Mohawk Valley Community College announces the following new appointments, employee title changes, and promotions as approved by the Board of Trustees at its Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec. 14 meetings:
- Joyce Baumann, Associate Professor Emerita
- Amir Harbas, Educational Application Assistant
- Caitlyn Graham, Financial Aid Advisor
- Michelle Green, Instructor, School of Health Sciences
- Charles Hendricks, Network and Security Specialist
- Kenneth Klein, Associate Professor Emeritus
- Todd Marshall, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer/CDO
- Jessica Norris, Financial Aid Advisor
- Zachary Steffen, Business Consultant
- Peter Steiner, Network Technician
- John B. Stetson, Trustee Emeritus
- Dustin Swiss, Technical Assistant, School of Business and Hospitality
- Frank Vellone, Instructor, School of STEM—Career
In recognition of her many years of outstanding service, Joyce Baumann has been named Associate Professor Emerita.
Caitlyn Graham has transitioned to the position of Financial Aid Advisor and will advise students, review applications for financial assistance, and assist in the general administration of the College’s Student Financial Aid Program. She has served the College in several capacities since 2018, including Financial Aid Assistant, Enrollment Associate, and a part-time Enrollment Assistant. She also has worked as an autism mentor at the Kelberman Center and a sales associate and bridal consultant at Bed Bath and Beyond. Graham holds a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology from Morrisville State College and an associate degree in Psychology from MVCC.
Michelle Green has transitioned to the position of Instructor in the School of Health Science, teaching courses in the Health Information Management program. Green has been working as an Adjunct Instructor and Instructor with the College since 2017. She also has served as an adjunct professor at Mount Wachusett Community College in Massachusetts, and a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred. Prior to her positions in academia, Green worked as the Director of Medical Records at both Metropolitan General Hospital in Pinellas Park, Fla., and Interbay Community Hospital in Tampa, Fla. In addition to all of these positions, she has worked part-time as a self-employed health information management consultant since 1984 and a textbook author for Cengage Learning since 2000. Green holds a master’s degree 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.
Amir Harbas has transitioned from his part-time position on the IT Help Desk to the full-time position of Educational Application Assistant and will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and low-level administration of the instructional computers and administrative desktop computers on both the Utica and Rome campuses. Harbas previously worked as a front end supervisor at Hannaford, and recently earned his associate degree in independent studies from MVCC.
Charles Hendricks has transitioned to the position of Network and Security Specialist and will primarily be responsible for the general operations of the College’s hardware and software to support on-campus and internet-based data and telecommunications traffic. He also will support resources for cybersecurity systems and procedures to ensure vigilant protection against network intrusions, viruses, and spam. Hendricks has served the College as a Network Specialist since 2008 and a part-time Assistant Network Administrator prior to that. He concurrently has been the owner/operator of Chuck’s Computer Repair since 2003. Hendricks earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and an associate degree in Computer Information Systems from MVCC.
In recognition of his many years of outstanding service to MVCC, Kenneth Klein has been named Associate Professor Emeritus.
Todd Marshall has transitioned to the position of Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer/Chief Diversity Officer and will be responsible for developing and executing college-wide strategy and practices that add value in support of the overall vision and strategic direction of the College related to diversity, equity, and systemic inclusion. He also will serve on the President’s Cabinet, will work collaboratively with offices across campus to elevate inclusiveness, and will act as an advocate for students, faculty, and staff. Marshall has spent his career in academia. He has been working at MVCC since 2011 teaching ESL, most recently at the rank of assistant professor. Prior to joining the College, he held teaching positions across the country at various institutions including York College, ScoreRite Academy, University of Central Arkansas, De Young School, Cornell University, and Central College. In addition to teaching ESL, he also has taught Spanish, Russian, and French. Marshall holds a Ph.D. in Slavic studies and Slavic linguistics and a master’s degree in Slavic studies and general linguistics, both from Cornell University, and a bachelor’s degree in French and general linguistics from Central College in Iowa.
Jessica Norris has transitioned to the position of Financial Aid Advisor and will advise students, review applications for financial assistance, and assist in the general administration of the College’s Student Financial Aid Program. Norris has been with the College since 2019 as a Financial Aid Assistant. She has held positions as a wreath decorator for Massoud’s Tree Farm, lead teacher at Sitrin Child Care, and substitute teacher for the Sauquoit Valley School District and Clinton Central Schools. Norris holds a bachelor’s degree in childhood education from SUNY Geneseo.
Zachary Steffen has transitioned to the position of Business Consultant in the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and will provide business advisement services to a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in starting, managing, growing, or purchasing a business. Steffen was an associate business advisor at the SBDC since it moved to MVCC in 2019. Prior to that, he served as president of Pyramid Publishing in Utica and was the general manager of North Country Books, also in Utica. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from University at Albany.
Peter Steiner has been appointed to the position of Network Technician in the Information Technology department and will be responsible for network transmission infrastructure, in which he will ensure continuity across copper, fiber optic, and wireless transmission technologies to support data video, and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). He also will provide services for the installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of digital switches/routers, wireless transmitters/receivers, telephone, video cameras, and UPS systems. Steiner joins the College after serving as registrar for the Leatherstocking Council of the Boy Scouts of America and as a part-time Network Technician and on the Help Desk Media Center at the College from 2006 until 2013. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and an associate degree in microcomputer/technical support from Utica School of Commerce.
In recognition of his years of outstanding service to MVCC, John B. Stetson has been named Trustee Emeritus.
Dustin Swiss has been appointed to the position of Technical Assistant – Hospitality in the School of Business and Hospitality and will provide specialized technical assistance to professional or administrative staff in hospitality of in the general supervision of student activities and events. Before joining MVCC, Swiss served as the executive chef for the Adirondack League Club in Old Forge; owner/operator of The Little Red Food Truck; food and beverage manager for the Crestwood Golf Course; food salesman for Smith Packing Company; and executive chef and banquet manager for Teugega Country Club/Delta Lake Inn. He holds an associate degree in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America.
Frank Vellone has transitioned to the position of Instructor in the School of STEM—Career, teaching courses in Electrical Engineering Technology. He has been working as an Adjunct Instructor and Instructor with the College since 2017. He also has served as a technology teacher at Rome Free Academy, an interim technology teacher at Otto Shortell Middle School in Oneida, and a technology teacher at Thomas R. Proctor High School. Prior to his teaching positions, Vellone worked at NetTest/Anritsu Instruments as a product support engineer, Philips Broadband Networks as an associate engineer, and Raytheon Company as a technical staff member/test engineer. He holds a master’s degree in adolescence education from Utica College, a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology from SUNY Institute of Technology, and an associate degree in electrical/electronic engineering from Onondaga Community College.