College of Arts and Sciences Hosts ‘Difference You Make’ Awards Ceremony

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) recently celebrated its Difference You Make Awards and Recognition Ceremony, an annual event recognizing excellence and service among several CAS students, faculty and staff.

Dean David Wrobel emceed the event, acknowledging several of the College's accomplishments of the past academic year, including three new exhibits unveiled as part of the CAS Arts Everywhere initiative; increased connections to potential students through new Admitted Seawolf events; the Quantum Frontiers panel, part of the inauguration of President Andrea Goldsmith; last fall's CAS Foundations of Innovation panel, part of Homecoming weekend; and the launch of the Difference You Make podcast series.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize the excellence of so many of our students and colleagues in the College," he said. "As we honor these individuals - whether it be for their academic performance, research and creative activity, leadership, ambassadorship, teaching and mentorship, professionalism, for connecting with our community and of course, for their years of service to our college - we are proud to acknowledge their accomplishments and are deeply grateful for their contributions to our community."

Executive Vice President and Provost Carl Lejuez also offered welcome remarks, recognizing the impact of celebrating those individuals who make SBU stronger.

This year's honorees included recipients of the Godfrey Excellence in Teaching Awards, John S. Toll Endowed Award for Excellence in Teaching, Staff Excellence Awards, and this year's CAS retirees, as well as 2025-26 IDEA Grads, Guiliano Global Fellows, and members of the Dean's Student Leadership and Advisory Council (DSLAC).

The Godfrey Excellence in Teaching Awards, named for longtime CAS faculty member Aaron (Bill) Godfrey, were given to five faculty members across the College. These awards were created to give students an opportunity to honor faculty members who have provided excellence in teaching and mentorship.

Each year, CAS students are invited to nominate faculty, and members of the DSLAC deliberate to select the final recipients, one in each of five areas.

2026 Godfrey Excellence in Teaching Award recipients:

• Jennie Allen, assistant professor, Department of Creative Writing, Film, and Television - Fine Arts
• Joy Bolger, lecturer, Department of Psychology - Social Sciences
• Daniela Flesler, professor, Department of Hispanic Languages and Literature - Humanities
• Evrydiki (Evita) Nestoridi, associate professor, Department of Mathematics - Physical Sciences
• Natasha Vitek, assistant professor, Department of Ecology and Evolution - Life Sciences

The John S. Toll Endowed Award for Teaching Excellence is also selected by the DSLAC from this year's and previous recipients of the Godfrey Excellence in Teaching Awards. Jennie Allen was selected based on her exceptional teaching and oratorical skills, and interest in presenting his subject to a general audience.

Additionally, faculty and staff across the College nominated CAS staff members for the Staff Excellence Awards, recognizing those who go above and beyond and provide exceptional service to promote the excellence of our College.

2026 Staff Excellence Award recipients:

• Lynne Barnett, assistant to the chair, Department of Mathematics
• Lois Carter, assistant dean for faculty affairs and personnel, CAS Office of the Dean
• Diane DeSimone, undergraduate program coordinator, Department of Psychology
• Brian Frank, assistant to the chair, Department of Linguistics
• Sandhya Muralidharan, assistant director of laboratories, Department of Chemistry

Wrobel also acknowledged the 2025-26 Dean's Student Leadership and Advisory Council (DSLAC) for their participation over the past year.

2025-26 Dean's Student Leadership and Advisory Council (DSLAC) graduating seniors:

• Faizah Armfield-Bility, psychology
• Siddhant Desai, MBA, Scholars for Medicine BS/MD
• Rebecca Gabrielsen, biology, minor in Health, Medicine, and Society
• Sophia Goodkin, psychology and women's, gender, and sexuality studies double major
• Lana Gouda, political science and economics double major, minor in philosophy
• Shriram Hegde, biology and Spanish Language and Literature double major
• Matthew Jacob, MA in Public Policy
• Mariami Kochiashvili, biology and psychology double major
• Laiba Rajput, political science, minor in globalization studies and international relations
• Anuva Wardah, political science and sociology double major
• Sophie Zarate, Honors College; history and political science double major
• Eleftherios Zoumpanidopoulos, biology and Hellenic studies double major
• Alexa Zuckerman, multidisciplinary studies (anthropology, history, and linguistics)

The IDEA Grad program, which provides a mentor-based experiential learning and professional development opportunity for graduate students, was also recognized. IDEA Grads are advanced PhD students in the creative arts, social sciences, and humanities, selected based on their commitment to building community on campus.

2025-26 IDEA Grads:

• Anna Cahn, Art
• Jesús Jiménez Valdés, Hispanic Languages and Literature
• George Osei, History
• Donal Thomas, History
• Galia Cozzi Berrondo, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Lastly, this year's Edward Guiliano '78, PhD, Global Fellowship Program recipients were honored. This program provides students with the opportunity to broaden their perspectives by engaging with the world beyond SBU and their local communities.

Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Guiliano Fellows:

• Eun Jegal, psychology
• Jacqueline Yu, sociology
• Sara S. Barenfeld, English
• Chutikan Chaikittiwatana, music
• Hannah Thomas, Health Sciences
• Kerry Li, sociology
• Rojae Mighty, physics and astronomy
• Sarah Karan, biochemistry and cell biology and philosophy
• Nicolas Allen, history
• Avery Morris, music
• Debjani Chakrabarty, history
• Paulette Michelle Rosales Fernández, Hispanic Languages and Literature

Read more and view photos from the event.