For Immediate Release
May 9, 2025

Eight Suffolk Students Recognized with SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence

Eight Suffolk County Community College students are recognized with the prestigious SUNY Chancellor’s Awards Student Excellence. For Hi-Res images, visit https://photos.app.goo.gl/eHXYNhE5Ytt8rMiD7

Eight Suffolk County Community College students are recipients of the prestigious SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. This award acknowledges students for outstanding achievements that have demonstrated the integration of SUNY excellence into many different aspects of their lives, including academics, leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, campus involvement, civics and service, research and development, creative and performing arts. It is the highest honor bestowed upon a student by the SUNY system.

“We take immense pride in the remarkable accomplishments of these outstanding students,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College. “These are students who are engaged in their home and college communities; they innovate, dream, and achieve. Their dedication and exceptional efforts underscore their extraordinary potential.”

Award Recipients:

Carolina Leon Cadena (Commack)
An Engineering Science major from Commack, NY, Carolina holds an impressive 3.9 GPA and has consistently earned Dean’s List recognition for the past two years. Her leadership and dedication are evident through her roles as President of the Disney Club, Vice President of Public Relations for Phi Theta Kappa, Peer Mentor, Orientation Leader, and Get There From Here Scholar. She also contributes to student success as a library assistant at the Academic Learning Center.

Eva Vyolet Denis (Port Jefferson Station)
A Liberal Arts Philosophy major from Port Jefferson Station, NY, Eva maintains a stellar 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors every semester for the past two years. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of Ammerman’s literary arts publication Perspectives and is an active member of the Honors Club, Student African American Sisterhood (SAAS), Peer Mentor–Orientation Leader program, Suffolk County Community College’s Conduct Board, and the Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

Udya Dewanamuni (Ronkonkoma)
A Physics major from Ronkonkoma, NY, Udya holds a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors every semester for the past two years. She serves as Vice President of Leadership for PTK, a Senator in Student Government, President of the Math Club, STEM Scholar, and a chemistry and physics tutor. Her interdisciplinary research in physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and computer science reflects her dedication to academic rigor, innovation, and learning through mentorship.

Dominic Llivicura (Mastic Beach)
A Business Administration major from Mastic Beach, NY, Dominic maintains a 3.7 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors for two years. A Get There From Here Scholar, he serves as SGA Vice President, an Orientation Leader, and a member of the Honors Program, PTK, Finance Committee, Art, Rotaract, and Business and Accounting Clubs. He holds a VITA/TCE Certification, allowing him to assist low-income, disabled, and elderly individuals with tax filing.

Nancy Lorme (Holtsville)
An Accounting major from Holtsville, NY, Nancy has a 3.6 GPA and consistent Dean’s List honors. She serves as President of PTK, the Rotaract Club, and Student African American Sisterhood. She’s also a member of the National Association of Black Accountants, SGA Finance Committee, Conduct Board, and Business and Accounting Club. A Get There From Here Scholar, Nancy serves as an Orientation Leader, Peer Mentor, and regular volunteer at the Food Pantry.

Carolina Hernandez Alvarez (Riverhead)
An Accounting major from Riverhead, NY, Carolina holds a 3.9 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors every semester. A dedicated member of the Honors Program, she has been recognized with the Honors Program Academic Excellence Award, Outstanding Service Award, and the Emerging Student Leader Award. Carolina serves as President of the Latin Elite Club and the Campus Activities Board (CAB). She is also a Peer Mentor and ESL student tutor.

Julia Heller-Bomba (East Northport)
A Creative Writing major from East Northport, NY, Julia holds a 3.6 GPA and two years of Dean’s List recognition. She serves as President of the Woman’s Club, Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa, is a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, and a TRIO Student Support Services Scholarship recipient. Julia’s nomination for the prestigious PTK All-USA/All-State competition highlights her outstanding academic and leadership achievements.

Nina Kezys (East Northport)
A Psychology major from East Northport, Nina maintains a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition for the past two semesters. She was recently selected for the prestigious 2025 All-USA Academic Team—one of only 20 students nationwide to receive this distinction. This honor recognizes her outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, and community engagement. Nina was also named a 2025 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar, earning the highest score in New York State in the All-USA Academic Team competition. A Women’s Soccer Team player, Nina serves as Vice President of the Rotaract Community Service Club and Vice President of Membership for Phi Theta Kappa. She is also a member of the Honors and Psychology Clubs and serves as a Peer Mentor overseeing the Michael J. Grant Campus Food Pantry.

About Suffolk County Community College
Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 21,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With approximately 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school to college and into careers.