Presidential Excellence Awards
The Presidential Excellence Awards honor individuals and teams who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to our mission, excellence in their work and service to our community.
As we continue to navigate a time of transformation in higher education, it is essential to acknowledge the leaders who are paving the way for success. Montclair State University is a remarkable place – I am proud of the generosity, creativity and kindness of our community. Every day, our faculty and staff go above and beyond to help students, colleagues and the local community.
These awards are intended to highlight achievements from all members of our Red Hawk community, including faculty and staff, full-time and part-time, long standing and newly arrived.
I’d like to thank everyone who took part in nominating colleagues that embody the spirit of excellence and innovation. Please join me in celebrating our award winners, whose dedication ought to be acknowledged and lauded. Together, we will continue our mission to make Montclair an inclusive and accessible university that creates transformative educational opportunities for students across the globe.
If you have any questions, please contact Mark Allman, Senior Advisor to the President, at allmanm@montclair.edu.
Jonathan GS Koppell
President
2025 Award Winners
Excellence in Teaching, Full-time Faculty Award
Faculty with at least 6 years of full-time teaching at Montclair, selected based upon quality of teaching, impact on student learning and impact on student success.
Winners:
Peter Hosick, Associate Professor, Kinesiology, College for Community Health
Pascale Lafountain, Associate Professor, World Languages and Cultures, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Honorable Mention:
Eric Forgoston, Professor, School of Computing, College of Science and Mathematics
Excellence in Teaching, Early Career, Full-time Faculty Award
Faculty with less than 6 years of full-time teaching at Montclair, selected based upon quality of teaching, impact on student learning and impact on student success.
Winners:
Román Liera, Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership, College for Education and Engaged Learning
Josh Lupinek, Associate Professor, Hospitality and Tourism, Feliciano School of Business
Honorable Mention:
Nina Bailey, Assistant Professor, Mathematics, College of Science and Mathematics
Excellence in Teaching, Part-time Faculty Award
Faculty with at least 6 years of part-time teaching at Montclair, selected based upon quality of teaching, impact on student learning and impact on student success.
Winners:
Tyree Oredein, Assistant Professor, Public Health, College for Community Health
Christopher Parker, Adjunct Faculty, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; College of the Arts
Honorable Mention:
Michelle Sarver, Adjunct Faculty, Mathematics, College of Science and Mathematics
Excellence in Teaching, Early Career, Part-time Faculty Award
Faculty with less than 6 years of part-time teaching at Montclair, selected based upon quality of teaching, impact on student learning and impact on student success.
Winners:
Yun Kim, Adjunct Faculty, World Languages and Cultures, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Monique Tawiah, Adjunct Faculty, Earth and Environmental Science, College of Science and Mathematics
Honorable Mention:
Ashlee Martellacci, Student Affairs and Community Engagement Coordinator, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Adjunct Faculty, Social Work and Child Advocacy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Excellence in Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activity: Faculty Award
All faculty either as an individual or acting as a team. Selected based upon the quality of the research, scholarship, or creative activity; level of student engagement in the research, scholarship, or creative activity; and potential positive impact or reach of the research, scholarship, or creative activity.
Winners:
Laura Lakusta, Professor, Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Weitian Wang, Associate Professor, School of Computing, College of Science and Mathematics
Honorable Mention:
Yang Deng, Professor, Earth and Environmental Studies, College of Science and Mathematics
Excellence in Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activity: Staff Award
All staff either as an individual or acting as a team. Selected based upon the quality of the research, scholarship, or creative activity; level of student engagement in the research, scholarship, or creative activity; and potential positive impact or reach of the research, scholarship, or creative activity.
Winners:
Elyse Postlewaite, Postdoctoral Researcher, The Institute for Research on Youth Thriving and Evaluation
The Center for Student Involvement:
Casey Coleman, Assistant Director of Student Involvement
Julia DelBagno, Assistant Dean for Student Engagement
Sidra Habal, Program Assistant
Emily Inserra, Coordinator of Commuter Life
Malachi Longmore, Program Assistant
Suzette Shaw, Coordinator for Volunteer Resource Center
Excellence in Civic and Community Engagement: Faculty Award
All faculty either as an individual or acting as a team. Selected based upon quality of the civic and community engagement for community partners; quality of student engagement in the community; and positive impact or reach of the civic and community engagement in the community and/or on campus.
Winners:
Katherine Herbert, Professor, School of Computing, College of Science and Mathematics
Jason Williams, Professor, Justice Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Honorable Mentions:
Christopher King, Associate Professor, Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Excellence in Civic and Community Engagement: Staff Award
All staff either as an individual or acting as a team. Selected based upon quality of the civic and community engagement for community partners; quality of student engagement in the community; and positive impact or reach of the civic and community engagement in the community and/or on campus.
Winners:
Marilyn Davis, Director, Center for Educational Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, College for Education and Engaged Learning
Honorable Mention:
Suzette Shaw, Coordinator for Volunteer Resource Center
Excellence in Student Success Award
All faculty and staff either as an individual or acting as a team. Selected based upon significance of the student success problem that needed to be solved; innovative nature of the solution (approach, system, or idea) that was implemented; and positive impact of the solution on student success.
Winners:
Nicolette Aponte, Sergeant, Campus Police, University Police Department, Student Development and Campus Life
Michelle Ciecwisz, Detective Lieutenant, Investigations, University Police Department, Student Development and Campus Life
Jane Sanchez Swain, Director, Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, University College
Honorable Mention:
Carlos Flores, Director for Career Development and Success, Center of Pedagogy, College for Education and Engaged Learning
Inclusive Excellence Award
All faculty and staff either as an individual or acting as a team. Selected based upon actions taken to make the university more equitable and inclusive; and impact on the larger community.
Winner:
Daniel Jean, Associate Provost
Honorable Mentions:
Alicia Broderick, Professor, Teaching and Learning, College for Education and Engaged Learning
Weitian Wang, Associate Professor, School of Computing, College of Science and Mathematics
Office of Student Belonging – Advocacy and Outreach:
Adela Caceres, Director, Advocacy and Outreach, Student Development and Campus Life
Darius Edwards, Assistant Director, Office of Student Belonging
Stephanie Lopez, Program Associate, Office of Student Belonging
Excellence in Business Process Optimization Award
All staff either as an individual or acting as a team. Selected based upon significance or complexity of the business process that was addressed; innovative nature of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented; and positive impact of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented.
Winners:
Bloomfield College Admissions Integration Team:
Mukund Gopalakrishnan, Associate Director for CRM Data Analytics and Technology
Kelly Oliva, Assistant Director for CRM Data Analytics and Technology
Nicole Cibelli, Senior Associate Director of Recruitment for Bloomfield College
Larissa Lamont, Associate Director of Operations
Julissa Duran, Associate Director for Marketing and Events
Joseph Niclas, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Jordanna Maziarz, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Honorable Mentions:
Cheri Jefferson, Director of Accounts Payable, Financial Operations, Treasury and Finance
Hayato Suzuki, Associate Director of Financial Aid, Financial Aid, Enrollment Management
Excellence in Sustainability Initiatives Award
All staff either as an individual or acting as a team. Selected based upon significance or complexity of the sustainability initiative; innovative nature of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented; and positive impact of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented.
Winner:
Adam McGuire, Project Manager, Capital Planning and Project Management
Honorable Mentions:
Brittney Portes, Community Garden Manager, Office of the President
Samuel Thorburn, Manager of Fleet Services, Facilities Services
Excellence in Service Award
Staff with at least 5 years of service at Montclair, considered as an individual or as a team. Selected based upon outstanding service to their department, above and beyond daily responsibilities; positive impact on the university; and consistent dedication to excellence in service to constituents and stakeholders.
Winner:
Lori Petrozzello, Front Desk Supervisor, Access Services, Access Services & Resource Sharing, Academic Affairs
Honorable Mentions:
Yolanda Alvarez, Associate Dean of Students, Dean of Students, Student Development and Campus Life
Lisa Hoyt, Associate Vice President, Development
Excellence in Service, Early Career Award
Staff with fewer than 5 years of service at Montclair, considered as an individual or as a team. Selected based upon outstanding service to their department, above and beyond daily responsibilities; positive impact on the university; and consistent dedication to excellence in service to constituents and stakeholders.
Winners:
Michelle Kight, Director of Emergency Medical Services
Honorable Mentions:
Shakira Jackson, Manager of Facilities Training & Development, Office of the Vice President
Paul McGroarty, Social Media Director, Strategic Distribution, Communications and Marketing
Excellence in Innovation Award
All faculty and staff, considered as an individual or as a team. Selected based upon significance or complexity of the problem that needed to be solved; innovative nature of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented; and positive impact of the solution.
Winners:
PSEG ISS Green Teams Program:
Amy Tuininga, Director, PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies, College of Science and Mathematics
Nina Goodey, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science and Mathematics
Honorable Mentions:
Elaine Hitchcock, Chairperson, Communication Sciences and Disorders, College for Community Health
Nicole Koppel, Professor, Information Management and Business Analytics, Feliciano School of Business
Early Bird Program, Undergraduate Admissions:
Mukund Gopalakrishnan, Associate Director for CRM Data Analytics and Technology
Kelly Oliva, Assistant Director for CRM Data Analytics and Technology
Nicole Cibelli, Senior Associate Director of Recruitment for Bloomfield College
Larissa Lamont, Associate Director of Operations
Julissa Duran, Associate Director for Marketing and Events
Joseph Niclas, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Jordanna Maziarz, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Team Award
Any group of three or more employees that collaborate on an initiative that makes Montclair an excellent place to work, learn, or serve others. Selected based upon evidence of improved learning or research; evidence of improved student/employee satisfaction, engagement, or morale; and positive impact on the university.
Winner:
Department of Family Science and Human Development
Honorable Mentions:
The Center for Writing Excellence
The Global Center on Human Trafficking
Counseling and Psychological Services
Excellence in Advocacy and Allyship Award
All faculty and staff, full-time or part-time, who play an active role in advocating for the rights, opportunities, and voice of historically excluded groups; provide guidance, mentorship, or resources to individuals from underrepresented communities to support their personal or professional growth.
Winner:
Stephanie Spitz, Department Administrator, Art and Design, Dean’s Office, College of the Arts
Honorable Mentions:
Hanan Atiyat, Director of Academic Advising, College for Community Health
April Sime, Program Coordinator, Feliciano School of Business
Unsung Hero Award
Up to 5 awards annually for faculty and staff, full-time or part-time, who since 2021, have demonstrated consistent, meaningful and often under-appreciated work that contributes to the betters of the university with an exceptional level of responsibility and diligence; giving their time, skills, or resources to support others in ways that significantly contribute to collective efforts or community improvement; exercising leadership in a humble, understated manner that positively influences others without seeking authority, acknowledgement, or status.
Winners:
Celeste Van Nice, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, College of Science and Mathematics
Ashlee Martellacci, Student Affairs and Community Engagement Coordinator, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Adjunct Faculty, Social Work and Child Advocacy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Antonio Talamo, Assistant Director, Student Center and Commuter Life, Center for Student Involvement
Nicole Fleming, Director of Special Events, Student Development and Campus Life
Barbara Ackerson, Staff Nurse, Health Center, Student Development and Campus Life
Jaclyn Friedman-Lombardo, Director, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Development and Campus Life
Sudha Wadhwani, Psychologist, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Development and Campus Life
Colette Killian, Assistant Director of Budgets and Grants, College of Science and Mathematics
Mary Colon, Assistant Vice President for Academic Personnel Services, Academic Affairs
Honorable Mentions:
Jude Uy, Staff Psychologist/Coordinator of Prevention and Wellness Programming, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Development and Campus Life
Brandon Fralix, Humanities Division Chair and Professor of Writing & Analysis, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University
Giuseppe Marzullo, Associate Vice President for Facilities Maintenance and Energy Management, University Facilities
Julia DelBagno, Assistant Dean for Student Engagement, Center for Student Involvement
Emily Isaacs, Interim Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Academic Affairs
Amy Aiello, Interim Dean, College for Community Health
Timeline
- October 4, 2024
- Call for nominations is distributed to all employees.
- November 15, 2024
- Nominations close at 5:00PM
- November 22, 2024
- Nominees are notified.
- Presidential Excellence Awards Review Committee begins the review process.
- January 24, 2025
- Committee determines a list of Finalists (no more than 3) for each award.
- January 31, 2025
- Finalists for each award are notified and invited to submit additional documents to support their nominations (no more than 3 pages). Please note: finalists are not required to provide additional documentation, this is optional.
- Nominees that did not advance as finalists are notified.
- February 21, 2025
- Deadline for Finalists to submit any additional documents to the committee.
- March 28, 2025
- Committee sends a list of their recommendations and 1-page rationale for each award to the President for review.
- April 14, 2025
- President makes the final decision regarding award recipients.
- April 18, 2025
- Finalists receive email from the President informing them of the awards winners.
- May 19 or 20, 2025
- Finalists receive their awards at a special luncheon
Review Committee
Presidential Excellence Awards Review Committee (PEARC) will be chaired by a representative of the President’s Office who will coordinate the committee meetings and selection process. The committee chair will have a voice, but no vote in the review process. The other committee members will be appointed by the president and consist of:
- Faculty (2)
- Students (2)
- Provost’s Office Representatives (2)
- Administration and Operations Office (2)
- Student Development and Campus Life (1)
- Communications and Marketing (1)
- Enrollment Management (1)
- Human Resources (1)
- Development and Alumni Engagement (1)
- Inclusive Excellence and Institutional Equity (1)
The committee will form 4 subcommittees to review nominees for a particular sub-set of awards. Each subcommittee will select a subcommittee chair.
Members of the committee may not be nominated for any awards.