FLCC employees, students receive SUNY Chancellor’s Awards

The honorees were recognized during commencement in May.

Three Finger Lakes Community College employees and two students received State University of New York Chancellor’s Awards for 2026.

Teaghan Aroneseno ’25 of Hemlock and Isabella Hickman ’26 of Colton received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.

Associate Professor Jamie Rotter Among employees, Jamie Rotter of Canandaigua, associate professor of culinary arts, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching; Mehegan Murphy of Canandaigua, director of the Center for Academic Advising and Transfer Services, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service, and Kimberley Barnett of Canandaigua, office manager for the FLCC Foundation, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.

Employees

Jamie, who has taught at FLCC since 2012, was recognized for his advocacy for students. He launched hybrid culinary arts classes and created free course materials to make education manageable for those balancing jobs and families Mehegan Murphy, director of the Center for Academic Advising and Transfer Services . Hybrid classes allow students to attend in person or view recorded sessions online. Jamie develops the menus and oversees kitchen operations for the annual Vintners & Valentine’s fundraising dinner and fall semester Dinner at Julia series.

Mehegan, who has worked at FLCC since 2018, is credited with refining FLCC’s advising efforts so students understand what courses they need to earn a credential or transfer. Under her leadership, the new student registration process has been redesigned to improve the student experience, and she is a respected voice within FLCC and in the broader advising community.

Kimberley, an FLCC employee since March 2021, was recognized for streamlining operations at the FLCC Foundation, which raises private sector support for the college and its students. She was also praised for her warmth and professionalism, whether assisting students in crisis or w Kimberley Barnett, FLCC Foundation office manager orking with high-level donors.

Students

Teaghan completed an associate degree in kinesiology and human performance and served as president of the Student Corporation in 2025–2026. He worked as a kinesiology program intern, assisting other students with labs and experimenting with technologies to improve course content. He competed on the logging sports team and started several on-campus clubs.

Isabella, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, graduated in May with a liberal arts degree. She served as co-director of the Student Corporation Activities Committee in fall 2025 and treasurer of Student Corporation in spring 2026. She also served as a student representative to the college’s Academic Senate. Isabella worked in the Financial Aid Office, helping current and prospective students with financial aid forms.