Peter Arvanites of New City has walked in two different academic worlds in his 23 years at Rockland Community College – one as a teacher and the other as a leader in setting policy for the college.

Although he's experienced much in both worlds, the mathematics professor who graduated from Clarkstown High School North definitely prefers his role as a front-line educator.

"I like working with the students the most," said Arvanites, 46, a New City native. "I find that most rewarding."

For his work with students and as a past-president of the RCC Faculty Senate, Arvanites has won the SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence from the State University of New York system. He and two other RCC employees who have received the award are set to be recognized at RCC Commencement on May 23.

Arvanites' award is for Excellence in Faculty Service. He joined RCC as a Math profession in 1987 and has been the longtime advisor to the student Chess Club. He also serves as a mentor in the Sam Draper Mentor/Talented Student Honors Program, with his "mentees" gaining acceptance into the Ivy League and other top tier colleges. 

From 2005 to 2009, Arvanites served as Faculty Senate President.

Arvanites earned a B.S. degree in mathematics from Manhattan College and a M.A. degree in mathematics from the University of South Florida. In 1997, he received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

"I truly feel honored by the award because I was nominated by my colleagues," said Arvanites. "It is a great honor to be recognized for the work that I do."

Arvanites said his first-love is teaching, but he became a member of the Faculty Senate when he was approached about the role by fellow faculty members. He was vice president and became president, he said, when the post became vacant.

"Being president of the Faculty Senate gave me a different perspective on the college," said Arvanites. "Until then, I didn't realize how closely the faculty works with the administration."

Arvanites said his work with the Faculty Senate, on which he is still a member of the Executive Board, led him to appreciate the administrative style of current RCC President Cliff L. Wood. Arvanites said Wood attends sessions of the Faculty Senate and answers questions from faculty members.

However, Arvanites says he prefers working with students rather than setting college policies.

As advisor to the Chess Club, Arvanites said he has worked with students over the years to arrange many popular chess events at RCC, including matches with chess grand masters playing against as many as 25 other players.

While the club is still popular, Arvanites said fewer students are involved as in years past. Additionally, he noted that with the retirement of many chess club advisors at local high schools, chess has disappeared as a club a some high schools. That, he said, has led to fewer participants in RCC chess programs.

When Arvanites isn't working with the Faculty Senate, teaching, mentoring in the Honors Program or helping the Chess Club, he volunteers with food drives run by RCC and is a participant in the annual Heart Walk.

Also being recognized for their work at RCC are Diane Mena of Spring Valley, a member of the RCC support staff, and Elissa Silverstein of Suffern, an RCC assistant professor and financial aid counselor.

Mena, who has won the award for Excellence in Classified Service, has been with RCC since 2003, working with the Departments of Mathematics, Business and Foreign Languages, providing service to students and faculty, including assisting with the scheduling of classes.

A single mother who formerly worked two full-time jobs waitressing to support her children, she excels in developing procedures to improve office efficiency. She also assists and oversees the annual planning of special academic events for the Business Department. Mena, who is bilingual, is often overheard assisting Spanish speaking students in need of help.

She earned a B.A. degree in Environmental Science at SUNY Purchase.

Elissa Silverstein, who won the award for Excellence in Professional Service, is a 1979 graduate of RCC who began her career at the college in 1981.  In addition to providing financial aid information to new and continuing students, she is also the Veterans Certifying Officer, advising veterans on Veterans Educational Benefits.

Silverstein volunteers her time to serve as chair of the RCC Foundation's Annual Scholarship Program and personally funds two family scholarships while supporting two other scholarships dear to her heart.

She earned an A.A. degree from Rockland Community College and a B.A. degree in Psychology from Harpur College, SUNY Binghamton. Her son, Max, is also an RCC graduate.