Employee Recognition Special Awards
President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution
Individual and/or Team - FT & PT Faculty/Staff
This award presents an opportunity to link outstanding performance to the achievement of the University’s mission and strategic priorities. When nominating individuals or teams, please elaborate how their contributions to the mission and/or goals of the Strategic Priorities enhance the University's learning and working environment.
To be eligible, the candidate(s) must demonstrate one or more of the below-listed criteria:
- Developed an initiative, program and/or service that leads to increased enrollment, student success, retention and/or persistence to graduation.
- Demonstrated an extraordinary initiative in strengthening the student academic experience. Promoted a campus environment that is inclusive, welcoming, supportive and nurturing of cultural, ethnic, racial, class, gender, sexual orientation, language and other human differences.
- Supported the University’s strategic goals by improving and/or modernizing current practices resulting in a measurable gain in efficiency, effectiveness, or service.
- Participated on committees, mentored others, served as a role model and/or use originality and creativity to enthusiastically and collaboratively develop strategies.
- Made an innovative and significant contribution to the wellness and well-being of Pace faculty and staff.
STAR Award
Individual FT & PT Faculty/Staff to include Contract Services Members
The STAR Award presents an opportunity to allow members of the Pace Community to shine a well-deserved spotlight on a colleague who consistently makes a significant contribution within our community. This individual’s positive impact contributes to supporting the overall success of the University’s mission with a willingness to go above and beyond, even outside the scope of their role, while demonstrating a commitment to excellence.
To be eligible, the candidate must demonstrate one or more of the below-listed criteria:
- This individual completed work on a specific project, initiative or event that is above and beyond normal expectations and the normal scope of the individual’s regular job responsibilities.
- This individual consistently demonstrated one or more the following competencies: exceptional performance, creativity, organizational abilities, work success, leadership, teamwork, and collaboration.
- This individual exhibited consistent reliability, dependability and timeliness in their work within their own unit and/or cross-functionally.
- This individual produced high quality work that makes it possible for the University to run smoothly and effectively.
- This individual what would be called an “Unsung Hero”: a behind-the-scenes, go-to person, a problem solver, and always ready to save the day.
2025 Employee Special Award Winners
STAR Award
- Peter Cronin, Director of Data Analytics and Reporting, ITS, Pleasantville
- Darren Hayes, Associate Professor, Information Technology, New York City
- Danny Mathew, Audio Visual Support Specialist, IT, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
- Kelly Mcdaniel, Director of Lab Safety and Services, Biology, New York City
- Ned Noyes, Internship Coordinator, Health Science, New York City
- Theresa Prestopino, Assistant Dean, Finance, Elisabeth Haub School, of Law, White Plains
- Marianne Prior Boyer, Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Care Unit, Pleasantville
- Susan Weygant, Bursar, Office of Student Assistance, Pleasantville
President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution Individuals
- Horace Anderson, Dean, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
- Dr. Gregory Colman, Associate Professor of Economics and Head Coach of Pace Federal Reserve Challenge Team, Lubin School of Business, New York City
- Deborah Heller, Assistant Dean, Library, Elisabeth Haub School, of Law, White Plains
- Sara Hukkanen, Assistant Director, Student Support /Student Affairs Operations, Pleasantville
- Claudia Stabile, Associate AD/SWA/Softball Coach, University Athletics, Pleasantville
- Lauren Whitman, Coordinator, Student Affairs, New York City
President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution Team
Center for Student Engagement, ITS, Academic Technology Cross-Functional Team - Pleasantville
- D'Andre Butler, Student Engagement
- Kristina Kelly, Student Engagement
- Praviin Mandhare, Web Services
- Barbara Mulligan, Student Engagement
- Jacklyn Romani, Student Engagement
- Antonio Soares, Academic Technology
- Gabe Terrizzi, Web Services
- Susan Weygant, Bursar
Law Admissions Team– Elisabeth Haub School of Law
- Cathy Alexander, Law Admissions
- Maria Lambert, Law Admissions
- Miguel Robles Sanchez, Law Admissions
- Michelle Serena, Law Admissions
- Desiree Sharperson, Law Admissions
Career Services/DEVAR Cross Functional Team - New York City
- Khalea Baker, Human Resources
- Vincent Clark, DEVAR
- Helene Cruz, Career Services
- Jessica Feldman, DEVAR
- Phyllis Mooney, Career Services
- Jose Najarro, Human Resources
- Kim Porter, Career Services
- Guycaelle Vaval, DEVAR
Students
- Marie Abney, Career Services
- Ashley Villani, Career Services
- Vishaka Jaykumar, Career Services
YES I Make It Happen Annual Winners
Staff Members
- Mary Ann Errante, Associate Director, University Special Events, Pleasantville
- Marc Potolsky, Senior Director, Development and Alumni Relations, New York City
- Danielle Rivera, Academic Program Coordinator, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
Student Assistants/Interns
- Alberdi Julca, Student Assistant, Information Technology Services, Pleasantville
- Nick Diaz, Student Assistant, Welcome Center, Pleasantville
- Rachel Kohley, Student Assistant, Welcome Center, New York City
YES I Make It Happen Inaugural Ambassador Award
- Jaclyn Kopel, Associate Dean, Honors College, New York City/Pleasantville
A Special Thanks to the 2025 Special Awards Nomination Committee Members
- Amy Greis, Manager, Pace Online, Professional Education and Special Programs, Pleasantville
- Lori Kanner, Director, Community Relations/Special Projects, Office of the Dean, White Plains
- Irina Kats, Director, Budget and Reporting, Student Affairs, Pleasantville
- Michele Lopez, Assistant Professor, College of Health Professions, Pleasantville
- Lisa Moscato, Senior Director, Enrollment Operations and Technology, New York City
- Patricia Myers, Assistant Dean, College of Health Professions, Pleasantville
- Marc Potolsky, Senior Director, Development and Alumni Relations, New York City
Pace Awards Committee
Volunteering is an impactful way to serve our community. We are more connected, engaged, and vibrant because of volunteerism. Serving on the Pace Awards Committee is a great way to gain experience, recognize your outstanding colleagues, and learn more about some of the great campus initiatives taking place at Pace. It also provides an excellent networking opportunity as you and your fellow committee members evaluate the nominations and review the impactful contributions being made throughout the campuses.
What you will be expected to do:
- Evaluate nominations and recommend award recipients.
- Discuss and recommend the creation of additional awards and ways of recognition.
What you will get out of this experience:
- Gaining visibility and interacting with peers and senior leaders.
- Recognizing colleagues for meaningful work and drawing satisfaction from contributing to their recognition.
- Discovering new ideas to which you would have not otherwise been exposed.
- Working with people you would not have otherwise met, expanding, and increasing your visibility in the community.
In addition:
- Committee members are recognized publicly at the annual recognition events and online.
- Committee members are recognized through the YES recognition program.
- Committee members will be rewarded.
To apply for the annual standing Pace Awards Committee volunteering pool, email employeerelations@pace.edu. Human Resources will contact you with details at the time the annual committee is formed, should you be selected to serve on this committee.