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Great Lakes Institute

The Great Lakes Institute fosters a greater awareness and understanding of the Great Lakes through continued research efforts, academic programming and curricula for students at all levels, and public outreach. 

The goals of the Great Lakes Institute are to:

  • Serve as a resource and place to discuss critical issues associated with the Great Lakes; 
  • Support faculty and student research opportunities including collaborative and interdisciplinary research; 
  • Seek external grant and philanthropic support for the Institute in support of its activities; 
  • Support curricular development related to the Great Lakes; 
  • Partner and collaborate with relevant entities in the promotion, research, education, and stewardship of the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes Institute was developed to enable SUNY Oswego to maximize its main campus location on the shores of Lake Ontario by creating a hub for experiential learning, research and development focused on world-renowned Great Lakes ecosystem and economy of New York including: 

  • fisheries management and marine sanctuary development (tourism); 
  • ecological and community resilience and lake levels (economic impact); 
  • fresh water use and protection; watershed management (environment and sustainability); 
  • teacher education; 
  • and climate and meteorological issues.

"Our Great Lakes Institute at SUNY Oswego is a nexus that brings together faculty who do a wide variety of research related to the Great Lakes — from why lightening patterns are shifting, to invasive species and habitat restoration, fostering resilience in policy choices and behavior, to understanding residents’ perceptions of their ecosystem."

Lisa Glidden

Director, Great Lakes Institute

Advisory Board