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.”
Grass became a key contact as other schools navigated their implementations, and “His vast knowledge has been an asset to all of SUNY, not just our SUNY Oswego community,” Sassone wrote.
“John-Jay is a dedicated, committed employee whose work ethic is to be commended,” Sassone added. “His extensive knowledge of our current and past systems has proven to be a genuine asset for our campus. It is not uncommon to see employees from other departments coming specifically to John-Jay to understand how a process works in order to correct a system issue. He is always willing to go above and beyond to ensure a problem is corrected, even if that problem does not reside in our office.”
Sassone also noted Grass’ “deep dedication to community service,” which includes participation in campus initiatives such as the State Employees Federated Appeal program, Blessings in a Backpack supporting school supplies for local children and other activities. He also supports a number of initiatives through his church, Crossroad Ministries in Westdale.
“He is a very active member of his local church participating in restoration projects, food bank events and countless charity events in his local community,” Sassone noted. “He has helped build homes and performs repairs needed at his local church. He prepares and delivers home-cooked meals monthly for those in need. Each year, John-Jay coordinates a community-wide garage sale for his local church community. His contributions to his local community are admirable, as his actions are the epitome of excellent selfless service.”