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.
2024 Employee Special Award Winners
STAR Award
- Norika Barnes, Academic and Success Advisor, Pforzheimer Honors College, Pleasantville
- Renee Brown-Cheng, Assistant Director, Marketing/Comms, External Affairs, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
- Jeanne Costello, Executive Assistant to the President, New York City
- Nancy Hale, Associate Professor/Executive Director/NACTEL IT/Seidenberg School of CSIS, Pleasantville
- Margaret Jones, Senior Associate Registrar, Office of the Registrar, New York City
- Al Koxha, Campus Facilities/Contract Service, New York City
- Wendy Kurtzman, Adjunct Faculty, CSA, BFA Acting and BFA Acting for Film and Media, Sands College, New York City
- Kathy Martins, Associate Director, Student Affairs and Residential Life, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
- Jose Rodriguez, Campus Facilities/Contract Service, Pleasantville
- Carolina Salcedo, Director, Transportation, Campus Planning and Facilities, Pleasantville
- Tiffany Vallejo, Safety and Security/Contract Service, Pleasantville
President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution Individuals
- Sue Maxam, Associate Provost for Wellness/Chief Wellness Officer, Pleasantville/New York City
- Amanda Peterson, Associate Director, Financial Aid Compliance, Pleasantville
- Alison Rebels, Clinical Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy,
College of Health Professions, Pleasantville - Steven Feyl, University Librarian, Pleasantville/New York City
- Kimberly Collica-Cox, Professor, Criminal Justice Department, Pleasantville/New York City
- Johnni Medina, Content Specialist, Marketing & Communications, University Relations,
New York City
President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution Team
Commuter Student Experience
- Jeff Barnett, Pleasantville/New York City
- Nick Diaz, Pleasantville
- Steven Feyl, Pleasantville/New York City
- Marja Fumo, New York City
- Rose Gillen, Pleasantville
- Jason Gonzalez, Pleasantville
- Vlad Kowalyk, Pleasantville
- Barbara Mulligan, Pleasantville
- Jacklyn Romani, Pleasantville
- Alerie Tirsch, Pleasantville
- Sussy Vizuet, Pleasantville
Environmental Law Program
- Jason Czarnezki, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
- Anne Olson, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
- Lorraine Rubich, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
- Achinthi Vithanage, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
ITS/University Relations - AI
- Johnni Medina, New York City
- Gabe Terrizzi, Valhalla
- Alexander Weisman, New York City
Pforzheimer Honors College
- Floralis Artiles, New York City
- Norika Barnes, Pleasantville
- Mohini Gobin, New York City
- Emma Klainberg-Orlick, New York City
- Jaclyn Kopel, New York City
- Lindsey Lee, New York City
- William Offutt, New York City
- Taylor Powers, Pleasantville
- Shadman Rahman, New York City
- Justin Ritchie, New York City
YES I Make It Happen Annual Winners
Staff Members
- Abraham Alemoh, Residence Director, Student Affairs, New York City
- Celeste Bykov, Program Coordinator, College of Health Professions, Pleasantville
- Lori Kanner, Director, Community Relations/Special Projects, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, White Plains
Student Assistants/Interns
- Valentina Dirubba, Student Assistant, Beekman Library, New York City
- Hannah Cahill, Graduate Student Intern, Counseling Center, Pleasantville
- Madison Lane, Student Assistant, Law School Academic Success, White Plains
YES I Make It Happen Inaugural Ambassador Award
- Sue Maxam, Associate Provost for Wellness/Chief Wellness Officer, New York City/Pleasantville
A Special Thanks to the 2025 Special Awards Nomination Committee Members
- Barry Amper, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Education, New York City
- Dana Anstett-Castro, Associate Director Advisement, Centralized Advising, Pleasantville
- Martina Blackwood, Assistant Dean of Instructional Technology, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, New York City
- Marja Fumo, Director, Design, Campus Planning and Facilities, New York City
- JV Mercanti, Associate Professor, Sands College of Performing Arts, New York City
- Mary O’Shea, University Retention Director, Provost/EVP Academic Affairs
- Katie Todd, Assistant Dean Strategy/Engagement, Seidenberg School of CSIS, 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.