physics. He 

specializes in experimental nuclear physics with applications to nuclear fusion 

research. A native of Chautauqua County, NY, he has undergraduate degrees from Jamestown Community College and the Rochester Institute of Technology, and he earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. 

Fletcher finds joy in teaching people physics, singing with others, playing the 

piano accordion, performing in local community theater productions, and 

volunteering in the community with family and friends. 

Portrait of Kurt Fletcher
TechnoEthics: How Our Tools Make Us

From smartphones and social media to AI, technology not only changes what we do, but it also changes who we are. This course explores how innovations reshape human values such as freedom, privacy, creativity, and fairness, and how those changes redefine what it means to live a good life. Students will learn to think and argue like philosophers: questioning assumptions, analyzing moral dilemmas, and debating whether technology serves us or the other way around. Through discussion, media, and case studies, we’ll ask how our tools might be transforming our very sense of self.

Professor: Jonathan Auyer

Jonathan Auyer joined the Philosophy Department in 2019 after teaching at Champlain College and Burlington College in Vermont. His areas of interest are Ethics (including Applied, Ethical Theory, and Technology and Ethics), Philosophy of Art (including morality in art, fictional emotions, and representation), and Native American and Indigenous philosophies. Originally from Liverpool New York, Jonathan received his B.S. in Studio Art from Roberts Weslyan college, where he didn’t take a philosophy class until his Junior year. After discovering this path, he went on to receive both his M.A. and PhD. in Philosophy from SUNY Albany. Outside of teaching, he enjoys trail running, watching Bluey, listening to music and podcasts, poorly working on house projects, cheering for Liverpool F.C., and hanging out with his family and scruffy labradoodle, Honey.  He also teaches at Monroe Community College. 

Portrait of Jonathan Auyer
Bodies in Motion: Creativity, Culture, and Connection

Explore the power of movement as a global, environmental, and personal language. Students will dive into dance and movement as a form of expression, innovation, and connection. Through daily practices in improvisation, choreography from a multitude of dance genres, and site-specific work, students will examine how movement functions as a cultural and global voice, a reflection of our environment, and a tool for personal wellness. Students will develop movement influenced by community, and self, through collaborative, collective stories. The week culminates in a final performance that showcases faculty led choreography with original student generated work.

Professor: Alissa Bachand

Alissa Bachand is a Lecturer in Geneseo’s Department for the Performing Arts, where she teaches classes in a wide variety of dance forms from Afro-Caribbean to modern. Alissa is a Geneseo alumna who earned a BS in Biochemistry and a minor in Dance. Her professional credits include Shelter Repertory Dance Company, Ko-Motion Movement Theater, the Professional Lacrosse League, and various other regional companies. Additionally, Alissa currently owns a dance studio in Syracuse, NY and is an adjudicator and master teacher for a wide variety of national dance competitions and conventions. When she isn't in the dance studio, Alissa can be found hiking in the Adirondacks, attending live music events, or traveling the globe! 

Portrait of Alissa Bachand
Power Play: Gender, Identity & Cultural Change

How do gender norms shape our world, and how can we reshape them? Together, we'll explore how ideas about gender are created, challenged, and transformed through culture and activism. Through site visits, critical discussions, and hands-on projects, we'll investigate questions like: How do toys, games, and media shape our ideas about gender? How have activists challenged gender norms throughout history? How do gender, race, class, and sexuality intersect in shaping identity? Working in small teams throughout the week, we'll develop media literacy and research skills while creating a public-facing project that explores an aspect of gender representation that matters to us.

Professor: Claire Gravelin

Dr. Claire Gravelin is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Faculty Assistant to the Dean in the School of Arts and Sciences. A proud product of the SUNY system, she grew up in a small town outside Albany, NY and earned her bachelor's degree at SUNY Brockport before completing her M.A. and Ph.D. in Social Psychology at The University of Kansas. She joined SUNY Geneseo in 2019, where her research focuses on understanding the causes and consequences of women's marginalization. Specifically, she examines subtle forms of sexism and socio-cultural factors that shape perceptions of women, and how these perceptions impact women's behavior, self-esteem, and self-perceptions. Dr. Gravelin also has a deep passion for teaching and working with students, engaging regularly with scholarship on best practices in teaching and learning. Outside of work, Dr. Gravelin is happiest when caring for or connecting with others—whether that's through her volunteer work at a cat adoption agency, treating her own two cats like royalty, playing volleyball, or being the best aunt to her five niblings.

 

Upcoming Virtual Informational Sessions

Join David Levy, professor and chair of the philosophy department, who will lead an informational session on: 

Wednesday, November 19th at 7:00pm 

Informational Session Sign Up 

Why Attend?

  • Get Ready for College – Experience living in a residence hall, attending college classes, and meeting new friends.
  • Learn from Experts – Take exciting classes led by real college professors in subjects like art, politics, science, and writing.
  • Network and Have Fun – Join other students from different schools, explore campus, and take part in fun activities.
  • Build Your Future – Gain skills to help you stand out when applying to college.
  • Earn a Scholarship – If you attend Geneseo for college after this program, you’ll receive a one-time $500 scholarship to cover non-tuition expenses! 
Registration coming soon

FAQ

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

Students who are currently in their sophomore or junior year of high school. All participants must be under the age of 18.

Does the cost include transportation to Geneseo?

No, the cost does not include transportation.

What is the Summer Academy schedule?

The program dates are July 12-18. A more detailed schedule will be sent as part of the onboarding process. 

Do I have to have experience in any academic area to participate?

While it is not required, some faculty may encourage having completed courses, such as algebra, if applying to “Discovering the Subatomic World”. 

Do I have to know what I want to major in?

Not at all! We hope and expect there will be some students who know what they want to major in when they come to college, and some who are still figuring that out. Participating in the Summer Academy may also help you as you determine your academic interests.

Is financial assistance available?

To help cover the cost of the program, limited financial assistance is available.

Additionally, students who complete the Summer Academy and subsequently enroll at Geneseo will receive a one-time scholarship of $500 toward non-tuition expenses (for example, housing and food).

Will I get the chance to meet any current Geneseo students?

Yes! Students in the program will be grouped with current Geneseo students as mentors. You will meet in small groups with your mentor throughout the week to talk about college life as well as how to make the best use of various college resources.

What is included in the cost of attendance?

The fee includes food, housing, all classroom materials, transportation and entrance fees for field trips, recreational activities, and access to Geneseo’s health center for medical care.

Have questions? Contact us! 
Email: summeracademy@geneseo.edu
Phone: 585-245-5612