SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service

Established in 2008, this award recognizes classified staff members for exceptional achievements and superior performance of duties. Award recipients continuously demonstrate outstanding achievement, commitment to excellence and exemplary customer service.

2022-23 Honorees

Diane Kizer

Office of the Registrar

A clerk in UB’s Office of the Registrar, Diane Kizer has been a member of the university community for more than 25 years. Kizer is the main processor of continuing and re-entering student transfer coursework. Her colleagues hold her in the highest regard for her efficiency and attention to detail. She is recognized for keeping students informed to ensure that their credit is available and on record assuring seamless student enrollment verification and registration. Kizer is lauded for her analytical skills, problem solving and ability to guide complex and often delicate office processes. These skills were on display as the Office of the Registrar transitioned to a new student information system, and Kizer proactively processed, adapted and streamlined administrative systems and protocols.

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Matthew Kopnak

Office of Human Resources

An assistant customer experience manager in UB’s Office of Human Resources, Matthew Kopnak is praised as a colleague who demonstrates an exemplary work ethic and the qualities of a leader. A member of the UB community since 2011, he is regarded as both an employee who excels at any task given to him and a professional who is eager to enhance his skills. A lead-by-example employee who manifests a workplace culture of teamwork and positivity, Kopnak excels at customer service and consistently going above and beyond to provide university employees with a positive experience.

Darlene Robb

Office of Student Engagement

As budget and operations manager in the Office of Student Engagement, Darlene Robb serves as the office’s budget lead and operations manager and is also responsible for supervising student assistants. Colleagues praise Robb for consistently providing stellar customer service to her office’s on- and off-campus partners while expanding her skill set outside her role. Robb possesses a deep institutional knowledge, so she often receives requests from other university departments to serve on committees and provide guidance on financial processes. She consistently demonstrates flexibility and creativity, and she frequently seeks out opportunities to keep herself and others updated on the latest professional trends.