The Mohawk Valley Community College Foundation, Inc., has welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors, strengthening its leadership in advancing student success and community impact. The Foundation plays a vital role in generating alternative revenue to help MVCC adapt to rapidly evolving societal, technological, and academic needs while addressing shifting community demands. Board members guide fundraising efforts that enhance the student experience and expand opportunities for the College to grow and innovate.

The new Board members are:

Claire T. Parisi, MVCC class of 2018, is an Electronics Engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory. She holds a master’s degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Northeastern University, a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University, and an associate degree in Engineering Science from MVCC. As head of research for a new program, Parisi has conducted extensive market research to build a technology solutions portfolio, securing multimillion-dollar funding to advance terahertz radio technology. She has spearheaded key collaborations between academia and industry to develop innovative communication solutions, including a groundbreaking simulation technique and a deep learning experiment with over 16,000 wireless transmissions. In addition to her research and leadership, Parisi supports program administration by coordinating industry engagement events and conducting source selection analysis to guide proposal evaluations.

Amy DeMetri brings nearly 40 years of experience in the financial industry, having retired in December 2023 as the Executive Vice President at First Source Federal Credit Union. A graduate of Leadership Mohawk Valley, DeMetri has held various leadership roles throughout her career and is currently pursuing an associate degree in Business Management at MVCC. In retirement, DeMetri is the branch manager with loanDepot and remains actively involved in the community, serving on boards and organizations such as the Mohawk Valley Board of Realtors, the Rescue Mission, the American Heart Association, and the Genesis Group.

Stephanie Davis-Clark, MVCC class of 1999, is a Credentialing Specialist II at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration Management from SNHU, as well as an associate degree in Paralegal Studies from MVCC. Committed to leadership development, she graduated from MVCC’s Neighborhoods Rising program in 2023. Beyond her professional achievements, Davis-Clark is passionate about community service. She serves as a Board member for the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley, an Advisory Council member for the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, a Patient Family Advisory Council member at Rome Health, a member at large for the NAACP – Rome Branch, and a Community Engagement Committee member for the United Way of the Mohawk Valley.

About the MVCC Foundation

The Mohawk Valley Community College Foundation, Inc., was established in 1966 to secure private sector support to supplement and enhance public funding at Mohawk Valley Community College. The Foundation is a 501c(3), nonprofit corporation that solicits, accepts, manages, invests, and distributes contributions and communicates with donors and prospects. It serves as a repository for all private, non-governmental gifts and support received on behalf of the college. In 2024, the Foundation raised $1.49 million in donations and awarded 411 scholarships totaling $459,635 to 208 MVCC students.