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 their Sept. 20, 2021; Oct. 18, 2021; Nov. 15, 2021; Dec. 20, 2021; and Jan. 24, 2022, meetings:

  • Alexandra Almanzar Rivera, Assistant Registrar
  • Sara Bessette, Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
  • Gabrielle Coffey, Women’s Basketball Head Coach/Athletic Specialist
  • Colleen Cornmire, Administrator Emerita
  • Dominic DiMaggio, Director of Athletics
  • James Dixon, YouthBuild Case Manager
  • James Fiore, Professor Emeritus
  • Andrew Glidden, Professor Emeritus
  • Michael Grider, Veteran Education Coordinator
  • Cymil Hamilton, STEP Coordinator
  • Denicqua Holmes, CSTEP Program Specialist
  • Edvina Ikeljic, Admissions Counselor
  • Christopher Johnston, Airframe and Powerplant Instructor
  • Joseph Kinney, Technical Assistant—Life and Physical Sciences
  • Matthew Krush, Assistant Registrar
  • Todd Kubica, Director, College Pipeline Programs
  • Colton Lucas, Peace Officer
  • Maureen McCleary, Associate Professor Emerita
  • Senad Memisevic, Peace Officer
  • Marie Miknavich, Dean of Institutional Research and Organizational Performance
  • Brian Molinaro, Distinguished Retiree
  • James Myers, Distinguished Retiree
  • Anne Nolan, Director of Compliance
  • Sharon Rogge, Data Analytics and Visualization Specialist
  • Bedour Soliman, Programmer
  • Sharmayne VanDyke, YouthBuild Program Specialist

Alexandra Almanzar Rivera has transitioned to the position of Assistant Registrar and will assist the Director of Student Records and Registration/Registrar in the administration of the office and registration while maintaining student academic records as required by law. She has been with the College since 2018, first as a temporary Assistant to the Office of Human Resources, a Data Processing Clerk, and most recently as a College Services Associate. She holds bachelor’s degrees in foreign language and communications from Utica College.

Sara Bessette has been appointed to the position of Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and will provide a full array of counseling, mentoring, and coaching services, as well as personal and educational counseling for individual students. She also will be responsible for the evaluation of mental health and related cases. She may provide short-term intervention or provide referrals to community agencies. Bessette has served many organizations as a therapist and counselor, including Cuda Counseling, Elmcrest Children’s Center, Dallas Counseling and Treatment Center, The Family Place, and Mosaic Family Services. She also served as a curriculum and therapy manager at Bryan’s House. She holds a master’s degree in counseling and development from Texas Women’s University, and a master’s degree in human development and early childhood disorders and a bachelor’s degree in development and psychology, both from University of Texas at Dallas. 

Gabrielle Coffey was appointed to the position of Women’s Basketball Head Coach/Athletic Specialist. She previously worked as director of school counseling and head varsity girls basketball coach at Notre Dame Schools in Utica; head women’s basketball coach at Herkimer College; head women’s basketball coach and disability services specialist at Finger Lakes Community College; and assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Rochester. Coffey holds a master’s degree in school counseling and a certificate of advance study in school counseling from University at Albany, a master’s degree in sport psychology from Ithaca College, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Oneonta. 

In recognition of her many years of outstanding service, Colleen Cornmire has been named Administrator Emerita.

Dominic DiMaggio has transitioned to the position of Director of Athletics and will be responsible for providing innovative vision and strategic planning, collaborative leadership, and administration for MVCC’s athletic programs in coordination with the Dean of Athletics. DiMaggio has been with the College since 2017 as Head Coach for men’s soccer and Athletic Specialist. Before joining MVCC, he was the assistant men’s soccer coach at Southern New Hampshire University, director of goalkeeping for the Hampshire United Football Club and Soccer Sphere, director of goalkeeping and assistant coach for USSF development for academy club teams at Seacoast United Soccer Clubs, and head coach of Hooksett Select Soccer. DiMaggio holds a master’s degree in Finance-Investments with a concentration in securities and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, both from Southern New Hampshire University.

James Dixon was appointed to the grant-funded position of YouthBuild Case Manager and will provide counseling, advocacy, and guidance to program members to assist them with their academic, personal, legal, and social service needs, especially those that interfere with their goals. He also will help them build leadership skills and serve as the lead staff member to refer students to community services. Before joining MVCC, Dixon was a middle school youth counselor, then after-school program manager and RIYS program mentor for the John F. Kennedy Advantage After-School Program; a program assistant at ACR Health; a rites of passage program coordinator, community associate, and restorative dean at Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice in Brooklyn; and a math and English tutor for the youth link division of the Police Athletic League. Dixon holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

In recognition of his many years of outstanding service, James Fiore has been named Professor Emeritus.

In recognition of his many years of outstanding service, Andrew Glidden has been named Professor Emeritus.

Michael Grider has transitioned to the position of Veteran Education Coordinator and will be responsible for the oversight, planning, and programming of veteran services. Grider has been working at MVCC since 2019 as a YouthBuild Case Manager. He also worked for YouthBuild as a worksite coordinator and case manager for veterans at the Workforce Development Board. Prior to that, he was a varsity lineman coach for Notre Dame High School, a substitute and teacher assistant for Holland Patent Central School District, and a residence life director assistant at Utica College. Grider holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Utica College.

Cymil Hamilton has transitioned to the grant-funded position of Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) Coordinator. As such, she will be responsible for the daily oversight of STEP, track and process STEP budget transactions, prepare promotional materials, and maintain an updated web presence. She also will chair the STEP Advisory Board and recruit students. Hamilton previously served the College as a STEP program Specialist, the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) as a long-term care ombudsman coordinator, a residence counselor and behavioral specialist assistant at Upstate Cerebral Palsy, and a teacher assistant for the Utica City School District. She also spent time as program coordinator for Partners Uplifting Our Daughters and Sons, Inc., and as director of operations for Voices International Publications, Inc., both in New York City. Hamilton holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and an associate degree in criminal justice from MVCC.

Denicqua Holmes has transitioned to the grant-funded position of Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Program Specialist and will provide direct services to CSTEP students and assist the director in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program. Holmes has been with the College since 2019 as a part-time Community Research Specialist. Prior to that position, she worked with the Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network as a perinatal program associate and later as a perinatal program coordinator for MICHC. Holmes has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from SUNY Empire State College. 

Edvina Ikeljic has been appointed to the position of Admissions Counselor and will be responsible for recruiting students to achieve college enrollment objectives by working with high school counselors, participating in information programs, and assisting students in the selection of educational programs. Before joining the College, Ikeljic was a project intern with the NYC Fair Trade Coalition, public relations/marketing coordinator for the International Trade Student Association, a style advisor at Dressbarn, and a sales associate for The Children’s Place. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international trade and marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology and an associate degree in Advertising: Media Marketing and Management from MVCC.

Christopher Johnston was appointed to the position of Airframe and Powerplant Instructor in the School of STEM. Johnston was a teacher’s aide, adjunct instructor, and hangar coordinator at MVCC from 2009 until 2019, and spent more than 20 years as a senior assembler for Lockheed Martin RMS. Prior to that position, he was an airframe and powerplant mechanic for Mobile Aircraft Services, and a door runner and slotter for Wal-Mart Distribution Center. Johnston earned his airframe and powerplant mechanic certification at MVCC in 2009.

Joseph Kinney has transitioned to the position of Technical Assistant—Life and Physical Sciences in the School of STEM and will provide skilled assistance to faculty, professional, and administrative staff. Kinney has been an adjunct instructor at the College since 2018. Prior to his new position, he also was a quality control analyst and then a project leader and principal investigator for ICON Development Solutions in Whitesboro, and a microbiologist at F.X. Matt Brewing Company. Kinney holds a master’s degree in forensic molecular biology and a bachelor’s degree in biology, both from University at Albany, and an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences from Herkimer County Community College.

Matthew Krush was appointed to the position of Assistant Registrar and will assist the Director of Student Records and Registration/Registrar in the administration of the office and registration while maintaining student academic records as required by law. Krush joins MVCC after previously serving as assistant registrar and assistant registrar for contract programs at The College of St. Rose and financial manager for the University at Albany Student Association. He holds a master’s degree in educational administrational and policy studies and bachelor’s degrees in economics and psychology, all from University at Albany.

Todd Kubica has transitioned to the grant-funded position of Director of College Pipeline Programs, a new position at the College in which he will be responsible for administration and oversight of externally funded federal United States Education grants, including TRIO-Upward Bound, GEAR UP, and STEP. He will plan and implement programs, supervise staff, develop and manage budgets, plan curricula, assist with grant applications, and handle federal and state reports. Kubica has been with the College since 2007 as the Director of TRIO-Upward Bound and GEAR UP. Prior to that, he was a music teacher for Oneida County BOCES and a residential counselor for The House of the Good Shepherd. He holds a master’s degree in education from the University of New England and a bachelor’s degree in music from Metropolitan State College.

Colton Lucas was appointed to the position of Peace Officer and will have the powers set forth in Section 2.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law. Prior to joining MVCC, Lucas served as a school resource officer and patrolman for the Little Falls Police Department and as an electronics technician 2nd class at the Navy Operational Support Center in Syracuse. Lucas completed the Phase 1 Police Academy at Herkimer County Community College.  

In recognition of her many years of outstanding service, Maureen McCleary has been named Associate Professor Emerita.

Senad Memisevic was appointed to the position of Peace Officer and will have the powers set forth in Section 2.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law. Prior to joining the College, Memisevic worked as a corrections officer for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Correction Department, a public safety officer at Upstate University for Securitas, and a national services worker at Crouse Hospital.

Marie Miknavich has transitioned to the position of Dean of Institutional Research and will provide leadership for the Office of Institutional Research in fulfilling its responsibility for coordinating compliance efforts as well as data gathering management, assessment, and analysis to inform planning and decision-making and improve overall organizational performance at the College. Miknavich has with MVCC since 2016 as Director of Institutional Research and Analysis. Previous positions include director of Academic Assessment at Utica College, director of Institutional Research at Herkimer County Community College, and educational data analyst at the Mohawk Regional Information Center at Madison-Oneida BOCES. She has also served as a private consultant for several organizations. Miknavich holds a master’s degree in geography from SUNY Albany and a bachelor’s degree in geography from Plattsburgh State College.

In recognition of his many years of outstanding service, Brian Molinaro has been named Distinguished Retiree.

In recognition of his many years of outstanding service, James Myers has been named Distinguished Retiree.

Anne Nolan has transitioned to the position of Director of Compliance in the Office of Institutional Research and will provide collaborative leadership to ensure the College meets all external data/information compliance requirements for institutional-level reporting, including accreditation, grants, human resources, finance, and institutional research. Nolan has been with the College since 2017, first as assistant to the Office of Human Resources, followed by Human Resources Specialist, and Assistant to the Vice President for Community Development and Executive Director of the MVCC Foundation. Prior to joining the College, Nolan worked in several capacities at Bank of America: recruiting coordinator, officer and senior recruiting coordinator, AVP, Business Control Specialist, and finally VP, Business Control Specialist. Nolan holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University at Albany. 

Sharon Rogge was appointed to the position of Data Analytics and Visualization Specialist in the Office of Institutional Research and will assist the Director with institutional effectiveness and other assessment processes, including enrollment management, post-graduation outcomes, and other analysis. Before joining MVCC, Rogge worked for 10 years at Southern New Hampshire University, first as a data coordinator, then as a manager of data analysis and integrity, and finally, as assistant vice president of reporting and analytics. She also served as computer support specialist and lead technician at Harvard University, software engineer at Burst Media, and a database specialist at PKS Information Services. Rogge also has worked as a self-employed consultant since 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from University of Nebraska. 

Bedour Soliman was appointed to the position of programmer in the Information Technology Department and will provide assistance with daily programming tasks, writing reports, and troubleshooting. Soliman began working at MVCC as a student assistant and after graduation, she served as a part-time professional for the College’s GenCyber Camp and a part-time Help Desk Assistant. She also worked as a summer intern for Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, Inc. Soliman holds an associate degree from MVCC in Computer Applications Programming. 

Sharmayne VanDyke was appointed to the grant-funded position of YouthBuild Program Specialist and will provide ongoing counseling support, advocacy, and guidance to program participants to assist them with academic, personal, legal, and social service needs, especially those that interfere with their goals. Prior to joining the College, VanDyke worked for Catholic Charities, first in Utica as a CNYHH care coordinator and transitional housing residence counselor, then in Troy as a community resource navigator and FOCAS case manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Institute of Technology and an associate degree in Human Services from MVCC.