Career Development staff receives SUNY-wide award
Proudly displaying their SUNYCDO award plaque are (from left): Christopher LaGrow, associate director; Kathy Scofield, secretary; Jennifer Wilkins, internship coordinator; Marie Torrey, assistant director; and Tracy Collingwood, director.
SUNY Fredonia’s Career Development Office shared the spotlight at the SUNY Career Development Organization’s annual conference, receiving an Award for Excellence in Programming and seeing Christopher LaGrow, its associate director, installed as the organization’s new president.
The award, presented in the Excellence in Employer/Community Collaboration category at the organization’s 45th annual conference in June, acknowledges the campus’ CDO staff for excellence achieved through partnerships that it’s created with employers and other members of the community in the past year that have culminated in new programming or services that benefit students.
"The CDO staff continues to lead state-wide and regional career related events from Fredonia. I could not be more proud of the entire CDO staff for their innovation, commitment to excellence and dedication to creating opportunities for students and the community," said Tracy Collingwood, director of Engagement and Career Development.
Fredonia received the award on the success of its Virtual Employer Showcase that featured more than 30 employers hosting remote presentations for students, classes and student clubs that attracted nearly 400 students.
“SUNYCDO every year recognizes office innovation and good programming or services for students,” Mr. LaGrow said. “This year we were very honored to have won.”
It’s also the fourth time Fredonia’s CDO has won an award that encompasses employer/community engagement; prior awards were received in 2019, 2017 and 2010.
LaGrow, officially installed as the SUNYCDO president at the conference, outlined an ambitious agenda for 2021-2022. “We are working on a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, to better inform and train our members on those issues,” LaGrow said. He also plans to initiate special interest group discussions that draw together people who have similar duties and tasks so they can share information and best practices and continue networking opportunities.
“When we get together for workshops or committees, a lot of good networking relationships get made. We haven’t gotten together in-person over the past year, and starting these kinds of groups will draw us a little more together,” LaGrow commented.
A SUNYCDO member since joining the Fredonia CDO staff in 2004, LaGrow also chaired the 2021 conference, held virtually, whose theme was “Moving Forward in 2021!” The keynote address, “#ReimagineU – the Future of Higher Education and Talent Development,” was delivered by Dr. Farouk Dey, who is founding vice provost for Integrative Learning and Life Design at Johns Hopkins University.
Other SUNYCDO offices LaGrow has held include professional development chair, employer relations chair, newsletter editor and co-chair, along with Fredonia colleague Jennifer Wilkins, of the 2019 conference.
