Farmingdale State College (FSC) has today announced that Marjaneh Issapour, MS EE, PE, professor of electrical and computer engineering technology, has been awarded the rank of Distinguished Service Professor by the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees. The Distinguished Service Professorship is conferred upon faculty who have achieved a reputation for service not only to the campus and the University, but also to the community, the state, or even the nation, by sustained effort in the application of intellectual skills drawing from the candidate’s scholarly and research interests.   

“Whether engaging students or the corporate world, Marj brings her full experience and enthusiasm to the forefront as a leader in renewable energy and workforce training,” said Robert S. Prezant, PhD, president of FSC. “Her focus, rigor of study, and active roles across the energy and engineering sector, have made her a standout for this well-deserved recognition. Farmingdale State is proud of our exceptional colleague.” 

Issapour is an expert in renewable and sustainable energy. She pioneered New York State’s first Wind Turbine Technician Certificate program, in addition to launching FSC’s first Sustainable Energy Certificate. She served as founding director of the Renewable Energy & Sustainability Center and has secured over $13 million in grants and federal funding. She co-chaired the College’s reaccreditation review by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and was key to the successful launch of its Master of Science Degree in construction management and its prestigious ABET/ETAC accreditation. She also chairs the annual International Energy and Sustainability Conference and organizes the annual Electrical Vehicle (EV) Symposium.  

"Professor Issapour’s work in renewable and sustainable energy has had a transformative impact on our students, the College, Long Island industry, and our state," said Sean Lane, PhD, senior vice president and provost at FSC. "Her selection as a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor is a testament to her remarkable 35-year career, and we are deeply grateful for her enduring legacy of service.” 

Issapour has held numerous leadership and advisory roles in a broad range of energy- and sustainability-focused associations and committees within the community. She serves on the Executive Board of the U.S. Green Building Council of Long Island, the Molloy College Long Island Clean Energy Leadership Taskforce, NYSERDA's Workforce Development and Education Committee, and PSEG Long Island's Environmental Advisory Committee. 

In 2007, she received the prestigious SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, a system-wide accolade for sustained scholarship presented by the State University of New York. Additional honors and accolades include the IEEE Outstanding Educator Award (2017), and the ATMAE Excellence in Women's Technology Award (2019).  

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