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Genesee Community College Team Members Honored with SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence

Batavia, NY (06/04/2025) — Five exceptional members of the Genesee Community College team have been recognized by the State University of New York for outstanding contributions to their profession, the campus and the community. The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence is given in recognition of consistently superior professional achievement and encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence.

The following faculty and staff members earned a SUNY Chancellor Award for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Paul Brew won the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. This award recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University's commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.

Mr. Brew has been a member of Genesee's history faculty since 2008 and has taught a variety of courses including American History, World History, and American Government to name a few. History can be a challenging subject to engage students and they may often not recognize its value. Mr. Brew uses a variety of strategies and approaches to spark curiosity and guide students to make connections between historical information and the present. He also effectively engages students in historical inquiry through active learning strategies, debates and collaborative projects.

Amy Westfall won the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in the Classified Service. These are System-level awards established by the University to give System- wide recognition for superior performance and extraordinary achievement by employees in the Classified Service. These awards demonstrate the University's commitment to individuals who provide superior service to its students and the community at large.

During her career in the Library, Amy has demonstrated an exceptional ability to anticipate and meet the needs of faculty, ensure continuous and efficient library operations, and foster a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the campus community. Amy's contributions extend beyond her daily responsibilities, as she consistently advocates for students, identifies opportunities to enhance services, and offers guidance and support with the utmost compassion and discretion. Her role in facilitating a seamless transition during the relocation of the Learning Center and her personal commitment to student safety and well-being, are testaments to her profound impact.

Barry Chow won the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. This award recognizes the consistently superior service contributions of teaching faculty. This service must be sustained over multiple years and may occur in a variety of venues.

During his 26-year career at Genesee, Barry has been instrumental in fostering innovation, curriculum development and faculty leadership. His service to the college includes impactful presentations, committee leadership, and mentorship, shaping both academic policies and student engagement. He has advised multiple student organizations, including the TV Club and Phi Theta Kappa, providing hands-on learning experiences that bridge theory with real-world application. Beyond the college, Barry has made contributions to the media and education fields, serving in leadership roles within the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and the Television Academy. His professional expertise has influenced both institutional advancements and industry standards.

Kelly Starchok won the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. This award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement within and beyond the position.

Kelly's passion for fostering student engagement led her to her current role as Director of Student Engagement & Inclusion, where she has redefined student involvement post-pandemic, creating an inclusive and dynamic campus environment. She has launched impactful initiatives and spearheaded the establishment of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) chapter at GCC. Her management of over 30 student clubs, supervision of major campus events and hands-on approach (e.g., stepping into the College mascot costume when needed) demonstrates her tireless dedication. Beyond her position, Kelly's creativity and problem-solving are evident in her successful implementation of GCC's Bus Services, ensuring accessible transportation for students. She actively participates in key campus committees and represents GCC in external leadership initiatives, including Leadership Genesee and national student engagement conferences.

Heather Jones won the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University's commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.

Heather has been a GCC faculty member since 2008 teaching a range of courses including Drawing, Painting, 2D Design, Art History and Portfolio Development. Heather's teaching philosophy, rooted in learner-centered strategies and Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory, creates an engaging learning environment for students. She utilizes a "5C's" rubric to empower students to create and critique artwork using a guided approach to assessment that fosters a deeper understanding of the creative process. Beyond the classroom, Heather has demonstrated leadership through her work in art exhibits, illustration publishing, study abroad programs, collaborations with international institutions and innovative uses of technology. Her work as a Fulbright-Garcia Robles Scholar demonstrates her commitment to enhancing cross-cultural understanding through art.

"The SUNY Chancellor's Awards represent the highest recognition of excellence across the SUNY System. I am incredibly proud of our faculty and staff whose passion, innovation and dedication have earned this distinguished honor. Their work exemplifies the very best of Genesee Community College and our commitment to student success," said Dr. Craig Lamb, president, Genesee Community College.

For more information contact Vice President, Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at (585) 345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.

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Media Attachments

From top left: Barry Chow, Heather Jones, Kelly Starchok, Paul Brew, Amy Westfall

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