SUNY Plattsburgh Admissions Assistant - Debra LaPorte

Debra LaPorte

Transfer Admissions Assistant

Hello! My name is Debra LaPorte and I am a Transfer Assistant at SUNY Plattsburgh. It’s my job to work with transfer applicants from the central, western and New York City regions of New York state.  In addition to traveling to these regions, I also perform transfer credit evaluations for prospective students. I am eager to speak with you and provide you whatever help you need in making your transition to SUNY Plattsburgh flow smoothly.

Hometown: Houston, TX

Professional/Personal Biography: After graduating high school, I completed a tour of service in the U.S. Air Force. It was a great way for me to see the world and gain some valuable experience. I moved to Plattsburgh in 1997 and although I had experience as an air traffic controller, there were no available jobs thus embarked on gaining a college degree. I first attended Clinton Community College earning my Associates degree in Humanities & Social Science, and then transferred to SUNY Plattsburgh to finish my education with a Bachelors degree in Political Science. My first job after graduation was working with former City of Plattsburgh Mayor Dan Stewart. It was an amazing experience that proved fruitful in all my endeavors. I then worked for five years at the Miner Institute, a working dairy farm and educational and research facility that is part of the Applied Environmental Science Program here at SUNY Plattsburgh. I am so excited to be working in Admissions where I truly feel I can put all of my life skills and work experience to good use. Obtaining a college education is one of the most important things that happened in my life so I am so thrilled to be able to share my experience and knowledge with prospective students.

Most memorable college experience: Making the SUNYAC semi-finals my first year on the tennis team and helping Plattsburgh State place 2nd at SUNYACs (the highest we’ve ever placed!).  Being seeded in the top 25 at a DIII women’s tennis for the Northeast Region and being invited to play at the prestigious ITA Regional Championships.

Favorite SUNY Plattsburgh activity: The hockey teams! My kids are hockey players and every chance we get we are here to support the Cardinals.

Best advice you received regarding college or would give someone entering college: Understand what you want and provide yourself a path to achieve it! The college experience is more than gaining that degree, though that is an invaluable asset, it’s about networking, finding your passion, and engaging yourself to move outside of your comfort zone.

Contact Information

Debra LaPorte
Region: Central/Western New York and New York City (Transfer Students)
Phone: (518) 564-2040
Toll-Free: (888) 673-0012
Email: debra.laporte@plattsburgh.edu