LS NEWS | May 24, 2023
Following the successful conclusion of another academic year and celebration of many Global Liberal Studies students, including our graduating class of 2023, Liberal Studies congratulates the faculty and staff members who were awarded for their dedication and excellence throughout the 2022-2023 academic year! Several community members were recognized both by Liberal Studies and by NYU for teaching, scholarship and creative production, student mentoring and service, and diversity and inclusion, among other noteworthy contributions and achievements.
Liberal Studies professors were recognized for outstanding contributions to the classroom. The Liberal Studies Distinguished Teaching Award was given to Regina Gramer and the Jose Vasquez Teaching Excellence Award was given to Peter Valenti. In addition, Nikolay Kukushkin, Nancy Reale, and Giovanni Braico received Liberal Studies Awards for Teaching Excellence. The Gabriela Dragnea Horvath Teaching Excellence Award for Global Site Faculty was awarded to Sydney Boyd (DC), Federica Anichini (Florence), and Janet Dickinson (London).
Karen Karbiener and Martin Reichert were the recipients of this year's Student Mentor Award, and Chris Packard received the Outstanding Club Advisor Award. The Outstanding Scholarly Achievement Award was given to Cristina Dragomir and the related Outstanding Creative Achievement Award was given to Stephen Policoff.
Liberal Studies also recognized the many administrators who make LS a great place to learn and work every day. Specifically, Liberal Studies granted Student Affairs Administrator Sophia Rizzolo and Associate Director for Faculty and Academic Affairs Eve Mayer with the Outstanding Staff Award. The Building Bridges Staff Award recognized Administrative Aide Gabriella Must and Assistant Director of Global Student Affairs Nicole Kozlowski.
Damola Osinulu was recognized by both Liberal Studies and an NYU-wide award this year! Liberal Studies proudly granted Osinulu the Outstanding Faculty Service Award. In addition, NYU's Center for Multicultural Education and Programs (CMEP) also recognized Osinulu with a University-wide Nia Award, which recognizes dedication to inclusion, belonging, and social justice. Osinulu received the Nia: Teaching for Social Change Faculty Award for celebrating individual, cultural, and global differences in his teaching; considering the needs of various backgrounds, learning modalities, and abilities; and empowering his students to challenge the status quo.
Additionally, several Liberal Studies administrators and staff were recognized by NYU-wide awards. Assistant Director of Advising & Academic Success Joanna Chin received the Arts & Science Excellence Award. Administrative Aide Isabella Rivera received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrator & Staff Award from the NYU Administrative Management Council and the Office of Global Inclusion for promoting a collaborative and supportive work environment and for her commitment to ensuring that everyone is given an equitable opportunity to thrive professionally and personally. Associate Director of Advising & Student Affairs Leah Guarino received the Todd M. Smith and Bob Butler Staff Dedication Lavender Award, and Associate Dean of Students Jonathan White received the OGS International Student Solidarity Award for NYU Professionals.
Liberal Studies is so proud of our dedicated community and of the work these award recipients do to make NYU and the world a better place. Congratulations to all!