The College of Human Ecology celebrated a combined 390 years of staff service at its annual Staff Recognition Event on Oct. 11.

“Events like these are an important part of building community and connection, and I’m so glad to take opportunities like these to come together and celebrate the contributions of our staff,” Rachel Dunifon, the Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean or College of Human Ecology, told staff attending the event in-person and virtually.

“I strongly believe that the College of Human Ecology is the best place to work and a large reason for that is our dedicated and caring staff,” she said. “Your hard work, the way you support and inspire our growth, your honest input and feedback, your creative ideas… all of these are crucial for our faculty and students and our impact in the world.”

Deans and directors recognized staff members on their respective teams who have reached milestone anniversaries. Following certificates being awarded to staff for years of service, Dunifon shifted to recognizing the exceptional contributions of five staff members nominated for the annual Staff Recognition Award:

• Tebbie Clift – Nutritional and Health Program Coordinator, Cornell Cooperative Extension NYC
• Kris Carlison – Extension Support Specialist, Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research
• Vicki Sill- Financial Administrator, Department of Human Centered Design
• Deb Surine – Program Assistant, CHE Alumni Affairs and Development
• Ksenia Lang – Administrative Assistant, Department of Psychology

After detailing each nominee’s accomplishments, milestones and contributions to the College, Dunifon announced the winner of 2022’s Staff Recognition Award: Deb Surine.

“Deb’s keen insight into the College and her robust network of relationships have enabled her to be a connector between staff, faculty, students and alumni,” Dunifon said. “And our alumni truly love her. Deb provides unparalleled customer service and goes to great lengths to accommodate their requests, like changing her schedule last-minute to greet surprise visitors to MVR Hall, finding the answers to historical questions, and patiently providing alumni with technical support.”

“Deb’s dedication is made clear through her steadfast commitment to Human Ecology—its mission, students, faculty, staff, and alumni—and her support of major events like the MVR Hall Rededication, CFC Fashion show, and many others,” Dunifon said. “Deb is skilled, supportive and always upbeat, ready to take on new opportunities and challenges.”

Before concluding the event, Dunifon revealed that two CHE staff had been selected for the prestigious Cornell campus-wide annual employee award.  Since 2011, Cornell has solicited nominations for campus-wide annual employee awards.  In 2018 these awards were renamed the President's Awards for Employee Excellence, and they were updated with redefined categories and criteria to expand the program's scope to all staff and faculty in all roles, while highlighting the cultural elements that make working at Cornell so special.

Kristie Mahoney, senior director of strategic initiatives and academic integration, was selected for the Culture of Sustainability award, which recognizes an employee who has exemplified the sustainability values of Cornell, made notable contributions to the sustainable development and social equity of the Cornell campus or displayed outstanding partnership for advancing sustainability among the Cornell community.

“Kristie led the College through many renovations and the construction of the Human Ecology Building (HEB),” Dunifon said. “Through all of this, she prioritized sustainable and accessible design principles; the HEB was the first LEED platinum building on campus, our parking garage was the first US University Garage to receive a Green Garage certification, and the MVR renovation as certified LEED gold. Additionally, MVR was the first building on campus to receive LEED certification for inclusive design, which supports the occupants’ physical and mental well-being.”

Marianne Arcangeli, graduate field assistant in psychology, was selected for the Culture of Belonging Award, which recognizes an employee who goes beyond expectations to create and support an open, inclusive, welcoming, and equitable workplace environment for all members of the Cornell community. This person speaks up as an ally when they see unfair treatment and puts diversity and inclusion principles into practice in their everyday work—regardless of the work they do. 

“Marianne has taken the lead in bringing together faculty, staff and students in the new psychology department, working to ensure a sense of belonging in a department that spans two colleges, two graduate fields and two different locations,” Dunifon said. “She has high personal standards, is open to new ideas, and consistently seeks to learn more about diversity, inclusion and belonging, which she infuses into her role.”

Below are milestone anniversaries of CHE staff recognized at the event:

Five Years:

• Meili Chen – Program, Extension Aide, CHE NYC Extension
• Vincent Chicone – Digital Design and Fabrication Shop Technician  
• Esther Kim – Research Aide, Bronfenbrenner Center
• Lucas Landaeta – Classroom Technology Specialist
• Mengxue Qu – Program/Extension Aide, CHE NYC Extension
• Gretchen Strong – Assistant to the Chair, Human Centered Design 

Ten Years:

• Zoila D’Pinzon – Program/Extension Aide, CHE NYC Extension
• Liam Geva – Extension Support Specialist, CHE NYC Extension
• Norma Gunn – Administrative Assistant, Administration
• Nelida Reyes-Beckles – Program/Extension Aide, CHE NYC Extension

Twenty Years:

• Richard Hine – System Administrator
• Nidia Vasquez – Program/Extension Aide, CHE NYC Extension

Twenty-five Years:

• Andres Arroyo – Research Aide, Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research
• Sandra Guzman – Program/Extension Aide, CHE NYC Extension
• Verdene Lee – Senior Associate Director, Admissions, Student and Career Development
• Eugene Saville – Extension Support Specialist, Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research

Thirty Years:

• Michelle Lyon – Director of Budget and Finance  
• Jean Miller – Administrative Assistant, Registrar’s Office

Thirty-five Years:

• Tracey Thompson – Registrar