Rockefeller Arts Center staffer Sacilowski receives Poummit Secretarial Award

Kellie Sacilowski, an Administrative Assistant 1 in Rockefeller Arts Center who’s known for going above and beyond the normal responsibilities and expectations of her position, has received the Poummit Secretarial Award at SUNY Fredonia.

In making the nomination, four faculty and staff members lauded Ms. Sacilowski for her positive attitude and willingness to assist anybody, without regard to their department, and to use her considerable problem-solving skills to tackle any issue. She successfully resolves logistical problems or challenges at Rockefeller.

Adapting well to new technology, such as FredMart and the new telephone system, and cheerfully teaching many of the intricacies of these systems and how to use them to others in her office, are traits Sacilowski exhibits. When the campus transitioned to remote learning in 2020, Sacilowski navigated the use of Google Meetings to enable the entire staff to keep in touch through regular virtual meetings.

“Kellie is quick to recognize the contributions and milestones of her workers not only within her department, but also those in other departments near us,” said Jefferson Westwood, director of Rockefeller Arts Center.

Sacilowski brings an upbeat attitude and a ray of sunshine to activities, helping others to focus on the bright side of things during the coronavirus pandemic or other challenges, Mr. Westwood added. She keeps track of everyone’s birthday and anniversary and also organizes impromptu celebrations for members of her department and secretaries in fine arts departments. Sacilowski has the ability to bring the staff together and make visitors feel welcome with her warm and outgoing personality.

“She never has a ‘bad day’ at work – she is always upbeat,” said Doug Osborne-Coy, marketing/public relations assistant at Rockefeller. “This makes for a productive work environment. Each season/holiday, she takes the time to decorate the office in an appropriately creative way, further enhancing the work space.”

Sacilowski has been very active in the campus State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) Committee as a co-chair, and has worked diligently to recruit new members when committee vacancies occur. She is an active member and treasurer of the campus Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) chapter, and has been re-elected many times as treasurer.

Sacilowski began her career at Fredonia as a Keyboard Specialist 1 in Facilities Services in 2014, was promoted to Secretary 1 in the Department of Applied Professional Studies in 2016 and later transferred to Rockefeller.

The Poummit Secretarial Award, established through the Fredonia College Foundation, is given each year in honor of Janet Marks, a former secretary to the Fredonia president, to honor secretarial staff members for an outstanding service attitude, creativity, resourcefulness, demonstrated team effort and personal integrity and leadership.