Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards

In order to recognize the outstanding contributions to the College of Visual and Performing Arts by both faculty and staff, three faculty and three staff awards have been created. The VPA Faculty Excellence Awards will recognize faculty excellence in research, faculty excellence in teaching, and faculty excellence in service. The VPA Staff Excellence Awards will recognize the hard work and dedication of our staff. All awards are $1,000.

The date to submit nominations for the 2023-24 awards is April 15, 2024.  Nominations should be submitted to Martha Sutter, interim associate dean of academic affairs, at mlsutter@syr.edu, and Erica Blust, director of communications, at esblust@syr.edu.

Note: Forms display best in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

2023-24

Winners: Faculty Excellence

  • Jessica Martinez, Department of Film and Media Arts, Excellence in Teaching
  • Lyndsay Gratch, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Excellence in Research
  • James Fathers, School of Design, Excellence in Service

Winners: Staff Excellence

  • Betsy Henderson, Office of Academic Affairs
  • Laura Mikols, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies
  • Sandra Puro, School of Art

2022-23

Winners: Faculty Excellence

  • Soudabeh Moradian, Department of Film and Media Arts, Excellence in Teaching
  • Seyeon Lee, School of Design, Excellence in Research
  • Janet Brown, Setnor School of Music, Excellence in Service

Winners: Staff Excellence

  • Linda Ferguson, School of Design
  • Colleen Reynolds, Office of Recruitment and Admissions
  • Niki Swackhamer, Office of Academic and Career Advising

2021-22

Winners: Faculty Excellence*

  • John Warren, Setnor School of Music, Excellence in Service
  • Jennifer DeLucia, Department of Creative Arts Therapy, Excellence in Research
  • Lynn Greenky, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Excellence in Research

*No nominations were received for Excellence in Teaching.

Winners: Staff Excellence

  • Jill Coggiola, Setnor School of Music
  • Jackie Flores, Office of Academic and Career Advising
  • Andrea Root, Office of Academic and Career Advising

2020-21

Winners: Faculty Excellence*

  • José (Peppie) Calvar, Setnor School of Music, Excellence in Teaching

  • Kelly Gallagher, Department of Film and Media Arts, Excellence in Teaching
  • Margie Hughto, School of Art, Excellence in Teaching
  • Marilyn Koch, School of Art, Excellence in Teaching
  • Carmel Nicoletti, School of Design, Excellence in Teaching

*No nominations were received for Excellence in Research or Service.

Winners: Staff Excellence

  • Melissa Chirico-Brown, Office of Budget and Operations
  • Kati Foley, Office of the Dean
  • Caitlin Jarvis, Office of Recruitment and Admissions
  • Ben Luhrs, Office of Academic and Career Advising
  • Hannah Nast, Office of Academic and Career Advising

2019

Winners: Faculty Excellence

  • Ed Morris, Department of Film and Media Arts, Excellence in Teaching
  • Sharif Bey, School of Art, Excellence in Research
  • Anne Laver, Setnor School of Music, Excellence in Service

Winners: Staff Excellence

  • Danielle Benedetto, Office of Information Technology
  • Maria Maloof, Office of Budget and Operations
  • Michelle Taylor, Setnor School of Music

2018

Winners: Faculty Excellence*

  • Boryana Rossa, Department of Film and Media Arts, Excellence in Research
  • Ida Tili-Trebicka, Setnor School of Music, Excellence in Service

*No nominations were received for Excellence in Teaching.

Winners: Staff Excellence

  • Megan Carlsen, Setnor School of Music
  • Francesca Moore, Setnor School of Music
  • Lisa Nicholas, Department of Drama
  • Sandy Puro, School of Art

2017

Winners: Faculty Excellence

  • Kara Herold, Department of Film and Media Arts, Excellence in Teaching
  • Susannah Sayler, Department of Film and Media Arts, Excellence in Research
  • Joanna Spitzner, School of Art, Excellence in Service

Winners: Staff Excellence

  • Joanne Balduzzi, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies
  • Chris Prior, VPA Fabrication Shops
  • Lisa Tucci, Department of Drama