Five members of the Alfred State community honored with Chancellor’s Award

Jason Doviak, Phil Schroeder, Janice Stafford, Megan Clark, and Theresa Toth-Fleischman were honored for earning SUNY Chancellor Awards at the annual Alfred State Employee Recognition Celebration.

Doviak, the Director of Athletics, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

Doviak has spearheaded the college’s final steps in the transition to NCAA Division III athletics, secured new conference memberships, and expanded the athletics program, including the addition of women’s wrestling and lacrosse. 

He has been committed to academic excellence, facility improvements, and innovative initiatives like the Pioneer Sports Network and the Pioneer Excellence Series has significantly enhanced the college’s athletic program.

Doviak actively participates in various committees and professional organizations, enhancing other SUNY athletic departments and promoting diversity and inclusion. He has received recognition for his leadership, including nominations for the NACDA Athletic Director of the Year award and community service awards. 

His commitment to his own professional growth and community involvement is evident through his continuous participation in conferences, certifications, and volunteer work. 

Schroeder, Professor and Department Chair of the Agriculture and Veterinary Technology Department, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. He is held in exceptionally high esteem by his students, colleagues, and the administration of Alfred State College during his 14 years of service.

Since becoming Chair of his department in 2010, Dr. Schroeder has overseen the development of multiple academic programs and outreach activities that have attracted thousands of prospective students to our campus facilities.

He has organized and managed Ag Skills contests that brought 200-300 high school students from across NY to Alfred State annually between 2010 and 2020. More recently, he developed and managed a major outreach event that brings nearly 1,000 high school students to the college farm each year where they can participate in hands-on activities related to almost every program that the college offers.

His recruiting efforts have also included presentations at state and national FFA conferences, the NY Ag Society’s Annual Forum, and the NY Ag Education Association’s annual education conference.

Schroeder’s value to the college does not end with his administrative duties as department chair. He has taught a variety of courses in Agricultural management and administration during his time of service. 

Stafford, Associate Professor in the English and Humanities Department, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. She is and has been admired by her colleagues and students since her arrival as a faculty member in 2002.

Stafford has risen through the ranks of promotion, from adjunct faculty member to lecturer to assistant and now associate professor, based on her success as a classroom educator. The feedback she receives from students in her classes has been exceptionally complementary over a period of many years.

To supplement her excellence in the classroom, Professor Stafford has served the Alfred State campus in a variety of roles during the tenure of her employment. She has served as chair, co-chair, or committee member for several employment searches in both the English and Humanities Department and other campus academic departments. This includes serving as a member of the search committee for the Dean of Arts and Sciences in 2014.

She is visible in multiple roles annually serving as an usher and student marshal at Commencement activities. She has also served as a member of the college’s faculty senate in various roles and has served as an advisor to a sorority for multiple years.

Clark, Assistant Professor in the Nursing Department, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Clark has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and students since joining Alfred State as a part-time clinical instructor in 2017. She has transitioned to the rank of assistant professor in Nursing, which she has held since 2019. 

She has served on multiple committees both within, and outside of, the department. Last year, she was honored with the award for Excellence in Faculty Advising for the School of Arts and Sciences, an award is based on student nominations. Her students note her as being especially helpful, caring, and knowledgeable. Many of those same accolades were bestowed upon Professor Clark in the nominations received for this award. 

In addition to regular classroom and clinical teaching assignments, Clark serves as the lead faculty in the structured learning sections for Nursing students in the Student Success Center. Through these roles, she has assisted students to reach their potential and earn their degrees in Nursing.

Toth-Fleischman, Registered Nurse I in the Health and Wellness Services, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. She demonstrates an unwavering dedication to providing superior service to students, staff, and the broader community.

As the sole nurse running the Health Center at our School of Applied Technology campus, Toth-Fleischman handles a wide range of injuries from our trade students. Many of these challenges are those that most in her profession may never encounter. Despite these demands, she consistently goes beyond expectations of her role.

Her compassion and commitment extend far beyond clinical care. She is a trusted presence and a calming voice for students, faculty, and staff during times of illness and injury. She proactively supports student well-being by conducting informational health and wellness sessions, visiting classrooms to check on students' recovery, and ensuring every student feels safe and cared for.

In addition to her direct contributions to student health, Toth-Fleischman is a dedicated advocate for her colleagues. She actively represents the Employee Assistance Program. She also volunteers her time at special events, assists in organizing campus celebrations, and contributes significantly to fostering a powerful sense of community among our Wellsville students.

The quintet was presented with a certificate of achievement and a medallion.