The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) honored the 2025 winners of the School’s annual Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence Award in a ceremony held on December 4, 2025.
This year’s recipients were Dr. Michael FitzGerald, a professor of philosophy in the CUNY SPS General Education program, and Professor Curtis Izen, who teaches in the CUNY SPS Online Business programs. The annual award, which comes with a $1,000 prize, recognizes outstanding faculty for their creative and innovative teaching practices.
During the in-person event, CUNY SPS Dean Lisa R. Braverman congratulated Dr. Fitzgerald and Prof. Izen and thanked them for their outstanding teaching.
“Your work has earned the admiration and recognition of your peers—an honor that we all aspire to, but only a select few attain,” Dean Braverman said. “We are deeply grateful for your dedication and for the example of excellence you bring to our community. Today’s celebration is a testament to all you have contributed throughout your careers at CUNY SPS.”
The two adjunct faculty prize recipients were next introduced by Dr. Tara Lanni, academic director of the CUNY SPS Online Business programs, and Dr. Nicole Nathan, academic director of General Education and Liberal Studies, before receiving their awards.
Dr. FitzGerald (pictured right), who teaches the CUNY SPS courses PHIL 10 - Introduction to Philosophy and PHIL 110 - Critical Thinking, is a professor emeritus in the department of philosophy and religion at Medgar Evers College (MEC) and a professor of philosophy at CUNY SPS. Previously, he served as vice president for information services and academic technology as well as associate provost at MEC. In addition to his teaching, Dr. FitzGerald has published on issues related to computing in higher education and appeared on national television (PBS) in the "Technology in Education" series, and has been recognized on multiple occasions as a National Technology Champion by the late US Congressman Major Owens. He received a BA from Colgate University and a PhD in philosophy from the New School for Social Research in New York City.
Curtis Izen (pictured above, with Dean Braverman), who teaches BUS325 - Principles of Management Information Systems at CUNY SPS, is also an adjunct lecturer in the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College and a full-time senior information specialist at Baruch College. This is the latest teaching prize awarded to Prof. Izen, who has also earned a Brightspace Innovation Award and a Presidential Award for Distinguished Teaching from Baruch College, among many other teaching honors. Prof. Izen has a MBA in Business Administration in Computer and Information Systems from Baruch College and a BS in Computer and Information Science from Brooklyn College.
Dr. FitzGerald and Prof. Izen join a growing list of award winners, which include Dr. Jill Johnson (Psychology), Neil Harbus (Disability Studies), Emily Brooks (Disability Studies), Debra Schaller-Demers (Research Administration and Compliance) and Bradley Gardener (General Education, Communication and Media, and Information Systems). Learn more about the CUNY SPS Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence Award here.
About the Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
Responding to CUNY SPS Student Association members’ interest in highlighting faculty excellence, Tracy L. Meade, former senior associate dean for strategy and innovation, established the Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence Award. This prize, which is given at the end of each academic year, acknowledges an adjunct instructor’s creative and innovative online teaching practices in undergraduate courses, and includes a $1,000 prize. Candidates are nominated by CUNY SPS students in online undergraduate degree programs; the nominees must then be endorsed by their program directors and provide a statement of their teaching philosophy, and a panel of students and faculty select each year's recipient.
About the CUNY School of Professional Studies
As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.
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