Two career development professional organizations recognized three SUNY Oswego Career Services staff members for their outstanding leadership, innovation and accomplishments during the 2023-24 academic year.

The SUNY Career Development Organization (CDO), which promotes the growth of career development and applied learning professionals across all SUNY institutions, recognized Gary Morris with the Outstanding Leadership Award and presented Megan McGarvey Mazzoccone with its Rising Professional Award.

Morris, SUNY Oswego Career Services director and a 1988 alumnus, earned the award for exceptional performance as president of SUNY CDO over the past 12 months. Morris began his one-year term in June 2023 and had an ambitious agenda that he set out to accomplish during his tenure. Among other initiatives, he canvassed the membership to identify the top 25 areas of interest for their professional development. The topics range from curricular integration of career readiness to incorporating artificial intelligence into career development to best practices in data-driven decision making. The project improved collaboration and communication among the 170-plus members.

Mazzoccone -- the career coach for Communication, Media and the Arts and a 2007 alumna -- was recognized for excelling during her first full year as a Career Services professional.

“Her contributions have been astounding,” said Morris, who nominated her for the award. “She has elevated our office reputation and visibility; enhanced support for a critical student cohort; advanced institutional priorities; strengthened connections with faculty, employers and alumni; and designed innovative programs truly worthy of modeling at other institutions.”

Mazzoccone initiated several new programs that were very successful, including the SCMA Career and Internship Showcase, which attracted 14 industry-specific employers and 173 student attendees, and the Women’s Empowerment Summit, which drew more than 170 students, 30 high-level campus women, and several alumni guests and employers. 

“Megan's energy and enthusiasm know no bounds,” said Krystal Kennel, chair and associate professor of the Theatre Department. “I have seen firsthand her industry knowledge and savvy connect students to working professionals and embolden them to send that resume or seek out extra help when assembling their application materials. The Curriculum-to-Careers Initiative has firmly taken root in our department, and it is because of her work. The diagram she put together showcasing how to translate academic learning outcomes to career competencies for her 'Business of Show Business' course clearly demonstrated for me how to reframe our courses for potential students and the parents wary of a degree in the arts.”

Mazzoccone also received the Career Pioneer Award from the Central New York Career Development Association (CNYCDA).

CNYCDA also recognized Kate George -- assistant director of Career Services and career coach for science, technology, engineering and mathematics and healthcare -- with the President’s Award.

The 2012 SUNY Oswego alumna received this award for “her continued dedication to the CNY Career Development Association, including a strong focus on continued professional development for the membership," according to her nomination "Kate led her team in providing professional development grants and oversaw the development of regular round-table discussions, employer site visits, outstanding leadership through our strategic planning initiatives and much more!” 

These staff members’ exceptional performance directly affects SUNY Oswego’s student career outcomes. With one of the highest response rates of 67 percent within the SUNY system, Oswego graduates report that they are landing where they want to be –- with the most recent published “first destination” data indicating that 99 percent are in full-time jobs or in graduate school, and 91 percent are in the career field of their choice.