SUNY Morrisville faculty and staff members were honored with Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence by the State University of New York and SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., and another received a distinguished award.
SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service
Rebecca Hargrave, of Norwich, associate professor of environmental sciences
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service recognizes the consistently superior service contributions of full-time teaching faculty.
Hargrave, of Norwich, has made significant contributions to SUNY Morrisville and the broader community through her teaching, research and outreach efforts in arboriculture and urban forestry. Since joining the SUNY Morrisville faculty in 2012, she has taught a wide range of courses, including arboriculture, dendrology, recreation management, natural resources measurements and forest protection, while leading the environmental sciences internship program.
Hargrave manages the college’s Arboretum and the Callaghan Brook Nature Trail and has secured grants to support campus tree inventories, research and collection expansion, helping earn repeated Tree Campus USA® recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation.
Beyond campus, she is active in several professional organizations, including the New York State Urban Forestry Council and the International Society of Arboriculture and contributes to public tree care education and conducts research focused on urban forestry program management in New York State.
Hargrave holds a Ph.D. in forest resources and arboriculture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a master’s degree in forest science with an urban forestry emphasis from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in forest science – urban forestry option from Pennsylvania State University.
SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching
Justin Mikuszewski, complex manager, Morrisville Auxiliary Corporation
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching recognizes adjunct faculty members for outstanding instructional performance, dedication to student learning and significant contributions to the academic mission of their institution.
Since 2016, Mikuszewski has taught a variety of writing, communications and speech courses, delivering instruction in online, hybrid and in-person formats. Known for his student-centered approach, he works with learners from diverse educational backgrounds and mentors students inside and outside the classroom.
In addition to his teaching role, Mikuszewski serves as complex manager for the Morrisville Auxiliary Corporation, where he supports student engagement, residential life and campus programming.
He holds a master’s degree in English/creative writing from Binghamton University and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York College at Oneonta.
SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service
Julie Wright, administrative assistant 1
The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service recognizes employees who have consistently demonstrated superlative performance within and beyond their position.
Wright has worked in the Business Office since 2013, where her responsibilities include supporting research grant activity, purchasing, accounts payable, travel and training new employees.
Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to SUNY Morrisville through her service on numerous campus committees and initiatives, contributing her time and expertise to support the college’s mission and foster a positive campus environment.
She also works at the New Woodstock Free Library.
SUNY Morrisville Distinguished Librarian Award
Adam Saunders, of Penfield, associate librarian and online learning and instruction librarian
Saunders has served the SUNY Morrisville community with distinction since 2013, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to student success, innovation and service. Promoted to Associate Librarian in 2020 and previously recognized with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship, Saunders has led impactful initiatives ranging from AI literacy instruction and 3D printing services, to student success outreach and enhanced library accessibility resources.
Beyond his work in the library, Saunders has dedicated countless hours to campus governance and student support through leadership roles on College Senate, the Student Success Council and numerous campus committees. His service extends across the SUNY system, including leadership as President of the SUNY Library Association and advocacy for library resources benefiting communities throughout New York State.
Saunders holds a Master of Library Science from the University at Buffalo, a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the State University of New York at Geneseo and an associate degree in liberal arts from Monroe Community College.