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Pictured from left, Dr. Chang Geun Yoo, Mary Thompson, Dr. Andrea Parker, Erin Tochelli, Jason LaTray
ESF Faculty, Staff Honored by SUNY Chancellor
SYRACUSE, N.Y. 鈥� May 5, 2025 鈥� Five employees of the (ESF) were honored by Chancellor John B. King, Jr. for outstanding service to the State University of New York.
This year鈥檚 honorees are Mary Thompson for Excellence in Teaching, Erin Tochelli for Excellence in Professional Service, Jason LaTray for Excellence in Classified Service, Dr. Andrea Parker for Excellence in Faculty Service, and Dr. Chang Geun Yoo for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities.
"The Chancellor鈥檚 Awards for Excellence recognize individuals whose commitment and leadership set a powerful example for both students and peers," said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. "This year鈥檚 recipients embody the values of our institution, fostering a culture of achievement and innovation that will benefit the College for years to come. We proudly honor their outstanding contributions."
Excellence in Teaching 鈥� Mary Thompson
Mary Thompson is a long-time math instructor whose office is always filled with students getting extra help in learning math. Her students describe her as 鈥渃aring, compassionate, interesting, and genuine." As the coordinator of the ESF Math Center, Thompon hires, trains, and mentors the student assistants who provide tutoring support to their peers.
Thompson bases her teaching strategies on research in her field. She adapts to meet students鈥� needs and uses student-focused teaching techniques, such as think-pair-share, strategic questioning and personalized lessons. She fosters an environment to learning environment, works to make students proactive in the classroom, teaches problem-solving skills, and provides individual support to learners. Her student evaluations show that her special gift is motivating her students to do their best work.
Thompson also provides service to ESF by serving as a faculty representative to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, serving on the Assessment Committee and search committees. She revised the Quantitative Reasoning CWLO to align with SUNY Learning Outcomes and revised the Rubrics for Quantitative Reasoning CWLO Assessment. In the fall 2023, she analyzed the Quantitative Reasoning assessment data and presented it to the Assessment committee.
Excellence in Professional Service 鈥� Erin Tochelli
Since joining ESF in 2016, Erin Tochelli has been a quiet force behind much of what works well for our students and faculty.
As Associate Director of Academic Administration her work touches nearly every undergraduate student, especially in the Environmental Studies and Landscape Architecture programs, where she provides advising students actively seek out 鈥� even after they鈥檝e been assigned faculty advisors. She combines empathy with deep knowledge of the curriculum, guiding students through challenges with clarity and care.
Tochelli also plays a central role in Academic Governance, especially through the Academic Affairs Committee. She has streamlined policies, improved proposal processes, and keeps the student experience front and center. Said one colleague,: 鈥淓rin is the first to make sure we consider the students in every curriculum conversation.鈥�
She鈥檚 helped in the development of key policies鈥攕uch as the Posthumous Degree Policy, a revised Academic Progress Policy, and a mid-semester progress grades system 鈥� all designed to support students and help them succeed.
In 2024, Tochelli took on a challenging project: implementing the new Accessory Instruction Fee. She helped faculty expand offerings, reviewed student petitions across the College, and ensured we communicated clearly with students. She brought the same student-focused approach to revising the general education curriculum.
She has served in interim leadership roles, represented ESF on the Syracuse University Senate, and advises faculty and administrators on curriculum, policy, and assessment.
Excellence in Classified Service 鈥� Jason LaTray
Jason LaTray consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of his role as a Plant Utility Engineer 1. He is known as an unparalleled and committed professional who demonstrates a remarkable level of responsibility and care for the campus community.
An advocate for on-the-job training and employee development, LaTray has advanced rapidly through roles by building his skills and accumulating the necessary apprentice hours for further promotion. He shares these opportunities with employees under his mentorship, helping others grow and succeed in their careers.
Jason is a member of the CSEA Union, where he actively contributes to planning and organizing union events. His communication skills鈥攊nterpersonal, verbal, and written鈥攅nhance collaboration and support a culture of respect and professionalism. Whether responding to mechanical failures or personal emergencies involving colleagues, LaTray approaches each situation with calmness, expertise, and a positive outlook that reassures those around him.
He routinely devises solutions for aging and complex mechanical systems. He is also a dependable first responder for campus emergencies, often volunteering to assist due to his strong sense of commitment.
Excellence in Faculty Service 鈥� Dr. Andrea Parker
Since joining ESF in 2011, Dr. Andrea Parker has distinguished herself as an outstanding faculty member whose service contributions consistently exceed expectations. Now a full professor in Environmental Studies, she has taken on leadership roles at every level鈥攆rom chairing departmental committees to shaping the direction of interdepartmental graduate education.
A longtime leader in the Graduate Program in Environmental Science, Parker has worked to build a sense of academic community and cohesion, spearheading efforts to improve student experiences, secure shared space, and integrate assessment into program development. She has served as interim Dean of the Graduate School, advancing both online offerings and inclusive curriculum efforts during her tenure.
Beyond campus, Parker鈥檚 scholarship and public engagement reach global audiences. She has presented invited talks in Germany, Norway, Qatar, and Portugal, and remains a mentor and advisor to students committed to environmental communication and justice.
Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities鈥� Dr. Chang Geun Yoo
Dr. Chang Geun Yoo has made significant strides in the development of biomass-derived solvents and materials, a key area in advancing sustainable manufacturing practices. His research aims to replace petroleum-based resources with eco-friendly alternatives, contributing directly to efforts toward carbon neutrality. His work is innovative and has real-world applications that will impact industries striving for sustainability.
Since joining the Department of Chemical Engineering in 2018, in addition to his teaching and mentorship of graduate students, Yoo has published over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and secured more than $13.5 million in research funding. His research has resulted in high-impact publications and recognition, including over 8,000 citations and multiple journal covers.
Yoo鈥檚 leadership in the classroom mirrors his research excellence. He teaches a range of courses, from undergraduate to graduate levels. His commitment to student mentorship is reflected in his supervision of numerous graduate students and undergraduates, guiding them to contribute to biorefinery research.
Yoo is a leader within professional organizations, having served as a session chair for the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. His contributions to these organizations, coupled with his service as a mentor for future faculty members, demonstrate his commitment to advancing both his field and the broader scientific community.
糖心视频 糖心视频
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.