Lawrence resident receives SUNY award

Sarah Mael carries a 3.88 grade point average, works with mentally challenged young adults and coaches children in gymnastics and how the Lawrence resident incorporates that into her life is why the Nassau County College student received the prestigious Chancellor’s Award.

Mael was one of 248 SUNY students from 64 campuses who were honored at a ceremony in Albany on April 5. To qualify for the award, students were reviewed by a college committee for academic excellence and record of service to NCC and the community.

The award was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic achievement with accomplishments in leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement or career achievement.

“This award is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to standout SUNY students whose achievements reflect their own impressive hard work as well as the support of their families and friends, and SUNY’s world class faculty and staff,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “The students we honor with this year’s award have excelled academically, become role models on campus and established themselves as leaders in the community.”

A coach at Long Island Gymnastic Academy in Cedarhurst, Mael teaches recreational gymnastic skills, schedules classes and birthday parties and performs needed administrative work.

As an independent living skills coach for Independent Support & Supervision Services, LLC, Mael worked one-on-one with a 23-year-old woman to teach basic life skills ranging from food shopping to introducing the person to cultural activities.

She also works part-time as an executive assistant for Convenience Kits and the Lido Group International. Mael maintains files and records, tracks inventory and updates the company’s social media pages.

Previously, she served as a counselor and mentors at the Hebrew Academy for Special Children in Woodmere. Mael provided 24/7 supervision for teens with special needs in an overnight facility.

“Through hard work, intelligence and commitment to service, these students have made NCC proud,” said Dr. Thomas Dolan, NCC’s interim president.