Ashley Karalus (center), an Administrative Assistant I in the Counseling Center, was congratulated by Vice President for Student Affairs Tracy Stenger (left) and Clinical Director of Mental Health Services Jeffrey Janicki.
Ashley Karalus, an Administrative Assistant I in the Counseling Center, is the winner of SUNY Fredonia’s 2026 Poummit Secretarial Award.
The Poummit Secretarial Award was established in memory of Janet Marks, who was a secretary in the President’s Office for many years. The annual award, its criteria and endowment were all set up by the late Morris Poummit through the Fredonia College Foundation. Mr. Poummit was a 1933 Fredonia alumnus and served as a member of the Fredonia College Foundation Board of Directors from 1975 to 1985 and as an honorary board member.
“Every day that I walk into my office, I'm reminded how incredibly thankful to be part of the Fredonia community and proud to work in a place where I can be myself, support others, and make a positive difference each day.” - Ashley Karalus
Criteria for the award includes demonstrating an outstanding “Fredonia Attitude,” creativity, and resourcefulness; being a team player; and displaying qualities of personal integrity and leadership.
Ms. Karalus came to Fredonia is September 2024. She said one of the things she enjoys most about working at Fredonia and the Counseling Center is the people.
“I love interacting with our students, getting to know them, and helping create a space where they feel welcomed, comfortable, and supported,’ Karalus said. “I love knowing that something as simple as a friendly conversation, a smile, or helping someone find the right resource they need can make someone’s day just a little bit better.”
She considers the relationships she has built with the students and her coworkers to be “truly invaluable.”
“There’s a strong sense of support, teamwork, and community that makes coming to work each day enjoyable and rewarding,” Karalus said. “I’m also so grateful to work with people who encourage me to be my authentic self and bring my creative and bubbly personality into everything I do.”
Karalus considers coming to Fredonia to “one of the best decisions I ever made.”
“Every day that I walk into my office, I'm reminded how incredibly thankful to be part of the Fredonia community and proud to work in a place where I can be myself, support others, and make a positive difference each day,” she said.
