Genesee Community College has named Rafael Alicea-Maldonado, Ph.D, Employee of the Month for April.
Since joining the Genesee faculty as an instructor of Chemistry more than 10 years ago, he has contributed significantly to the college community. He earned his doctorate, recently participated in the Genesee Leadership Academy, and is currently serving on the College's Strategic Plan Committee.
Three years ago, Alicea-Maldonado became an advisor to Genesee's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), and he has taken that responsibility very seriously. He is a positive mentor for the students of PTK, and he communicates regularly about PTK's activities and events.
Additionally, he has served on many search committees, participates in college governance, and is a vital member of the GUSTO! team. He helps plan the annual faculty retreat and has been a faculty leader in encouraging his colleagues to attend commencement.
Alicea-Maldonado is originally from Naguabo, a small city on the east coast of Puerto Rico and moved to Buffalo in 1994. He earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from University of Puerto Rico. Before coming to Genesee in 2000, he taught in Puerto Rico as well as at the University of Buffalo where he earned his doctoral degree. He currently teaches several chemistry courses for the college.
He earned the Matter-Tyler Teaching Award from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Buffalo in 1996, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence in 2005, the Phi Theta Kappa Horizon award in 2008 and the Phi Theta Kappa Paragon award in 2009.
"My favorite part of working at Genesee Community College is the daily interaction I have with the students and my fellow faculty members," Alicea-Maldonado said.
In his spare time he enjoys traveling around the world. He has traveled to many different countries including Jordan, Egypt, Costa Rica, and most recently, he spent spring break in Spain.
