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  Can you briefly introduce yourself? Hello, my name is Jinkyu Hyun; I also go by Elias. I’m a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering. At 15, I was accepted into KMLA (Korean Minjok Leadership Academy), which I attended briefly before making one of the toughest decisions of my life: stepping away from high school all together in the face of personal struggles and health issues. This period of extenuating circumstances was one followed with deep reflection and personal growth, and honestly, some academic stagnation. Luckily, I found my momentum in reclaiming intellectual independence, took the Korean GED, and studied for the Korean CSAT. Ultimately, that journey led me to enroll at SUNY Korea to pursue my goal of becoming an aerospace engineer.   What made you choose SUNY Korea and your major? When I was around six, I had the opportunity to study in Vancouver, Canada for around two years. That experience gave me a strong foundation in English and planted dreams of studying in an international and global environment, although I had not realized this till much later. Though my academic journey ultimately took me through the Korean admissions process, the SUNY Korea campus – being both a global extension and close to home – positioned itself as a natural and appealing choice. I decided on Mechanical Engineering because I have always been interested in the making of things. From a young age, I was obsessed with LEGOs – I think I probably had the biggest collection out of anyone I knew. In particular, the LEGO Technic series, 과학상자 (a Korean educational mechatronics kit) was another source for my growth of passion and skill in building mechanical objects. Thus, Mechanical Engineering felt like the best path, combining my early interests and constant growth into my future career.   How did you first hear about SUNY Korea, and what attracted you to apply? After returning from Vancouver, my family settled in Songdo. Unknowingly, I drove directly into the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) when I began swimming at the on-campus pool. This further attracted me to apply given my family and I heard great things about SUNY Korea — highlighting its fully English-taught programs and intensive academic atmosphere. What stood out even more was the opportunity to gain hands-on engineering experience, a hard-to-find aspect in the Mechanical Engineering program of many Korean universities, as well as the chance to make global connections within a diverse community.   What has your academic journey been like so far? Any classes or professors that really stood out? As I am finishing my first year at SUNY Korea, I think naturally, my MEC courses have stood out the most. MEC101, Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, gave me a firsthand taste of the hands-on engineering experience that had initially attracted me to SUNY Korea. We started with a simple line-following car, then moved onto working on our freshmen engineering projects. My team and I crafted a functional remote-controlled vehicle equipped with features like a solar-tracking panel, omnidirectional movement, and custom software for Bluetooth control. At the end, we were given the opportunity to present our work in front of Mechanical Engineering faculty and peers. I think most fondly of Professor Bradter, who was a constant source of support, even late into the night. He spent countless after-hours with students, helping us construct parts for our projects and guiding us in our approach to engineering problems. Along with this, MEC226, Modern Machining Practices, gave me the opportunity to work with both modern and traditional machining tools. Another memorable course was WRT101, especially because this was basically my first time learning academic English writing. Professor Santos was a mentor who fostered both literary growth and confidence. I remember preparing for my first paper, when an important interview had gotten cancelled, and I unfortunately lost contact with my source. I was hoping for a response, but alas, none came. Thankfully. Professor Santos helped me restructure my essay to work with what I had, and with a bit more research and work I was able to successfully submit my first paper – just in time. Like many university students, I was required to take courses outside of my major to fulfill general education and earn credits. CAR151, Career & Life Design I: Introduction, was one of those courses I took because I needed a few extra credits; however, through the semester, it grew to be one of my favorite lectures. It was unlike any other course I had taken previously: it used a seminar-style format, focusing on peer interaction, self-reflection, and practical life skills instead of rigid academics. Through the course, I was able to reflect upon my future goals and, based on those goals, network with professionals already in the field through LinkedIn. Also, with the guidance of Professor Wu, I created my first resumé based on activities I had done over my first year at university.   What’s student life like at SUNY Korea? Can you describe a typical day for you on campus? A typical day on campus is a mix of academic rigor and genuine connection. The is the intellectual demand of classes, but also the joy of seeing and connecting with other students in the midst of it all. I usually start the day with a 9am lecture, and my favorite place to spend time in between is the major room, where I study and chat with my friends. After lunch at the school cafeteria or the dorm kitchen, I usually exercise or attend my evening lectures. For dinner, I tend to eat on campus or head to nearby malls like Triple Street with my friends to eat out.  In the evening, I find myself in the major room again, to study into the night. Most club meetings tend to occur late at night as well. Around midnight, I return to my dorm where I can get ready for bed – sometimes my friends and I gather around the dorm kitchen for some tea or go play basketball at a park near campus.   What do you want to achieve during your student life at SUNY Korea? My main priority at SUNY Korea is, of course, academic excellence — but that's something all university students strive for. On top of that, I want to experience new things, step out of my comfort zone, and make connections with the people around me. SUNY Korea offers a unique academic environment where meeting people from different cultures is easier and natural. Beyond coursework I aim to translate my academic pursuits and personal interests into tangible actions. I am currently working on starting a solar-related automotive engineering project, bringing together an interdisciplinary team of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science students. Through this project I hope to apply academic knowledge to practical challenges to develop interdisciplinary problem-solving and collaborative skills. In a few years, I see myself at grad school, maybe even pursuing a Ph.D. My goal is to work in the field of mechanical engineering, particularly the aerospace or defense sectors. However, since I have only finished my freshman year, it is not a stretch to assume my career path and dreams may change over time as I gain more experience and discover new passions.

  Business Management Professor Younggeun Lee of the State University of New York, Korea delivered a keynote address on December 9, 2025, in Phuket, Thailand, at the U.S. Department of State–hosted Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI forum. The event convened 50 delegates from 16 countries, including government officials, NGO executives, AI startup founders, and academic experts, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide. In his keynote, Teaching Entrepreneurship in the Era of the AI Renaissance, Professor Lee examined how AI is transforming entrepreneurial learning, decision-making, and venture creation. Drawing on his research and recent case studies, he outlined seven core themes that characterize contemporary AI-driven entrepreneurship. Three themes generated particular discussion. AI Coach vs. Human Mentor highlighted the potential of hybrid human × AI coaching models, especially when AI systems are trained on deep institutional knowledge bases such as Y Combinator’s archival materials. The Rise of the AI Co-Founder described how entrepreneurs increasingly rely on AI stacks for market research, financial modeling, and early-stage validation, marking a shift toward “learning-with-AI” as a foundational entrepreneurial skill. AI-as-a-Judge examined the use of large language models to evaluate startup pitches with high consistency, while still requiring bias monitoring and human oversight for final decisions. Professor Lee also addressed broader trends shaping the entrepreneurial landscape. These included the growing importance of AI literacy as a societal baseline, the emergence of AI-native universities, debates over AI weaponization in competitive markets, and the accelerating demand for governance frameworks that define responsible AI-driven venture creation. The forum concluded with delegates outlining the AI and Entrepreneurship Strategic White Paper, a confidential U.S.–Indo-Pacific framework focused on AI education, SME innovation, and cross-border digital collaboration. The initiative aims to enhance geopolitical competitiveness while establishing practical pathways for shared and sustainable growth. Reflecting on the discussions, Professor Lee noted: “AI sovereignty is emerging as a key determinant of global competitiveness. Governments face a fundamental decision regarding whether AI literacy and infrastructure should function as widely accessible public goods or remain concentrated within a limited number of countries and corporations. Unequal access to AI capabilities risks intensifying geopolitical competition and generating new forms of global instability. Addressing these risks will require sustained multilateral coordination, potentially through UN-level frameworks that establish shared infrastructure, governance standards, and mechanisms of accountability. Such coordination is essential to ensure that AI-driven innovation advances in ways that are transparent, secure, and broadly beneficial rather than reinforcing existing power asymmetries.”  

  SUNY Korea held its 2025 Commencement Ceremony on December 12th at the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) Auditorium, bringing together graduates, families, faculty, and guests from Stony Brook University to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025. The ceremony was hosted by Dr. Amos Omondi, Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs, and opened with a congratulatory address by President Arthur Lee, who recognized the dedication, resilience, and academic accomplishments of the graduating students. This year’s commencement honored over 81 graduates, including approximately 30 students from SUNY Korea and others completing their studies at the Stony Brook University main campus. The graduating class included undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral candidates, including a Ph.D. graduate in Mechanical Engineering. The Valedictorian Award was presented to Joonhyeong Kim, a Mechanical Engineering student, in recognition of his outstanding academic performance. The ceremony also featured the announcement of outstanding honors – cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude – with recipients from departments across Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Management, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, and Technology Systems and Management. The Commencement Ceremony concluded with the conferral of graduation diplomas, marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. SUNY Korea proudly celebrates the Class of 2025 and looks forward to their future achievements as history makers shaping the world ahead. Written by Student Reporter, Onyinyechi Achi (onyinyechi.achi@stonybrook.edu)  

    This semester, the Business Management Department organized two field trips that offered students meaningful exposure to innovation, industry trends, and professional career paths. On October 24, students visited the NAVER 1784 Building in Seongnam, where they explored NAVER’s next-generation smart office environment. The tour introduced students to AI-driven robotics, autonomous delivery systems, digital twin technologies, and other cutting-edge tools used to enhance workplace efficiency and collaboration. Many participants explained that the visit expanded their understanding of digital transformation and emerging business technologies. On November 28, the department’s US CPA Study Group visited KPMG Korea at the Gangnam Finance Center. Students learned about the firm’s structure, recruitment pathways, and the real career experiences of junior professionals. A special talk by Mr. Geun Gu Leem, Partner at KPMG Korea, offered insight into the firm’s growth and the evolving role of accounting professionals in the global market. Together, these two field trips provided valuable real-world perspectives, helping students connect classroom learning with industry practice. The BM Department looks forward to offering more experiential opportunities that support student growth and career readiness.   Written by Student Reporter, Onyinyechi Achi (onyinyechi.achi@stonybrook.edu)  

  On December 5, SUNY Korea warmly welcomed Spring 2026 admitted students and their families to the campus for a special program designed to introduce them to the academic community they will soon join. The event began at 2:00 PM in the Banquet Hall, where President Arthur Lee delivered an inspiring welcoming speech, followed by an overview of SUNY Korea’s academic programs and general campus experience. The session also featured a direct Q&A segment with President Lee, giving families a unique opportunity to address their questions personally to the university leadership. At 3:00 PM, guests were guided to designated classrooms, where faculty members offered brief introductions to each major and discussed real-world applications of their fields. Parents and students then engaged in a Q&A session with professors and current students, gaining valuable insight into academic life and student experiences at SUNY Korea. To conclude the visit, attendees enjoyed small gifts and refreshments as they connected with faculty, staff, and future classmates. The event provided an encouraging and informative first step for newly admitted students as they prepare for their journey at SUNY Korea. Written by Student Reporter, Temirlan Gubashev (Temirlan.gubashev@stonybrook.edu)