Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence
To the Campus Community:
It is my pleasure to announce FSC’s five recipients of SUNY’s Chancellor’s Award for
Student Excellence, the highest honor awarded to SUNY students. This award recognizes
excellence in multiple areas including academics, leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion
and justice, campus involvement, community service, research and development, and
the arts. This year’s honorees are:
Jannet Baires '26
Jannet Baires is a Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Technology major with a Sociology
minor, achieving a 3.83 GPA. She’s a first-generation college student and a RAM Program
scholar who is committed to advancing justice and contributing to social research.
Jannet has distinguished herself through her research, leadership in data collection
and analysis, and campus involvement. She independently conceptualized and launched
a body-worn camera research project examining police-public interactions using publicly
available video footage.
Bryan Cox '26
Bryan Cox is a first-generation college student majoring in Architectural Engineering
Technology and Construction Management with a minor in Economics. He is a Dean’s List
student who serves as a TRIO peer mentor, lead peer advisor, TA, and peer tutor. Bryan
has guided first-generation and neurodiverse students with confidence and empathy.
His approach fosters welcoming and inclusive environments where students feel seen,
supported, and empowered. He also led a first-place team in the ASC Region 1 Design-Build
Competition, demonstrating leadership, and showcasing his design capabilities and
commitment to excellence within an industry-sponsored, real-world context.
Raymond Howard '26
Raymond Howard is an Aviation Administration major and student-athlete who maintains
a 3.97 GPA. As a four-year member and captain of the golf team, Raymond has been named
to the Skyline Conference’s academic honor roll each season and been recognized to
the All-Sportsmanship Team. He currently serves in the United States Air Force, 103rd
Rescue Squadron, and is known for his leadership, discipline and integrity. As president
of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Raymond has led numerous community service
initiatives. His ability to organize and inspire others to engage with the broader
community promotes a culture of giving back and making a meaningful difference.
Natasha Jones '26
Natasha Jones is a Business Analytics major with a Cybersecurity minor. She has demonstrated
exceptional dedication to her education while navigating a range of personal and academic
challenges that have shaped her resilience and determination. After taking a gap year,
she was able to graduate in just three years while maintaining a high GPA. She has
served as a TRIO support squad mentor and the TRIO Leadership Council president for
the past two years. Natasha is a member of the President’s Student Leadership Council,
a group of exceptional student leaders who exemplify academic excellence, campus engagement,
and commitment to the mission and values of FSC. She is vice president of the Student
Government Association, the Afro-American Club, and the Stampede Club. She founded
the American Sign Language Club and volunteers at the Mill Neck Manor School for the
deaf.
Joseph Rodriguez '25
Joseph Rodriguez is a creative and dedicated student who graduated with a 3.88 GPA
and made a meaningful impact within the Professional Communications Department. During
his final semester at FSC, Joseph conducted a qualitative research study on how videoconferencing
fits into the Interaction Model of Communication, with a focus on identifying the
origin points of exhaustion unique to virtual meetings, commonly referred to as “Zoom
Fatigue.” He runs his own photography business, and supported classmates by sharing
his photography skills and assisting with professional headshots. As a U.S. Army veteran,
he brought leadership, discipline, and real-world experience into the classroom, enriching
collaboration and discussion. His initiative and professionalism support his success
in graduate studies.
Visit our webpage to view photos of this year's recipients. Congratulations to all!
Robert S. Prezant, PhD
President
Professor of Biology
