Clinton Recognized for its Positive Impact on Students

Friday, March 23, 2007

Plattsburgh, New York.... Clinton Community College has received notification that the Office of Student Affairs is the recipient of an award for the Outstanding Student Affairs Programs of the State University of New York from the Office of University Life at SUNY System Administration.

The nominations for awards were open to every SUNY campus for programs that have made a positive impact on students and their development. The categories included retention, leadership development, health and wellness and civic engagement.

In the fall, a selection committee comprised of representatives from the campuses, and System Administration reviewed the nominations and made award selections. Of the eleven nominations submitted for the community colleges, three were selected for special recognition and the awards will be presented at the Council of Community College Chief Student Affairs Officers' Conference to be held in Canandaigua in June.

Eight state-operated campuses were also selected for the special recognition. Those awards were presented at the Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers Conference held in Saratoga Springs in December.

Clinton received their award in the category of Topics in College Success: Residence Hall Living and Academic Success.

Dr. Stephen St. Onge, Clinton Community College's Vice President for Student Services, was thrilled to hear about the award. "For us to receive statewide recognition for our Student Affairs program is a great opportunity to share the success of our student-centered team with others." St. Onge also noted that the "support we offer students truly distinguishes our college from others. This award shows that our actions are concurrent with our mission that students come first."

The Clinton team responsible for developing the program is Jennifer Carlo, Director of Student Development for the Faculty Student Association (FSA), Scott Burnam, Academic Services Specialist, and Lisa Kelley, Learning Skills Coordinator and member of the Faculty. Kelley, upon learning of the award responded, "It is an honor for me to be part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking team."

The group developed the Topics in College Success to help strengthen the first semester experience of residence hall students. They did this by providing a one-credit course that was designed to maximize the student's ability to be successful through interaction, support and a participative learning environment. "This course marked a significant milestone for Clinton, in that it was the first time that the College and FSA successfully integrated resident students' social and academic needs in a sustained, intentional way," explained Scott Burnam.

Carlo said, "Co-presenting this course was an incredibly rewarding experience for all concerned. For the past few years we have been trying to integrate academic pursuits and community living in our residence halls, and this program was an important nexus of the two. It all adds to the living-learning environment we are creating for our students."

To learn more about this award-winning program, contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Services (518) 562-4120. To learn more about Clinton Community College go to www.clinton.edu or call Admissions at (518) 562-4170.