Stony Brook University's Jude Eleanor Elizenda Mondesir Honored with SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service
Budget and Financial Planning leader recognized for transformative contributions to university operations over a distinguished three-decade career
Stony Brook University’s division of Budget, Financial Planning & Analysis (BFP&A), is proud to announce that Jude Eleanor Elizenda Mondesir, known to her colleagues as Eli, has been selected as a recipient of the State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service for the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious honor recognizes professional service staff who have demonstrated superlative performance within and beyond their position, and Eli’s selection stands as a testament to her extraordinary contributions to the Stony Brook community.
Eli serves as the Assistant Vice President in BFP&A. Since May 2025, she has simultaneously fulfilled her role and that of Interim Vice President for Budget and Financial Planning while leading two of the university’s most complex and consequential initiatives.
“Her profound historical knowledge and dynamic intelligence enable her to navigate Stony Brook’s intricate financial ecosystem with unparalleled expertise.”
— Colleagues of Jude Eleanor Elizenda Mondesir
As the BFP&A leader for WolfieONE, Eli identifies automation opportunities and rigorously evaluates measures to ensure genuine operational efficiency that will enhance the university’s decision-making capabilities for decades to come. She masterfully analyzes university financial data and provides meticulously grounded scenario planning that equips leadership with reliable financial intelligence necessary for sustainability and strategic growth.
Among her most notable innovations is the development of the Standardized Administrative Rate (StAR)—a groundbreaking algorithm for payroll assessments that applies a reduced, uniform percentage to employee salaries across state-appropriated funding sources in the Academic Enterprise. This achievement exemplifies the scope of Eli’s impact, which extends far beyond her formal job parameters to fundamentally transform data methodologies and reshape Stony Brook’s operational landscape.
Colleagues describe her as a “living, breathing data dictionary,” whose comprehensive understanding of both the academic and healthcare enterprise enables her to bridge traditional organizational divides with ease. Throughout her remarkable three-decade tenure at Stony Brook, Eli has also distinguished herself as a dedicated mentor, active committee contributor, and champion of inclusive environments—reflecting professional excellence that benefits both current stakeholders and future generations of the university community.
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service is among the most distinguished recognitions within the State University of New York system. Its rigorous selection criteria ensure that only those staff who have consistently demonstrated outstanding performance receive the honor. Eli’s selection reflects the respect and esteem of her colleagues, students, and campus leadership for her professional accomplishments.
