05/04/2026
Four SUNY Cortland seniors received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE) — the highest student honor presented by New York’s public university system — at a ceremony held April 27, in Albany, N.Y.
The awards are given annually to students from SUNY’s 64 campuses, which provide nominations to the SUNY CASE Selection Committee. Candidates are recognized for exceptional academic performance and leadership.
This year, 205 students were honored.
“The students who have earned this recognition have inspired their classmates, their educators, their campuses and me with their inspiring work, tenacious drive, and dedication to their academic success,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “I commend each of the awardees and thank them for being examples for others to follow.”
Cortland’s recipients are:
Mamadou “Saliou” Diallo, a biomedical sciences major from Brooklyn, N.Y.
Nadiya Grossman, a political science major from Rhinebeck, N.Y.
Joshua Osae, an exercise science major from Valley Stream, N.Y.
Jared Simmons, a biomedical science major from Skaneateles, N.Y.
Including those honored this year, 117 SUNY Cortland students have earned the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence since the program began in 1997.
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Mamadou “Saliou” Diallo
Diallo’s achievements span academic excellence, military service, leadership and advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion. With a 3.5 GPA and more than 148 credits earned, he has shown intellectual curiosity and academic drive throughout his time at Cortland. Diallo serves as a combat medic in the New York National Guard, participates in Cornell’s ROTC program and works as a resident assistant and building manager on campus. He co-founded the Cortland Islamic Student Association, participated in undergraduate research activities and earned a reputation on campus for his service, community building and inclusive excellence.
Why you chose to attend Cortland: Because of the EOP program and it’s a small school, which meant I had access to the professors and research, and plenty of mentorship time with faculty, which was my priority. I also loved the campus during my visit, and most importantly the people — EOP staff, professors, friends and faculty in general. Also, I was encouraged to work and stay healthy.
Activities you’re involved with on campus: ROTC cadet; president and co-founder of Cortland Islamic Student Association; resident assistant; researcher in (Biological Sciences Professor Christa Chatfield’s) lab; and Student Life Center building manager. Those are the big ones.
Advice for new students: Prioritize what makes you happy and your career, build and think of your career from day zero. Be nice and absorb as much knowledge as you can. Don’t hesitate to jump into opportunities. Also, sometimes you will have to create your own.
Favorite class: Evolutionary Biology
Proudest Cortland accomplishment: SUNY Chancellor’s Award
Future plans: Biomedical sciences research
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Nadiya Grossman
Founder and treasurer of the Law and Politics Club on campus, Grossman is a transfer student who came to Cortland her sophomore year and helped establish a bipartisan outlet for students interested in political science, criminology, psychology and other disciplines. Her work has earned her an award through SUNY Cortland’s Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship Program that included hands-on experience with data and statistical results to assess New York state’s COVID-19 social support measures. Grossman also participated in an independent study that taught her how to write and structure a policy report. In pursuit of her career goals, she interned with a defense attorney to learn about criminal law and worked with the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia.
Why you chose to attend Cortland: I transferred to Cortland for the small class sizes and active campus community.
Activities you’re involved with on campus:: The Law and Politics club. It's a great way to meet new friends and any major is welcome to join. You don't have to be involved or interested in politics to enjoy it.
Advice for new students: Get involved in campus life!
Favorite class: Constitutional Law
Proudest Cortland accomplishment: Applying for the SUNY Washington Internship Semester and interning with the Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia. I have loved my time in D.C. and cannot recommend it enough. Any major can apply.
Future plans: Attending law school and becoming a criminal defense attorney.
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Joshua Osae
Osae is the president of SUNY Cortland’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, vice president of communications for the the SUNYAC SAAC, and a representative on behalf of SUNYAC for the DIII National SAAC. He is also a four-year member of the men’s cross country and track and field teams and initiated or led many community service events, from Special Olympics track meets and National Girls and Women in Sports Day to packing and distributing survivor resource bags through Students Active for Ending Rape and writing holiday cards for the military. Osae will begin a graduate physical therapy program after Commencement.
Why you chose to attend Cortland: I chose to attend Cortland due to its strong academic presence in the field of kinesiology and exercise science, its strong athletic prowess within NCAA Division III and its reputation among former students and current professionals as a quality institution within the SUNY system.
Activities you’re involved with on campus: Cross country and track and field student-athlete; Cortland Student-Athlete Advisory Committee president; Cortland Stars Special Olympics Club; campus tour guide; COR 101 student facilitator, volunteer research assistant for project related to Parkinson’s disease; NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member; SUNYAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee vice president of communications.
Advice for new students: Take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved on campus and in the greater Cortland community. These opportunities have the potential to provide you with meaningful experiences and relationships that can change your life. Also, do not be afraid to engage with the faculty and staff on campus. In my experience, they are incredibly caring and are invested in your success. I will always be appreciative of their support, and it has taught me the importance of mentorship and uplifting others around you.
Favorite class: Nutrition and Sport Performance with Associate Professor Jacqueline Augustine
Proudest Cortland accomplishment: Representing our 700-plus student-athletes at the national level as a member of the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and planning the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk at Cortland.
Future plans: Beginning this June, I will be attending SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse to pursue my Doctor of Physical Therapy.
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Jared Simmons
Simmons excelled as a transfer student at Cortland after graduating summa cum laude from SUNY Onondaga Community College, where he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He earned SUNY Cortland’s Outstanding Academic Achievement in Biological Sciences Award and has made the Dean’s or President’s lists every semester with a cumulative 3.97 GPA. Simmons also served as a supplemental instruction leader, participated in a Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and presented at at a science symposium at Cornell University and at Cortland's Michael J. Bond ’75, M.D. Alumni/Undergraduate Science Symposium. Outside the classroom, he manages livestock on his family farm, preparing for a career in veterinary medicine.
Why you chose to attend Cortland: Because it was close to my hometown, and my sister had attended before me. I loved the campus, and the Biological Sciences Department had amazing professors I knew I wanted to take classes with.
Activities you’re involved with on campus: Undergraduate research; Biology Club; Supplemental Instruction (SI) leader.
Advice for new students: Ask as many questions as you can and never leave a class or exam wishing you had tried harder. For any biology majors, don’t be afraid of the professors. They are here to help you in every way they can.
Favorite class: Anatomy and Physiology II with Professor Theresa Curtis
Proudest Cortland accomplishment: Having the highest GPA in the Biological Sciences Department in both junior and senior year.
Future plans: I will be applying to veterinary school in September.