While her day-to-day responsibilities as secretary to graduate programs in the School of Communications vary, most often she can be found at her desk helping enroll and schedule graduate students for classes, assisting with accelerated dual-degree (3+1) programming, as well as greeting and engaging with everyone who walks through the door with her signature warm smile — especially the students.

“Without Sue, the School of Communications wouldn’t run as smoothly as it does,” said Laura Willis, assistant professor of health and strategic communication. “She’s a go-to problem-solver, motivated to do her best to provide students the best possible experience at Quinnipiac.”

For her extraordinary efforts and dedication, she is being honored with one of this year’s Center for Excellence in Service to Students awards, the university’s most prestigious staff honor, on October 17.

“My favorite part about engaging with the students is watching them create and master their craft,” Scoopo said. “I like to hear about their successes, internships, projects they have worked on or just what is happening in their lives.”

It makes sense. Scoopo was practically raised at Quinnipiac.

When she was just 14, her mother, Nancy Carney, began working at the then Quinnipiac College. She would ultimately attend the college and earn a bachelor’s in psychology with a concentration in daycare and child development. Along the way, she met her husband, Donald Scoopo, while taking a class in Tator Hall — and later had two children, Matthew ‘20 and Lauren ‘23 — who are both students at Quinnipiac.

“There is no one who goes above and beyond more than Sue Scoopo,” said Hilary Fussell Sisco, chair and associate professor of strategic communication. “While Sue may be the first face you see in the McMahon Center, her infectious attitude, endless energy and never-ending optimism will stay with you for a very long time.”
Scoopo offers students, faculty and staff alike a guiding hand with patience, grace and enthusiasm.

“She engages in conversation with students and alumni alike — just as an old friend would,” said Antoaneta Vanc, associate professor of strategic communication.

Molly Yanity, associate professor of journalism and the graduate director for the journalism and sports journalism programs, credits Scoopo with keeping her focused and being her guiding hand.

“Sue not only provided me the road map, she also became my guide rails, my headlights and my seatbelt,” said Yanity.

When Scoopo found out that she was one of this year’s Center for Excellence honorees, she said she was shocked.

“To be recognized and celebrated by the people you work with every day is a reward itself,” Scoopo said of her award. “I am a very under-the-radar type of person; I’m just happy to be able to help.”

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Service to Students

School of Communications