Honoring Impact: St. John’s LEAD Awards Celebrate Educators Shaping Communities

Friends of the St. John’s University community joined together on April 16 for the 15th Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner (LEAD), which celebrates distinguished alumni and faculty from The School of Education (SOE).

“We’re always thrilled to have the LEAD event where we can honor our alumni, faculty, and other friends of The School of Education,” said James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., Dean, The School of Education. “Just three years ago, we had 15 people at the LEAD event. Tonight, we have 120 guests, so we’re really pleased to have everyone here.”

This year’s dinner commemorated the careers of five accomplished SOE alumni, as well as four SOE faculty members, including Xiaojun (June) Chen, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, St. John’s University.

“It is incredibly humbling to be recognized alongside these outstanding SOE faculty and alumni,” Dr. Chen explained. “It’s amazing to see that the work we do is making an impact with our students and out in the community. New York City is such a vibrant place, so the fact that we can influence so many people is remarkable.”

Leaders in Education honoree Brenda Almendarez-De Bello ’06M.S.Ed., ’19Ed.D. is a first-generation college graduate who enrolled in the School through the New York City Teaching Fellows Math Immersion Program after working in the corporate world for five years.

“I do what I do because I love what I do, and this honor validates all the effort I’ve put into my own personal growth and education,” said the Principal of Tamarac Elementary School in Holtsville, NY. “My St. John’s professors kept encouraging me to achieve my goals throughout the years. I am where I am because of what The School of Education did for me.”

Her gratitude for the support and encouragement she received at St. John’s was a sentiment shared by many of the evening’s honorees. “It’s a tremendous honor and it really gives you an appreciation for the blessing of being an educator,” said honoree Darius Penikas ’08M.S.Ed., ’19Ed.D., Principal of Archbishop Molloy High School.

Molloy is among St. John’s top feeder schools for first-year students, a reflection not only of its strong academic preparation, but also of the shared Catholic values and mission that naturally connect the two institutions. “Archbishop Molloy High School is a Marist school, where evangelization is central to everything we do,” Dr. Penikas explained. “I see that same spirit at St. John’s through its Vincentian mission—it’s a powerful charism that really grounds you. At both institutions, everything flows from a strong Catholic identity that shapes how you live, work, and serve others.”

Fellow honoree Christopher E. Fisher, Psy.D. ’14M.S.Ed., a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Director of Behavioral Health at Zucker Hillside Hospital, credited St. John’s with shaping his approach to supporting others through challenging moments. “At St. John’s, I learned the importance of helping people recognize their own strengths—especially in difficult moments—and guiding them back to those strengths so they can move forward,” he said. “It’s a lesson that has stayed with me throughout my career.”

LEAD Honorees

• Brenda Almendarez-De Bello ’06M.S.Ed., ’19Ed.D., Principal, Tamarac Elementary School

• Alicia Calabrese ’94SJC, Principal, Floral Park Memorial High School

• Christopher E. Fisher, Psy.D. ’14M.S.Ed., Licensed Clinical Psychologist and  Director, Behavioral Health Zucker Hillside Hospital

• Darius Penikas ’08M.S.Ed., ’19Ed.D., Principal, Archbishop Molloy High School

• Victor Visconti ’68ED, Retired Educator

Outstanding Faculty Honoree Leaders

• Xiaojun (June) Chen, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, St. John’s University

• Seokhee Cho, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership, St. John’s University

• Ming-hui Li, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Department of Counselor Education, St. John’s University

• Olivia G. Stewart, Ph.D.,Associate Professor, Department of Education Specialties, St. John’s University