LATEST CAYUGA NEWS

SUNY has recognized five Cayuga Community College faculty and staff members for their outstanding career contributions to Cayuga and its students by honoring them with the prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.

The Chancellor’s Award recognizes SUNY faculty and staff for their dedication and achievements while also highlighting SUNY’s commitment to exceptional classroom instruction, academic curiosity and initiative, and community support. Awards are annually issued in Adjunct Teaching, Faculty Service, Librarianship, Professional and Classified Service, Scholarship and Creative Activities, and Teaching.

This year’s recipients from Cayuga are Professor & Director for the Centers of Student Engagement and Academic Advisement Dr. Nicole Adsitt, Excellence in Faculty Service; Adjunct Assistant Professor Jennifer Gandee, Excellence in Adjunct Teaching; Professor Dawn Matijas-Czolowski, Excellence in Teaching; Assistant Director of Student Financial Services MaryBrooke Oropallo, Excellence in Professional Service; and Senior Typist Meggan Rossman, Excellence in Classified Service.

“This year’s recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence represent the best of Cayuga Community College. They are outstanding in their respective positions at Cayuga, demonstrate a strong commitment to the success of our students, and recognize the importance of our larger role in the community,” said Cayuga President Dr. Brian Durant. “On behalf of everyone at Cayuga Community College, I applaud our recipients for this well-deserved recognition of their exceptional work.”

Cayuga will recognize the recipients at the College’s 2026 Commencement on Wednesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. at Spartan Hall on the Auburn Campus.

Excellence in Faculty Service

Nicole Z. Adsitt, Ph.D. — Professor & Director for the Centers of Student Engagement and Academic Advisement

Professor Adsitt has been a leader at Cayuga for more than two decades, starting as the Coordinator of the Developmental Studies Program before leading the Centers for Student Engagement and Academic Advisement, which help students achieve their educational goals.

Professor Adsitt has dedicated her time at Cayuga to ensuring students’ academic readiness, including launching specific services that support students’ degree completion. She also developed a holistic advising model that created a blueprint for the College's successful use of academic coaches to support students' achievement and retention.

Her work has included the development of Cayuga’s Foundations for College Success curriculum, serving a key role on the President’s Council, and as a Chair of a Steering Committee during the College’s Middle States reaccreditation process. She also oversees Cayuga’s advisement services, including career and transfer services, both of which are influential areas as students prepare for their next step after graduating.

Professor Adsitt earned her doctorate, a Certificate of Advanced Study, and a Master of Science all from Syracuse University, and a Bachelor of Science from Nazareth College.

Excellence in Adjunct Teaching

Jennifer Gandee — Adjunct Assistant Professor

For more than 20 years, Jennifer has dedicated herself to art, education, and encouraging her students to pursue their own creative instincts.

Jennifer started teaching at Cayuga in 1999, and has also taught at Le Moyne College and Syracuse University while continuing her own successful career as an artist. As an educator, Jennifer is known for her enthusiastic support for her students, her expertise in diverse artistic fields, and her encouragement of her students to find ways to give back to the community. In particular, her support for the Empty Bowls initiative has helped combat food insecurity in Cayuga County.

Jennifer has also enjoyed an extensive artistic career, with her work being exhibited at locations across the Northeast. She owns her own gallery, is a board member at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, and has twice been named Cayuga’s Visiting Artist.

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Material Studies from Syracuse University and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art/Ceramics from West Virginia University.

Excellence in Teaching

Dawn Matijas-Czolowski — Professor of Business

Professor Matijas-Czolowski ‘95 has led accounting and business courses at Cayuga for more than 25 years, helping students to develop the skills and knowledge they need for future careers.

Professor Matijas-Czolowski earned an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting from Cayuga in 1995, then returned to her alma mater as an instructor in 2000 before being promoted to a Professor in 2012. In her instruction, she focuses on helping students develop practical skills with real-world examples, including having students apply course lessons to connect with businesses and area non-profits.

Her leadership and work with students go beyond the classroom. She has organized visits to baccalaureate institutions for students who are interested in transferring and has served as a mentor in the Cayuga Advantage program since 2007. She helps lead the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program at Cayuga, known locally as the Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CA$H) program, which helps county residents prepare and file their income tax returns. Since 2004, she has served as a board member for the Faculty Student Association (FSA) and also serves on the FSA Finance Committee.

After earning her degree from Cayuga, Professor Matijas-Czolowski earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from SUNY Oswego in 2000, and later earned a Master of Science in Accountancy from SUNY Institute of Technology.

Excellence in Professional Service

MaryBrooke Oropallo — Assistant Director of Student Financial Services

For 14 years at Cayuga, MaryBrooke has played key roles in student support services, from helping program student activities to administering state and federal financial aid programs.

MaryBrooke served as the Assistant to the Director of Student Activities and an Education Support Professional in the Office of Student Financial Services before becoming an Assistant Director in 2022. She regularly provides financial aid counseling to students and families, and is responsible for determining eligibility and certification for all state financial aid programs.

MaryBrooke has always been an ardent advocate for students, working across state and federal aid programs to ensure students receive the financial assistance they deserve. Her experience communicating with students and their families, and her own expertise in financial aid, led her to conduct financial aid workshops and presentations to illustrate the sources of support available to Cayuga students.

She earned her Master of Arts in Environmental Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Textile Design from Syracuse University.

Excellence in Classified Service

Meggan Rossman — Senior Typist

Meggan joined Cayuga in 2022, and has been an invaluable member of the team at the Learning Commons-Academic Support (LCAS), providing assistance to students, tutors and faculty.

In her role at the LCAS, Meggan has actively sought new responsibilities and opportunities to help students, staff and faculty. She provides detailed support each academic year in the recruitment of student-tutors, enhances data collection, and helps organize LCAS events.

She has also helped create materials to promote LCAS services and events, and works with faculty to help them understand the LCAS’ testing services. As a proctor, she facilitates testing at the LCAS and helps students deal with stress. She also handles a majority of the communication needs for the LCAS, swiftly responding to those who are contacting her with questions about available services.

Meggan earned her associate's degree in Business Management from Bryant-Stratton College.