14th Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner Honors Educators Who Shape the Future

More than 100 friends of St. John’s University gathered on April 10 for the 14th Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner, honoring alumni and faculty of The School of Education (SOE) who have each made indelible marks on the lives of countless students and clients throughout the years. 

 Joseph Sciame ’71Ed, Chair, Dean’s Advisory Board, The School of Education, and retired Vice President, Office of Community Relations, served as master of ceremonies. “We entered as freshmen or graduate students, were taught well, gained expertise in our related fields of education, and graduated—and now you are being saluted with some of our best,” he said in his welcoming remarks. “It is your night to shine with family, friends, and school officials.” 

Held at the Stewart Manor Country Club, the event celebrated the careers of six accomplished alumni. This year, SOE also recognized four faculty members, working tirelessly to prepare the next generation of great educators and counselors, by presenting them with the Outstanding Faculty Award.  

Among them was Liz Chase, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “It’s such an honor to be among the women in this category,” she said. “They are all tremendous faculty members. I have this enormous sense of pride being in their company.” 

Several alumni honorees had careers as educators and counselors, including Sonia Nieto, Ed.D. ’65Ed. “When I was a student, I learned that we are there to serve others,” she explained. “I hope that my greatest contribution is teaching teachers who, in turn, teach children and young people, to be a decent person, how to love their neighbor, and how to think about others and not just themselves.” 

Deacon Scott J. Conway ’98C, ’07GEd, echoed that sentiment. “The formation of the Vincentian community and the mission of St. John’s really formed me from my years as an undergraduate all the way through my master’s in education,” he recalled. “I’m grateful for the gift St. John’s provided me in an education—but mostly, I’m grateful to have been exposed to the Vincentian charism. That really stuck with me all these years, and now really pushes me to do what I do now in serving the people of my diocese in Florida.” 

The evening was a celebration of individual achievements and a testament to the enduring values and sense of community that define the School. That spirit of unity and purpose was reflected in the honored alumni and faculty.

“It’s really exciting to have an event like this, where we bring our alumni and their families and friends together with our faculty,” said James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., Dean, The School of Education. “It’s how we build community at St. John’s, and it’s a point of pride for all of us, because education is what St. John’s is based upon.” 

2025 LEAD Honorees

• Deacon Scott Conway ’98C, ’07GEd Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of St. Augustine
• Richard Mangeri ’93Ed, ’99GEd, ’17Ed.D., Assistant Principal, Woodmere Middle School Hewlett-Woodmere Public School District
• Tyce Nadrich, Ph.D. ’14GEd, Associate Professor, Counseling Program, M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Mercer University
• Andrew Nasser ’07GEd, Assistant Principal of Pupil Personnel Services, The Bronx High School of Science, New York City Department of Education
• Sonia Nieto, Ed.D. ’65Ed, Professor Emerita of Language, Literacy, and Culture College of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Member, National Academy of Education
• Mary Carole Schafenberg ’70Ed, ’80PD, Principal (retired), New York City Department of Education Member, The School of Education Dean’s Advisory Board
• 2025 Outstanding Faculty Honorees
• Liz Chase, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction 
• Gina Cicco ’97Ed, ’00GEd, ’07Ed.D., Associate Professor, Department of Counselor Education 
• Catherine C. DiMartino, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership
• Yvonne Pratt-Johnson, Ed.D., Professor, Education Specialties