Herkimer County Community College Employees Honored with 2026 SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence
Four Herkimer County Community College employees were recognized for the 2026 SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The Chancellor’s Awards are system-level honors that acknowledge consistently superior professional achievement and encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence.
Kathleen Stables, assistant professor of corrections, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service.
Stables began her career at Herkimer County Community College in August 2006 as a corrections instructor in the Criminal Justice program and was promoted to assistant professor in 2011.
Throughout her career at Herkimer County Community College, Stables has demonstrated a strong commitment to faculty leadership, student success and professional service. She serves as co-advisor for the Criminal Justice Club and has held numerous leadership positions, including vice president and president of the Academic Senate, chair of the Planning Committee and chair of the Faculty Development Committee.
Stables has been actively involved with the Criminal Justice Educators Association of New York State, where she served as secretary and treasurer. She received the organization’s Richard Lewis Award in 2014. She also served as president and secretary of the HCCC PA and received the Samuel Gompers Award from New York State United Teachers in 2025.
Stables previously received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2019.
Blake Pitcher, professor of digital graphics and design, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Pitcher joined Herkimer County Community College in August 2006 as an instructor and was promoted to assistant professor in 2012, associate professor in 2017 and professor in 2022.
Throughout his tenure, Pitcher has played an active role in academic leadership and student engagement. He serves as a Phi Theta Kappa advisor and co-advisor for Phaethon, Herkimer County Community College’s literary and arts publication. He has also served on the SUNY Poly Communication and Design Advisory Board, the Herkimer BOCES Media Arts Advisory Board and as advising editor for the College’s student newspaper, The General.
In addition to developing an Introduction to Social Media course and founding and chairing a Communication Arts Advisory Board, Pitcher spearheaded the creation of the Communication and Media A.S. program. He also designed an Open Educational Resources book for the Achieving the Dream initiative in 2016 and has published three novels.
Pitcher recently accepted the Genesis Group’s Program of Excellence Award for Phaethon, including a citation from the New York State Assembly in 2025, and was named WKTV Educator of the Week in 2021.
Donald Pinto, adjunct instructor in business/accounting, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.
Pinto was hired in 2006 and has made a lasting impact on students through his engaging teaching style and commitment to student success.
Pinto frequently mentors new adjunct faculty members, sharing resources and strategies to promote effective instruction. Pinto also collaborates with departments across the College and uses relatable real-world examples to help students better understand accounting concepts.
In addition to incorporating active learning strategies and professional applications into the classroom, Pinto prepares tax forms pro bono, helping students learn to complete their taxes independently through practical experience.
Stacey Hensley, campus peace officer in Campus Safety, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.
Hensley was hired in 2019 and has become a valued member of the campus community through her leadership, compassion and commitment to student safety.
She is recognized for her exceptional investigative skills and her genuine care and compassion in her daily responsibilities. Hensley leads safety awareness initiatives and educates students on personal security, emergency preparedness and responsible decision-making.
Hensley is also active in the community, organizing toy drives and participating in the Shop with a Cop program. In addition, Hensley manages the College’s campuswide AED program and is known for maintaining strong awareness of campus needs and concerns.