Mohawk Valley Community College announces the following new appointments, employee title changes, and promotions as approved by the Board of Trustees at their Sept. 19 meeting:
- Kerri Beiswenger, Business Consultant
- Nicole Benton, Student Services Specialist
- Kelly Borst, Peace Officer
- Jennifer DeWeerth, Dean of the Rome Campus and Community Outreach
- Robert Gould, Associate Professor Emeritus
- Sara Heinrich, Coordinator, Workforce Development
- Jackie Krouse Rudolph, Development Assistant
- Jeanne Litz, Distinguished Retiree
- James Maio, Dean, Student Enrollment and Development
- Nicholas Maggio, Jr., Peace Officer
- Zachary Steffen, SBDC Regional Center Director
- Alina Mildred Treis, Professor Emerita
Kerri Beiswenger was appointed to the grant-funded position of Business Consultant in the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center and will provide business advisement services to a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in starting, managing, growing, or purchasing a business. Prior to joining the MV SBDC, Beiswenger was a self-employed independent beauty consultant for Mary? Kay Cosmetics, an associate faculty/cooperative education coordinator at Northeastern University in Boston, and an industrial engineering supervisor for UPS in Boston. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, both from Northeastern University.
Nicole Benton transitioned to the position of Student Services Specialist and will work collaboratively to provide all aspects of the MVCC Testing Center, the new student orientation system, and support for enrollment processes and also will serve as a backup for veteran benefit certifications. Benton has been with the College since 2011 as a Cybersecurity Career Specialist, TAA Grant Coordinator, and most recently as a Technical Assistant for Placement Testing. Before joining the College, she was an assistant manager for Carrol’s in Utica. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from University at Albany and an associate degree in General Studies from MVCC.
Kelly Borst was appointed to the position of Peace Officer in the Department of Public Safety. Prior to joining the College, Borst served as an aide for the Oneida City School District, a corrections officer/Certified Peace Officer for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Correction Department. She also held several positions at the Stack Hospital for Pets in Fayetteville, including radiology specialist assistant, manager, and veterinary assistant boarding staff. Borst graduated from the Onondaga Sheriff’s Office Academy.
Jennifer DeWeerth transitioned to the position of Dean of the Rome Campus and Community Outreach and will provide leadership by serving as the chief administrative officer of the Rome Campus and collaborate with the vice presidents to provide sound management to the Campus. She also will promote and engage the community in educational programs and services. DeWeerth has served MVCC since 2004 as Director of the Student Service Center, Assistant Dean of Student Enrollment and Advisement, Assistant Dean for Student Enrollment and Retention, and most recently as Dean of Student Enrollment. Before joining the College, she served as assistant dean and registrar and director of recruitment and admissions at University of California Berkeley’s School of Religion. She also was an advisor in The College at the University of Chicago and a development associate for grants at North Park University. DeWeerth holds a master of divinity degree in theology from University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Swarthmore College.
In recognition of his many years of outstanding service, Robert Gould has been named Associate Professor Emeritus.
Sara Heinrich was appointed to the grant-funded position of Coordinator of Workforce Development in the Center for Corporate and Community Education. She will be responsible for meeting regional workforce development needs by coordinating the development and delivery of educational programs. Heinrich most recently worked as a campus employment coordinator at Utica University. Prior to that position, she was a benefits coordinator for Oneida Nation Enterprises, a recruitment specialist for Mohawk Valley Health Systems, a human resources consultant at HR Connection in Cazenovia, and a benefit advocate for Wellpoint in Albany. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Colorado Technical University and an associate degree in culinary arts from SUNY Delhi.
Jackie Krouse Rudolph was appointed to the position of Development Assistant in the Office of Institutional Advancement and will assist the Executive Director with managing the College’s major gifts campaigns and provide support to the Office by participating in all fundraising activities, including donor relations and special events. She previously served as executive director of YMCA of Greater Rochester, office manager for the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles in Old Forge, court researcher for an independent contractor in the Town of Webb, and assistant treasurer at Lakeland Bancorp in Oakridge, N.J. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from SUNY Empire State College and associate degrees in paralegal studies from Herkimer County Community College and business administration from County College of Morris.
In recognition of her many years of outstanding service, Jeanne Litz has been named Distinguished Retiree.
James Maio transitioned to the position of Dean of Student Enrollment and Development and will be responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of the functions within Student Affairs that are specific to student recruitment and holistic student support, including Admissions, Financial Aid, Holistic Student Support, and Student Accessibility and Wellness. Maio has been with the College since 2003, starting as a counselor before moving up the ranks to Director of Career, Transfer, and Job Placement Services; Interim Assistant Dean for Student Support; Associate Dean for Student Development and Transition Services; Dean of Student Support; and most recently as Dean of Student Development. Prior to joining the College, he served as a sales manager for Kaufmann’s Department Store and a counseling intern and graduate assistant to the registrar at St. Bonaventure University. Maio holds a master’s degree in education and counseling psychology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, both from St. Bonaventure University.
Nicholas Maggio, Jr. was appointed to the position of Peace Officer in the Department of Public Safety. Prior to this position, Maggio was a senior claims specialist at MetLife. He holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel/resort management from Rochester Institute of Technology and an associate degree in food service management from SUNY Morrisville.
Zachary Steffen transitioned to the position of Regional Center Director for the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center and will run the MV SBDC that provides services to small businesses in accordance with New York State, SUNY, MVCC, and the Small Business Administration. Steffen has been with the MV SBDC since 2019, first as an associate business advisor and then as a business advisor. Prior to those positions, he was general manager for North Country Books and was co-owner and president of Pyramid Publishing. Steffen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Albany.
In recognition of her many years of outstanding service, Dr. Alina Mildred Treis has been named Professor Emerita.