Community Celebrates at First Staff Appreciation Day

Photo: The winners from NYIT-Long Island with Interim President Rahmat Shoureshi, Ph.D. (See names below.)

Staff members from both the New York City and Long Island campuses were invited to join together and celebrate their hard work as a community at NYIT’s first Staff Appreciation Day.

At a breakfast on the Manhattan campus and a lunch in Old Westbury, Interim President Rahmat Shoureshi, Ph.D., thanked the many people who serve the university and its administration, faculty members, and students. “I sincerely appreciate the contributions you make. And I want you to know that you are appreciated.”

Awards were presented to staff members nominated by their peers in various categories, and all staff members were given the afternoon off. “Our own special form of ‘daylight savings time’—NYIT style,” Shoureshi said.

MANHATTAN AWARD WINNERS

• Diversity and Inclusion: Jenny Cheng, student engagement and community liaison, School of Engineering and Computing Sciences
• Transformative Experiences for Students: Amy Bravo, senior director, International and Experiential Education
• Outstanding Teamwork: Strategic Messaging Department—Bobbie Dell’Aquilo, senior director of strategic messaging; Karen Marie Belnap, global public relations strategist; Julie Godsoe, editorial director; Ron Goldberg, web content editor; Brylee Kaye, social media strategist; Bessie Knoblauch, news writer/editor; Kimberly Margan, associate director of marketing; Michael Schiavetta, special communications strategist; Libby Sullivan, director of media relations; and Alex Wang, director of marketing
• Customer Service: Erin Fabian, student advisement specialist, School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Education
• Outstanding New Employee: Deniz Gezlev, transfer advisor, Office of Admissions
• Outstanding Employee: William Stennett, assistant director, Academic Computing

The winners from the Manhattan campus with Interim President Rahmat Shoureshi, Ph.D.

Long Island AWARD WINNERS

• Diversity and Inclusion: Karen Johnson, assistant director, International and Experiential Education
• Transformative Experiences for Students: Alice Burke, senior director, Office of Counseling and Wellness
• Outstanding Teamwork: Budgeting and Planning Office—Dawn Tennenbaum, director; Alexandra Cruz, manager; Corinne Greene, budget auditor; Kristina Haase, senior analyst; Richard Levatino, financial analyst; and Stephen Stallone, manager
• Customer Service: Cecile King, attendant for dining services, Student Activity Center
• Outstanding New Employee: Katherine Zuiliani, assistant director, Human Resources
• Outstanding Employee: Shannon McCartan, administrative assistant, NYITCOM Office of Academic Affairs