Dolphin Awards

The Dolphin Award, instituted in 1980, is given by the President to select faculty, staff, and students in recognition of their contribution and achievements.  The awards are bestowed annually and formally presented on the day of the College’s Commencement. 

I. Award Categories and Winners

1. Outstanding Scholarly Achievement by a Member of the Full-Time Faculty (includes, teaching, library, and student services faculty). - Stephen Morris
2. Outstanding Teaching by a Member of the Full-Time Faculty (includes only teaching faculty).  - Faiza Peetz
3. Outstanding Service and Contribution to the College by a Member of the Full-Time Faculty. - Deborah DeSimone
4. Outstanding Teaching by a Member of the Adjunct Faculty (includes only teaching faculty).- Jade Doskow
5. Outstanding Service and Contribution to the College by a Member of the Non-Teaching Instructional Staff in the HEO Title.  - Jennifer Durando
6. Outstanding Service and Contribution to the College by a Member of the Non-Teaching Instructional Staff in Specialist Titles (CLT, OIT, Finance, etc.). - James Hamilton
7. Outstanding Service and Contribution to the College by a Member of a Full-Time Non-Instructional Staff in Clerical Functions. - Lillian Nicassio
8. Outstanding Service and Contribution to the College by a Member of the Non-Instructional Staff in Maintenance, Operations, Security. – Brady Tweed
9. Outstanding Service and Contribution to the College by a Member of the Part-Time Non-Teaching Staff. - Lee Moskowitz
10. Outstanding Service and Contribution to the College by a Currently Enrolled Student. - Adrian Rosales
11. Jodi Merendino CSI Spirit Award for Outstanding Dedication & Commitment to the College Community. (Open to all members of the College Community) - Dining Services Team
12. Agent of Change toward Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Social Justice by Members of the College Community (faculty, staff, students) – Emmanuel Esperance

Documents to be included with nomination form: Letters of support from colleagues, peers, students, and/or alumni. Letters of support should include qualitative and/or quantitative evidence that the nominated individuals has significantly furthered CSI’s mission through any the following:

• Creating/supporting/contributing to a campus climate that encourages and supports the expression of diverse perspectives, ways of being, and belonging;
• Fostering the academic/personal success of groups that have been underserved and underrepresented in higher education;
• Pursuing equitable, anti-racist pedagogies in classrooms and in student support services to help close equity gaps;
• Preserving the well-being among CSI students, faculty and staff by helping to prevent harassment, bullying, and discrimination;
• Significantly contributing to the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, staff, and/or students; and
• Enriching the campus identity by helping to elevate the diverse voices and experiences of its community members.

II. Eligibility for Nomination

• All active members of the College faculty and staff, including those on tax levy and non-tax levy payrolls working at the College, and current students are eligible for nomination.
• Self-nominations are discouraged.
• Past award recipients are eligible for nomination in categories other than the one(s) in which the award was previously conferred.  Members of the selection committee are not eligible for nomination.

III. 2025 Dolphin Awards Committee

The Dolphin Awards Committee will be chaired by Jessica Collura, Chief of Staff, in an ex officio capacity (without vote).  

Voting Members:

• Michael Steiper – Provost / Vice President for Academic Affairs (or designee)
• Michel Hodge – Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Strategic Initiatives (or designee)
• Robert Wallace – Executive Legal Counsel and Chief Administrator in Charge of Community Partnerships and Government Relationships
• Carlos Serrano – Assistant Vice President for Finance and Budget / CFO (or designee)
• Patty Kahn – Assistant Vice President for Information Technology Services / CIO (or designee)
• Keith Pisons –Director of Facilities Management, Planning, and Operations (or designee)
• Reece Peck – Associate Professor, Media Culture
• Sarah Pollack - Professor, World Languages & Literatures
• David Mario Curcio – Adjunct Assistant Professor, Political Science & Global Affairs
• Anar Abbasov – HE Associate, Environmental Health & Safety
• Elias Hollander – IT Sr Associate, Office of Information Technology Services
• Marie Gomes – CUNY Administrative Assistant, Engineering & Environmental Science
• Andrew Diaz – Director of Operational Services
• Rosanne Pellegrino – Nurse, Health Center
• Emily Jimenez – Student (Alumnus)
• Terri Sangiorgio – Director, Financial Aid, HEO

Ex officio without vote:

• Susan Holak – Dean, Lucille & Jay Chazanoff School of Business
• Sarolta Takacs – Dean, Division of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Ralf Peetz – Dean, Division of Science and Technology
• Burnett Joiner – Interim Dean, School of Education
• Jessica Collura - Chief of Staff 

Following the deliberations, the committee will submit its recommendations to the President for his decision.