The Next Generation of Great Educators and Counselors Honored at the annual School of Education Awards Ceremony!

The School of Education (SOE) at St. John’s University once again honored some of its best and brightest graduating students at the annual SOE Awards Ceremony on May 1 inside Taffner Field House on the Queens, NY, campus. 

“This ceremony is more than a collection of awards—it is a tribute to the journey each of you has taken,” said Katherine Czado Aquino, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Innovation and Partnership, The School of Education, and Associate Professor, Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership, in her welcome. “You’ve persevered through challenging coursework; dedicated countless hours to field experiences, capstone projects, and service learning; and most importantly, you’ve committed yourselves to a profession that requires compassion, adaptability, and resilience.”

This year, SOE celebrated the achievements of undergraduate and graduate students who will pursue incredibly diverse paths. 

“Some of you may become classroom teachers, school counselors, administrators, researchers, policymakers, or advocates,” Dr. Aquino explained. “Some of you may find yourselves leading community-based programs, writing curriculum, or shaping education reform. What unites us all is the belief that education has the power to build bridges, open doors, and break down barriers.”

Representing the next generation of educators was student speaker Saidy López, a native of Long Island, NY, who will earn her bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education later this month. In her address, Saidy explained the unique circumstances that brought her to St. John’s.

“My previous institution suddenly closed its doors, and I found myself lost and unsure of what the future held,” she said. “Stepping into the undergraduate office at St. John’s for the first time, I immediately felt a sense of peace. I felt like I had found a new home. The University welcomed me with warmth, care, and a deep sense of belonging. It was here that I started to rebuild not just my academic path but my purpose and identity as an educator.”

She continued, “Completing my education at St. John’s has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. I will forever be thankful to The School of Education for embracing me as part of this beautiful family. Within these walls, I found strength, hope, and a renewed vision for the future.”

Following Saidy’s heartfelt address, awards were presented to students from four departments within SOE: Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership, Department of Counselor Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and Department of Education Specialties. There were a total of twenty-three awards distributed as follows:

Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership Awards

• Christen Pugliese, recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Studies Award: Master of Science in School Building Leadership.
• Ariana Santo, recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Studies Award: Advanced Certification in School Building Leadership.
• Klodiana Ujka, recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Studies Award: Advanced Certification in School District Leadership.
• Anne-Marie Baumis, recipient of the University Partnership Award.
• Frank LaSala, recipient of the St. Louise de Marillac Award, in honor of St. Lousie de Marillac and Dr. Mary Jane Krebbs.

Department of Counselor Education Awards

• Danielle Diaz, recipient of the Academic Excellence in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Award.
• Kathy Chang, recipient of the Academic Excellence in School Counseling Award.
• Ashley Walsh, recipient of the Student Engagement in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Award.
• Carly Amato, recipient of the Student Engagement in School Counseling Award.

Department of Curriculum and Instruction Awards

• Jacqueline Patricia Hansen, recipient of the John Newman Undergraduate Childhood Education Award.
• Ryan Elizabeth Ripepi, recipient of the S John Newman Undergraduate Adolescent Education Award.
• Linda Marie Melendez, recipient of the Undergraduate Service Award.
• Bernadette Joan Cucinella, recipient of the St. John Newman Graduate Childhood Education Award.
• Karen Anne Hoffman, recipient of the John Newman Graduate Adolescent Education Award.
• Aidan Christopher McBrien, recipient of the Graduate Service Award.
• AnneMarie Dull and Maxine Cameron, recipients of the Outstanding Dissertation Award.

Department of Education Specialties Awards

• Audrey Hom, recipient of the Special Education Service Award.
• Brooke Munoz, recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Diverse and Inclusive Teaching Award.
• Emma Pisciotti, recipient of the Exceptional Innovative Practices for Family and Community Engagement Award.
• Jessica James, recipient of the Distinguished Evidence-Based Teaching of Students with Disabilities Award.

Literacy Awards

• Daleene Jenzen, recipient of the John Beach Award- Outstanding Award for the Ph.D. in Literacy Program.
• Emma B. Blennau, recipient of the Literacy Birth-6 Master's Degree Award.
• Erin M. Mardenborough, recipient of the Literacy 5-12 Master's Degree Award.
• Adrianna Iliadis, recipient of the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Master's Degree Award.
• Sabrina Biaggi, recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award for the TESOL Advanced Certificate.
• Cynthia Gutierrez, recipient of the TESOL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award.
• Britney Sirota, recipient of the TESOL Service Award.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Aquino acknowledged the guests of the soon-to-be-graduates in attendance and thanked them for their assistance throughout the years. “To our families, friends, and partners—thank you for being here today and for the unwavering support you give these incredible individuals,” she said. “Behind every student success story is a circle of encouragement, belief, and love, and your presence tonight is a powerful reminder of the village it takes to nurture greatness.”