Awards Committee |
Committee Members:
- Jessica Burnett (chair)- SUNY Potsdam
- Sarah Janusz – Cornell University
- Michael Johnson- Monroe Community College
- Debbie Dimotrovski – Daemen University
-
Michelle Hewitt – Stony Brook Medicine
Charge: To select NYSDSC members and partners who have demonstrated commitment within the field of Disability Support Services, and to acknowledge exemplary contribution to the field while actively advocating for the inclusion, equity and dignity of students with disabilities in higher education.
2026 Award Categories and Descriptions:
The New York State Disability Services Council (NYSDSC) is seeking nominations from members who would like to recognize colleagues or your individual work for annual Service Awards in the following categories:
Multidisciplinary Collaboration Award:
To an individual or group outside the NYSDSC membership who/which actively advocates for the inclusion, equity, and dignity of students with disabilities.
Outstanding Service Award:
To a NYSDSC member whose commitment to disability services in higher education goes above and beyond expectations. Through innovative practice, compassionate advocacy, and meaningful collaboration with students, colleagues, and community partners, the recipient creates transformative opportunities for students with disabilities and advances a culture of intentional inclusion.
New Professional:
To a NYSDSC member who has been in disability support services in higher education for 5 years or less and has made intentional efforts to learn, embrace, and practice the profession of servicing students with disabilities in higher education.
NYSDSC Members: You may submit your nomination using the below link to a fillable form. Please remember that you must be an active NYSDSC member to nominate.
Guidelines for nomination letters
- Include information defining who the individual is
- Discuss specific wins/actions items or stories relating to the specific nomination category
- Share the impact of how /what they did/do matters
- Explain why they should receive this honor
2026 Awards:
| Award Year: | Multidisciplinary Collaboration Award: | Outstanding Service Award: | New Professional Award: |
NYSDSC June Conference 2025- Award Winners:
Previous Awards and Descriptions
2022-2025 Awards:
| Year | Collaboration Award | NYSDSC Service Award | Diversity and Inclusion Award | Special Awards: | New Professional Award |
| 2025 | Dr. Mary Bonderoff- SUNY Delhi | Kristi Hart- SUNY University at Buffalo | Katherine Doktorich- Cornell University | Jordan Raine- SUNY Buffalo State | |
| 2024 | The Belanger School of Nursing Faculty and Staff | Cyrus Hamilton-Ferguson Cornell University | Emi DiSciullo – New Paltz | Information Technology Award: Denise Dedman- SUNY Binghamton | Hannah Premo- SUNY Buffalo |
| 2023 | Nicole Helstowski, PhD, RN, The Bellanger School of Nursing | Ben Haynes, SUNY Adirondack | Catherine Carlson, Columbia-Greene Community College | Andrea Gustafson, SUNY Buffalo State | |
| 2022 | Dr. Casey Crabill, Onondaga Community College | Nancy Carr, Onondaga Community College | Judith Creedon, Marist College | Jessica Burnett, SUNY Potsdam |
2017-2021 Awards:
| Year | Assistive Technology Award | Professional Development Award | Collaboration Award | Diversity and Advocacy |
| 2021 | Andrew Newman, SUNY Brockport | Carolyn Boone, Tompkins Cortland Community College | Andrea Gustafson, SUNY Buffalo State College | Dr. Christopher Rosa, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Inclusion Initiatives |
| 2019 | Mark Greenfield, University of Buffalo | N/A | Patrick Devendorf, Vincent Mark, SUNY Oswego | Nazely Kurkjian, SUNY Office of University Life |
| 2018 | Jeremy Zhe-Heimerman, SUNY Cortland | N/A | Jenny Gluck | Tamara Mariotti, Mohawk Valley Community College |
| 2017 | Craig Levins, SUNY Oneonta | N/A | Nazely Kurkjian, SUNY Office of University Life | Dr. Jennifer Wrage, Dutchess Community College |