Dr. Heather Stassen, founding dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education and vice provost, was recently honored with the Christine L. Nystrom Award for Career Achievement in Service to the Field of Media Ecology during the Media Ecology Association’s (MEA) 2026 MEA Awards. 
This award, named after the influential media ecologist and NYU professor Christine Nystrom, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding, long-term institutional and professional service to the media ecology community.
“Heather’s commitment to the College of Arts, Sciences and Education and the entire Daemen community has been instrumental in our success,” said Dr. Michael Brogan, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “She continues to raise the bar through her ongoing leadership and stewardship to our institution and higher education as a whole and inspires us all to do the same.”
The MEA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the study, research, criticism, and application of media ecology in educational, industry, political, civic, social, cultural, and artistic contexts, and the open exchange of ideas, information, and research among the Association’s members.