Day: May 23, 2024

SUNY Ulster Faculty and Staff have been awarded the 2024 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

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Chancellor's Award Medal

May 23, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is proud to announce four members of the faculty and staff have been awarded the 2024 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. These members include; Rachael Pompeii, Alfred Ragucci, Jamal Lis-Simmons, and Elaine LaBoy.

The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are system-level honors conferred to acknowledge and provide system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence. These programs underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good. Through these awards, SUNY publicly proclaims its pride in the accomplishment and personal dedication of its instructional faculty, professional and classified staff across its campuses.

Rachael Pompeii, Assistant Professor of Developmental English, English, Languages, & Philosophy received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. A peer stated, “She really cares about both her students and the tutors she manages. She goes beyond her job title to make sure that they get the help that they need.”

Alfred Ragucci, Adjunct Faculty, Business & Professional Studies received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. A student stated, “…my Principles of Management teacher has shown great passion for his field and interest in us as students.  Every day, he is attentive to our ideas and guides discussions in an intelligent and respectful manner even though he may disagree.”

Jamal Lis-Simmons, TRIO Counselor received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. A colleague stated, “Jamal is a dedicated Senior TRIO Counselor/advisor and coach of the top ranked SUNY Ulster Men’s Soccer Team. His advising skills and rapport with students are exceptional. Jamal is also an enthusiastic staffer who is always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with TRIO staff, and others. He exhibits a positive attitude every day. Jamal is a SUNY Ulster staffer who truly supports students and embodies the belief that SUNY Ulster students start here and go far.”

Elaine LaBoy, Administrative Aide/Typist, Enrollment & Success Center/Admissions received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. A peer commented, “She is the cornerstone of the entire enrollment process; she goes above and beyond working tirelessly and is always helpful to our colleagues.”

 Individuals selected for this tribute are the SUNY community’s role models in their respective areas. In acknowledgment of their selection, recipients will be given recognition for the particular award received in the college catalog, a letter, certificate, and a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence Medallion are also bestowed to commemorate selection. Each individual has long lists of impressive professional achievements in addition to their remarkable comradery with the campus community. SUNY Ulster applauds their hard work and effort in going above and beyond for both their colleagues and students.

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chancellor's awardees with VP Stoner, President Buckley & Jenn Zell

Five Students Recognized by SUNY, Phi Theta Kappa, & EOP for Academic Achievements

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May 22, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster celebrates its students recognized for their academic achievements. Each of these individuals are pursuing careers in different fields and are on a successful path toward realizing their collegiate and personal goals.

The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recognizes students for outstanding academic achievements, leadership, campus involvement, community service, and the arts. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon a student by the State University of New York. The 2024 Chancellor’s Awards go to Roaa Aboueida and Kaydee Wagor.

Roaa Aboueida received an Associate in Arts degree in Adolescence Education 7-12. Committed to academic excellence, Roaa has been named to the President’s List for multiple semesters and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society with an overall GPA of 3.6. Author of a poem entitled, “Under This Roof in America”, she was selected as one of six prize winners by SUNY Ulster’s Faculty Association for the 2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ceremony.

Kaydee Wagor started her college journey as a New Start student. While balancing work and care of her son, Ian, Kaydee brilliantly managed a full-time academic schedule, completing her Certificate in General Management and graduating with her Associate in Science in Individual Studies this May. A member of Phi Theta Kappa with an overall GPA of 3.9, Kaydee is also a President’s List recipient. Passionate about special needs education as a former lead teacher at Head Start, Kaydee chose to complete her internship at the Brookside School, leading to full-time employment in 2023.

The Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Team recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.  Sanjay Basnet is the 2024 Recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa – All New York Academic Team – 2nd Team.

Sanjay Basnet completed his SUNY Ulster studies with a 3.9 GPA and is currently attending SUNY New Paltz with the goal of becoming a human rights lawyer. His hope for his future is work on human rights issues for the variety of ethnic and religious groups that experience discrimination and inequality in Nepal, increasing access to education, healthcare, and social services, and providing assistance to children and women.

SUNY’s Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Student Excellence is awarded to Raven Ryan. Now celebrating its fifth class of honorees, the award recognizes outstanding EOP students for their academic merit and perseverance.

Raven Ryan earned her Associate’s degree in Human Services this May, and is transferring to SUNY New Paltz to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. Raven is interested in becoming either a social worker or school guidance counselor, so she can help students overcome obstacles they encounter in their lives.

The Mid-Hudson Section of the American Chemical Society has chosen Pia Kinsella as a recipient of the College Recognition Award for 2024. The award is presented to an outstanding student at each of the colleges in the Section.

Pia Kinsella graduated from SUNY Ulster this May with an Associate in Science in Environmental Studies and is transferring to SUNY New Paltz to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science. She hopes to “get a job working outside doing field work, botanizing the Hudson Valley, and potentially educating.”

SUNY Ulster President Alison Buckley, Ed.D. said, “I am proud of our student’s individual and collective commitment to academics, service, and excellence as they reach their educational goals by starting here at SUNY Ulster and Going Far!”

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