MVCC announces new hires, employee title changes, and promotions

Mohawk Valley Community College announces the following new appointments, employee title changes, and promotions as approved by the Board of Trustees at its March 18, April 23, and May 20 meetings:

  • Todd Behrendt, Dean of the School of Art
  • Gary Broadhurst, Dean of Athletics
  • Melissa Copperwheat, Dean of the School of Health Sciences
  • Tracy Coulson, Director of Student Accessibility and Wellness
  • Julie Dewan, Dean of Curriculum and Assessment
  • Jennifer DeWeerth, Dean of Student Enrollment
  • Brittany Dielemans, Coordinator of Judicial Affairs and Community Standards
  • Steffani DiPierro, GEAR UP Program Specialist
  • Dennis Gibbons, Dean of Student Life
  • Michelle Green, Instructor, Health Information Technology
  • Michael Grider, YouthBuild Case Manager
  • Jeffrey Grimshaw, Business Development Manager
  • Michael Henningsen, Completion Coach
  • Sarah Lam, Director of Community and Workforce Development
  • James Lynch, Assistant Vice President for Learning and Academic Affairs
  • Samantha Madderom, GEAR UP Program Specialist
  • James Maio, Dean of Student Support
  • Dawson McDermott, Director of Holistic Student Support
  • Michael J. Mihevc, Dean of the School of STEM-Transfer
  • Mark Montgomery, Dean of the School of Public and Human Services
  • Delvin Moody, GEAR UP Program Specialist
  • Rosemarie Pastorella, Completion Coach
  • Morris Pearson, Director of Education Outreach Center
  • Cheryl Plescia, Professor Emerita
  • James Roberts, Dean of the School of Humanities
  • Ibrahim Rosic, Assistant Dean of the School of STEM and Director of the Learning Commons
  • Kristen Skobla, Executive Director of the Center for Leadership Excellence
  • Timothy Thomas, Assistant Vice President for Learning and Academic Affairs
  • Cassie L. Tuff, Peace Officer
  • Saingghech Ung, Math Corps Coordinator
  • Christine VanNamee, Dean of the School of Business and Hospitality
  • Janet Visalli, Director of Holistic Student Support
  • Nancy Wallace, Associate Director of Human Resources for Employment and Compensation
  • R. Joseph Woodrow, Dean of the School of STEM-Career

Todd Behrendt has transitioned to the position of Dean of the School of Art and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of his school.

Gary Broadhurst has transitioned to the position of Dean of Athletics and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of Athletics.

Melissa Copperwheat has transitioned to the position of Dean of the School of Health Sciences and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of her school.

Tracy Coulson has transitioned to the position of Director of Student Accessibility and Wellness and will provide oversight for Counseling Services, the Health Center, Accessibility Resources, and the College-Community-Connection program for the development of student support services related to the general wellness of students.

Julie Dewan has transitioned to the position of Dean of Curriculum and Assessment and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of the academic systems office, curriculum review, and academic assessment.

Jennifer DeWeerth has transitioned to the position of Dean of Student Enrollment and will be responsible for the overall administration and operation of Admissions/International, Testing/Help Desk, Office of Records and Registration, Financial Aid, College Connection, Magnet Bridge, and Dual Credit.

Brittany Dielemans has transitioned to the position of Coordinator of Judicial Affairs and Community Standards and will also serve as Chief Conduct Officer. She will respond to all Code of Conduct and Residence Hall policy violations and maintain statistical data regarding all charges and sanctioning.

Steffani DiPierro has transitioned to the positioned of GEAR Up Program Specialist and will significantly improve GEAR Up students’ academic performance through the delivery of a wide variety of instructional support and intervention services.
 
Dennis Gibbons has transitioned to the position of Dean of Student Life and will be responsible for the overall administration and operation of the Residence Life and Housing program, Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, and Student Engagement (Student Activities, Student Government, CSTEP/STEP, and EOP).

Michelle Green was appointed to the position of Instructor of Health Information Technology. As such, she will provide instruction, assist senior faculty in course revisions and curriculum writing, serve on College and departmental committees, and perform other appropriate professional obligations. Green has been an adjunct at MVCC since 2017. She also concurrently worked as an adjunct at Mount Wachusett Community College in Massachusetts; a self-employed health information management consultant in New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida; and a textbook author. Prior to these positions, she was SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred, director of Medical records at both Metropolitan General Hospital in Pinellas Park, Fla., and Interbay Community Hospital in Tampa, Fla. Green holds a master’s of professional studies in community services administration from Alfred University, a bachelor’s degree in medical records administration from Daemen College, and an associate degree in medical records technology from Alfred State College.

Michael Grider was appointed to the grant-funded position of YouthBuild Case Manager in which he will provide ongoing counseling support, advocacy, and guidance to Mohawk Valley YouthBuild program members to assist them in dealing with their academic, personal, legal, and social services needs, especially those that interfere with their ability to meet the program requirements and their personal goals. He also will work closely with the other staff to build the youths’ leadership skills and serve as lead staff member referral to community services. Grider has worked with the Workforce Development Board since 2016 as a YouthBuild worksite coordinator and case manager. He also most recently was the assistant varsity football coach at Notre Dame High School. Prior to these positions, Grider was a substitute/teacher assistant in the Holland Patent Central School District, a merchandiser for Coca Cola Company out of Syracuse, and a residence life director and assistant director’s assistant at Utica College. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Utica College.

Jeffrey Grimshaw was appointed to the grant-funded position of business development manager in the Advanced Institute for Manufacturing (AIM). In this position, he will identify and develop new business opportunities with manufacturers in the six-county Mohawk Valley region while building relationships with AIM’s current clients. He will be focusing on marketing and selling AIM training programs and MVCC technical education programs; building supply chains; connecting local manufacturers with New York State technical resources; and engaging with the workforce development community to identify new and innovative ways to bring technical solutions to the manufacturing community. Grimshaw comes to MVCC after serving as the executive director of the View Arts Center in Old Forge since 2017, and owning a consulting business – Jeffrey Grimshaw Consulting – since 2015. Prior to these positions, he worked as the director of business and community relations and the executive director of the Workforce Development Board at SUNY Oswego; the executive director of the YMCA of Fulton, N.Y.; and held several positions within the Oswego County Sheriff’s Department from 1978 until 2002. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Empire State College, a study in management of training from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., and an associate degree in criminal justice from MVCC.

Michael Henningsen has transitioned to the position of Completion Coach and will work individually with students to co-create a customized and prescribed pathway that tailors guidance to address the students’ goals, strengths, and challenges.

Sarah Lam has transitioned to the position of Director of Community and Workforce Development and will provide oversight of workforce development efforts at the College in collaboration with Academic Affairs administrators and others. She also will work closely with the associate vice president of workforce development and dean of the Rome Campus to develop community partnerships that will lead to inter-agency collaborations and strategic community development efforts. She also will be responsible for directing programs, activities, personnel, mission, and the overall operation of the Center for Corporate and Community Education.

James Lynch has transitioned to the position of Assistant Vice President for Learning and Academic Affairs and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of the academic unit in conjunction with the vice president and co-assistant vice president.

Samantha Madderom was appointed to the grant-funded position of GEAR UP Program Specialist. As such, she will deliver a wide variety of instructional support and interventions to students to improve their academic performance. Prior to joining MVCC, Madderom served as a compliance incident officer at Upstate Cerebral Palsy; director of the Child Advocacy Center of Herkimer County as part of YWCA Mohawk Valley; a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Prevention Council specialist and Coalition director at the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc.; and a teacher in the Ilion Central School District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Syracuse University.

James Maio has transitioned to the position of Dean of Student Support and will be responsible for the overall administration and operation of Holistic Student Support, Career Services, Veterans Education Services, and Student Wellness (College-Community-Connection, Counseling, Health Center, Office of Accessibility Resources).

Dawson McDermott has transitioned to the position of Holistic Student Support and will provide oversight for the Single Point of Contact staff that supports the second and third pillars of Guided Pathways: Getting on the Path and Staying on the Path.

Michael J. Mihevc has transitioned to the position of Dean of the School of STEM - Transfer and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of his school.

Delvin Moody was appointed to the grant-funded position of GEAR UP Program Specialist. As such, he will deliver a wide variety of instructional support and interventions to students to improve their academic performance. Before this position, Moody held several positions while he was a student, including as a marketing and graphic designer at the Office of Minority Student Affairs at the University of Rochester, a consumer frauds representative at the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and a student staff accountant at Strong Memorial Hospital, all in Rochester. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and religion from the University of Rochester.

Mark Montgomery has transitioned to the position of Dean of the School of Public and Human Services and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of his school.

Rosemarie Pastorella has transitioned to the position of Completion Coach and will work individually with students to co-create a customized and prescribed pathway that tailors guidance to address the students’ goals, strengths, and challenges.

Morris Pearson has transitioned to the position of Director of the Education Outreach Center and will design, implement, and coordinate contract objectives and program activities for grant-funded projects that provide for programming at the EOC. He also will seek additional opportunities for the EOC and the College, and develop relationships in the community to build prospects for the College.

In recognition of her many years of outstanding service to MVCC, Cheryl Plescia was named Professor Emerita.

James Roberts has transitioned to the position of Dean of the School of Humanities and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of his school.

Ibrahim Rosic has transitioned to the position of Assistant Dean of the School of STEM and will assist the deans of the School of STEM in setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of the school. He also will continue in his role as Director of the Learning Commons.

Kristen Skobla has transitioned to the position of Executive Director of the Center for Leadership Excellence, a recent partnership venture between the College and Leadership Mohawk Valley. In this position, she will coordinate and attend program events, monitor program outcomes, collaborate with stakeholders, secure financing and continuous enrollment, and represent and market the program in the community.

Timothy Thomas has transitioned to the position of Assistant Vice President for Learning and Academic Affairs and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of the academic unit in conjunction with the vice president and co-assistant vice president.

Christine VanNamee has transitioned to the position of Dean of the School of Business and Hospitality and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of her school.

Janet Visalli has transitioned to the position of Holistic Student Support and will provide oversight for the Single Point of Contact staff that supports the second and third pillars of Guided Pathways: Getting on the Path and Staying on the Path.

Nancy Wallace has transitioned to the position of Associate Director of Human Resources for Employment and Compensation. The associate director of human resources position, which Wallace has held since 2014, was split between her new position and an Associate Director of Human Resources for Benefits and Labor Relations. In her new position, Wallace will direct a variety of processes and procedures revolving around employment and compensation, including job description development and updates; providing support for recruitment, new employee paperwork, and onboarding processes; the employee performance feedback process; promotions and career appointments; and overseeing the College compensation process.

R. Joseph Woodrow has transitioned to the position of Dean of the School of STEM - Career and will be responsible for setting the standard for intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and accomplishment by providing strategic vision for and operational leadership of his school.