Amy Jo Dorler receives SUNY honor

Amy Jo Dorler, an Administrative Assistant II in the Provost’s Office in the Division of Academic Affairs at Fredonia, has been named a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in the Classified Service.

The system-level award was established by the university to give recognition for superior performance and extraordinary achievement by employees in the Classified Service. The award demonstrates the university’s commitment to individuals who provide superior service to its students and the community at large.

SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson noted in her award letter to Ms. Dorler: “Your skills and extensive service to the campus and to the State University, combined with your continued support of campus operations and programs, are reflected in your selection for this honor.”

Interim Provost Kevin Kearns, in his nomination, noted, “Her (Dorler’s) keen eye for detail, unshakable work ethic, initiative, and caring attitude has helped to transform the services provided to faculty and students into an efficient, predictable, effective, and sensible workflow.” He added, “With grace and a problem-solving attitude, she focuses on what needs to be done, and moves forward. Her attitude is not only inspiring, but has a calming and reassuring effect on those working around her.”

Dorler has been an employee at Fredonia for over two decades, first as a temporary employee in Political Science and Admissions, and later as an Administrative Assistant on a federal Title III grant directed by Drs. Cheryl Drout and A. Jacqueline Swansinger, and as a Keyboard Specialist in a dean’s office. She then served as a Secretary I for the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice (now called Sociocultural and Justice Sciences), and since December 2013 has been a Secretary II (later re-classified to Administrative Assistant II) in the Provost’s Office. In addition, she has provided support to the Office of Curriculum, Assessment and Academic Support, as well as the Office of Graduate Studies, Online and Extended Learning, and Faculty Development.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education (K-grade 6) and a Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education from Fredonia.

Dorler recently completed Fredonia’s Cultural Competency Institute, and serves as secretary of the campus chapter of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). She has also actively organized fundraising for charities, such as “Casual for a Cause,” with proceeds donated to the campus food pantry.

In supporting materials, it was noted that Dorler “constantly seeks ways to improve the processes that we use at the college” and through her initiative helped to establish a new Changes of Status (COS) workflow. She also was lauded for her flexibility and willingness to adapt to unanticipated needs in the Academic Affairs division.

Dorler was the recipient of the 2018 SUNY Fredonia President’s Award for University Service and the 2015 Poummit Secretarial Award, established through the Fredonia College Foundation and named in honor of former secretary to the president, Janet Marks.