Mohawk Valley Community College

Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) named DIANA AYERS-DARLING professor emerita, in recognition of her many years of outstanding service to MVCC. MONICA BROWN-HODKINSON was appointed student support advisor. She will provide students with a single point of contact to create a seamless pathway for student success from pre-boarding to completion. Prior to joining the college, Brown-Hodkinson worked at Utica College as an administrative assistant, academic coaching expert, adjunct faculty member, and, most recently, a success coach. She holds a master’s degree in liberal studies and organization communication and a bachelor’s degree in science, health studies, and human behavior — both from Utica College. GRACE COSTELLO was also named a student support advisor. She has been with the college since 2001 in several capacities, including placement test administrator, college advisor, accessibility resources specialist, and an adult-learner support specialist. She previously served as an accounting clerk at Cathedral Corporation and a billing coordinator at Northland Communications. Costello holds a bachelor’s degree in history from SUNY Oneonta and an associate degree in general studies from MVCC. EMILY GIFFORD has transitioned to the position of coordinator of international students and will be responsible for international student recruitment, support, programming, and retention efforts. GEORDAN HOLMES was appointed licensed mental health practitioner; Holmes will provide an array of counseling, mentoring, and coaching services and personal and educational counseling for individual students. She also will be responsible for the evaluation of mental health and mental-health-related cases. Holmes most recently served as a licensed mental-health counselor at Herkimer BOCES. She previously served as primary therapist in the Intensive Treatment Program at The House of the Good Shepherd. Holmes holds a master’s degree in mental-health counseling and a bachelor’s degree in psychology — both from SUNY Oswego. BRANDON HORENDER was named coordinator of dual credit. He will be responsible for meeting the needs of K-12 partner organizations by coordinating the development and delivery of selected credited coursework and articulation agreements. NANCY HALL was appointed instructor of electrical engineering technology. Before joining the college, she was a principal engineer at Global Foundries; an integrated circuit layout engineer and senior CAD engineer at Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation in South Portland, Maine; a senior process engineer at National Semiconductor in South Portland; and a research engineer at Florida Institute of Technology. Hall holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering and microelectronics and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, both from the University of South Florida. JONATHAN HODGE was named admissions counselor. He will be responsible for recruiting students to achieve college-enrollment objectives. Prior to joining the college, Hodge worked as a K-5 elementary physical education teacher, and assistant varsity and eighth-grade basketball coach at Atkinson Elementary School in Barnesville, Minnesota. He also served as a special education teacher at Beacon Academy in Maple Grove, Minnesota, and assistant basketball coach at Hamline University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in K-12 education: physical education from Saint Cloud State University, and an associate degree in general studies from Minnesota State Community and Technical College. DAVID KATZ was named administrator and professor emeritus, in recognition of his many years of outstanding service to MVCC. JAMES KELLY, IV was appointed additive manufacturing specialist. He will assist the principle investigators of the Remote Lab-Sharing Models for Additive Manufacturing Skills Training-NSF-funded project to fulfill outlined goals. He has been with MVCC in various capacities since 2007, including technical assistant, professional tutor, adjunct faculty member, drone outreach program instructor, and STEM program curriculum designer and lead teacher for Upward Bound. Before MVCC, he worked at Kelly Foundry and Machine, Co., Inc. first as a laborer and production operator and then as VP for engineering. Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in science, manufacturing, technology, and supply chain operations management from SUNY Empire State College and associate degrees in geospatial technology and mechanical engineering technology from MVCC. JEAN LEANDRE was appointed director of student engagement and leadership. Leandre will provide administrative oversight of the Student Activities office, including Student Government, and serve as the director of the CSTEP and STEP grants. KALYNN RIEDMAN was appointed admissions specialist. She will work with the director of admissions to develop and implement an admissions-recruitment plan that’s consistent with the college’s strategic plan and initiatives. Riedman will also be responsible for recruiting students by working with high-school counselors, adult learners, community agencies, and local businesses. ROBIN SAXE was named student support advisor. She will work as part of a team providing individual academic, career, financial, and related support to an assigned group of students. Saxe has been at MVCC since 2009 in several capacities, including director of Kids Summer Camp, assistant coordinator of Kiddie Campus, college services associate, and community resource specialist in the College-Community-Connection office. Previously, Saxe was the director of the School Age Program at St. Luke’s Nursing Home, a teacher in the Preschool Age Program at MVCC, and site director at the Neighborhood Center. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SUNY Oneonta and an associate degree in fine arts from Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. ZACHARY STEFFEN was appointed to the grant-funded position of associate business advisor for the Small Business Development Center. He will support business advisors who provide advisement services to a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in starting, managing, growing, or purchasing a business. Steffen’s prior positions include general manager for North Country Books and president of Pyramid Publishing, both based in Utica. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from SUNY Albany. GAIL WARCHOL, previously associate director of human resources for benefits and labor relations, has been named professor. She will direct a variety of college human-resource processes and procedures regarding benefits and labor relations. Warchol has been with MVCC since 2011, first as a coordinator of health-care careers and then as academic project manager. Prior to these positions, she was a human-resources representative and hazard-analysis critical-control points coordinator at Delft Blue, and an outreach coordinator for government programs at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Warchol holds a master’s degree in information design and technology and bachelor’s degree in professional studies in health-service management, both from SUNY Polytechnic Institute. She also has an associate degree in human services from MVCC.