We are pleased to announce the SARA State Portal Entity (SPE) staff members honored for their exceptional contributions at the 2026 SPE Annual Conference Award Ceremony. Through their collaborative spirit, passion, and dedication, these individuals exemplify the core values of the SARA community in their daily work.
 

Star Peer Excellence Award
A peer-nominated award recognizing SPEs across all regions who demonstrate outstanding commitment and make significant contributions to the SARA community.

Awarded by Jimikea Chatman Wilson, Program Coordinator, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).
Sean Seepersad
Connecticut/N-SARA
Division Director of Academic Affairs
Connecticut Office of Higher Education

 
Andrea Richards
New York/N-SARA
Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
New York State Education Department

 
Cynthia “Cyd” Grua
Utah /W-SARA
Office of the Commissioner for Higher Education
Utah System of Higher Education – Board of Regents Building, The Gateway

 
Kathleen Fimple
Nebraska/M-SARA
Academic Programs Officer
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education

 
Kate McCartan
Minnesota/M-SARA
Institutional Monitoring Specialist
Minnesota Office of Higher Education

 
A Star Is Born Award
Recognizes SPE staff members within their first two years at SARA who have demonstrated immediate leadership and initiative through active participation in committees or workgroups.

Awarded by Jimikea Chatman Wilson, Program Coordinator, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).
Monica Devers
Minnesota/M-SARA
Academic Program Reviewer
Minnesota Office of Higher Education

 
Kathy Garrett
Kentucky/S-SARA
Program Director of State Authorization and Reciprocity, Licensure
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

 
Regional Star Award
Recognizes SPE staff members within each region for extraordinary leadership, dedication, and service to their Regional Steering Committee (RSC).

Awarded by Jimikea Chatman Wilson, Program Coordinator, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).
James “Jim” Farhat
Michigan/M-SARA
State Administrative Manager, Workforce Development, Post Secondary & State Approving Section Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

 
Cyd Grua 
Utah/W-SARA
Office of the Commissioner for Higher Education
Utah System of Higher Education – Board of Regents Building, The Gateway

 
Elizabeth Walker
Oklahoma/S-SARA
Coordinator for State Authorization and Compliance
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

 
Tiamekia Cezaire
Massachusetts/N-SARA
Paralegal and Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education

 
Michael Perry
Maine/N-SARA
Director of Higher Education & Educator Supports
Maine Department of Education

 

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