SUNYRLHA Awards
Michael C. Holland New Professionals Award
This award is given to a staff member who has been in continuous service at a SUNY campus for less than 4 years as a full-time employee or full-time graduate student. Nominees should have excelled in Residence Life and Housing through contributions to their campus, the promotion of student learning and development, and the Student Affairs profession. Special consideration will be granted to those who have contributed or participated in a positive way to SUNYRLHA.
Mike Holland began his career at SUNY Cortland in 1981 as a Residence Hall Director, and was promoted to positions of Assistant Director, Director, and Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs over the years. Mike was active in SUNYRLHA throughout his career, serving in many different roles, including past President. He was proud about his association with SUNYRLHA and considered his peers not just as colleagues, but as friends. Mike found joy in mentoring new professionals, encouraging their growth in Residence Life and Housing as well as other functional areas. Mike passed away while performing community service for others. The New Professionals Award is named for him, as befits his legacy.
Michael C. Holland Award honorees
2024 – To Be Determined
2023 – Kalis Nunes, Broome
2020 – Chris Cole, Stony Brook
2018 – Brooke Stephens, Cortland
2016 – Robert Binnall, Cortland
2015 – Thomas Converso, University at Buffalo
2014 – Tracy Gavin, Brockport
2013 – Jenna Siddon, Cortland
Mid-Level Professional Award
This award is given to a professional staff member who has been in continuous service for at least 4 years. Nominees should have: (i) demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the profession; (ii) contributed to programs that address the needs of students; (iii) experience in creating campus environments that promote student learning and personal development; and (iv) shown an exemplary form of supervision, mentorship, and/or leadership and service, not only to their campus community but also to the SUNYRLHA organization.
Mid-Level Professional Award honorees
2024 – To Be Determined
2023 – Angela Brown, FIT
2020 – Carl O’Connor, Brockport
2018 – Carl O’Connor, Brockport
2016 – Kevin Hahn, Fredonia
2015 – Jason Fishner, Delhi
2014 – Meegan Hunt, University at Buffalo
Beth Purk Distinguished Service Award
This award is given to a professional staff member who has been in continuous membership for 10 or more years. Nominees should have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the professional while serving the SUNYRLHA organization in various leadership roles.
Beth Purk was a Director of Residential Life at SUNY Purchase. She was respected by her campus colleagues as well as by her peers across New York state. Her strong commitment to SUNYRLHA during its early years helped establish the foundation that the organization now uses as its tenets. Beth was instrumental in changing the name of the organization from SUNYHA to SUNYRLHA, recognizing that the modification reflected the true impact that we have on the growth and development of students.
Beth Purk Distinguished Service Award honorees
2024 – To Be Determined
2023 – Stephen Matthews, Plattsburgh
2020 – Jeffrey Miwe, Stony Brook
2018 – Renee Landers-Jennings, Oswego
2016 – Usama Shaikh, Old Westbury
2015 – Ralph Carrasquillo, Cortland
2014 – Kris Kaufmann, Buffalo State
2013 – Dallas Bauman, Stony Brook
Submit a Nomination
This award is given to a professional staff member who has been in continuous membership for 10 or more years. Nominees should have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the professional while serving the SUNYRLHA organization in various leadership roles.
Beth Purk was a Director of Residential Life at SUNY Purchase. She was respected by her campus colleagues as well as by her peers across New York state. Her strong commitment to SUNYRLHA during its early years helped establish the foundation that the organization now uses as its tenets. Beth was instrumental in changing the name of the organization from SUNYHA to SUNYRLHA, recognizing that the modification reflected the true impact that we have on the growth and development of students.