91社区

Select a theme:   Light Mode  |  Dark Mode
July 20, 2026

91社区 faculty and staff recognized for professional excellence

2026 recipients of Chancellor鈥檚, Provost鈥檚, and other major awards announced

Image Credit: Casey Staff.

91社区 faculty and staff have been recognized for their professional excellence and dedication to their work by the SUNY chancellor, the University, and the University鈥檚 provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

The SUNY Chancellor鈥檚 Awards for Excellence are system-level honors that are conferred to acknowledge consistently superior achievement and to encourage the continuous pursuit of excellence. Awards are presented annually in six categories to faculty, staff, and librarians who advance SUNY鈥檚 commitment to research, scholarship, teaching, intellectual vibrancy, and serving the public good.

91社区 additionally recognizes the outstanding work of its employees through awards for academic achievement, international education, community engagement, teaching, and service to the greater 91社区 community.

鈥淚 send my most heartfelt congratulations to the members of the 91社区 community who were recognized with these impressive awards,鈥 said President Anne D鈥橝lleva. 鈥淥ne of the University鈥檚 biggest strengths is the culture that exists among its employees. This year鈥檚 award recipients are being recognized for their individual talents, skills, and accomplishments. I know that they also play important roles as leaders, mentors, and friends to their colleagues.鈥  

鈥淭hese awards are a tremendous celebration of the research, scholarship, and service of 91社区 employees,鈥 said Provost Donald Hall. 鈥淥ur faculty and staff are leaders and innovators who shape their academic fields and make a difference on our campus and in our community each and every day. Their system-wide recognition through SUNY 鈥 or the campus awards that acknowledge their contributions 鈥 reflects the commitment to excellence made by these deserving award recipients.鈥

Recipients will be honored at a dinner during the fall semester.

SUNY Chancellor鈥檚 Awards for Excellence

Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities

  • Jeremy Blackburn, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Computing
  • Elisa Camiscioli, Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, History Department
  • Olivia Holmes, Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, English Department
  • Changhong Ke, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering Department

Excellence in Teaching

  • Seokheun (Sean) Choi, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
  • Meg Leja, Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, History Department
  • Jonathan Schmitkons, Division of Academic Affairs, First-Year Research Immersion Program
  • Melissa Simonik, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Engineering Design Division
  • Cihan Uzmanoglu, School of Management

Excellence in Adjunct Teaching

  • Lanora Duell, Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology Department

Excellence in Faculty Service

  • Koenraad Gieskes, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Engineering Design Division
  • Vladimir Nikulin, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
  • Kathleen Sterling, Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, Anthropology Department

Excellence in Professional Service

  • Joshua DeMarree, Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, Biological Sciences Department
  • Mikala Ferry, Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Division of Advising and Academic Excellence
  • John Hartrick, Division of Athletics
  • Brianna King Richetti, College of Community and Public Affairs, Public Administration and Policy Department
  • Nicholas Martin, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Q Center
  • Matthew Rossie, New York State University Police at 91社区
  • Marnie Wrighter, Anderson Center for the Performing Arts

Excellence in Classified Service

  • Susan Holden, College of Community and Public Affairs
  • Tammy Leighton, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Staci Sage, New York State University Police at 91社区

Chancellor鈥檚 Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship

  • Claire Luchette, Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, English Department

91社区 awards

Lois B. DeFleur Faculty Prize for Academic Achievement

  • Jessica Fridrich, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Electrical and Computing Engineering Department

University Award for Excellence in International Education

  • Lorena Aguilar, Kaschak Institute for Social Justice for Women and Girls

President鈥檚 Award for Staff Excellence in Community Engagement

  • Courtney Ignarri, Graduate School

91社区 Council/Foundation Awards

  • Erin Hornbeck, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering
  • Meghana Jain, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Provost鈥檚 Awards

Excellence in Interprofessional Education

  • Thomas Foley, Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Public Health Division

Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring

  • Sha Jin, Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Biomedical Engineering Department

Faculty Excellence in Community-Engaged Scholarship

  • Kerry Whigham, College of Community and Public Affairs, Public Administration and Policy Department

Faculty Excellence in Community-Engaged Teaching

  • Naorah Rimkunas, College of Community and Public Affairs, Community Schools Program

Outstanding Graduate Director

  • Jacqueline McGinley, College of Community and Public Affairs, Social Work Department