December 2023 Winners

Joy Condello, MSW

Assistant Bursar
Accounts Services

“Joy has been instrumental in the evolution of the Bursar's office to the Account Services model,” said Christine Francavilla, Enrollment Bursar Director, who nominated Joy for the C.A.R.E.S. award. “Joy trained our team colleagues—four of whom also speak Spanish, Chinese, and Russian--in the nuances of financial aid, revenue collection, and problem solving. And she set a high bar to show students compassion and empathy.”

“For years, the student facing part of the bursar’s office resembled a row of bank tellers' windows. It was not a personable way to interact with students about billing and account issues,” said Joy, who started her career at Queensborough in 2016. “I noticed the disconnect and sometimes would take a student aside to hear their problem and help them solve it.”

Now students have an opportunity to receive assistance — in one open space — with bill payments, payment plan enrollment, application for federal FAFSA and state aid TAP as well as other required documents related to students’ financial accounts to be eligible for maximum financial aid.  The Office is open five days a week and students are welcome to see a counselor without an appointment. Notes of each student meeting are retained in Starfish to follow up with the students and complete the process.  Computer stations in the Office are for student use to help them submit documents and required applications. 

“The foundation and structure of this office is built on the idea that each student has their own unique story to share and deserves a high-quality education,” said Joy. “Our job is to help them achieve that by providing not only expertise but also a culture of care.”

Before Queensborough, Joy was an enrollment advisor at Long Island University Brooklyn for 27 years. It was also where she earned her MSW in social work. 

“Joy’s background in social work means she takes an interest in the well-being of her colleagues and students. She teaches by example, remains calm and shows the staff how to diffuse tense situations. She makes calls to financial aid, academic advisors, mental health professionals, career services and the tutoring center on behalf of the student and will accompany students to the office and sit with them as they wait to be serviced so that she can explain their complex problem. Joy enjoys touching base with students a few weeks after their meeting in the office to ask them how their classes are going. She does not forget about them once their problem is solved and has students who have graduated call her to let her know how they are faring at a four-year institution. I cannot think of anyone who is as concerned and caring about the well-being of her staff and the students,” said Francavilla.

“The combination of advocating for students and promoting education makes a powerful impact in people’s lives.” 

“The strongest indication of success is the increasing number of students who walk into our office overwhelmed and discouraged and leave feeling validated and more self-confident about achieving success—both academically and socially,” she said. “Our mission is to meet students where they are: an 18-year-old accompanied by their 65-year-old mother, a 60-year-old student who feels unsure, others who may have serious health issues or ex-offenders who need counseling. Building relationships leads to students feeling connected to the campus which will lead to increased retention.”

Ivan Mak

Student Athletics Trainer
Athletics

“Ivan goes the extra mile as Queensborough’s outstanding athletics trainer,” said Dr. Brian Mitra, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment who nominated Ivan for the C.A.R.E.S. Award. “He is a pillar of support, that builds strong students athletically and academically, connecting them to campus resources that can make the difference between dropping out or staying the course and earning their degree. He wears a friendly face that represents the culture of care we are creating here on campus.”

Ivan joined Queensborough as the Athletic Trainer five years ago. He manages the treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries for all twelve teams. He oversees the strength and conditioning programs while assisting the Athletics Department with duties related to game day operations and sports information. Follow the QCC Tigers headlines and roster.

“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is to see an injured athlete get back on their feet after surgery and rehab, get back out on the court, track or field, and score their first basket or score their first single.”

Ivan, who immigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong when he was three years old, said. “I thrive on working with this diverse student population which perfectly reflects the borough of Queens where I was raised.” Ivan attended Middle School 74 and graduated from Cardoza where he was a high school All American Lacrosse player. “Now I am married and living in Bayside. Queensborough has been a welcoming homecoming.”

From high school, Ivan followed his passion for sports to Stony Brook University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training in 2010. There he was the Founder and President of the Alpha Nu chapter of Iota Tau Alpha, the Athletic Training Honors Society. He was also the Founder and President of the Stony Brook Club Lacrosse Team.

“Queensborough has extraordinary talent at the NJCAA division III level. Last year, the Men’s Basketball Team were conference champions and we also had 18 all Americans on our outdoor track team. This year in the fall, the Women’s Volleyball team were conference champions. We are extremely fortunate to be surrounded by a wonderful team of coaches under the leadership of Athletic Director Jon Hochberg.”

Before arriving at Queensborough, Ivan worked for nine years with a regional physical therapy company as a Regional Sports Medicine Coordinator. He helped oversee over 50 outreach athletic trainers in the tri-state area. Throughout his tenure, he also provided outreach athletic training services to collegiate and high school programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City and Westchester County.

He is a stalwart volunteer, serving as a medical trainer at the Long Island Marathon and the Empire State Games and on the CUNYAC Medical Advisory Committee, which played a vital role in the return of athletics to schools within CUNY, from COVID-19 cancellations. 

At Queensborough he has taken an active role in the College’s Racial, Equity, Justice Institute, and is a member of The Mosaic Fund which provides financial resources for faculty and staff to host college-wide events that explore, uplift, and celebrate specific cultures, groupings of cultures, and gender identities.  

Ivan was certified as an Athletic Trainer (ATC) in 2010 by the NATA Board of Certification and the State of New York. He has been a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association since 2008, sitting on the NATA District 2 Resource Bank Committee since 2020. He has also been a member of the New York State Athletic Trainers Association since 2008.