CANTON -- Of all of her successes, Alainya (Laini) Kavaloski, Ph.D., values her interactions with students the most.

Kavaloski who came to Canton by way of Chicago was recently promoted to associate professor in the School of Business and Liberal Arts.

She teaches in the college's new Technological Communications bachelor's degree program and has been establishing a network of positive influence at the college and in the community.

"My most meaningful successes include building lasting connections with some of my students," she said.

She recalled when a student who had previously completed her course came back to sit in on a literature class just for fun.

"I was so happy to have a student show up to a class just to enjoy literary discussions and interactions with other students," she said. "Their presence during those weeks added so much enthusiasm to the classroom environment."

Kavaloski's extensive publications include articles on game studies, graphic novels, digital pedagogy, and Jewish literature.

She's helped place interns and guide their projects at the North Country Children's Museum and has been noted for integrating game design principles in her classes.

She also authored a $60,000 grant that helped the college equip its new Technological Communications learning environment.

She is currently working on a new book titled 'Contested Spaces: Women Drawing War' which illustrates women's complex relationship with nationhood and war through graphic narratives.

Below, Kavaloski demonstrates a mobile game on tablet in her class at SUNY Canton.