Faculty and Programs Honored for Excellence in Research, Service and Public Engagement

The 2026 Fall University Address on October 29, 2026 recognized recipients of the President’s Awards for Exemplary Public Engagement and introduced the University’s newest Collins Fellows.

By Amy Geduldig

ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 5, 2026) — The University at Albany recognized faculty members and programs for their contributions to research, academic leadership and public service during President Havidán Rodríguez's Fall University Address on Oct. 29.

The ceremony recognized six honorees that reflect the breadth of UAlbany's commitment to the Capital Region, New York State and beyond.

Collins Fellows for Distinguished Service

Schell, Rodriguez, Wagner — Larry Schell and Christine Wagner stand with President Rodríguez (Photo by Zach Durocher)

Named for former UAlbany President Evan R. Collins, who led the University from 1948 to 1968, the Collins Fellowship has recognized faculty members for service to the University since 1984. Lawrence “Larry” Schell and Christine Wagner,

Distinguished Professor Lawrence “Larry” Schell and Christine Wagner, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School, were selected as the University's newest Collins Fellows by a committee of their peers.

Schell, a distinguished professor of anthropology who joined UAlbany in 1979, founded the Northeast Regional Forensic Institute and served as director of the Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities for 17 years.

His research has examined the effects of environmental pollutants on human growth and development, including the impacts of lead exposure on children and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on adolescent development.

Wagner, a professor of psychology who joined UAlbany in 2001, held several University leadership positions before becoming vice provost and dean of the Graduate School. She currently co-chairs the University's Middle States reaccreditation self-study.

A recipient of SUNY Chancellor's Awards for excellence in teaching, faculty service and research, Wagner has helped expand opportunities for students and faculty in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

She was co-principal investigator of the National Science Foundation-funded Project SAGES, which promoted gender diversity in STEM, and contributed to UAlbany's Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program, which provided mentoring and research opportunities for undergraduates from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research.

Honoring Public Engagement Across New York

goodman and kesh — Ross Goodman and Kesh Kesavadas (Photo by Zach Durocher)

Vice President for Government and Community Relations Sheila Seery presented awards to several individuals and programs for their contributions to public engagement, highlighting work that connects UAlbany's academic and research expertise with the needs of communities, industries and public agencies.

Distinguished Public Engagement Awards

Ross F. Goodman, director of the New York State Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology and the New York State Center for Advanced Technology in Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics, was recognized for building partnerships among higher education, industry and government.

seery, quinn and rodriguez — Sheila Seery, Kevin Quinn and President Rodríguez (Photo by Zach Durocher)

His work supports New York's semiconductor and advanced technology sectors through research commercialization, STEM education, workforce development and business growth.

Kevin Quinn, associate professor of educational and counseling psychology in the School of Education, was recognized for his work improving educational and behavioral supports for children with disabilities.

Working with state agencies, including the New York State Education Department, Office of Children and Family Services and Council on Children and Families, Quinn is involved in a $17.5 million statewide expansion of the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children.

Exemplary Public Engagement Awards

The Community and Public Service Program (CPSP) received a President's Award for Exemplary Public Engagement for more than 50 years of connecting UAlbany students with nonprofit and public organizations.

Led by Director Sheri Stevens and Assistant Director Jenny Horn, CPSP partners with more than 500 organizations, providing students with academic credit and hands-on experience through thousands of hours of community service annually.

Chris Thorncroft and June Wang with Sheila Seery and President Rodríguez. (Photo by Zach Durocher)

The New York State Mesonet was recognized for providing real-time weather data to support public safety and emergency preparedness across New York.

Now in its 10th year of operation, the Mesonet operates 127 weather-monitoring stations statewide, collecting data on precipitation, temperature, humidity and other conditions.

Its data supports the National Weather Service, emergency managers, transportation authorities, utilities, farmers and government agencies. Mesonet observations have also helped state officials monitor Canadian wildfire smoke events and supported forecasting and transportation decisions during Hurricane Ida.

Chris Thorncroft, director of UAlbany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, and June Wang, director of the New York State Mesonet, accepted the award on behalf of the program.