SUNY Delhi Faculty and Staff Honored with Chancellor's Award

DELHI, NY (05/02/2014)(readMedia)-- Four SUNY Delhi faculty and staff have been named recipients of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence, the State University's most prestigious honor. Dr. Alissa Burger, Assistant Professor, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Susan Deane, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Roberta Hudson, Secretary 2, and Barbara Kaplan, Assistant to the President, will be recognized at the college's Employee Appreciation Day, May 21.

"I am very proud that Chancellor Zimpher has recognized these four individuals for their contributions to student success," said SUNY Delhi President Candace S. Vancko. "Each has achieved the highest levels within her profession and deserves to have her exceptional achievement known beyond the Delhi campus."

Dr. Alissa Burger will be presented the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. She uses multiple teaching strategies, which include team-centered learning and a hybrid application of face-to-face interactions coupled with online discussions. Dr. Burger has earned the respect of both colleagues and students for her willingness to adopt new technologies and applications within her courses. Students comment that she is "outgoing, easy to talk to," and has "a lot of passion for what she does."

Dr. Burger has an exceptional commitment to teaching students while devoting time to campus activities. Since joining the Delhi faculty in 2010, she has been involved in many ways, from developing student service-learning partnerships to helping organize the Barnes & Noble Faculty Bookstore Series. Dr. Burger has also worked with the local Safe Against Violence chapter to organize a One Billion Rising event on campus the past two years, has served on the College Association board, and is chair of the college's honors program. Her leadership in "Writing Across the Curriculum" has encouraged many faculty volunteers to establish common writing goals for SUNY Delhi students.

Susan Deane, who will receive the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, has been a member of SUNY Delhi's award-winning Bachelor of Science in Nursing program since 2010. She leads courses from orientation to intensive upper-division studies in Healthcare Policy, Community Health Nursing, Professional Issues and Health Assessment. She served as a member of the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) departmental curriculum committee and currently chairs the RN to BSN program policies committee.

Professor Deane's unique contribution to Delhi's nursing program is the introduction of Shadow Health technology, which engages students in standardized simulated clinical experiences online. The clinical simulations provide students with opportunities to develop a better bedside manner, to improve their physical examination procedures, and to create better patient histories. She has also delivered numerous presentations and papers at professional conferences and authored the 2013-2014 SUNY ITT Grant (Tier 2) that focuses on the impact of cloud-based programs on student learning outcomes in online health-related courses.

Roberta Hudson will be presented with the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service. An exemplary employee for nearly 35 years, she has served as Secretary 2 for the Office of Business and Finance for most of her tenure. Her exceptional customer service skills and positive attitude help the college build relationships with off-campus businesses and SUNY offices.

Hudson is dedicated to helping students. Whether it is guiding them to the right office or listening to their concerns, she takes the time to assist those in need. Hudson's emphasis on customer service extends to faculty, staff and community members. She is always willing to help with projects that fall outside her responsibilities, assisting with major campus priorities, including Open House, Employee Appreciation Day, student orientation and campus community-building activities.

Barbara Kaplan will receive the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. As Assistant to the President, she is an important liaison to the campus and community. She is the friendly, professional face of SUNY Delhi as she answers questions and concerns of staff, faculty, students, local residents and parents on a daily basis. Kaplan's creative development and execution of ideas, and her constant presence in the community and at college activities, exemplify her selfless personality and contagious enthusiasm.

Kaplan has served on a number of search committees, as a member of the Beautification Committee, and as co-chair of the Staff Development Committee. Kaplan also helps coordinate commencement, the college's common hour programs, and has taught a number of Freshman Seminar courses to help students prepare for college life. She is co-founder of Regalia, a gently-used clothing store on campus that has generated over $25,000 for the college's scholarship endowment. For the past 12 years, Kaplan has been a constant presence at the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society, serving as a board member and volunteering her time to organize the annual Rummage Sale Fundraiser.