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Bernie Valento, vice president for Enrollment, was honored with the 2025 “We Live for This” award at The Institute for Higher Education in Beaver Creek, Colorado, held June 15–19. Presented annually by 3 Enrollment Marketing, one of �鶹ӳ��’s valued partners, this prestigious award recognizes an individual who exemplifies exceptional dedication, leadership and innovation in advancing institutional enrollment success.

The Institute is a premier national gathering of enrollment leaders and higher education administrators, offering a week of learning, collaboration and professional development. Also representing �鶹ӳ�� were Dean Whitcomb, director of Undergraduate Admissions, and Jack Steger, associate director of Graduate Admissions.

Valento delivered a featured presentation on strategic enrollment planning, highlighting �鶹ӳ��’s approach to modern differentiation, institutional strengths, and market positioning. He and Whitcomb co-presented a session titled “Nailing the Connection: Exceptional Experiencing,” which showcased the innovative, authentic and student-centered strategies SBU uses throughout its recruitment process.

Valento also had the honor of announcing the recipient of the 2025 Dennis R. DePerro Emerging Leader Scholarship, which provides full tuition to the Institute in memory of SBU’s former president, who passed away from Covid-19 in March 2021. Valento received the inaugural award in June 2021.