Honorable Catherine S. Pucciarelli

Chairperson 
Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation

Ms. Catherine Pucciarelli has been a devoted volunteer and educational advocate for most of her life. For more than 50 years she has dedicated the majority of her time and effort to her community, involving herself in everything from education to local government issues. Fittingly, she began her altruistic works as a member of her local PTA, working her way into the role of Officer of the Council of PTAs.

Ms. Pucciarelli went into service for her hometown of Rockville Centre (RVC), joining the Economic Opportunity Commission, of which she eventually became Chairperson. She was elected as a Village Trustee and was then appointed Deputy Mayor. Ms. Pucciarelli developed a Humanities Program for the RVC Senior Center, in conjunction with the National Council on Aging, and was a featured speaker at the National Convention on Aging.

Ms. Pucciarelli served 10 years on the RVC Village Planning Board, was a member of the Bi-Centennial Committee, and volunteers with the Hispanic Brotherhood. She served as both President and Board Member of the Rosa Lee Young Childhood Center. She accomplished all this while working full time for the Nassau BOCES Department of Special Education, where she served for more than 20 years. Ms. Pucciarelli holds a bachelor's degree from the College of New Rochelle and a master's degree from Fordham University.

As Chairperson of the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation, Ms. Pucciarelli is responsible for raising the money to enhance educational opportunities for all students in Nassau BOCES schools, services and programs. The Foundation supports initiatives that are beyond the scope of the Nassau BOCES budget, and actively seeks donations, grants and government funds. To date, Ms. Pucciarelli has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for Nassau BOCES through events including the annual Education Partner Awards Gala.

"Ms. Catherine Pucciarelli's leadership skills have proved invaluable to the communities of Nassau County," wrote her award nominator. "She is poised, confident and completely in control. She possesses all of the qualities that you would look for in a leader."