SUNY Niagara Coordinator Receives Award

January 28, 2021 

Madison Ebsary, Coordinator of the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) at SUNY Niagara, has recently achieved Level 2 Certification as part of the National College Learning Center Association’s (NCLCA) Leadership Certification Program. She has been involved with the organization since 2017.

The certification is given to professionals in the learning assistance field and brings national recognition and credentials to those who meet the standards set forth by the organization. There are four levels within the certification program and Madison plans to obtain the third-ranking within the next two years.

Madison’s involvement with the NCLCA includes in-depth event organizing and decision making on behalf of the organization as well. She explains, “In 2018 I received the Karen Quinn Scholarship through NCLCA and was able to attend their institute for learning center professionals at the University of Cincinnati.  That same year I served on NCLCA’s conference planning committee when their annual conference came to Niagara Falls, NY. Through SUNY Niagara’s involvement with NCLCA, we were able to provide this training at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute. At this time I also received certification as a Supplemental Instruction Supervisor through the University of Missouri-Kansas City.”

The knowledge which Madison has obtained through the Level 2 certification will be applied to further the mission of ACE: to provide students with learning support services that serve as a foundation for academic success, retention, and completion of educational goals. ACE is available to all registered SUNY Niagara students whether they are taking classes in-person or online. ACE is also available to high school juniors and seniors enrolled in SUNY Niagara’s College Accelerated Program (CAP). Madison adds, “ACE is one of the few higher education learning centers within the Western New York area that continues to offer face-to-face tutoring services while adhering to safe social distancing practices and guidelines set forth by the CDC.” Online services are also available.

With a passion for education, Madison states, “The best part of my job is working collaboratively with faculty and staff to provide our students with the best possible academic and student support services. Not only is SUNY Niagara ‘The smart place to start,’ it’s the smart place to be supported and thrive. As an alumna, I can truly say that coming to SUNY Niagara was one of the best decisions I ever made for my educational journey. I am grateful to be in a position in which I can help current and future Thunderwolves achieve academic success.”