CAZENOVIA — This spring, Cazenovia High School (CHS) graduate Olivia Buyea, 18, earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany after just two years of college.
Buyea graduated from CHS a year early in 2021 at the age of 16. She earned a regents with advanced designation – mastery in science endorsement and was accepted to SUNY Albany’s 3+3 law program, a joint degree program with Albany Law School that combines a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in a six-year program.
“It has always been important to me to make the most of my time,” said Buyea. “In high school, I had free time that I realized could be better used by taking additional classes at a community college or online. I also spent a lot of time on the internet trying to figure out what opportunities were available to me. At the time, I didn’t realize it would enable me to graduate early; I originally enrolled because I just really enjoyed learning and improving myself. It eventually worked out that I was able to graduate early.”
The summer before college, Buyea interned as a scientific researcher for Ichor Therapeutics in the department of in vitro pharmacology.
Last summer, she worked as an undergraduate student researcher at Albany Medical College in the department of molecular and cellular physiology, and this past school year, she was an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Dr. Ewan McNay in SUNY Albany’s psychology department.
At SUNY Albany, Buyea was awarded the Dr. Seth Spellman Jr. Academic Achievement Award, was placed on the Dean’s List of Distinguished Students, and was the fall 2021 Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement Funding recipient.
According to the SUNY Albany website, students in the 3+3 Law program typically start at Albany Law School after their junior year and receive a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany after their first year of study at Albany Law School.
Rather than adhere to the plan set forth by her 3+3 program advisor, Buyea followed her own plan to complete her graduation requirements in only two years.
“During my first year, I took a writing course and participated in a mock trial through the program, [but] most of my coursework was STEM-based,” said Buyea.
Last month, she graduated with a bachelor of science in biochemistry and molecular biology and a minor in mathematics.
“I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to attend college and to be involved in so many different experiences,” Buyea said. “Every experience I’ve had has been incredibly exciting to me and I’ve always done my best to make the most of every opportunity.”
As of June 9, Buyea was not planning to attend Albany Law School but was instead planning to take a break from school to work and gain experience before deciding on her next steps.
“My interest in law stems from my research experiences, and I still plan to pursue it in the future,” she said. “Law is something that evolves as our society innovates, and the considerations and conversations had in this field are especially important to science that affects people’s lives. Seeing the intersection between law and science is interesting to me as I strive to be ethical and well-rounded in everything I do. I was originally drawn to science because of the potential it held to improve people’s lives, and I think bioethics is a major part of that.”
Beyond her studies, Buyea volunteers as an ophthalmic technician with a glaucoma practice in Albany and as a teaching assistant at Newmeadow Inc., an integrated preschool specializing in teaching children with autism and other special needs.
She is also a certified rape crisis counselor with the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center, where she volunteers on the hotline and as an advocate during emergency room visits.
“I first heard about this organization and its mission during an event at UAlbany and decided I wanted to contribute in any way I could,” Buyea said. “It means a lot to me to be able to provide some support to those in my community who often reach out to the hotline. The center provides counseling, advocacy, and legal support among other things to victims of sexual and domestic violence [and] other crimes, and to those close to victims who are also affected.”
Buyea attributes her drive inside and outside the classroom to her family, which she said has always supported and encouraged her to follow her interests.
“Olivia, even as a little girl, was always interested in learning,” said her father, Earl Buyea Jr. “But unlike most who ask questions, she was never content with a simple answer. Nor was she one to repeat that information without seeking the truth for herself. I think that is what helped her complete her studies ahead of schedule. She was always driven by her schedule, not others.”
