Suffolk County Community College: SUNY Suffolk Wins Two Of Three Community College Statewide Teaching And Technology ...

Press release from Suffolk County Community College:

4/8/2021.

For Immediate ReleaseApril 8, 2021

Two of the six award recipients of the State University of New York’s (SUNY) Faculty
Advisory Council on Teaching and Technology (FACT2) Awards are outstanding educators from Suffolk County Community College, SUNY recently
announced. Suffolk captured two of the three awards given to community colleges statewide.

Associate Professor of Chemistry Yu Zhang, Ph.D. and Camille Karlson, Ph.D., college
director for the Center for Innovative Pedagogy were two of six cited from among the
SUNY system’s 64 colleges and universities to recognize individuals for consistent
noteworthy achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence.

Professor Zhang, who began teaching at Suffolk in 2014, received the award for Excellence
in Community College Instruction and Karlson for Excellence in Administrative Leadership
at a Community College.

“Doctors Zhang and Karlson have not only honored themselves with these awards but
also Suffolk County Community College,” said Suffolk County Community College Interim
President Louis Petrizzo. “We are so proud of their achievements and the fact that
Suffolk won two of the three community college awards issued,” he said.

Zhang who was recognized for “engaging innovative uses of technology in the teaching
and learning process,” realized online courses can be challenging and set up teleconferences
with students to speak to them individually on a regular basis and to provide them
with suggestions on the course assignments and get them to stay motivated and organized.
In addition, Zhang said he created a number of video tutorials to help his students
fully grasp the chemistry concepts being taught.

“I am glad that I can utilize my knowledge, skills and experience to assist my students
in getting through the journey of chemistry learning,” Zhang said. “I help guide them
to where they would like to be in the future, so that eventually they may become influential
figures in our community.”

“This award would not have been possible without the help of many dedicated people,”
said Professor Zhang. “I express my deepest appreciation to my department chair, Professor
Theodore Koukounas for offering me many opportunities to explore new tools and emerging
technologies. I am particularly indebted to Dr. Jing-Yi Chin who provides me with
the guidance to excel professionally and I would like to thank Ms. Janet Tierney who
gives me invaluable assistance on my work. Finally, I appreciate all the support from
the department, the campus and the entire college community.”

“Suffolk County Community College provides our STEM students with a broad body of
knowledge as well as the necessary laboratory techniques, so they are prepared for
their future careers. In addition, the College offers affordable tuition fees, flexible
class schedules and a small-classroom environment, so students can get all the support
they need. It isn’t just education; it’s an opportunity,” Zhang said. Professor Zhang
earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Jilin University, China in 2007 and Ph.D. in Chemistry
from Stony Brook University in 2012.

Dr. Camille Karlson was cited for, among others, demonstrating “significant and positive
leadership by promoting innovation in programmatic offerings, related academic endeavors,
and investments that inspire culture change.”

“It was and continues to be a true privilege to work with administration, faculty,
and the Center for Innovative Pedagogy team in providing professional development
for the delivery of effective distance education,” said Karlson who came to Suffolk
County Community College in 2018 and has previously been recognized by SUNY as an
Open SUNY Online Teaching Community Leader and as a system-wide institutional readiness
implementation facilitator. “Throughout, it is evident student-centeredness is at
the heart of the mission of the college. In these uncertain times, and with every
higher education institution pivoting to provide learning to their students, this
recognition of the collaborative efforts on behalf of students at Suffolk is highly
rewarding,” Karlson said.

“The recognition of Drs. Karlson and Zhang is edifying to everyone at Suffolk County
Community College,” added Dr. Paul Beaudin, vice president for academic and student
affair, “as they represent our corporate commitment to student success in all learning
modalities. Certainly, the pandemic created a much-needed shift in instruction, but
the College had already begun intensive faculty training and support for asynchronous
learning and that continues to allow us to provide vibrant courses and academic programs
both within and beyond the county,” Beaudin said.

In years past, awardees participated in an awards ceremony at the annual Conference
on Instruction and Technology (CIT). For the safety of all, the CIT conference will
be virtual this year.

Last revised: 4/8/2021. The Director of Communications

This press release was produced by Suffolk County Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.