13th Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner Embraced the Spirit of Belonging!

April 16, 2024

The School of Education was proud to hold its Thirteenth Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 11, 2024 on the Queen's Campus.

The five award recipients were Christopher Cuccia '97CBA, '01MBA, '07PD, '09Ed.D., Associate Provost for Academic and Graduate Affairs at Seton Hall University; Casey Lomangino '14Ed, '16GEd, '23Ed.D.Assistant Principal at Carrie P. Weber Middle School, Port Washington, NY; Sunita Manjrekar '98Ged, Deputy Commissioner for Public Assistance and Employment Services Nassau County (NY) Department of Social Services; Br. David Anthony Migliorino, O.S.F. '79Ged, Principal, St. Anthony's High School, South Huntington, NY; and Jorge Santos '10CPS, '12G, '18Ged, Author, Soy Bella Teacher, Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School, Queens, NY.

Joseph Sciame, '71Ed, Retired Vice President of the Office of Community Relations, was the Master of Ceremonies. Anna Maria Montuori '68Ed, '70GEd, '82PD, gave the welcome. Aneesh Mathew, C.M. '23Ed.D. gave the invocation, and James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Education, gave the closing remarks.

The support for the honorees from their family and friends was overwhelming. The energy in the room captured the pride, connectedness, and belonging among the alumni and showed their pride in the St. John's University School of Education. They are all eager to pay it forward, supporting the next generation of students who will also receive an education that elevates. The event had approximately 100 people in attendance.

“Events like our LEAD Dinner remind us every year why we do this job,” said James Wolfinger. “St. John’s prepares students to make real change in the world, to make our communities better places to live and learn. I am amazed at the work our alumni do and can’t wait to see who we honor next year.”

The Awards Dinner epitomizes the University's Core Values of Truth, Love, Respect, Opportunity, Excellence and Service.

See PROGRAM