Celebrating Convocation 2025

Allison Eichler| September 3, 2025

On August 28, members of the New York Tech community gathered to celebrate the start of the 2025-2026 academic year at the university’s annual faculty and staff convocation, along with the presentation of the Presidential Excellence Awards.

President Jerry Balentine with group of people holding awards — President Jerry Balentine (third from left) with this year’s Presidential Excellence Award winners.

Entering his first academic year at the helm of the university, President Jerry Balentine, D.O., opened the event by recognizing recent university achievements and outlining goals for the institution’s future. Among other notable successes, he discussed New York Tech’s continued strong return on investment for low-income students and the launch of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy. He also congratulated College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) and School of Health Professions Dean Nicole Wadsworth, D.O., on her additional new appointment to vice provost for health sciences, and recognized Associate Provost of Academic Affairs Francesca Fiore, Ed.D., on being named vice president for strategic initiatives and accreditation.

In sharing his vision for the institution, President Balentine outlined several institutional goals, including: increasing the number of student co-ops, internships, and research experiences; growing relationships across local, state, federal, and neighborhood levels; and continuing to strive toward becoming a Carnegie-classified Research 2 (R2) university. Among other examples, steps taken in support of achieving R2 status include the ongoing recruitment of research faculty and a $3 million planned upgrade to the animal facility. President Balentine also underscored the university’s commitment to student support and success, including continued efforts to carry out the goals outlined in the Strategic Action Plan.

“We educate our students in fields that guarantee them jobs,” President Balentine said. “By doing so, we truly transform our students and their families’ lives.”

President Jerry Balentine addresses a question — President Balentine addresses questions from attendees.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Francine Glazer, Ph.D., then took to the podium to encourage faculty to embrace innovation in the classroom. Specifically, she urged professors to adopt generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, such as ChatGPT, and promote responsible AI use among students.

Following Glazer’s presentation, Vice President for Information Technology, CIO, and CISO Pennie Turgeon, M.B.A., shared updates on Project WiN and New York Tech’s digital transformation, including the launch of Workday for finance, payroll, and administrative tasks, as well as the my.NYIT portal.

President Jerry Balentine shaking hands with an event guest — Following the day’s presentations, President Balentine greeted faculty and staff at an outdoor luncheon on the Long Island campus.

After the remarks, Glazer presented the annual Presidential Excellence Awards to the following faculty and staff:

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence: Rebekah Harmon, library associate, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Excellence in Teaching, Full-Time Faculty: Alexander Rothstein, Ed.D., assistant professor, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, School of Health Professions

Excellence in Teaching, Part-Time Faculty: Efrat Nizan, M.S., adjunct instructor, Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Design

Innovator: Sung (Kevin) Park, M.F.A., associate professor and chair, Department of Digital Art and Design, School of Architecture and Design

Staff Excellence: Jill Rogers, executive assistant, Dean’s Office, College of Engineering and Computing Sciences

Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activities: Arman Bonakdarpour, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Energy Management, College of Engineering and Computing Sciences