SUNY New Paltz Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society to induct two new members at ceremony

NEW PALTZ – The School of Business at the State University of New York at New Paltz will recognize two college employees for their contributions to the School of Business and the college community. Lisa Jones, dean of admission, and Stuart Robinson, director of athletics, will be inducted as honorary members into the New Paltz chapter of Sigma Beta Delta, an international honor society in business, management and administration. The induction ceremony will take place during the School’s Award & Graduation Ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 3, in Studley Theatre on campus.

Jones was named dean of admission in 2008. She is responsible for directing the strategic planning of undergraduate admission for the successful recruitment of first-year and transfer students. She provides leadership to the entire undergraduate admission staff; works closely with directors in enrollment management and across campus; keeps up-to-date on national and regional higher education admission trends and how those trends impact SUNY New Paltz.

Hadi Salavitabar, dean of the School of Business, praised Jones for her efforts. “Ms. Jones has successfully led her team to improve the admission process and the quality of incoming students.”

Prior to her tenure as dean of admission, Jones held a number of positions at New Paltz. She was director of transfer admission from 2003 to 2008; transfer articulation coordinator from 2001 to 2003; and transfer admission advisor from 1999 to 2001. From 1997 to 1999, she was an admission advisor at SUNY Cortland. Jones was also an admission assistant at Alfred State College from 1993 to 1997.

She received her bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Rhetoric from Binghamton University in 1992 and her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Columbia University, Teachers College, in New York City, in 1993.

Under Robinson’s direction as the ninth director of athletics in the history of the college, New Paltz has completely revamped its facilities, including construction of the 57,000-square-foot Athletic & Wellness Center, and has become a competitive force in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). His programs have combined to capture eight SUNYAC Championships since 2001, and during his 11-year tenure as the director of athletics, eight different coaches have garnered 13 SUNYAC Coach of the Year honors.

Scores of student-athletes have benefited from Robinson’s leadership as well. He has helped these students by starting a student-athlete leadership academy, establishing a code of conduct, developing an academic monitoring program, enhancing the wellness & recreation program and creating an outdoor pursuits program.

“Mr. Robinson has done an excellent job in improving the performance of the athletes both in and out of the classroom, taking the athletic program to another level,” said Salavitabar.

Robinson served as the head coach for the Hawks’ men’s soccer team for 15 years, gaining SUNYAC Coach of the Year honors in 1996 and 2004. Throughout his duration as the bench director, he coached five National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Region honorees and 24 All-SUNYAC players, including the 2003 SUNYAC Player of the Year.

Robinson is a 1983 graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, Ma., with a degree in English. In 1989, Robinson earned his masters degree in English from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt.

Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest recognition a business student can receive at a college or university with a Sigma Beta Delta chapter. The purpose of Sigma Beta Delta is to recognize scholarship and achievement among students of business, management and administration. In addition, it also encourages professional development and a life distinguished by honorable service. For more information about Sigma Beta Delta, visit www.sigmabetadelta.org.

The School of Business offers Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting, finance, general business, international business, marketing, and management, as well as a Master in Business Administration (MBA) and an MBA in public accountancy. SUNY New Paltz is an accredited member of AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business, the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees. Currently, about 950 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled in the business program. The School is committed to educating and developing students to be competent business professionals in a global economy.

For more information about the New Paltz School of Business, call 845-257-2930 or visit www.newpaltz.edu/schoolofbusiness/.