First ‘Honors Student of the Month’ is Stacy Williams

By Karen Begier

Stacy Williams of Tonawanda has been chosen as the inaugural Honors Student of the Month by a committee comprised of staff from Residence Life, Educational Development Program and the Honors Program.

An exemplary Honors student, Ms. Williams was nominated for the award for September by Erin Mroczka, director of First Year and Transition Programs and advisor to the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society. Ms. Mroczka noted that Williams, a Childhood Education major, has continuously used her leadership skills and her major to promote diversity and career readiness.

As part of Alpha Lambda Delta, Williams worked with the Career Development Office to plan and organize Keep it Professional Workshop and Interview Night events designed to support student members’ future career success.

Williams also volunteered to be part of a new pre-college initiative at Fredonia, the Promising Leaders Conference, which identifies student leaders from grades eight through 10 – many from underrepresented populations or rural locations with the potential to succeed but with previously limited exposure to college – and enabled them to participate in a day of leadership training and exposure to post-secondary educational experiences.

Williams and her peers created and organized a workshop for these students to engage in career exploration. She is also very passionate about assisting students with special abilities in her work with the Council for Exceptional Children and participates in several activities to support this student population.

Additionally, Williams has spent several semesters tutoring regional elementary students in math and reading, presented at the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State Conference, has worked as an overnight camp counselor during the summer break and is trained is trained in running a low ropes course.

Williams has been a very active student leader, taking on critical leadership roles such as Community Service Chair of Golden Key International Honour Society, secretary of Alpha Lambda Delta and treasurer for the local chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children. She has actively helped organize and promote numerous events on campus that include Relay for Life, Pink the Rink, Paws for Autism, Safe Halloween, Dunkirk's specially-abled swim program and Chautauqua County Rural Ministry. She is also a member of the Teacher Education Club.

According to Mroczka, “Stacy serves as a model for the Honors Program’s three pillars: learn, lead and live. During her senior year, Stacy has been able to have a robust extracurricular experience, work a job on campus and still be actively engaged in her academics.”

It has also been noted that Williams “works well as part of a team and is always responsible,” Mroczka said. “She is the first to respond to questions and a great communicator with others in the executive board and general members. Despite her very busy schedule, she always appears relaxed and organized. I truly believe she quietly sets an example for others by showing them the way on a daily basis.”

Being involved is important to Williams, and she states that Fredonia has a “vast selection of clubs and organizations to get involved in.”

Williams mentions that what she likes most about the Honors Program is its opportunities “…the variety of classes just for Honors students, webinars and wellness challenges.” She enjoys a challenge to better herself and her community and states she truly enjoyed the Honors courses for the diverse group of students brought together and for topics that she may not have thought about before attending Fredonia. 

When asked about her future plans, Williams stated her first goal is to complete her student teaching next semester and to graduate in the spring with a B.S. in Education and then go on to graduate school and teach either fourth- or fifth-grade students.

The goal of the Honors Program is to recognize Honors students who are well-rounded, excel in their academics, contribute positively to the campus and community and uphold the Honors Program’s three pillars.

The Honors Student of the Month Program is a new collaboration between the Honors Program and the Honors House, which is part of the Office of Residence Life.  This Honors award is in addition to the already existing Student of the Month program that began in 2003. Nominations of students who embody or intentionally support the campus in honoring diversity, enhancing wellness and promoting career readiness are especially encouraged. 

Each Honors Student of the Month recipient will receive a gift card to the bookstore and a certificate and their name will be engraved on a plaque that will hang in the Office of Residence Life.  

The Honors House and Honors Program acknowledge the Office of Residence Life for sponsoring the new program.