Release

National Education Council Honors UAlbany's Education Dean Susan D. Phillips

Contact: Karl Luntta (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 1, 2004) -- The National School Development Council honored UAlbany School of Education Dean Susan D. Phillips with its annual Cooperative Leadership Award at the Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA) annual dinner on May 13, 2004. The award recognizes outstanding leadership and efforts to establish cooperative relationships to improve educational programs for students in the nation�s schools. Phillips is one of three educators to receive the award this year.

CASDA Executive Director Ruth Kellogg, who presented the award, said, "CASDA is pleased to present this prestigious award to Susan Phillips, a person who has made a significant difference throughout her career as a teacher, researcher, leader, mentor, collaborator, and facilitator. Along with her tremendous work ethic, Sue brings to the Deanship valuable experiences, a strong sense of purpose, a collaborative style of leadership, a perceptive, inquisitive mind and a sense of humor that carries the day. The one quality that I most admire in Sue is her priority in human relations and her ability to empower people toward a common goal. She believes that people make a difference and treats them accordingly."

"I am honored to be recognized by the National School Development Council with this award," Phillips said. "I truly believe that collaborative efforts are essential to meeting today's educational challenges and that the University at Albany must be connected to the greater community. I work wholeheartedly to make that happen wherever and whenever I can."

Phillips received her bachelor's degree in human biology from Stanford University, and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College of Columbia University. She joined UAlbany in 1979 and was named dean of the School of Education in 2003. In 1995, she received the University at Albany�s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the State University of New York Chancellor�s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1989, she was named Distinguished Psychologist by the Psychological Association of Northeastern New York.

Phillips' work has appeared in such publications as the Journal of Counseling Psychology and the Handbook of Counseling Psychology. Her current research focuses on factors that facilitate the school-to-work transition, and on the role of relationships in career decision-making. She is a licensed psychologist, a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, and has served as a consulting psychologist for the Northeast Parent and Child Society and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.