The Stony Brook University Career Center honored students making a difference at its annual Student Employee, Intern and Community Service Awards ceremony on April 20 in the Bauman Center Ballroom.
Held in conjunction with National Student Employment Week, the event recognized students and supervisors who have left a significant impact on Stony Brook’s campus through student employment.
Director of Experiential Education and Student Employment Urszula Zalewski welcomed attendees and praised them for what they bring to the university.
“Our students are not just participants, they are contributors, leaders, and changemakers,” Zalewski said. “Through their work, internships, and service, they shape the future of our university and the communities we serve. This celebration honors both their impact and the supervisors who help guide their journey.”
Alumnus Juliana Hise, clinical research assistant and academic associate program coordinator for the Department of Emergency Medicine in Stony Brook Medicine, provided the keynote address and recalled being in the same position as the honored students, worrying about midterms and projects while maintaining time for family and friends.
“My advice to you is keep going, surround yourself with people who lift you up, and work on building your confidence,” she said. “If you keep believing in yourself, trust the path you are on and don’t let fear take over when you change course. When you change paths, I encourage you to find a mentor to share your thoughts and ideas for your next steps.”
David Lee, one of the winners of the Undergraduate Student Employee Leadership Award, provided a student reflection toward the end of the ceremony. “I am deeply grateful to be recognized by a community that taught me what true leadership looks like,” he said. “I’ve been shaped by many mentors and friends whose example proved that leadership is often quiet, consistent, and rooted in love for others. I hope to carry these lessons with me into my future work in public policy and beyond.”
This year’s awards ceremony also featured “Out-of-Office,” a jazz band comprising Division of Student Affairs Staff members Michael Gaudio (vocals), Roly Boyon (piano/keyboard), Alex Tedesco (saxophone/guitar), Michael O’Malley (guitar) and Quenton Caine-Jeffers (drums).
The 2026 award winners are:
Undergraduate Student Employee – Critical Thinking
Ava Shea
Undergraduate Student Employee – Social Impact & Belonging
Kloey Kun and Nyan Vassel
Undergraduate Student Employee – Technology & Innovation
Rohan Israni
Undergraduate Student Employee – Leadership
Jahnice Lett and David Lee
Undergraduate Student Employee – Community Service
Celeste Parks
Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year
Zoe Fruland and Ryan Ng
Graduate Student Employee of the Year
Jaelyn Davis, Emily Mendez and Brittney Mickaliger
Student Intern – Excellence in Teamwork
Anthony Attanasio
Student Intern – Excellence in Creativity and Innovation
Sandra Obrycki
Intern of the Year
Caitlyn Mark and Abigail Horn
Community Impact Award
Naomi Newen
Supervisor of the Year
Lorraine Cannavale, Division of Information Technology; Mei Lin (Ete) Chan, Department of Biomedical Engineering; and Nicholas Johnson, AI Innovation Institute
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