Optimist and Achiever

University Registrar Karen Chico Hurst.

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 16, 2017) — The office of registrar in today’s university is, like many university offices, adapting with technology and the greater demands for service to students, faculty, staff and alumni that go with those times.

UAlbany’s Office of the Registrar must be keeping with the times in an admirable way, because its chief officer, Registrar Karen Chico Hurst, has just received the State University of New York Registrar's Association (SUNYRA) Award for Professional Excellence.

“This is a very wonderful achievement,” said Sandra Starke, vice provost and associate vice president for enrollment management. “This is a statewide award from her peers that recognizes a member that exemplifies excellence in the profession. Karen does that. She has been an advocate for the Registrar’s office, for the institution, for students and for common sense.”

Chico Hurst was appointed registrar in the fall of 2010 after six years as UAlbany’s associate director for administration of the University in the High Schools Program. She was the winner in 2014 of both the University and SUNY Chancellor’s awards for “Excellence in Professional Service.”

The SUNYRA award considered contributions to the registrar's office at a nominee's institution, technical skills, advancement of SUNY initiatives and advocacy for SUNYRA.

"Karen received multiple nominations from her peers," said Christine M. Johannesen, registrar at SUNY Cobleskill and chair of SUNYRA's awards committee. "The committee sought a nominee who fulfilled most, if not all, of the award criteria. Karen met these criteria with ease. It was a pleasure for us to honor her when she has done so much for the organization and the profession."

Starke credits Chico Hurst’s personal qualities, along with the excellence of her staff in the Registrar’s Office, in having made significant improvements in its business processes over the past few years.

“Karen is highly ethical, she has a holistic perspective and is always looking out for the institution’s best interest and reputation,” Starke said. “We rely on her to serve on so many committees and in many roles. She has given the same commitment to the profession statewide.”

"I feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful team in the Registrar’s Office at the University at Albany,” Chico Hurst said “I’d like to thank them for their ongoing efforts in support of the office, the University community, and SUNY.

“I would also like to thank my colleagues from SUNYRA. This is a strong organization that offers professionals in registrar’s offices the opportunity to collaborate with one another and SUNY in strengthening the services and support we offer to our campuses and our students across the system.”

The 2014 nomination for the University’s Excellence Award Chico Hurst praised Chico Hurst’s “signature optimism, confidence, and unwavering dedication to activities that will improve our institution are infectious.” She’s known for her volunteer activities, such as making group presentations and participating in UAlbany events such as Scholar’s Day, Parent Orientations, the Capital Region Counselors Receptions, and Admitted Student Open Houses — all with a ready smile.

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