2025 School of Education, Health, and Human Services

Sophia Siracuse is passionate about helping others no matter their circumstances. Sophia double majors in criminal justice and addiction and behavioral health, maintaining a 3.94 GPA. As a member of the Honors College, she is currently completing her senior thesis with her director, Dr. Jessica Sniatecki.

Sophia’s academic talent has led her to earn various scholarships and awards such as the SUNY Brockport Alumni Association Scholarship (2024-25), Department of Criminal Justice Scholar (2023), John and Angela Sinacore Student Award for Excellence in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies (2023-present), and the Ray M. DiPasquale Student Life Award (2023-24). In addition to her awards, Sophia is also a member of notable honor societies including Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice National Honors Society, and the Alpha Chi National Honors Society.

Outside of the classroom, Sophia is consistently helping her college community. She has worked within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as an ambassador, student host, and coordinator for the overnight visit program. She was involved in the Honors College first as a peer mentor and then as a peer mentor coordinator., where she participated and helped plan the Honors Gives Back event. She has tutored for many of her classes and is a member of the School of Education, Health, and Human Services Student Leadership Team.

Sophia will soon go from helping her college community to the wider community. She wants to pursue a career as a chemical dependency counselor in the Greater Rochester area and work toward becoming a credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor. Eventually, she hopes to earn her master’s degree in health counseling.

Daniel Behrend is passionate about empowering young generations. He is graduating with a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in adapted physical education and a 4.0 GPA. Before this, he received his associate’s degree in applied science of physical education studies from Genesee Community College (2021) and his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from SUNY Brockport (2023).

In 2022, he assisted Dr. Lauren Lieberman and Dr. Valerie Caron in the establishment of the first Camp Abilities in Switzerland. At this camp, he was able to assist visually impaired athletes in multiple sports.

When he is not in the classroom learning, he can be found in a different classroom teaching students from elementary to college age. Daniel has fostered strong relationships with many of his students but is still able to make time for other things. He works as a graduate assistant for the Department of Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education and is an active member of the Physical Education Club.

In the future, Daniel hopes to become a dual Adapted Physical Education teacher and General Physical Education teacher. He wants to work in any district in the local area and is willing to teach any grade level.