HEA Department Awards

These Awards are designed to align with the four core values of the HESAA program, recognizing those individuals who exemplify our core values. The nomination and selection process varies by award and will be communicated in advance. All awards are formally presented at the annual HEA Awards Banquet. The award deadline is April 1st, 9:00 a.m.

Nominate yourself or a fellow student

Hurculine Guthrie Commitment to Social Justice Award

Hurculine Guthrie, a distinguished alumni, worked for many years at Buffalo State in student affairs. She earned a SPA degree while raising a family and working full time. She was an EOP student and became a role model for minority and other students.  

Honorees are selected based on demonstration of:

  • Commitment to enhancing personal awareness and consciousness of social justice issues
  • Engagement in efforts or initiative to further facilitate and develop socially just and inclusive communities
  • Commitment to raising other’s awareness and consciousness of social justice issues in and out of the classroom

Al Ciardi Excellence in Collaboration Award

This award presented in memory of Al Ciardi who passed away shortly after graduating from our program recognizes an individual who demonstrates the HESAA value of collaboration as exemplified in:

  • Effectively establishes collaborative working relationships within the classroom and beyond
  • Building partnerships and relationships across organizations to enhance success
  • Soliciting diverse views and perspectives in completion of projects or tasks

Althea Jones-Johnson Award for Authenticity

This award presented in loving memory of Althea Jones-Johnson who passed away shortly after graduating from our program honors a HESAA student(s) who consistently demonstrates an understanding of, and commitment to their personal values and sense of self.  

The honoree exemplifies:

  • Positive character empowered through the consistency of their words and actions (walk the talk)
  • Self-awareness, thoughtful and conscious of the impact of their thought and actions on others
  • Openness to learning from their mistakes, to new opportunities, to new ideas and to people

The Reflective Practitioner Award

Recognizes a HESAA student(s) who exemplifies the values of the profession and the program through their individual demonstration of reflection, both in and on their practice.  

The honoree exemplifies:

  • Demonstration of personal growth through reflective practice
  • Demonstration of professional growth and improvement through reflection on professional experiences.

Michael J. Small Leadership & Service Award

Michael J. Small Leadership & Service Award recognizes a graduating student who exemplifies the qualities of leadership and service:

  • Leadership on a campus, within student organizations or professional associations
  • Commitment to service through volunteer roles or projects on a campus or within the community

Michael J. Small Leadership & Service Award

HEA Faculty-Selected Awards

Outstanding Performance in a Research Project

This award recognizes a student or students who have demonstrated exceptional skills and competency within the form of an Independent Study, Masters Project, or Master’s Thesis. Recipients are selected based on student performance in a research project or internship experience.

Outstanding Internship Award* 

This award recognizes a student who exceeds expectations throughout their internship experience. 

The award is presented based on the quality of the projects/programs completed through the internship and the evaluation of the internship supervisor.  
Awards are presented in collaboration with the Career Development Center who recognizes an outstanding intern from each academic department.

*This award is specific to “Internship” experiences and does not include Graduate Assistantships or fulltime professional experience, as categorized as supervised experience.

Buffalo State Awards

The President’s Medal and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award are the two most distinguished awards presented at the institutional level. The HEA department will nominate a HESAA student for consideration after conducting a departmental nomination and selection process.  Students who are interested in being considered for these awards should review the award criteria and speak with a faculty about your interest and candidacy.  Interested students will be asked to submit the Award Nomination Form (provided by the department) to the HEA department to determine full consideration and advancement as a candidate.

President’s Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student

The President's Medal is the highest honor awarded to a student by SUNY Buffalo State. This award is given to a student who, through use of his or her natural talents and acquired skills, has demonstrated a commitment toward meeting the goals of higher education as set forth in the university's mission statement. These recipients also deliver the student address at Commencement.

President’s Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student Application Information

SPA/HESAA Recipients

Solomon Joseph, 2022
Master of Science, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration

Lyndsay M. Raymond, 2018
Master of Science, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration

Ted J. Mallwitz, 2015
Master of Science, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration

Daniel E. Frontera, 2014
Master of Science, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration

Justin L. Wojcik, 2011
Master of Science, Student Personnel Administration

Brian D. Dubenion, 2008
Master of Science, Student Personnel Administration

Rene A. Kauder, 2003
Master of Science, Student Personnel Administration

President's Distinguished Service Award

Kaitlyn Beachner, 2012

Outstanding Alumnus Award

Brian Dubenion, 2023
Rhina El-Amin, 2022
Michael Heflin, 2021
Michelle Curtis Bailey, 2019
Doug McNabb, 2018
Dr. Daniel Velez, 2017
Thomas J. Quatroche, Jr., 2016
Eileen Merberg, 2015
Kerry Spicer, 2014
Dr. Robert Naples, 2009
David Asencio, 2005
Dr. Jane Tuttle, 2004
Dr. Douglas Samuels, 2003
Dr. Gail F. Maloney, 2002
Dr. Leon Smith, 2001
Timothy R. Ecklund, 2000
Marsha Jackson, 2000
Kathryn A. Ward, 1999
Shelia L. Hausrath, 1998

 

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence

The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence is awarded to students who not only achieve excellence in academics, but also thrive in areas such as campus involvement, leadership and community service. The SPA/HESAA program has more students who have received this honor than any other program at Buffalo State.

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence Application Information

SPA/HESAA Recipients

Kenise K. Adams, 2016
Master of Science, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration

Daniel E. Frontera, 2014
Master of Science, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration

Kaitlyn M. Beachner, 2012
Master of Science, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration

Justin L. Wojcik, 2011
Master of Science, Student Personnel Administration

Brian D. Dubenion, 2008
Master of Science, Student Personnel Administration

Jude M. Jayatilleke, 2006
Master of Science, Student Personnel Administration

David Asencio, 1997