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VPA Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards

VPA Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards

Owned by Erica Blust
Last updated: Mar 31, 2025 by Erica Blust

2025 Awards Cycle

In order to recognize the outstanding contributions of both faculty and staff to the College of Visual and Performing Arts, three faculty and two staff awards have been created. Each year one Faculty Excellence Award will be awarded in each of the following three categories: Faculty Excellence in Teaching, Faculty Excellence in Research, and Faculty Excellence in Service. In addition, two Staff Excellence Awards will be awarded to recognize the hard work and dedication of our staff. For each of the five awards, an amount of $1,000 will be conferred to each recipient.

Nomination forms are submitted online through the Syracuse University Application Portal, where you will find details on the selection process, eligibility, criteria, and the nomination process. Nominations may be submitted through Wednesday, April 30, 2025. For questions regarding the nomination process or the application portal, contact Seyeon Lee, associate dean for strategic initiatives and research (slee80@syr.edu).

Past Recipients

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