SUNY Adirondack faculty and staff honored

QUEENSBURY, New York (April 29, 2025) — SUNY Adirondack is proud to congratulate members of its faculty and staff who received the Chancellor’s Award of Excellence and President’s Awards.

“These faculty and staff dedicate themselves to their assigned work and take part in multiple activities and initiatives that support our students, our campus and our community,” said Kristine D. Duffy, Ed.D., president of SUNY Adirondack. “We are proud to have them as part of our college community and congratulate them on these prestigious awards that recognize excellence in many forms.”

This year’s SUNY Chancellor’s Award of Excellence winners were:

• Patti-Jo Ferraro, an adjunct professor of Nursing for Maternal/Child Health, was honored with a Chancellor’s  Award for Excellence in Teaching — Adjunct Faculty. She is a graduate of SUNY Adirondack’s Nursing program who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from SUNY College of Technology and a master’s degree from Excelsior College.
   
• Kim Feeney London, assistant professor of Business and chair of the Business division, was awarded a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. Feeney London has extensive expertise in small-business operation and has successfully operated several small businesses in this area. She was instrumental in helping the college establish an Agricultural Business program, led the Cannabis grant initiative to increase the college’s offerings, and leveraged her professional network to connect students with community businesses and entities to enhance their learning. She has been involved in various community nonprofits, including Pitney Meadow Community Farm, Adirondack Junior Golf Tour and Saratoga Shredders.
  
  She earned a President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Junior Faculty, in 2020 and was named one of The Post-Star's 20 Under 40 that same year.
  
  She earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from Cornell University and a master's degree in Food Policy & Applied Nutrition, Economics from Tufts University. She is a graduate of the Cornell University, Lead NY, the Empire State Food and Agriculture Leadership Institute, Class of '19.
   
• Evan Sullivan, Ph.D., assistant professor of European History, received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. Sullivan is a historian whose research interests examine the intersections of disability, war and gender in the modern era. He recently published “Constructing Disability after the Great War: Blind Veterans in the Progressive Era,” and has published numerous chapters on disabled veterans and World War I, and recently published scholarly articles that have appeared in First World War Studies and The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. He is a frequent guest speaker in the local community to share his scholarly knowledge with others.
  
  He earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts from SUNY Adirondack, and bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in History from University at Albany.
   
• Wendy Johnston, associate professor of Political Science and chair of the Social Sciences division, was honored with a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Johnston is a self-proclaimed political nerd, with a research and teaching focus on generational politics, women in politics, civic engagement and discourse. She is the SUNY Adirondack delegate to the Faculty Council of Community Colleges and is chair of the Faculty Council Governance Committee.
  
  She is a recipient of the SUNY Adirondack President's Award for Excellence in Teaching Junior Faculty (2011), American Political Science Association Recognition of Teaching Excellence (2011) and the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service (2015). Johnston served as Faculty Fellow at the Washington Center, Washington, D.C., in January 2010; and a Lumen Circles Faculty Fellow in fall and spring of 2021 and fall of 2022.
  
  She earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts and Humanities from SUNY Adirondack, a bachelor’s degree in English with Distinction from The College of St. Joseph and a master’s degree in Political Science from the University at Albany.
   
• Holly Irion, associate professor of Counseling, is recipient of a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Irion is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has worked in the field of mental health in community and educational settings since 2010. Holly has led the college’s work with the JED Foundation, an intensive four-year initiative aimed at protecting student mental health and preventing suicide. She also leads the college’s annual, Out of the Darkness walk to raise funds for the prevention of suicide.
  
  In 2022, she was honored as a recipient of The Post-Star's 20 under 40 award for her work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Additionally, Irion completed the SUNY Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Teaching and Learning Certificate Program with distinction. She is vice chair for Warren County Community Services Board, and has served since 2014.
  
  Irion earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Gender and Sexuality Studies from St. Lawrence University and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from University at Albany.
   
• Kim Hall, principal account clerk, earned a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. She is being recognized for her many years of dedication to quality service to the college and her willingness to take on new projects when needed. Hall worked at Warren County Tourism before coming to SUNY Adirondack as an account clerk in 2003. Hall earned an associate degree in Business Administration from SUNY Adirondack.  
   

Duffy also recognizes faculty and staff with annual awards, which this year include:

• This year’s President’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Staff Service is Laura Scott, noncredit program support specialist in the Office of Continuing Education. Laura is commended by her peers for her creative and innovative approach to improving services to students and the community. Before coming to SUNY Adirondack Continuing Education in 2017, she worked at SUNY Plattsburgh and Binghamton University.
  
  She earned a bachelor's degree in Chinese Studies from Binghamton University and master’s degrees in Student Affairs & Higher Education from SUNY Plattsburgh and in Information Science from University at Albany.
   
• Rhonda Savage, office specialist in Nursing, earned the President’s Award for Excellence in Support and Confidential Staff Service. Rhonda creates a strong sense of community in the health sciences division by being a friendly, calming presence for students and faculty alike. Rhonda is widely appreciated by all who work with her. Savage's background is in accounting and purchasing for the New York State Assembly. She spent several years working for Saratoga County DSS. She holds a certificate in Accounting.
• Donna Hayles, associate professor of English, was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence — Junior Faculty. She is frequently praised by her students as adeptly challenging them to achieve in a supportive, respectful classroom environment.  Hayles has been teaching for more than 20 years in the United States and Jamaica. Her area of study is Caribbean and African American literature, and her area of specialization is on the writings of Caribbean-American immigrant writers.
  
  She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from UWI Mona in Jamaica, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in English from University at Albany.
   
• Ali Stidd, senior Human Resources administrator, was awarded the President's Award for Excellence in Distinguished Service. Stidd has 15 years of experience in the field of Human Resources, with several years in higher education. At SUNY Adirondack, she has served on various committees including Party Planning Events (Take the Turf, Holiday Party, Fun at Work Day), Administrative Awards and Community Day.
  
  She has been instrumental in developing new employee orientation and onboarding, developed the college's first employee portal, and served on various committees including Party Planning Events (Take the Turf, Holiday Party, Fun at Work Day), Administrative Awards and Community Day.
  
  Stidd earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management with a minor in Psychology from Siena College.