Four faculty and two staff members were recognized by the State University of New York Board of Trustees as recipients of 2022 SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The awards acknowledge and provide system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellences.
“It’s the people that make the place, so I am excited to share in SUNY’s recognition of our faculty and staff this year for their excellent service to our campus and students,” said College President Dr. Timothy E. Sams. “Their contributions help make Old Westbury such an inspiring place to work and learn.”
-
Dr. Llana Barber, Associate Professor in the American Studies/Media & Communications department received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. Dr. Barber’s academic study and creative pursuits, particularly as it relates to the histories of imperialism, migration, racialization, and citizenship addresses issues vital to Old Westbury’s mission, and to many of the crises the world faces today.
-
Dr. Maria Zulema Cabail, Assistant Professor in the Biological Sciences department earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Since starting at Old Westbury as an instructor in 2015, Dr. Cabail has redesigned courses in Immunology, Generics and Cell Biology, and has incorporating innovative teaching methods and collaborations with other campus departments including the television studio in her classes.
-
Ms. Ann Marie Jimenez, Administrative Assistant in the School of Arts and Sciences, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in the Classified Service. This award recognizes individuals who have continuously demonstrated outstanding achievement, skill and commitment to excellence in the position held and also excellence in activities beyond the scope of the job description; all descriptions that colleagues use for Ms. Jimenez.
-
Professor Samara Smith, Associate Professor in the American Studies/Media & Communications department, earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service for her superior service contributions to the College and beyond. Among her achievements since starting at the College in 2011, has been the creation of the Media Innovation Center with the support of a SUNY Innovative Instructional Technology Grant, and the development of the “Old Westbury Oral History Project,” which showcased the storied history of the College including interviews with part Presidents Harris Wofford (1966-1970) and John Maguire (1971-1981).
-
Dr. Nicholas Werner, Assistant Professor in the Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences department also earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Werner is respected by students and colleagues alike for his focus on three core values: maintaining a highly organized presentation of the curriculum; engaging in clear and intentional communication with students; and maintaining an adaptive instructional style and delivery of the content to meet the wide-range of student needs.
-
Dr. Hyewon Yi, Director of the College’s Amelie A. Wallace Gallery received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Dr. Yi has mounted more than 55 exhibitions of professional artists from around the world during her tenure as the Amelie A. Wallace Gallery Director, along with executing up to four student exhibitions each year for graduating Visual Arts students. Her exhibitions have been reviewed in prominent publications such as the New York Times, Musée Magazine, Sculpture magazine, Art in America, NY Arts Magazine and Complex Art+Design.
The award recipients were honored at the 56th Commencement of SUNY Old Westbury at Nassau Coliseum on May 22, 2022.