2025 Presidential Excellence Award Winners

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

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