Rockefeller College Awards Ceremony & Reception

Presented by Brian Greenhill, Associate Professor, Chair

Valedictorian
Sean Millington 

The Murray Korn Undergraduate Community Service Award
Mickey Zheng 

The Bernice Korn Capstone Paper Award
Raquel Egea

Political Science Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Anthony Lovelace

Political Science Outstanding Adjunct Instructor Award
Nicholas Parella

Outstanding Student Leadership
David Peprah

Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award
Jason Aguayza-Palaguachi

James Unger Memorial Undergraduate Award for an Outstanding Research Paper
Larisa Ibralic

2025-26 Presidential Award for Undergraduate Research
Larisa Ibralic

Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation
Joseph Popcun

Professor Martin Edelman Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching
Justin Zimmerman

Presented by Luis Luna-Reyes, Professor, Chair

Valedictorian
Mari Grimm

First Penguin Undergraduate Research Award
Mirabel Sandler

Steve Jackson Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching Award
In Hae Noh

Outstanding Student Leadership
Christopher Murunguzha

Outstanding Candidacy Paper Award
Hyesang Noh

Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation
Tzuhao (Howard) Chen

Presented by John McCluskey, Professor, Senior Executive Director

Valedictorian
Scott Lupi

Eliot H. Lumbard Award for Excellence
Manuela Belen Brunner Carrasco

Steven DeBraccio ’10 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Jacob Montgomery

Graeme Newman Award for Entrepreneurial Criminal Justice
Izaria Dicks

Dr. Walter M. Francis Award for Excellence in Master’s Study     
Julie Gelin 
Kevin Leibach  
Claudio Palleschi

Donald J. Newman Award for Outstanding Achievement
Scott Lupi

Distinguished Teaching Professor James Acker/Dr. Walter Francis Award
Linnette Cruz

Distinguished Professor David Bayley/Walter M. Francis Policing Award
Hannah Cochran

Frank Remington Award for Interdisciplinary Legal Studies
Lillian Chapman

Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation
Hilary Jackl

Presented by Patricia Strach, Professor, and Susan Appe, Associate Professor

Pi Sigma Alpha

• Agremi Abdramane
• Brian Bordas
• Daimon Brown
• Pete Corcione-Partak
• Zuhal Demirel
• Sophie Ericson
• Chloe Falk
• Noah Gordon
• Isaac Graber
• Ellie Gruskoff
• Nialah Hadaway
• Asia Hamid
• Birishna Hashimi
• Nylah Henry
• Samantha Kaczor
• Gabrielle Kolodziej
• Shaun Lucier
• Richie Lyon
• Nyla Mackins
• Bernhard Mann Jr.
• Jonah Martinez
• Robert Mellon
• Maysa Moumen
• Yacine Niasse
• Michael Novellino III
• Angelina Odone
• Jordyn Perry
• Jaid Rowlison
• Camryn Schultz
• Carter Schum
• Salome Shakishvili
• Quinn Stamper
• Carter Witthoft
• Ava Zeolla

Phi Alpha Alpha

• Justin Blakesslee
• Batzaya Byambasambuu
• Jerusha Chipingo
• Andrew Cook
• Golden Duru
• Giuseppe Laganaro
• Sarah Michel
• Jennifer Mims
• Sachin Mitra
• Tommaso Morotti
• Christopher Murunguzha
• Alexis Savoie
• Biancamaria Scricco
• Eric Vought
• Katelynn White

• Sophie Coker
• Halimah Lawson
• Sean Millington
• Sanaa Woodley

• Nana Adwoa Agyapong
• Sadaf Ahmadi
• Alana Borrero
• Zaya Byambasambuu
• Jerusha Chipingo
• James Cuddy
• Will Dakin
• Judy Damas
• Nathaniel De Leon
• Zuhal Demirel
• Shelby Disla
• Chloe Falk
• Amalini Fernando
• Mairead French
• Ethan Gish
• Nylah Henry
• Berley Jean Paul
• Emma Johnson
• Mac-Olivier Lalanne
• Xavier LaMar
• Halimah Lawson
• David Levin
• Sara Mabee
• Coco McCoy
• Robert Mellon
• Lenex Minnow
• Sophia Pollaro
• Anna Schumacher-Zaremsky
• Paul Szumny
• Carolina Thomas
• Zeinab Toure
• Prajeeta Vaidya
• Craig Waltz Jr.
• Tenzin Yingsal
• Wan Yu
• Mariam Zulfiqar

Anna Boochever De Beer Scholarship Fund
Cassidy Brock-Doyle

Anna May and Lyndale Vess Endowed Fund
Linda Balcarová  Dietz 
Nana Adwoa Agyapong 
Lichen Chu 
Stefana LoTempio 
Taylor Oathout

Anne Gustin Rockefeller College Scholarship for Women in Law or Government
Sofia Lamdichi

Arthur & Maria Kelly Smith Endowment Award
Cira Byrne 
Suechin Chang 
David Peprah 
Fatima Sissokho 
Jaime Bailey Warren

Bruce L. Davis '73, '75 Fellowship
Manuela Brunner Carrasco

Bruce L. Davis Criminal Justice Scholarship
Enjelique Adams

Buchly Semester in Washington Fund
Milexy Campos

Casey Groves Memorial Fund
Dhiti Rajaram 
Zoe Vallee

Dean Frank J. Thompson Scholarship
Dan Mariano

Distinguished Service Professor David F. Andersen Scholarship
Christopher Murunguzha

Governor Mario Cuomo Scholarship Fund
Mickey Zheng

Hans Toch Memorial Endowment in the School of Criminal Justice
Pam Hoxha

J. Edgar Hoover Leadership Scholarship
Linnette Cruz 
Halimah Lawson 
Nathalia Alves Moraes 
Ashleigh Rushford

Jean Ellis Poletti Memorial Internship Fund
Amal Imad  
Jonah Martinez 
Nathalia Alves Moraes  
Briana Pierre 
Troy Serao 
Natalie Specht

John Giarrusso'87, '89 MPA Endowed Scholarship
Favoured-Joy Oghenekome

Joseph & Helen Heikoff Endowment
Jerusha  Chipingo         
Cassidy Brock-Doyle  
Turkan Kocyigit 
Mac-Oliver Lalanne 
Orobo Obaro-Ogbovoh  
Favoured-Joy Oghenekome 
Royal Srem-Sai

Kendra - Melendez Williams Memorial Scholarship
Mickey Zheng

Larry Siegel Ph.D. Fund
Sara Fiegl

Letizia Tagliafierro '95 Endowed Scholarship
Trevor Pettit

Lew Weiner '84 Scholarship
Alexandra Antunez 
Skai Green 
Xia Hoffmann 
Mark Weber

The Libby Post '82 MA '84 Endowed Fund for Social Justice Policy
Maia Edwards

Louis P. and Dolores M. Augostini Fellowship
Sam Huang

Lt. John Finn Memorial Scholarship Fund
Justin Rathje

Mary & Peter Brusoe Washington Semester Fund
Ma-Sadio Faye

Matthew Peter '06 MA '07 Endowed Scholarship
Sophie Coker

Michael D. Tobman '95 International Learning Endowed Award
Orobo Obaro-Ogbovoh

Michael J. Hindelang Memorial Scholarship
Yoobin Kim

Michael J. Lynch & Elizabeth Cass Endowed Award
Lillian Chapman 
Oona Newman

Nancy B.L. Nemeth Memorial Scholarship for Public Service
Jerusha Chipingo

Peter Stevens '83 Fellowship in SCJ
Ryden Kubo

Professor Michael J. Malbin Washington Semester Fund
Ashley Bostic 
Milexy Campos 
James Cooper 
Ma-Sadio Faye 
Tenzin Yingsalm 
Mickey Zheng

Professor Walter Goldstein Graduate Scholarship
Michael Becker 
Brenda Horan

Public Administration & Policy Scholarship
Jonathon Romano

Ralph H. & Dora Baker Scholarship
Aasam Ali 
Danielle Mueller 
Mike Realmuto 
Carolina Thomas

The Relentless Bonilla Fazio Public Service Scholarship
Mari-Carmen Grimm

Richard Bailey Memorial Scholarship Fund
Nadiya Carter 
Sofia Granato

Richard Gentilcore '66 Criminal Justice Scholarship
Alex Starace

Rick C. Mathews Homeland Security Award
Cassidy Brock-Doyle

Robert Jr. Martin Fellowship in Criminal Justice
Nana Adwoa Agyapong

Robert S. Herman Endowment
Maia Edwards

Rockefeller College Advisory Board Scholarship Fund
Alice Russo

Rockefeller College Dean's Fund for Excellence
Silvia Avila Licona 
Emma Conroy 
Hannah Strong

Rockefeller College General Scholarship Fund
Michael Becker 
Brenda Horan 
Orobo Obaro-Ogbovoh 
Jason Aguayza-Palaguachi

Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy Scholarship
Raquel Egea

Rockefeller College Scholarship
Max Dydynski  
Laci Manley

Rockefeller College Steve Jackson Graduate Student Scholarship
Kabita Karki

Rockefeller Diversity Scholarship Fund
Berley Jean Paul 
Gaheul Yi

Rousseau Warner Family Scholarship Fund
Addison Arnold

School of Criminal Justice - Graduate Student Fellowship
Roseanna Deiulio

Steven Gold Research Assistantship
Cassidy Brock-Doyle 
Wilson Han 
Marzuka Ahmad Radia  
Alice Russo 
Royal Srem-Sai

Swyer Family International Affairs Endowed Scholarship
Aldi Nur Fadil

Walt Francis Fund in the School of Criminal Justice
Claire Beatty 
Nikki Brill  
Reagan Van Dan Elzen  
Jeff Gregg Jr. 
Mari Shakishvili

Joe Bonilla, BA '11

Joe Bonilla is a UAlbany graduate with a BA in Public Policy and the managing partner, senior media director and co-founder of Relentless, a creative strategy firm headquartered in Albany. Co-founding the firm in 2012 with Rich Fazio, Bonilla has led Relentless to grow from a two-person, bootstrapped outfit to a dynamic creative strategy firm with four offices (in New York state, South Carolina and Las Vegas) and a team of 20 professionals. Recognized as a leading communications professional based in the Northeast, major brands, companies, organizations and public figures rely on Bonilla’s counsel and insight in moving their message forward with impressive results. From bringing ridesharing to Upstate New York and Long Island, promoting and fighting for the burgeoning craft beverage industry, working with rising leaders at the local, state, and federal level, and lifting startup thrifts, legacy organizations, and Fortune 500 companies into the public conversation, Bonilla works tirelessly to enhance and advocate for each Relentless client. Bonilla previously led media outreach for a leading technology and corporate communications firm and served as director of communications for a New York State Senator.

Active within the community, Bonilla also serves as president of the University at Albany Alumni Association and a board member for Maria College, United Way of the Greater Capital Region, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and New York Urban Orchards. Bonilla previously served as chairman of the City of Albany’s Public, Educational, and Government Access Oversight Board, board president of Capital CarShare Inc., board vice chair for Troy Preparatory Charter School and managing director of the Knickerbocker Film Festival.

Shelley Hyland, PhD '15

Shelley earned her Ph.D. at UAlbany’s School of Criminal Justice, and her path to completing her degree reflects remarkable perseverance and commitment. Today, she serves as Senior Statistical Advisor at the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) within the U.S. Department of Justice, where she provides expert guidance on statistical methodology, data collection, national reporting standards and plays a central role in shaping federal criminal justice data systems.

Over more than two decades, Dr. Hyland has built an impressive career spanning research, policy and practice. She has held leadership roles within the Department of Justice, including at the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and previously served as a statistician in BJS’s Law Enforcement Statistics Unit, where she helped develop key national data programs. Her earlier work as a research manager and crime analyst at institutions including Washington University and regional police departments, reflects her deep engagement with applied criminal justice research. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has contributed to higher education as an adjunct instructor across multiple universities, including UAlbany. Dr. Hyland’s sustained impact on criminal justice research, policy and practice makes her a highly deserving recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Josh Freilich, PhD '01

Josh is a professor in the Criminal Justice Department at John Jay College, CUNY. His research focuses on the causes of and responses to targeted violence, open-source research methods and criminology theory, especially situational crime prevention. Josh is a distinguished alumnus of UAlbany’s School of Criminal Justice, where he earned both his M.A. and Ph.D., in addition to a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. Since joining John Jay College, CUNY, he has risen from Assistant Professor to Full Professor and assumed significant leadership roles, including Director of the Ph.D. Program, member of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium and Co-Director of the Center for Enhancing Research Capacity of Minority Serving Institutions.

Dr. Freilich has authored more than 160 publications, including articles, chapters and books, with his work garnering over 7,300 citations, underscoring its broad influence. His contributions have been recognized with major honors from the American Society of Criminology, including the Distinguished Scholar Award from the Division of Terrorism and Bias Crimes and the Best Peer-Reviewed Publication Award from the Division of Cybercrime. Supported by nearly $14 million in external funding from agencies such as the National Institute of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, his work continues to shape both scholarship and practice. Over more than two decades, Dr. Freilich has built an exceptional record of research, leadership and service, making him highly deserving of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Heidi S Bonner, MA '05; PhD '12

Heidi is Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Carolina University, a Research Fellow at the John F. Institute for Public Safety, and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Leader. In October 2025, she was appointed by Governor Josh Stein to the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission. Her research examines how policies and organizational practices shape decision-making, accountability and outcomes across the criminal justice system, with a particular focus on law enforcement operations and employee stress and wellness. She has led interdisciplinary research teams, partnered with agencies at the local and state levels to support evidence-informed policy and secured over $1 million in external funding to advance public-safety innovation. Her work has been published in leading journals in criminal justice, policing and public administration.

In addition to her degrees from UAlbany, Heidi earned her M.S. in Justice Studies from San José State University, and dual B.A. degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Peter Ragone, BA '93

Peter is a senior advisor working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, public policy, and strategic communications. He currently serves in external affairs and strategic engagement at OpenAI, where he helps guide engagement with policymakers, industry leaders, and civic institutions on issues related to AI governance, regulation and public trust. He is also the founder of PWR, LLC, through which he advises companies, founders, and public officials on high-stakes communications, policy strategy and crisis management in emerging technology sectors.

Over a distinguished two-decade career in public service, Peter has held senior leadership roles across local, state and federal government, including Communications Director to Mayor Gavin Newsom, a senior advisor in New York City Hall under Mayor Bill de Blasio, and a presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He has also served as a spokesperson for Vice President Al Gore and advised Governor Newsom across multiple stages of his public career. His work has contributed to major policy initiatives including marriage equality in San Francisco and universal pre-K in New York City. Through his continued leadership in both government and the private sector, Peter exemplifies the Rockefeller College tradition of public service and is a highly deserving recipient of the Distinguished Alumni recognition.

Amira Jadoon, PhD '17

Amira is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Clemson University. Her research focuses on the multifaceted consequences of international security tools and counterterrorism strategies, examining their interlinkages with political violence, extremism and the strategic messaging. Between 2017 to 2022, Jadoon taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where she led the South Asia portfolio at the Combating Terrorism Center—regularly briefing U.S. military and intelligence personnel, policymakers and international partners, among them the 75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Special Forces, the National Intelligence Council, and the UN.

Amira is a recognized leading expert on the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which she has studied since its origins, and the co-author of three books. In 2025, she founded The Durand Dispatch, an analysis and intelligence platform on militancy and security across the Afghanistan–Pakistan region. Jadoon is a 2026 Harry Frank Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar, and in 2022 was named to the U.S. National Security & Foreign Affairs Leadership List by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She is currently leading two major research projects supported by the U.S. National Institute of Justice and the U.S. Department of Defense examining linkages between disinformation, violent extremism and security cooperation.

Noelle Ellerson Ng, MPP '06

Noelle is a nationally recognized leader in K–12 education policy and advocacy. She currently serves as Chief Advocacy & Governance Officer at AASA, The School Superintendents Association, where she directs the organization’s federal advocacy efforts with Congress and the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, she leads AASA’s policy analysis, research and survey work, while also overseeing governance functions, including support for the executive committee, governing board and 49 state affiliates, as well as the AASA Student and Child Privacy Center.

Since joining AASA in 2007, Noelle has become a leading national voice on education policy, regularly advising and speaking with school leaders across the country. Her career in education began as a high school special education teacher in Central New York, followed by early advocacy work with the College Board. In addition to her master’s degree from Rockefeller College, she has pursued additional executive education from Georgetown University and Harvard Kennedy School. Known for her thoughtful, data-informed and passionate approach, she has become a trusted advocate for public education at a time of significant national challenge, making her a highly deserving recipient of this recognition.

Amaury Munoz, BA '13

Amaury is an exceptional alumnus whose career reflects early achievement, sustained excellence and a deep commitment to public service. A proven leader with more than a decade of experience in the U.S. Foreign Service, he currently serves as a Public Diplomacy Desk Officer in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, where he oversees a $15 million portfolio of public diplomacy programs across Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. In this role, he helps advance U.S. foreign policy objectives, strengthen civil society and support independent media and engagement efforts in highly complex political environments.

Throughout his Foreign Service career, Amaury has held leadership and supervisory roles across multiple global postings, including at U.S. embassies and consulates in Morocco, Pakistan and China, as well as in senior roles within the EUR Front Office. Across these assignments, he has led teams, managed sensitive operations such as visa adjudication and fraud prevention, and designed large-scale public engagement initiatives aimed at countering malign influence and expanding civic participation. Recognized through multiple Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards and prestigious fellowships, his career reflects a consistent record of impact, leadership and integrity in advancing U.S. diplomacy and public service.

President's Excellence in Research and Creative Activities
Ashley Fox

President's Excellence in Classified Service
Janine Gestwick

President's Excellence in Academic Service
Matthew Ingram

President's Excellence in Teaching Award
Sean McKeever

President's Excellence in Teaching Award
Royal Srem Sai

Student Awards

Presented by:

• Department of Political Science
  Brian Greenhill, Associate Professor, Chair
• Department of Public Administration & Policy
  Luis Luna-Reyes, Professor, Chair
• School of Criminal Justice
  John McCluskey, Professor, Senior Executive Director
• Honor Society Inductions
  Patricia Strach, Professor
  Susan Appe, Associate Professor

Political Science

Valedictorian 
Michael Becker

The Murray Korn Undergraduate Community Service Award     
Oroboghene Obaro-Ogbovoh

The Bernice Korn Capstone Paper Award    
Tessa Wisloh

Political Science Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award    
Shrijna Dixon

Political Science Outstanding Adjunct Instructor Award    
Connor Moran

Outstanding Student Leadership    
Andrew Fleckenstein

Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award    
Shelby Cook-Shannon

James Unger Memorial Undergraduate Award for an Outstanding Research Paper    
Ethan Madappatt
Sean Millington
Michael Regateiro

2024-25 Presidential Award for Undergraduate Research    
Isabella Blauvelt-Mercado
Erin Donnellon
Olivia Scheffer

Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation    
David Siracuse

Professor Martin Edelman Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching    
Cammie Bolin

Public Administration and Policy

Valedictorian    
Mirabel Sandler

First Penguin Undergraduate Research Award    
Jessica Medwid

Steve Jackson Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching Award    
Royal Srem Sai

Outstanding Student Leadership    
Robert Pitkofsky

Outstanding Candidacy Paper Award    
In Hae Noh

Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation    
Arzana Myderrizi

School of Criminal Justice

aledictorian    
Dean Hood

Eliot H. Lumbard Award for Excellence    
Beau Holladay

Steven DeBraccio ’10 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award     
Linda Balcarova

Graeme Newman Award for Entrepreneurial Criminal Justice     
Dean Hood
Samantha Hurley

Dr. Walter M. Francis Award for Excellence in Master’s Study    
Jenna Chorba
Kevin Doherty
Charles White III

Donald J. Newman Award for Outstanding Achievement    
Ryan Parker

Distinguished Teaching Professor James Acker/Dr. Walter Francis Award    
Ananya Sharma

Distinguished Professor David Bayley/Walter M. Francis Policing Award
Kelsey Demick

Honor Society Inductions

Pi Sigma Alpha

• Jason Aguayza-Palaguachi
• Aasam Ali
• Jacqueline Arena
• Aaron Argomido
• Carys Bartlett
• Kaitlyn Bechand
• Michael Becker
• Alexandrea Bondinello
• Anna Buckridge
• Lucienne Burns
• Vinny Carucci
• Thomas Chase
• Karly Cavanaugh
• Mateo Childs
• Hayley Clark
• Sydney Cooper
• Sofia Dahl
• Nathaniel De Leon
• Golden  Duru
• Dorothea Farrell
• Nic Feldman
• Richard Fischer
• Jenna Garufi
• Meredith Gilbert
• Demiana Hoch
• Max Hussey
• Makayla Hutchinson
• Alana Ikeler
• Joshua Johnson
• Jerem Joseph
• Giovanna Larca
• Karolina Maczuga
• Morgan Magwood
• Cristin Marte
• Elijah Mckible
• Isabella Mele
• Sean Metcalf
• Danielle Mueller
• Chris Nanas
• Kassandra Pangallo
• Trey Parkin
• Sam Peters
• Zara Pinar
• Wendy Rodriguez
• Amelia Ruggiero
• Plabon Saha
• Ethan San Pedro
• Shianna Smith
• Kayla-Jay Soriano
• Rebecca St Germain
• Ryan Szepek
• Zeinab Toure
• Prajeeta Vaidya
• Nazar Yevko
   

Pi Alpha Alpha

• Colin Beasor
• Matthew D’Angelo
• Sarah Finkelstein
• Jae Fish
• Razi Gillani
• Daiseon Jeon
• Hyeonmin Kim
• Robert Pitkofsky
• Theresa Quinones
• Jahyra Speights
• Cindy Treminio

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence

Oroboghene Obaro-Ogbovoh

Dean’s Leadership Council

• Aasam Ali
• Irene Aloyce
• Sodiq Ambali
• James Cuddy
• Jayden Fritz-Berrios
• Steven Jimenez
• Joshua Korn
• Jack Kozlowski
• Mac-Olivier Lalanne
• Halimah Lawson
• Akhenaton Lazarre
• Sara Mabee
• Max Dydynski
• Sean Metcalf
• Sean Millington
• Christopher Murunguzha
• Oroboghene Obaro-Ogbovoh
• Trevor Pettit
• Zara Pinar
• Robert Pitkofsky
• Anna Schumacher-Zaremsky
• Gracianna Serravillo
• Olivia Sheffer
• Zeinab Toure
• Annabelle Trowbridge
• Craig Waltz Jr
• Tenzin Yingsal

Scholarship Recipients

Anna Boochever De Beer Scholarship Fund         
Bryce Mack

Anne Gustin Rockefeller College Scholarship for Women in Law or Government  
Katelynn White

Arthur & Maria Kelly Smith Endowment Award                
Paris Lyons
Zaranur Pinar
James Raggio
Rija Zahra

Bruce L. Davis '73, '75 Fellowship             
Manuela Brunner Carrasco

Bruce L. Davis Criminal Justice Scholarship          
Emma Seils

Buchly Semester in Washington Fund     
Sean Millington

Casey Groves Memorial Fund     
Morgan Gunter
Abigale  Rhodes

Dean Frank J. Thompson Scholarship      
Favoured-Joy Oghenekome

Distinguished Service Professor David F. Andersen Scholarship   
Patrick Schumacher

Governor Mario Cuomo Scholarship Fund            
Xavier Lamar

Hans Toch Memorial Endowment in the School of Criminal Justice           
Samantha Nunes

J. Edgar Hoover Leadership Scholarship 
Lolita Alienicheva
Taysha Hohensheldt
Hayley Moskowitz
Dorothy Muller
Justin Rathje

Jean Ellis Poletti Memorial Internship Fund         
Rayhana Ami
Karly Cavanaugh
Margaret Driscoll
Watini Murekatete
James Raggio

John Giarrusso'87, '89 MPA Endowed Scholarship            
Daniel Weinstein

Joseph & Helen Heikoff Endowment       
Jerusha Chipingo
Razi Gillani
Robert Pitofsky
Taylor Sjursen

Letizia Tagliafierro '95 Endowed Scholarship       
Kathryn Taleporos

Lew Weiner '84 Scholarship        
Xia Hoffman
Esther Levine
Sean Metcalf
Andrea Trifunovic

The Libby Post '82 MA '84 Endowed Fund for Social Justice Policy             
Frannie  Pande

Louis P. and Dolores M. Augostini Fellowship      
Zong-Xian Huang
Connor  Moran

Lt. John Finn Memorial Scholarship Fund             
Jenna Chorba

Mary & Peter Brusoe Washington Semester Fund            
Demiana Hoch

Matthew Peter '06 MA '07 Endowed Scholarship              
Trevor Pettit

Michael J. Lynch & Elizabeth Cass Endowed Award          
Hilary Jackl

Professor Jose E. Cruz Scholarship for Global Understanding       
Kayla-Jay Soriano

Professor Michael J. Malbin Washington Semester Fund               
Alexix Halpin
Sarah Jamil
Jack Kozlowski
Jalen Rose
Chinoso Udoye

Professor Walter Goldstein Graduate Scholarship             
Ruth Ifebuzo

Public Administration & Policy Scholarship          
Sachin Mitra

Ralph H. & Dora Baker Scholarship          
Danielle Mueller
Zara Pinar
Mickey Zheng

The Relentless Bonilla Fazio Public Service Scholarship   
Fatmata Bah

Richard Bailey Memorial Scholarship Fund          
Jennifer Thiem

Richard Gentilcore '66 Criminal Justice Scholarship          
Li-Chen Chu

Rick C. Mathews Homeland Security Award        
Razi Gillani

Robert S. Herman Endowment   
Bryce Mack

Rockefeller College Advisory Board Scholarship Fund 
Korra O'Neill

Rockefeller College Dean's Fund for Excellence 
Jerusha Chipingo
Samuel  Eisenkraft
Alice Russo
Katelynn White

Rockefeller College Dean's Fund for Excellence, Undergraduate Research Award               
Guadalupe Cataldo
Larisa Ibralic
Ethan Maliszewski
Robert Mellon
Maddisen Nelson
Anna Richichi
Benjamin Sepello
Andrea  Trifunovic
Prajeeta Vaidya
Gaheul Yi

Rockefeller College General Scholarship Fund     
Jerusha Chipingo
Alice Russo

Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy Scholarship 
Sarah Finkelstein

Rockefeller College Scholarship 
Batzaya Byambasambuu
Jenna Chorba
Griffin Galvin
Jenifer Martinez-Peraza
Julia Ross-McGuire

Rockefeller College Steve Jackson Graduate Student Scholarship              
Patrick Schumacher

Rockefeller Diversity Scholarship Fund   
Abhay Randhawa
Sanaa Woodley

Rousseau Warner Family Scholarship Fund          
Leslie Fuentes-Mejia

School of Criminal Justice - Graduate Student Fellowship              
Kevin Doherty

Steven Gold Research Assistantship
Jacqueline Johnson
Mac-Olivier Lalanne
Kelly Osei

Swyer Family International Affairs Endowed Scholarship              
Andrew Fleckenstein
Erin McAliney

Walt Francis Fund in the School of Criminal Justice          
Hilary Martinez
Heather Miller
Dhiti Rajaram
Abigail Verhayden

Alumni Awards

Presented by: Dean Julie Novkov, John McCluskey, Luis Luna-Reyes, Brian Greenhill

Distinguished Service to the College

Gerard Citera, BA ’77

For over four decades, Jerry Citera has worked at the intersection of finance, law and policy representing banks, investment banks, securities exchanges and other financial institutions in complex legal, regulatory and compliance matters.   Most recently, Mr. Citera served as Senior Policy Adviser to the SEC Division of Trading and Markets where he advised on regulation of the securities trading markets.  Previously, he was Associate General Counsel at J.P. Morgan Chase, where he represented the Equity Trading Group, and Counsel in the Financial Institutions Group at Davis Polk & Wardwell.  Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy General Counsel at PaineWebber Securities, Regulatory Risk Manager for UBS Investment Bank, and Counsel at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering.

Mr. Citera is a proud graduate of the SUNY system.  He received his BA degree in Political Science from the University at Albany in 1977. He obtained his JD degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School in 1980.  Throughout his career, Mr. Citera has provided support and guidance for Rockefeller College, its dean, faculty and administrators, and most importantly its students.  He has served on the Rockefeller College Dean’s Advisory Board (past Co-Chair) since its founding in 2001.  He was one of the founders and has served on the Executive Committee for the Financial Market Regulation Program for over 20 years. And, he has been a guest lecturer at Rockefeller College, Massry School of Business, Buffalo Law School, and Albany Law School. 

Distinguished Alumna in Criminal Justice

Lynn Addington, MA ’99, PhD ’02

Lynn A. Addington is a professor in the Department of Justice, Law and Criminology at American University in Washington, DC. Her research focuses on violent victimization and includes responses by victims, police, and service providers. Her current work examines issues concerning older adults and fatal violence. Dr. Addington’s research also reflects her expertise with national crime data sources collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She has a consistent record of successfully obtaining external and internal funding to support her work. She is completing a multiyear project on violence against older women funded by the National Institute of Justice (US Department of Justice). Dr. Addington also is interested in ways to better connect research with practice and policy.

She frequently partners with local and national government agencies and non-profits to support their efforts to address criminal victimization. She is a past editor of Homicide Studies and continues to serve on its editorial board. In 2016, Dr. Addington received AU’s top award for faculty research. In addition to her PhD in criminal justice from the University at Albany, she has a JD from the University of Pennsylvania and a BS from Northwestern University.

Distinguished Alumna in Criminal Justice

Deborah Chard-Wierschem, MA ’89, MSW ’89, PhD ’98 

Deborah Chard-Wierschem has dual master’s degrees in social work and criminal justice and a doctorate in Criminology, all from the University at Albany, SUNY.  (In fact, she was the first student to test out UAlbany’s new dual MSW/CRJ program which started in the fall of 1986.) As a PhD student, she was part of the original research team for the School of Criminal Justice, Hindelang Research Center’s Rochester Youth Development Study, a renowned cohort study, funded by the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention which continues to be the most significant, longitudinal data source available to this day. Using data from this study, her dissertation provided a highly quantitative analysis of the effect of religiosity on juvenile delinquency and substance use.

Dr. Chard-Wierschem has over 30 years of civil service experience, spanning four major New York State (NYS) agencies: the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS); the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS); the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). For the first half of her state career, she worked in a research capacity, conducting studies and developing programs or policies covering a broad range of topics: incarceration, recidivism, female offenders, reentry planning, evaluating domestic violence arrest policies, fatality reviews, risk assessment, suicide prevention, training for law enforcement, mental health treatment and forensics. The other half of her state career has involved managing bureau operations for offenders with mental illness and other behavioral health needs. Most recently, she was selected for and graduated from the prestigious New York State Leadership Institute at Rockefeller College which is a non-residential program for high-level state managers.

Dr. Chard-Wierschem is currently the Director of the OPWDD Bureau of Intensive Treatment Services (BITS), the agency’s forensics-related bureau, which oversees activities related to justice-involvement for people with developmental disabilities. In her current role, she oversees statewide admissions and discharges to secure inpatient settings and compliance with criminal (and family) court orders to the Commissioner, for individuals found not competent to proceed or not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect. The bureau provides consultation to forensic liaisons across the state who help individuals with developmental disabilities navigate justice system involvement. These activities include jail or prison reentry planning and complex, cross-system, case consultation.

Prior to her work with the state, Dr. Chard-Wierschem worked for several non-profit agencies, including the Equinox shelter for homeless youth and the Schenectady ARC Day Treatment program. She worked in a research capacity at Policy Research Associates, a national leader in behavioral health and research, on a project examining the effect of insanity defense reforms in the U.S. Her community work has included volunteering for rape crisis, suicide prevention, raising awareness of domestic violence in faith communities, conflict mediation, nonviolent communication and using theatre and the arts with youth.  

In 2023, Dr. Chard-Wierschem returned to UAlbany as an Adjunct Professor, developing and teaching a new graduate course in forensic mental health, which uses the Sequential Intercept Model to examine behavioral health interventions across the justice system. She also teaches an undergraduate course for seniors who have criminal justice internships. Finally, in the fall of 2024, Dr. Chard-Wierschem received a Certificate in Building a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice Curriculum from the UAlbany Center for Professional Development.

Dr. Chard-Wierschem lives in Albany with her husband (whom she met during Fred Cohen’s Deprivation of Liberty class in 1988!). They have three daughters, one who graduated from law school and is currently working at the NYS Senate, one who is a graduate student at Hunter College and one who is a sophomore at SUNY Stonybrook. When she is not working, teaching or volunteering, Dr. Chard-Wierschem’s favorite activities are spending time with her two Shih Tzus and working on obtaining her 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwando.

Young Alumna in Criminal Justice

Ráchael Powers, PhD ’12  

Ráchael Powers is an associate professor in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. She received her BA in Psychology/Sociology from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (2005), her MA in Criminology from the University of Maryland (2008), and her PhD in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany (2012).

Her main research interests lie in the areas of violent victimization, with a focus on gender-based violence (IPV, sexual assault), hate crime, and bystander behavior. Much of her recent work centers on victim and bystander agency, what victims and bystanders do during and after victimization, including the use of the criminal justice system. Dr. Powers also has experience in evaluations of campus- and community-based violence prevention programs. Ráchael Powers's recent work has been published in Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Justice Quarterly, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, among other outlets. Her research has been funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, Office of Population Affairs, and Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Distinguished Alumna in Political Science

Cara Pace, BA ’93

Cara Pace joined United Hospice’s Executive Team in 2019 as Chief Operating Officer and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in June 2020. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors, Governance, Finance and Legislative/Regulatory Public Policy Committee for the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State (HPCANYS). She has extensive experience working in the nonprofit, healthcare and government sectors. Cara has served in key executive leadership roles in nonprofit organizations successfully managing large, complex and diverse portfolios. During her career, Cara has developed more than $100 million in new business revenue for the organizations she has served totaling more than $1 billion in contracts. To date, she has secured $1 million in grant revenue for United Hospice to expand end-of-life care to Hispanic/Latino and underserved communities.

Ms. Pace consistently receives high recognition from her partners in government and the private sector for her innovative and compassionate approach to serving communities in need. She is a well-respected leader in the Greater New York Metro Area nonprofit community and has strived to achieve the highest standards throughout her professional career. She received special recognition from City and State New York by being included in the 2024 Responsible 100.

Ms. Pace received her undergraduate degree from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany and earned her Master of Public Administration at the Marist College School of Business. She currently serves on the Rockefeller College Advisory Board and previously served on the Advisory Board for Marist College School of Business. In addition, Ms. Pace has also taught graduate courses at the Marist College School of Business.

Young Alumnus in Political Science

Alex Peña, BA ’10

Alex serves as Executive Vice President at the Partnership for New York City, a nonprofit organization founded by David Rockefeller that enables business leaders to collaborate with government and civic groups on the city's pressing economic and social challenges. With nearly fifteen years of experience spanning local, state, and national politics, senior federal government legal roles, and private practice at international law firms, he brings a robust background to this role.

Prior to the Partnership, Alex steered statewide voter protection in Pennsylvania for the 2024 Biden and Harris presidential campaigns. His background also includes service in the prior Administration, spending 2.5 years within the General Counsel's Office at the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he helped manage its legal affairs and 450+ attorneys. He currently sits on the national board of the Hispanic National Bar Association.

Distinguished Alumnus in Public Administration and Policy

Jermaine Privott, BA ’97, MPA ’04, MBA ’07 

Described as a student-centered leader with a passion for access, opportunity, and affordability in higher education, Dr. Privott specializes in student success, service-learning, and initiatives that drive retention and persistence through graduation. Dr. Privott is a highly resourceful, strategic, and results-driven higher education administrator with over 20 years of progressive experience in leading and transforming student affairs programs. Recognized throughout his career for being a visionary leader with the ability to develop, optimize, and implement educational opportunities to prepare students within a progressing society, Dr. Privott’s overall goal is to expand his career brand where his experience can be utilized to maximize student success, enhance campus life, and drive institutional excellence.

During his time as a student in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at the University at Albany, Dr. Privott was mentored by Dr. Carson Carr Jr. and encouraged by his work ethic and genuine concern for students.  An explorer by nature, Dr. Privott has traveled the world over. He has served in the United States Peace Corps in the Eastern Caribbean and led groups to serve in various countries in Africa as a member of Operation Crossroads Africa. He continues to support students in their goals of international travel, specifically for the purpose of serving and learning in the respective locations, as he has done, including in the Executive Mayor’s Office in Germiston, South Africa, where he completed a needs assessment for the district following the dismantling of a system of apartheid.  One of Dr. Privott’s most rewarding experiences abroad was during his Peace Corps experience, building a school that still stands and educates students in Anse La Raye, St. Lucia.

Education has been the focus of the vast majority of Dr. Privott’s work, including as past College Coordinator with the NYC Youth Action Programs & Homes, Inc.  Engaged in education, Dr. Privott brings the lessons learned in real life into his work with students.  He understands that education is not limited to the classroom and takes learning beyond the classroom intentionally to enhance students’ learning.  As a former Project Manager with the City of New York Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Dr. Privott has extensive knowledge of both State and Federal housing programs, and he has utilized this knowledge when working with local economic officials, property owners, and other community stakeholders, to address concerns related to housing, identifying ways to work together for the mutual benefit, including for the benefit of the community. Dr. Privott understands the importance of creating and nurturing working partnerships both inside and outside of organizations within and beyond education while ensuring that students understand the same. His subsequent professional and international community development experiences have been useful in his ongoing work with students to ensure that they understand such complex dynamics while aiming for a better world.

For over a decade, while serving as Executive Director of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program at Russell Sage College, Dr. Privott also served as co-Founder/Faculty Advisor of the Leaders In Service Program with his wife of over sixteen years, Dr. Deb Privott, also a graduate of the University at Albany, where they met.  Together they have three children. The family has a passion for lifelong learning through travel and study.

Dr. Privott holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, a Master’s of Public Administration (MPA), and a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA), all from the University at Albany, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the Esteves School of Education, Russell Sage College, where his research focused on persistence through graduation, including a special emphasis on the impact of HEOP administrators.

When asked about his most important achievement, Dr. Privott responded: "One of my most important achievements outside of my family is graduating from the University at Albany as a member of the EOP program."  Dr. Privott looks forward to continuing to bless students with similar opportunities that he has been abundantly blessed to receive.  The best is yet to come.

Young Alumnus is Public Administration and Policy

Joseph Popcun, MPA ’14

Joseph (Joe) Popcun has served as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) since November 2021.  In this role, he was elected to be Northeast Chair of the National Criminal Justice Association's Board of Directors, where he helps guide federal and state policies on criminal justice and public safety.  Prior to joining DCJS, he served as Director of Policy and Practice at the Rockefeller Institute of Government and Executive Director of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium.  At the same time, in partnership with the New York State Department of State, Joe was the Executive Director of the Council on Community Re-Entry and Reintegration.  

Between 2020 and 2021, he advised the New York State Governor's COVID-19 response and recovery operations.  Joe previously served as Assistant Secretary and Policy Advisor for Public Safety in the New York State Governor's Office, as well as Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning at DCJS.  He began his state service as an Excelsior Service Fellow in the Governor's Office in 2013.  He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.  He is a current Doctoral Candidate in Political Science at Rockefeller College and lives in the City of Albany with his wife, Meghan, and their three children.

Faculty/Staff Awards

Presented by: Dean Julie Novkov

Awardees

President's Excellence in Teaching Award
Caitlin Udas    
Jennifer Dodge    

President's Excellence in Academic Service Award 
Ellen Rubin    

President's Excellence in Professional Service Award
Renee Wallingford