Two Tompkins Cortland Community College students have been recognized with the State University of New York’s highest student honor, highlighting their academic success and leadership on campus and beyond.
Cassie Hayes and Cody VanHubert received the 2026 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence during a ceremony held April 27 in Albany.
The award, SUNY’s top recognition for students, is given to those who demonstrate a combination of academic achievement, leadership, and involvement in areas such as community service and campus life. This year, 205 students from 64 campuses across the SUNY system were selected.
Hayes, who graduated in December 2025 with a degree in sport management, earned a 3.853 GPA while taking on multiple leadership roles and helping on her family’s dairy farm. She served as vice president of the Student Government Association, was a voting member of the Faculty Student Association, and participated in campus programming and community events. Her volunteer work included involvement in the TC3 Blood Drive, Yards for Yeardley, and the Binghamton Turkey Trot.
VanHubert, an engineering science major set to graduate in May, maintained a 3.966 GPA and received the college’s President’s Citation. He served as president of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society chapter, worked as a math and science tutor, and represented the college as an admissions ambassador. He was also active in the robotics club and spoke at the college’s first Veterans Luncheon.
SUNY officials said the award recognizes students who best integrate academic excellence with leadership and service, calling recipients examples of the strength of the state’s public higher education system.
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