Mohawk Valley Community College announces the following new appointments, employee title changes, and promotions as approved by the Board of Trustees at its June 22 and Aug. 16 meetings:
- Michael Adamo, Assistant Director of Financial Aid
- Valerie Anguilli, Nursing Instructor
- Kathryn Barefoot, Distinguished Retiree
- Samantha Barnes, Student Support Advisor
- Timothy Burke, Coordinator, Workforce Development
- Krista Colucci, Assistant to the Office of Human Resources
- Stacey Day, Nursing Instructor
- Maureen Erickson, Director of Assessment and Academic Systems
- Matthew Fikes, Coordinator of Research and Analysis
- Sheila Flihan, Dean of the School of Public and Human Services
- Ashleigh Frank, Secretary to the President
- Harlan (Harley) Fuller, Men’s Basketball Head Coach/Athletic Specialist
- Patrick Gossier, Student Support Advisor
- Jared Hensel, Technical Assistant – Athletics
- Stephanie Lai, Program Technical Assistant
- Teresa Lake, Job Corps Scholars Counselor
- Vincent Pellizzi, Manager of Information Technology Administrative Computing Services
- Vincent Petronio, Director of Hospitality Programs
- Isabella Popowski, Coordinator of Events and Guest Services
- Cynthia Riedi, Psychology Instructor
- Claire Rudka, Distinguished Retiree
- Sandy Shephardson, Financial Aid Assistant
- Cassie Tuff, Director of Rome Campus
- Valarie Warmuth, Financial Aid Assistant
Michael Adamo has transitioned to the position of Assistant Director of Financial Aid and will assist the Director in administering the College financial aid programs and establishing and maintaining excellence in customer service. He also will be responsible for all Financial Aid data processing activities and will act as the Director in the Director’s absence. Adamo most recently served as associate director of Financial Aid and assistant director of Financial Aid at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Prior to those positions, Adamo worked at MVCC for four years, first as a Financial Aid Advisor and then as Assistant Director of Financial Aid. He also taught adjunct classes during his time at MVCC. Before that, he served as an LTD claims specialist at MetLife and an operations administrator in Broker Dealer Services at Bank of New York Mellon. Adamo holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and an associate degree in General Studies from MVCC.
Valerie Anguilli was appointed to the position of Nursing Instructor in the School of Health Sciences. She spent 13 years in the nursing field before transitioning to education. She began as a critical care nurse in 2005 at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital and then worked as a Nurse Care Manager at St. Elizabeth’s Homecare and a Start of Care Oasis Nurse at St. Joseph’s Homecare. Anguilli began teaching in 2011 as an adjunct clinical educator at Utica College, a position she has maintained. From 2017 to 2020, she served as a clinical educator at Acacia Home Care Company, and in 2020, she moved to hold several different positions: pandemic educator at Quality Training Solution Corporation, master instructor at BOCES, and adjunct clinical educator at MVCC. Anguilli holds a master’s degree in nursing education from Purdue University, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Kaplan University, and an associate degree in Nursing from MVCC.
In recognition of her many years of outstanding service, Kathryn Barefoot has been named Distinguished Retiree.
Samantha Barnes has been appointed to the position of Student Support Advisor and will provide students with a single point-of-contact to create a seamless pathway for student success from pre-boarding to completion, working with a team to provide academic, career, financial, and related support to a group of students over the course of their MVCC education. She was most recently assistant registrar at Hartwick College. She also has served as academic advisor at SUNY Morrisville, admissions counselor at Le Moyne College, and assistant director of Admissions at Cazenovia College. Barnes holds a master’s degree in higher education administration and a post-baccalaureate certificate in higher education leadership from Le Moyne College and a bachelor’s degree in human services with a minor in psychology from Cazenovia College.
Timothy Burke has transitioned to the position of Coordinator, Workforce Development in MVCC’s Center for Corporate and Community Education and will coordinate and deliver workforce development needs to the local community by working with local agencies and employers on workforce initiatives, creating classes, and recruiting students for classes. Burke has been an MVCC employee since 2012, serving as an enrollment assistant, Education Opportunity Center Program Technical Coordinator, and most recently as Education Opportunity Center Coordinator. Prior to joining the College, Burke was the executive chef and back of house manager at the Crazy Clam in Sylvan Beach, and he has been a freelance audio and video engineer since 2003. He holds a master’s degree in learning and emerging technologies from SUNY Empire State College, and a bachelor’s degree in electronic publishing and marketing and associate degree in liberal arts and social sciences from SUNY Morrisville.
Krista Colucci has been appointed to the position of Assistant to the Office of Human Resources and will provide administrative and office support and will work on a variety of office administrative functions, including those of a timely, sensitive, and confidential nature, and other functions including recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and benefits. Colucci served most recently as the HR onboarding coordinator for Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse Corporate Office. She also worked as a bookkeeper at Home Depot, a caregiver/personal assistant in a private household, a client service coordinator at Banfield Pet Hospital in Georgia, and a PetsHotel manager and training manager, also in Georgia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business communications from Florida State University.
Stacey Day was appointed to the position of Nursing Instructor in the School of Health Sciences. Day has more than 15 years of experience in nursing and education. Most recently, she was employed as a nurse educator for NCLEX Services for ATI Nursing Education, clinical instructor online at Utica College, and a CNA instructor for MVCC’s Center for Corporate and Community Education. She also has worked as an ambulatory nurse educator at Bassett Medical Center and an LPN master instructor for BOCES Consortium of Continuing Education. Her nursing experience includes working as both a traveling nurse and a staff RN at Faxton-St. Luke’s Hospital. Day holds a master’s degree in nursing education and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNY Polytechnic Institute, an associate degree in nursing from the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, and an associate degree in general studies from Herkimer County Community College.
Maureen Erickson has been appointed to the position of Director of Assessment and Academic Systems and will provide analysis of external data for program development or enhancement recommendations, provide oversight and implementation of Learning and Academic Affairs curriculum submission to SUNY and the State Education Department, and work with the assistant vice presidents of Academics and serve as Assessment Liaison with Institutional Research for curriculum, assessment, and analysis. Erickson joins the College after serving as director of accreditation and assessment at the Culinary Institute of America and director of assessment at CUNY Hunter College. She also previously worked as director of assessment and an associate and adjunct professor at SUNY Cayuga Community College, and assessment coordinator and faculty member at SUNY Monroe Community College. Erickson holds a certificate of advanced study in instructional design technology, a master’s degree in instructional design, development, and evaluation, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Syracuse University, and an associate degree in business administration from Onondaga Community College.
Matthew Fikes has transitioned to the position of Coordinator of Research and Analysis in the Department of Institutional Research and Analysis and will assist the Department’s Director in coordinating data gathering management and assessment for the College. He has been with MVCC since 2010, first as a Senior Office Specialist, then a Technical Assistant — Institutional Assessment, and most recently as a Data Analytics and Visualization Specialist. Prior to joining the College, Fikes served as a digital lab assistant at Fraternal Composite Services, Inc. and a call representative for ACS Education Services. Fikes holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art from SUNY Oswego.
Sheila Flihan has been appointed to the position of Dean of the School of Public and Human Services. She 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. She will provide strategic, innovative, and visionary leadership in development of the School’s Strategic Plan in support of the College’s Strategic Plan, and inclusive and collegial leadership in supporting the needs of faculty, staff, and students. She joins the College from the The College of Saint Rose’s Department of Teacher Education, where she served as associate professor, professor, and department chairperson. Flihan also was a research assistant at University at Albany’s National Research Center on English Learning and Achievement, a teacher of English as a Second Language for the Utica City School District, and a teacher of Secondary English at Notre Dame High School. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a language in education specialization, a master’s degree in English, and a certificate of graduate study in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, all from University at Albany. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy majors with a minor in communications from Le Moyne College.
Ashleigh Frank has been appointed to the position of Secretary to the President and will independently perform complex clerical operations and relieve the President of the College of administrative detail. Frank was the assistant to the Director of ENL and Special Education in the Utica City School District for seven years, and before that was the owner and operator of Fiesta MexiCali Food Truck for five years. She holds an associate degree in Food Service Administration: Restaurant Management from MVCC.
Harlan (Harley) Fuller has been appointed to the position of Men’s Basketball Head Coach/Athletic Specialist and will be responsible for recruitment, guiding students through accomplishing their academic and athletic goals, and coaching students in a highly competitive intercollegiate athletic program. Fuller most recently served as assistant men’s basketball coach and director of basketball operations and player development coordinator at Siena College. He also has previously served as director of scouting and player development coordinator at Mount St. Mary’s University, assistant coach of the Albany City Rocks AAU-U17-Boys, and boys varsity head coach at Mayfield High School. Fuller holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Excelsior College and an associate degree in sport management from SUNY Cobleskill.
Patrick Gosier has been appointed to the position of Student Support Advisor and will provide students with a single point-of-contact to create a seamless pathway for student success from pre-boarding to completion, working with a team to provide academic, career, financial, and related support to a group of students over the course of their MVCC education. Before joining MVCC, Gosier worked as a student success coach at Hartwick College, an Upward Bound program advisor at University of California Davis, a Seahawk RISE program coordinator, academic advisor, and assistant residence counselor at UNC Wilmington, and a youth advocate for Hillside Work—Scholarship Connection in Rochester. He holds a master’s degree in higher education from UNC Wilmington and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Brockport.
Jared Hensel has been appointed to the position of Technical Assistant in Athletics and will provide skilled assistance to faculty, professional, or administrative staff in industrial, research, public service, or other educationally related programs or projects. He also will be a Certified Pool Operator and trained in the maintenance of exercise/fitness equipment. Hensel most recently worked as park supervisor for Oneida County Parks and Recreation and Athletic Department intern and coach at Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School. He also has served as an intern at SUNY Brockport’s Recreation Department and Facility Event Management, and was a crew leader/laborer for Stone Age Landscaping. Hensel holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management with a minor in coaching from SUNY Brockport and an associate degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies from MVCC.
Stephanie Lai has transitioned to the position to Program Technical Assistant in the Learning and Academic division. As such, she will provide assistance to administrative staff in educationally related programs and projects. Lai has worked at the College since 2015, first as a Senior Office Specialist I and then as a College Services Associate. Prior to her MVCC positions, she served as a teller at Berkshire Bank, an FID/processor at the Walmart Distribution Center, and an emergency roadside assistant at AAA New York. Lai holds an associate degree in Business Administration from MVCC.
Teresa Lake has been appointed to the position of Job Corps Scholars Counselor and will provide youth of diverse backgrounds from the high-needs population of the City of Utica with rigorous academic instruction, occupational skills training, and viable pathways to college and careers. Prior to joining MVCC, Lake worked as a social work assistant 3 at the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center, a case worker for Adult Protective Services/Child Protective Services at the Montgomery County Department of Social Services, and as an apartment counselor for the Mental Health Association of Fulton and Montgomery Counties. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The College of St. Rose and an associate degree in Psychology from MVCC.
Vincent Pellizzi has transitioned to the position of Manager of Information Technology Administrative Computing Services and will be responsible for the operations of the College’s IT Administrative Computing Services team and provide computing solutions using desktop and web applications, and database and operating system programming software. He has been with the College since 2012, working his way up from a Network Administration Intern to Educational Applications Assistant and Helpdesk Analyst to Programmer Analyst. He also has been an adjunct instructor since 2015. Pellizzi holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and an associate degree in Computer Information Systems from MVCC.
Vincent Petronio has been appointed to the position of Director of Hospitality Programs and will be responsible for the management of those programs and the daily operations that support and implement the programs’ objectives. Petronio most recently was an owner and executive chef at Motus, and a chef de cuisine at The Tailor and the Cook. He holds a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts management from the Culinary Institute of America.
Isabella Popowski has transitioned to the position of Coordinator of Events and Guest Services and will provide specialized technical assistance to the administrative staff within Events and Guest Services and manage the daily operations of the College Box Office. She also will be the primary point-of-contact for groups looking to use MVCC Rome Campus facilities and will be responsible for leading prospective guests through the multi-faceted College facility use processes. Popowski has been with the College since 2017, first as a part-time Events Assistant and then as an Events and Guests Services Associate. Before joining MVCC, she worked at Old Navy as a sales associate and at Tops Friendly Markets as a manager on duty/customer service lead. She holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from MVCC.
Cynthia Riedi has transitioned to the position of psychology instructor in the School of Public and Human Services. She has been an adjunct instructor at MVCC since 2005, and an adjunct instructor at SUNY Morrisville since 2003. She holds a master’s degree in social sciences and a bachelor’s degree in human development from Binghamton University, and an associate degree in liberal arts and social science from SUNY Morrisville.
In recognition of her many years of outstanding service, Claire Rudka has been named Distinguished Retiree.
Sandy Shepardson was appointed to the position of Financial Aid Assistant and will provide front-line customer service to students and assist the Director of Financial Aid and the rest of the Financial Aid staff in providing financial aid guidance and education to students. She previously worked at Utica College as a student financial services counselor, at IKON Office Solutions as a sales representative, and at Herkimer County Trust as a supervisor loan servicing. Shepardson holds a master’s degree in liberal studies from Utica College and a bachelor’s degree in business management from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
Cassie Tuff has transitioned to the position of Director of Rome Campus and will serve as the primary coordinator for the Associate Vice President, Workforce Development and Dean of the Rome Campus. She also will assist with the development and implementation of Rome Campus Student Service Activities. Tuff has been with the College since 2014 serving in the Department of Public Safety. She began as an Investigator and then moved to Sergeant and finally Senior Public Safety Officer. She also taught as an adjunct instructor from 2016 to 2019. Before joining the College, she was a police officer with the Village of Phoenix Police Department in Phoenix, N.Y. Tuff holds a master’s degree in forensic psychology from the University of North Dakota and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and homeland security studies with a minor in prelaw and sociology from Cazenovia College. She also completed the Police Basic Training, Phase 2 through the Little Falls Police Department and the Pre-Employment Police Basic Training, Phase 1 through Cazenovia College.
Valarie Warmuth has transitioned to the position of Financial Aid Assistant and will provide front-line customer service to students and assist the Director of Financial Aid and the rest of the Financial Aid staff in providing financial aid guidance and education to students. Warmuth has been working at MVCC since 2017 as a part-time Access Conversion Specialist in the Office of Accessibility Resources and since 2018 as an adjunct instructor. She also has worked as a career exploration specialist at Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES, a job coach at the Office of Children and Family Services: Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, and a teaching assistant at the Utica City School District. She holds two associate degrees in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Adolescent Education and Criminal Justice from MVCC.