Enjoy the Spotlight

LICSPA recognizes the outstanding achievement of member institutions and individual higher education professionals each year at the Annual Conference.

November 9, 2023 | Adelphi University

Individual Excellence Awards

  • Graduate Student: Antonia Sora, Graduate Assistant at Hofstra University

  • New Professional: Michael Mohr, Stony Brook University

  • Mid-Level Professional: Michael Cavalli, Five Towns College

  • Senior-Level Professional: Nicole Sheehan, New York Institute of Technology

Innovation Award

  • Individual: Christine Szaraz,  Associate Director of the Center for Prevention and Outreach at Stony Brook University.

Founder’s Award: Joanne West, New York Institute of Technology


November 11, 2022 | Stony Brook University

2022 Individual Excellence Awards

  • Graduate Student: Danielle Sconzo, Graduate Assistant for Fraternity & Sorority Life, Hofstra University

  • New Professional: Paul Ferrante, Assistant Director for Student Leadership & Engagement, Hofstra University

  • Mid-Level Professional: Stefano Caruso, Operations & Event Manager, Stony Brook University

  • Senior-Level Professional: Mercy Mathew, Assistant Director for Residential Life, SUNY Old Westbury

2022 Innovation Award

  • Individual: Tadiyos Gebre, Director of Academic Success & Enrichment, New York Institute of Technology

  • Program: Stony Brook University Division of Student Affairs Fellowship

2022 Founder’s Award

Wendi Mathews, Director of Student Accessibility Support Center, Stony Brook University


November 4, 2021 | Hosted Virtually

2021 Individual Excellence Awards

  • Graduate Student: Melissa Berman, Graduate Assistant for Spirit Support, Hofstra University

  • New Professional: Maria Moreno, Assistant Director for Student Leadership & Development, Manhattanville College

  • Mid-Level Professional: Ahmed Belazi, Director of Strategic Analytics & Technologies, Stony Brook University

  • Senior-Level Professional: Tiffani Blake, Assistant Provost for Student Engagement & Development, New York Institute of Technology

2021 Innovation Award

Center for Prevention & Outreach, Stony Brook University | Virtual Bystander Programs

2021 Founder’s Award

Joseph Vernace, Associate Dean of Students, Long Island University—Post Campus & 2021 LICSPA Vice President of Marketing & Communications