CANTON -- An assistant professor of accounting who encourages student volunteerism will be receiving the top student-given award at SUNY Canton.

Peggy J. Jenkins will be recognized with SUNY Canton's Northstar Award at the College's 103rd Commencement Ceremony, to be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21, in the College's new athletic center, nicknamed Roos House.

Jenkins annually orchestrates the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at the College, which helps low- to moderate-income individuals and families prepare their taxes. Through her involvement, student participation in the program has tripled, and the group prepared more than 150 returns for the 2010 tax period.

"Beyond providing a valuable service to individuals who might not be able to pay to have their taxes prepared, the VITA program provides students with hands-on real-world experience," said Linda A. Heilman, Dean of the College's School of Business and Liberal Arts.

Among the student recommendations for the Northstar Award were numerous mentions of Jenkins' ability to provide exceptional real-world examples of accounting policies and procedures. One student said that Jenkins consistently goes above and beyond to help all of her students achieve their full potential.

"Whenever I bring up her name or her unique teaching style to a fellow student, they agree with my opinion that Mrs. Jenkins is one of the most remarkable faculty members at the College," wrote a student in a letter of recommendation for the award. "She is very deserving of this award."

Eight students have recognized her outstanding involvement and presented her with awards through the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

Jenkins is a Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania who received her Master of Business Administration from Penn State University, and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bridgewater College in Virginia. In addition to her courses at SUNY Canton, she's lectured internationally at the University of Wales, Bangor, U.K.

Jenkins lives in Canton with her family. She has a son Colin, and a daughter Lucy.