A career highlighted by adapting ever-evolving technology to better serve students has earned John-Jay Grass of the Student Accounts Office the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.
While his title reads office assistant, the nomination noted that Grass’ wide-ranging duties and expertise often involve ensuring that technology serves Oswego students and processes in the most efficient, effective and helpful ways possible.
“Over the course of 29 years, John-Jay has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence and has made significant contributions to the Student Accounts Office,” wrote nominator Lisa Sassone, assistant director of student accounts. “His commitment to institutional excellence and student success is evident in all he does.”
Grass is considered a go-to resource throughout SUNY, Sassone noted, while also serving as integral team member in testing and implementing new processes with such entities as SUNY’s Student Information and Campus Administrative Systems (SICAS), Oswego’s Campus Technology Services and many third-party vendors. Grass also has chaired the SICAS Financial Aid Users Group (FAUG) for multiple terms.
Over the years, Grass has provided crucial expertise and service with third-party vendors and software to ensure ever-changing technology is deployed in a way to serve students in the smoothest and more efficient ways possible, Sassone wrote.
“He has been a contact person for all SUNY schools implementing Banner as he has been a part of its inception to SUNY Oswego,” Sassone said. “New programs such as the Excelsior Scholarship launched by New York State in 2016 were new to every SUNY school. John-Jay spearheaded the implementation of awarding, certifying and receiving of these monies as the process was built from the ground up.”
