Hunter Congratulates the 2015 HEO Award Winners

On February 17, President Raab presented this year's HEO Awards to six outstanding members of the Hunter College administrative staff. The HEO Awards honor professionals whose dedicated efforts have led to major improvements in campus programs and services. 

In 2015, we honor these award winners:

Myrna Fader, Advisor, Student Affairs, and Coordinator of Grants and Scholarships, the 2011 recipient of CUNY's Outstanding Student Advocate Award, who has counseled Hunter students for 30 years and enabled many to win prestigious grants for advanced study around the world. She has helped 19 graduating seniors win Fulbright scholarships in the past six years, resulting in Hunter being named a Fulbright "Top Producer."

Elise Jaffe, Director, Pre-Law Program, known by students as the all-knowing "prophet of law school," who has greatly expanded the program's effectiveness and reach. She has helped students significantly raise their LSAT scores, win paid internships at prominent institutions, and gain acceptance to top law schools. Simultaneously, she has run the Roosevelt Scholars Program and taught popular courses in politics and the law.

Andrew King, Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator, School of Education, a staunch advocate for public schools, who has fought to ensure and increase the diversity and academic excellence of the Hunter School of Education's student body. He is admired for displaying deep insight and attention to detail as he assesses applicants and raises the number and quality of recruitment strategies and events.

Gabriel Packard, Associate Director of the MFA Program, who came to the program as a student, was appointed four years later to his current post, and is treasured by colleagues and students for being meticulous, resourceful and highly efficient. He has overseen the processing of over 600 applications a year, introduced paperless systems, and helped make Hunter's program the most competitive in New York - all while pursuing his PhD and writing his first novel. 

Peter Plevritis, Director of Facilities Operations, universally known as a problem solver and regularly referred to as "Mr. Hunter." He first came to work here as a college senior in 1989, and today oversees 13 buildings and countless event setups while supervising more than 250 employees 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. He has been honored for devoting special efforts to providing job training and placement to the disabled and disadvantaged.

Terry Wansart, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, whose leadership over 33 years - including six initial years as assistant director - has created the most successful athletic program in the CUNY Athletic Conference. She coached the women's volleyball team to record wins and championships, and has guided Hunter Hawks to many other triumphs, including nine Commissioner's Cups, 83 of the Conference's Most Valuable Performer awards, 22 Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, and 50 All-American designations.