SUNY Old Westbury seniors Inayah Burton and Mohammad Mian have been selected as 2022 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recipients, the highest honor bestowed upon students in the system. SUNY honored only 180 students from 61 campuses at an award ceremony in Saratoga Springs on April 26, 2022.
"Now more than ever, it is time to celebrate the accomplishments of our students who have helped one another get through this global pandemic and focus on getting the most out of their college education, and this year’s CASE winners are at the top of the class," said SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley. "It is my great honor to celebrate the fortitude, leadership, and achievements of this year’s winners, and I applaud their hard work and desire to do more for their campuses and fellow students. I, for one, can’t wait to see what they do next
Inayah Burton, from Brooklyn, New York, is a Psychology major who will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Micro credential in Foundational Counseling Skills. She has been a member of the Honors College since starting at SUNY Old Westbury, is an active undergraduate researcher, and deeply involved in activities to enhance the quality of campus life for students. Burton plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and create her own clinical practice focused on the marginalized communities that may lack access to appropriate mental health resources. Her primary career interests are the intervention and therapeutic management of those with behavioral and mental disorders.
Mohammad Mian, from East Rockaway, New York, is a Biological Sciences major who will earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Physics. While maintaining a 3.99 GPA, he conducted research with four different faculty members, given 14 presentations at regional and national conferences, and published two articles in campus journals. Mian holds leadership roles in five campus clubs and founded two, one of which was named Academic Club of the Year by the Student Government Association. He has extensive community service experience, including organizing blood drives, assisting in outreach and support of youth mental health and wellness, and EMT training to assist during the pandemic.
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence acknowledges students who have best demonstrated their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, which may include leadership, campus involvement, athletics, career achievement, community service or creative and performing arts.
Photo Caption: SUNY Old Westbury Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Jo-Ann Robinson (center) congratulates Chancellor's award winners Mohammad Mian (left) and Inayah Burton during the College's 2022 Honors Convocation.