This spring, several Mohawk Valley Community College faculty and staff members received the prestigious 2024 SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence, system-wide recognition of their consistently exceptional professional achievement.

Sean Davis, associate professor in the School of STEM-Transfer, received the Excellence in Teaching Award. In his 12 years at MVCC, Davis has made exceptional contributions to mathematics education and demonstrated great commitment to student success. His dynamic teaching methods — including discussions, structured exercises, and nearly 200 instructional videos on his YouTube channel — actively engage students and promote educational collaboration. Beyond teaching, Davis supports the College community by serving as chair of the Sabbatical Leave Committee and a member of the College-Wide Curriculum and STEM Transfer Professional Development Committees.

Dayton Elseth, associate professor in the School of Humanities, also received the Excellence in Teaching Award. During his 17 years at MVCC, Elseth has shown unwavering dedication to student success, especially through his support of refugee and international students. He is an expert teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL), covering grammar, reading, composition, listening, and speaking. As a coordinator of MVCC’s ESL program, Elseth is committed to enhancing the College’s understanding of ESL issues. In the community, he actively supports international and refugee students at solidarity rallies, acts as a sponsor through Children International, and hosts exchange students. 

Anthony Jones received the Excellence in Adjunct Teaching Award. Jones has been an adjunct instructor in the MVCC School of Art for more than seven years, consistently delivering exceptional instruction in photography, graphic design, and digital media marketing. His dedication transcends the classroom, evidenced by his involvement with the Photography Club and student workshops. A champion of innovation, Jones integrates emerging media, such as screen-printing and vinyl graphics, while continuously adapting his pedagogy to maximize student success. 

Kayleigh Gapp, administrative assistant in Facilities and Operations at MVCC, received the Excellence in Classified Service Award. Throughout her seven years at MVCC, Gapp has consistently demonstrated exemplary communication and organizational skills, and her warm, optimistic approach has earned her the trust of both her colleagues and students. A pivotal point of contact on campus, Gapp handles facility emergencies and space reservations with unmatched flexibility and empathy. Her ability to resolve conflicts creatively while maintaining a positive demeanor has made her indispensable in the department and at the College. 

Robin Saxe, holistic student support advisor, received the Excellence in Professional Service Award. Saxe has been a positive and collaborative member of the MVCC community since 2007, serving in various roles, including Kiddie Campus teacher and community resource specialist. In her current position, Saxe advises students in MVCC’s School of Public and Human Services, providing academic guidance while showing a great commitment to their personal and professional growth. Saxe also actively volunteers for community events, leads scholarship fund initiatives for the MVCC Professional Association, and serves on numerous committees, all in an effort to improve student engagement and campus life. 

The SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are System-level honors conferred to acknowledge and provide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence. These programs underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good. Through these awards, SUNY publicly proclaims its pride in the accomplishment and personal dedication of its instructional faculty, librarians, and professional staff across its campuses.