MCC Daily Tribune

SUNY Chancellor Honors 4 MCC Students with Awards of Excellence

Tribunes among 193 students receiving SUNY's highest honor for academic excellence and leadership.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. awarded 193 students from 63 campuses -- including MCC scholars Paula Barlow, Valeria Krokhmalyuk, My Linh “Mia” Le and Samuel Roberts -- with SUNY's highest honor for academic excellence and leadership at a Monday (April 24) ceremony in Albany. The 2023 Chancellor's Awards for Student Excellence recognizes students for their outstanding achievements throughout their SUNY experience in areas including academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, and the arts.

"There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and each of the students recognized today is an example of our extraordinary student body and their rich and diverse 'SUNY stories,' " said Chancellor King. "Student success is at the core of everything we do, and I am honored to celebrate students from 63 SUNY campuses who are receiving this year's Chancellor's Awards for Student Excellence. Every student can find their community at SUNY, and I congratulate each of the CASE winners for making the most out of their college experience."

Here are feature profiles of the four MCC award recipients:

-- Paula Barlow is a paralegal major and president of the Student Government Association. She has a 3.85 GPA and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Paula has been on the dean’s list every semester. She also serves as NY’s Phi Theta Kappa regional vice president. Her passion for serving and leading has been a positive motivator for her peers. With many obstacles in her way, such as recently being diagnosed with ADHD and PTSD, she continues to persevere in academics and leadership.

-- Valeria "Val" Krokhmalyuk is an individual studies major with a 3.67 GPA. After graduating in May, she plans to pursue a degree in journalism and public communication at University of Rochester. She is president for Phi Theta Kappa and is very involved on campus co-curricularly. She has been involved as a student leader early on in her collegiate career and found a place to belong in Phi Theta Kappa. Val is a positive leader and always there to help colleagues and peers better understand Phi Theta Kappa and the benefits of getting involved on campus.

--  My Linh “Mia” Le is a first-generation college student pursuing an associate degree in human health and biomedical sciences. She participated in a group research project on MRT therapy for MCC’s Scholars’ Day 2022 and earned a scholarship. She is an active leader on campus, serving as the student trustee to represent the students’ perspective on the Board of Trustees. Mia also serves as an ambassador and event planner for programs in the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development as well as a resident assistant with the Housing and Residence Life team. A proud member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, she is also an inaugural member of the Women of Excellence program.

-- Samuel "Sam" Roberts, a computer science major, is an incredibly generous and considerate young man. He is always willing to help regardless of how busy he is. He is genuine and caring, which is evidenced by the way he has rallied around various fellow students through the hurt and tragedy they have encountered, ranging from family members passing away to students struggling with everyday life. Sam is trusted and respected in his community, and his peers seek out his company and input. He is an asset to any college community, and those who have the privilege of knowing him are grateful for that opportunity.

Read the full news release and a complete list of awardees.

Hency Yuen-Eng
Community Relations
04/25/2023