Jacob Gedetsis

Interim Director of the Writing Program, Lecturer, and Coordinator of the Writing Resource Center

With short notice, Jacob stepped up to fill in as the Director of the Writing Program this semester. He has done a superb job keeping the progressive momentum of the Writing Program's offerings. Jacob's enthusiasm, energy, and positive attitude are motivating. His leadership style includes listening to everyone and responding to their ideas and concerns. His work with students and community members is fantastic. Thank you Jacob for your commitment to the Writing Program, WRC, students, and the entire ESF community.

Nominated by the faculty and staff of the Writing Program

Michelle Scibilia

FOA 2 Custodial

Michelle is always busy! She is always available in a pinch and with a smile on her face. It is great to have her here in Marshall Hall!


Nominated by Stefanie Way,
Administrative Assistant 

Shannon Richter

Janitor, Custodial

Shannon goes above and beyond for us. She will lend a hand in a pinch. She is a tremendous asset to ESF.  


Nominated by Stefanie Way,
Administrative Assistant 

Donna Follett

Library Business Manager

Congratulations to Donna on her retirement after over 40 years at ESF! We are so grateful that she finished her career here in the library. Her knowledge of faculty and the research done at ESF was instrumental to our implementation of Experts@ESF and our other work. Even more so, she truly understands what service to the community means. Right from day one in the library she embodied it and helped us all in providing it to the students, staff, and faculty we serve. Thank you, Donna, we will miss you and wish you all the best.

Nominated by Matthew R. Smith,
Director of College Libraries

Lee Smith

Plant Utilities Engineer 1

There are many requests made by various groups such as ESF classes or the Office of Sustainability, to take a tour of the Combined Heat and Power plant. Lee is always so kind and gracious to take time out of his day to help and educate. Lee is clearly so passionate and knowledgeable about the work he does! He leads an incredible tour every time and I always learn something new! Thanks for everything you do to keep our campus powered!


Nominated by Rochelle Strassner,
Sustainability Outreach and Engagement Manager

Gary Fairchild

Cook at Adirondack Ecological Center

Gary is the only cook at the Adirondack Ecological Center (AEC). He cooks three meals a day, does all the baking, and works weekends to provide meals for the guests. He is described as a "machine" and has an amazing work ethic. Thank you, Gary, for providing our guests with a great experience at the AEC!

Nominated Anonymously by a Member of the ESF Community

Peter Marschall

Senior Project Manager, Facilities Planning, Design and Construction

Peter Marschall is an amazing employee at SUNY ESF, he's been a great supervisor to myself, always there to lend me a hand while trying to learn the ropes, going above and beyond with duties, with his over 25 yrs of experience at ESF, he's been a wealth of knowledge and asset to the success of the Facilities Planning, Design & Construction Department, I wouldn't be where I am without him.

Nominated by Elizabeth Parsons
Assistant Facilities Program Coordinator

Aaron Ninokawa

Assistant Professor, Chemistry

Aaron has been hugely supportive of the K-12 Outreach programs and ESFHS since he started at ESF. He has developed a fascinating demonstration of the effects of ocean acidification on mussel shells, including a pressure-measuring crusher that informs and amazes students and teachers. He has been eager to collaborate, and is even helping with an ESFHS teacher PD in December, to bring his knowledge to even more classrooms!

Nominated by Daniel Collins
Associate Director for ESFHS

Kathleen Edwards

Director of Research Finance

Kate has been a true inspiration since I've been working here at ESF. She has been dedicated to my professional growth and personal well-being. She is the epitome of leadership. Her dedication to her work, ESF, and the employees deserves recognition. I'm always learning from her.

Nominated by Jermaine Graham
Sponsored Programs Assistant

Sean Nicholson

Sponsored Programs Assistant

Sean's willingness, desire, and enthusiasm to share his knowledge and experience with others is invaluable. He answers every question, goes above and beyond to give you the tools to make everyone around him better and helps the community reach their research goals. Sean is truly dedicated to the missions of ESF and The Research Foundation.

Nominated by Jermaine Graham
Sponsored Programs Assistant

Erika Blair

Learning Designer/Open Academy

Erika played a pivotal role in planning and implementing ESF's new microcredential program. She started with our team in February and hit the ground running, literally. Her energy is contagious. Her organization is a dream come true. It is a joy brainstorming new, innovative ideas with her. If you haven't had the chance to stop by and meet Erika, I highly recommend it. You'll likely find her dancing at her standing desk!  

We're so grateful you're here Erika.  

Nominated by Sarah Yurka
Assistant Director of Special Sessions

Christopher Baycura and Gavin Ellis

Associate Director, Educational Communications and Instructional Support Assistant

ESFTV under the leadership of Christopher Baycura and the assistance of Gavin Ellis has been instrumental in live streaming and capturing many of our tremendous ESF Mighty Oaks athletics events. This has been invaluable for the student-athletes, parents, fans, and coaches.

Their professionalism and final products are of excellent quality and among the best in the USCAA. All ESF Athletics greatly appreciates their work and support!!

Nominated by Daniel Ramin
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Ashley Buckley

Assistant College Registrar

Ashley has been a wonderful addition to the Registrar team. She has worked hard to improve process and has made huge strides in ensuring that scheduling is accurate and timely. With her attention to detail and consistent communication we have been able to make major strides in having a complete picture of the schedule earlier than ever. Thanks, Ashley, and stay golden!

Nominated by Erin Tochelli
Associate Director of Academic Administration

Shane Wehr

CNS Help Desk Technician

Shane went above and beyond to help with multiple frustrating technology issues. In fact, he walked across campus with me and figured out there was something wrong with the equipment I was trying to work with. He is a huge asset to the campus!

Nominated by Melissa Fierke 
Professor, Department of Environmental Biology

Jermaine Graham

Sponsored Programs Assistant, ORP

I worked with Jermaine on a grant submission recently and he was a huge help — professional, responsive, and a genuine pleasure to work with. I can't say enough about how important it is to have someone who is organized, meticulous, and knowledgable with these endeavors — they make such a difference.

Nominated by Melissa Fierke 
Professor, Department of Environmental Biology

Tim O'Mara

Assistant Director of College Housing, Sustainable Resources Management, Ranger School

Tim O'Mara regularly goes above and beyond to improve our Ranger School community! His role has been critical to our students' health, safety, and overall well-being. He is available during all hours of the day and night for student emergencies and assistance. He takes students on hikes in the Adirondack Park and participates in the Hockey Club, including providing transportation for both. To add to that, when Mr. O'Mara is not on campus, he is at recruiting events bringing in future students. Thank you for all your efforts (many more not listed here), we appreciate you!

Nominated by 
Vanessa Rojas (and the Ranger School community!)

Brenda Beach

Payroll Examiner

Brenda has been doing an amazing job "holding down the fort" during an incredibly busy time of the year. Despite the busy time, she is always available to answer my questions, phone calls, and emails in service of students and student employees! On behalf of all the students I work with, a huge thank you to Brenda!

Nominated by Olivia Whitmarsh
K-12 Outreach Coordinator

Jason Kohlbrenner

Digital Support Associate

Jason was a huge help to our summer programs this past summer, making it possible for K-12 participants to be active digital storytellers, capturing and sharing their summer experiences. I know that anytime we reach out to Jason, he's got our back! My ESF students are always excited to connect with him and collaborate, and he ensures his space is always a welcoming one for all of us who rely on his expertise! Thank you Jason!

Nominated by Olivia Whitmarsh
K-12 Outreach Coordinator

Kate Mercer

Associate Director of Career Services

Since joining ESF in early June, Kate has hit the ground running, planning and facilitating several key Career Services events—most notably, her coordination of the Graduate and Professional School and Career and Internship fairs. Kate brings creativity and care to her advising, always going the extra mile to ensure each student feels supported and prepared for their future.
 
She’s quick to offer a helping hand, and her immediate positive impact has been felt by both the team and the students she works with. Kate, your dedication has truly defined "above and beyond." We’re incredibly grateful for all you’ve done in such a short time and can’t wait to see what more you'll accomplish. Thank you!
 
Submitted by John Turbeville
Director of Career Services and Corporate Engagement

Shaudia Peterson

Administrative Assistant, Division of Sustainable Facilities and Operations

We are giving a shout-out to Shaudia Peterson, who has been very helpful with reserving our vehicles for overnight class field trips — two that were 14 days apart — and a semester-long list of daily class trips. 
It is clear that Shaudia answers the phone with a smile because it is heard in her voice. She is willing to help with the applications and will go the extra mile.

Submitted by Margaret Bryant, Elizabeth Bogart, Kathryn Chesebrough, Stefanie Way, and the Department of Landscape Architecture

Paul Hai

Associate Director, Adirondack Ecological Center; Director, Timbuctoo Institute; Director, Northern Forest Institute

Paul Hai ’00 consistently goes above and beyond as an outstanding collaborator with the Alumni Office. He has been instrumental in the Alumni Association’s fundraising efforts, particularly in helping with our golf tournament. 
 
Additionally, Paul has shown tremendous support and cooperation by being featured in a cover story about the Timbuctoo Institute of which he is the director in the most recent issue of the ESF Alumni Magazine. This not only highlights Paul’s important work, but also strengthens the connection between his initiatives and our alumni community.
 
Paul is an invaluable partner to the Alumni Office, always ready to lend a hand and collaborate on meaningful projects. His dedication and willingness to go the extra mile make him deserving of a Shout-Out!
 
Nominated by Jennifer Cullivan
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

Chris Card and Renée McNamara

Campus Programming & Community Service Coordinator and Dean of Students

A huge thank you to Chris and Renée for their hard work and dedication in planning and executing our weeklong New Student Orientation program! From coordinating move-in to organizing fun evening activities like the movie night, silent disco, and the food truck rally—our students have been so lucky to have so many options and opportunities to get to know each other in a low-stakes but enjoyable environment! Striking the balance between making sure students have time for fun as well as time to take care of business is a real challenge, but I think this year's schedule for orientation did that very well. Chris and Renée, none of this would have been possible without your leadership and tireless efforts. Thank you for making New Student Orientation a success!

Nominated by Div Kirti-Marston
Director of Opportunity Programs

Heather Engelman

Instructional Support Technician, Sustainable Resources Management

A special thank you to Heather Engelman, who has a long-standing commitment to bringing enrichment activities to the ESF campus through her volunteerism with the ESF Women’s Caucus, Take Our Kids to Work Day, and the IDEA Committee & Inclusive Excellence Committee. There are probably even more that I’m not aware of! So many of us have benefited from Heather’s efforts to coordinate a variety of activities on our campus! Thanks again, Heather!


Nominated by Nichole Dougherty, Administrative Assistant II

Kelly McConnell

Janitor

Kelly McConnell’s dedication and efforts keep all of Bray Hall not just clean, but truly welcoming. Her friendly demeanor, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence don’t go unnoticed. We are so grateful for all that you do!

Nominated by Erica Allen, Director of Counseling
 
A shout out to Kelly for her positive and friendly attitude. She’s very helpful to people looking for offices in Bray Hall and always has a smile on her face. We are very lucky to have her here and appreciate all she does for us. 

Nominated by Leslie Rutkowski, Registrar

Olivia Whitmarsh

K-12 Outreach Coordinator

Summer Science Corps went full bore this summer with 5 weeks of programming to youth in Syracuse. They provided STEM programming to Nottingham HS, the Expeditionary Learning Middle School, Solvay HS, Syracuse Police Activities League, and the Syracuse City School District English Language Learners. They brought kids to Onondaga Lake, Clark Reservation, Green Lakes State Park, and of course ESF. They presented science in a fun and engaging manner that included groups taking video footage of their experiences and sharing them at the end of each week. They did all this in the heat of the summer, dealing with rain storms, late busses, and language barriers. The group, coordinated by Olivia Whitmarsh, kept their cool and composure and more importantly their joy in providing this unique opportunity to our local youth. 

Nominated by Maura Stefl
Program Manager, ESF in the High School

Rochelle Strassner

Sustainability Outreach and Engagement Manager

Our ultimate trash talker! Rochelle is always a great addition to our k-12 programming. She runs fun and educational games that make the kids think. She also talks to our campus guests at mealtime about what can be recycled on campus. This not only educates them but helps to keep our system working appropriately. She is also a very kind and approachable person and makes sustainability enjoyable.

Nominated by Maura Stefl
Program Manager, ESF in the High School

Amanda Lincoln & Robyn Jonick

Senior Art Director & Graphic Designer

Amanda and Robyn have gone above and beyond to help K-12 outreach programs this year! From spiffy new logos, to posters, t-shirts, and even pencils, they've done a fabulous job marketing Science Corps, Young Naturalist, and our other K-12 Outreach activities. Their professionalism, talent, and organization have made a positive impact for me, my colleagues, our ESF students, and the youth we work with!

Nominated by Olivia Whitmarsh,
K-12 Outreach Coordinator, Open Academy

Amanda Bascombe

Administrative Assistant 1, Office of Human Resources

I am so thankful for Amanda's support and guidance! As I navigate and re-navigate the process of appointing student employees, she has been invaluable and so kind, patient, and communicative. Her professionalism and knowledge have made a positive difference for me, my students, and the youth we work with!

Nominated by Olivia Whitmarsh, K-12 Outreach Coordinator, Open Academy

Karen Karker

Instructional Support Specialist, Environmental Resources Engineering

The K-12 group in Open Academy would love to give a Shout Out to Karen Karker! As the Instructional Specialist in ERE, she hosts our school groups in the hydrology lab. Her programs and activities are engaging and fun. She consistently develops new ways to model water movement and exposes the students to the instruments researchers use. She is a very active applied learning educator and makes our job easier and more importantly creates a welcoming environment to our guests.

Nominated by Maura Stefl, Program Manager, ESF in the High School

Tiffany Villeneuve

Janitor, Illick Hall

Tiffany has made a tremendous impact since becoming janitor in Illick Hall last summer. She has a great work ethic, is extremely personable, is always helpful, and truly cares about her building and its occupants. This care and hard work clearly shows in the cleanliness of the building. Illick Hall has never looked better! Thank you, Tiffany — keep up the great work!

Nominated by Pete Vandemark,
Acting Director Environmental Health & Safety Services

Kelly Watson, Sean Hohn, and George Westby

Paper Science Instructional Staff

Thanks for helping to support all the k-12 programs we host in our office. The paper science crew is always ready and willing to make paper with the kids, talk to them about the process of paper making, and to encourage them in STEM.

Nominated by Maura Stefl
Program Manager

Trades Crew

Mike Hile, Bill Frawley, Bob Kelly, Jose Camacho, John Detor, Earl Bazydlo, Greg Bresette

Earl and his crew are working non-stop on maintenance and improvements to our facilities and they have been working to complete minor projects that have a major benefit to our campus. The trades team is committed to making our campus better for students when they return!

Rustan Petrela

Executive Director of Sustainable Facilities Operations

Shout out to Rustan Petrela and the trades, grounds, and custodial teams for their work with the campus spring cleaning! Rustan worked with faculty and staff across campus to coordinate an efficient way to bring our first spring cleaning event to ESF.

The project offered opportunities for individual office cleanouts, recycling of personal electronics, and a thorough cleaning and organization of ESF’s campus storage spaces.

We are pleased to see that ESF’s storage spaces are now much cleaner and safer for our employees who access them and are happy that we will be able to create a more comprehensive storage plan that allows us to better use these spaces.

Nominated by President Mahoney and Mark Lichtenstein, Executive Operating Officer

Susan Nevins

Assistant to the Executive Vice President and Provost

We often talk about how institutional knowledge goes a long way, and Sue certainly has that. But what she also exemplifies is consistent grace, care, and fortitude. Sue holds up so many tangled structures and does so with the utmost respect for others. She is a thorough problem-solver who is adept at change and challenge and the quiet but endless labor she does is one of the reasons our faculty can do the great work they do to keep ESF's mission up front and shining. Thanks for everything you do, Sue!
 
Nominated by Tyler Dorholt
Assistant Professor, Director of the Writing Program

Naerissa Strossner and Steve Morrison

Food and Beverage Manager and Assistant Manager, The Trailhead Café

Thanks to our incredible food service team, who not only focuses on quality food service but also sustainable practices! The attention, care, and pride Steve puts into catering events while keeping food/zero-waste top of mind is incredible. Naerissa’s commitment to the success of reusable vs. compostable programs at Trailhead is greatly appreciated. Even though Steve and Naerissa are technically SU employees, they have fully embodied the mission and values of ESF, implemented sustainable initiatives to their fullest, and are always open to new ideas and collaborations! Thanks for all that you do!

Nominated by the Office of Sustainability

James Sitnik

Administrative Captain

Shout out to James Sitnik on his promotion from Lieutenant to Administrative Captain of University Police. He earned the promotion through his unwavering support and work on ESF's Emergency Response Plan, implementing best practice and NYS accreditation-compliant policies for the department, facilitating internal promotion within UPD, the recruitment of a former ESF student as an employee,  serving as administrative liaison for UPD, patrol supervisor, and dispatcher, and becoming a certified firearms instructor. He also serves in the Air National Guard as a commissioned officer in the 174th Security Forces Squadron. Captain Sitnik makes ESF and ESF UPD a better and more professional place to work, live, and learn. Thank you, Jim!
 
Nominated by Robert Dugan
University Chief of Police

Jules Findlay

Coordinator of Education Abroad

For the Study Abroad Fair, Jules had a strong focus on Sustainability throughout the planning process! Most notably, they included the below blurb in the email that went out to all Study Abroad Fair vendors/participants:

"As an environmental college, ESF is dedicated to eliminating the use of single-use plastics and other single-use items. There is a water bottle refill station in Gateway, so please bring your reusable water bottle! There will be compost and recycling bins available in the venue. You may also wish to bring a container in case there are leftovers from lunch. We will provide reusable dishes and cutlery to use at lunch."

Coming across this in an event info email was so exciting for us in the Office of Sustainability to see! Thank you, Jules, and The Office of International Education for "Practicing What we Teach!”

Nominated by Rochelle Strassner
Sustainability Outreach and Engagement Manager

John Stella

Vice President for Research, Office of Research Programs

Dr. John Stella has been at the helm of the Office of Research Programs since 2021 and in that time has brought a joyful influence to the ORP team and all who work with him. While he always stresses the fundamentals of service excellence and nimble processes, he also fosters deep, perpetual learning and encourages smart work/life balance practices. John leads by example and has passion, and goodwill.

John: Your team wishes you much success, well-deserved rewards, and most of all adventure!

We are grateful for your leadership. While we will miss our daily interactions over treats in the front office, we’re grateful we’ll be able to continue to support your research efforts through the award lifecycle.

Thank you for everything!
The ORP Team

Lauren LaTray

Special Events Manager

A special shout out and huge thank you to Lauren LaTray, along with the Special Events staff members Emily Wheeler and Kaija Dockter, who successfully led us through the end-of-semester activities culminating in a successful Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024. These events were orchestrated under the exemplary leadership of Lauren LaTray with assistance from the Commencement Planning Committee, Student Affairs, Communications & Marketing, various Facilities staff, and the many staff volunteers who helped bring us across the finish line on Commencement day. There were many offices pulling together the various pieces throughout commencement week: the Provost’s Office, the Graduate School, Executive Administrative Assistants, Alumni Affairs, Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, academic departments, Trailhead catering, etc. It truly is an all-hands-on-deck celebration that takes all of us to accomplish. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Thank you!

Nominated by President Joanie Mahoney and
Ragan Squier, Executive Director for Administration

Jill Rahn

Forest Resource Analyst

Jill organized and helped run the successful Heiberg Maple Weekend. Events included sugarbush tours, maple education stations, maple syrup sales in reusable containers, and a pancake breakfast for more than 200 students, alumni, staff, and the general public. Great job Jill!
 
Nominated by Bob MacGregor
Director of Forest Properties


Jill has crushed it this past semester! She takes on events big and small, and is so educational and friendly.

Nominated by Kristen Beyer
Social Media Manager

Matt Smith

Director of College Libraries

Matt has a vision for Moon Library that encompasses the needs of the student body while improving the campus. His wealth of knowledge about many things is invaluable and sensible. He leads our staff in a way that makes us want to be the best we can be. He never asks students, librarians, or staff to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. As the UUP president, he works tirelessly to make sure his members are paid correctly and treated with dignity and respect. To his credit, he has an open-door policy (that sometimes interferes with his daily workload, but he greets everyone with enthusiasm and patience). Our students are impressed at how much he gives to so many. Matt truly deserves a massive shout out and the campus’ deepest appreciation for his dedication.

Nominated by Library Clerk Nan Clark on behalf of the Moon Library Staff

John Detor

Trades Generalist

John has a great attitude every day and takes pride in his work. This can be seen in the new club storage lockers in Moon Library and the kitchenette in the Communications and Marketing office, both hand-crafted custom projects that required great skill. He also is working longer hours to meet with students from the ESF Woodworking Club, provide guidance, and facilitate their ability to grow and learn as a club. This is above and beyond his required job duties. Thank you, John, for all your hard work!

Nominated by Michael Amadori
Energy Manager

Kelly Pitcher

Police Administration and Parking Services Coordinator

Kelly never fails to make on-campus parking logistics run smoothly, even when last-minute changes and communication "oopsies" get in the way. She's a huge part of why K-12 Outreach is able to carry out all the activities, visits, and collaborations that we do. Thank you, Kelly!

Nominated by Olivia Whitmarsh
Outreach Coordinator, Open Academy

Div Kirti

Equal Opportunity Program (EOP) Counselor

Div deserves all the accolades! She is a powerful advocate for opportunity program students in particular and ESF students as a whole. Div always makes time to create the best learning and living experience for her students, and she goes above and beyond with her resources. She is a wise counselor, a supportive colleague, and a treasure to our community. I'm so grateful to work with Div!
 
Nominated by Aley O'Mara
Coordinator of Academic Success

Jeremy Hall

Institutional Research and Assessment Coordinator

Jeremy has been hard at work the past year responding to our Middle States report. Without his dedication and persistence we would not have made it through! We are so lucky that he shepherded us through these complex issues and the campus will be positively impacted for years to come because of his work. Thanks, Jeremy!
 
Nominated by Erin Tochelli
Associate Director of Academic Administration

Sean Korbas and Kialey Day

Undergraduate Admissions Assistants

A shout-out to two of our Sustainability Ambassadors who are working hard to make Accepted Student Receptions sustainable certified events! The most recent Accepted Student Reception was a sustainability success, and we look forward to how the receptions will continue to evolve and showcase sustainability and ESF’s mission to new students!
 
Nominated by the Office of Sustainability

Office of Career Services

John Turbeville and Meredith Chase

Career Services continues to make the ESF Career Fair as sustainable as possible! Asking vendors to Lug Their Mugs & Pack Their Plates, clearly and proudly showcasing the proper disposal of compostable products, and providing bulk drink stations instead of aluminum water bottles – are among the ways they foster sustainability at their signature event! 

Nominated by the Office of Sustainability

Lauren Becksted

Administrative Assistant

Lauren is the first point of contact for students at the Counseling Center. Her friendly demeanor, sense of humor, and extensive knowledge of all things ESF help students feel welcomed and cared for when they enter our space. Lauren's care and dedication to ESF students is unwavering! As a new staff member at ESF, I cannot thank Lauren enough for all she has done to help me feel welcomed and acclimated to our campus community!
 
Caroline Goldschein
Staff Therapist

Renee McNamara and Erica Allen

Dean of Students and Director of Counseling, respectively

A shout-out to Renee McNamara and Erica Allen! They have gone above and beyond in creating a supportive campus environment. While they are beyond busy, they are willing to make time for our students to help them solve their problems in creative ways. Their innovative solutions help our students academically and personally. I am grateful to work with Renee and Erica because they are great leaders and create a fun work environment. It's a pleasure to work with them, and our campus is lucky to have them!
 
Joelle Conant
Staff Therapist

Ranger School Facilities Team

Eric Wixon, John Russell, Brian Whitford, Tim Johnson, Anne Pickering, Bradley Fiske, and  Justin Duchano

When a major break occurred in a water line supplying the buildings at the Ranger School, Eric Wixon and his team (John Russell, Brian Whitford, Tim Johnson, Anne Pickering, Bradley Fiske, and  Justin Duchano) responded quickly to find and fix the leak, get a clean water test and have the system back up and running for the students, faculty and staff. A wonderful response that minimized disturbance to Ranger School activities.

Bob MacGregor
Director of Forest Properties

Stephen Morrison

Food and Beverage Manager

Steve is phenomenal to work with and we are so lucky to have him at ESF! He is always going above and beyond when it comes to all of our catering needs, and I really enjoy working with him. He is extremely kind and radiates positivity in everything he does. Thank you for all of your hard work, Steve!!

Emily Wheeler
Special Events Coordinator

Diana Jaramillo Keane

Division of Sustainable Facilities and Operations (Physical Plant)

I am a new employee in this department and was petrified on my first day. It was scary leaving my previous employer. Everyone I have encountered at ESF has been so kind and patient as I learn my way around. Diana Jaramillo is a very effective leader: fair, patient, empathetic, and knowledgeable. 
 
Anonymous Employee

John Kaftan

Senior Network Administrator

Heiberg Forest officially has internet service and is part of the Evergreen network. John coordinated the installation of cable lines and getting internet service up and running in the main office/maintenance garage and both classrooms. Thanks, John for bringing us into the 21st century!
 
Jill Rahn
Forest Resource Analyst

Liz Parsons

Assistant Facilities Program Coordinator

A shout out to Liz Parsons who works in Physical Plant! Since Liz started, she has helped the Trades Department out with the new signage around campus, along with other important projects. Big Shout Out, Liz! We appreciate you big time!

Earl Bazydlo
Maintenance Supervisor 1 

Ken Stvan

Manager of Information Systems

Ken went out of his way to assist new Centennial Hall staff by training them on bulk-loading student information into Banner to prepare for spring billing. A long and arduous process was made easy and efficient thanks to Ken's time, patience, and efforts! We are extremely grateful for Ken being a part of the ESF community! 

Bob Brophy/Steph Mecca
Centennial Hall staff

Jennifer Webb

User Services Manager, Information Technology/Computing and Network Services

Jennifer Webb's exceptional support deserves recognition. Facing critical computer issues three weeks ago, she spent over five hours helping me - working through what should have been her lunch break - reinstalling software and data. Two weeks later, during the winter break week, she met with me on 45-minute notice for another two-plus hours to address a different computer issue.
 
Beyond her professional and accommodating demeanor, Jennifer embodies ESF's ethos by infusing a great sense of humor into her assistance. Jennifer’s expertise, generosity, and dedication exemplify ESF's commitment to faculty support. She stands as a testament to ESF's exceptional support specialists.
 
Bob Malmsheimer
Distinguished Teaching Professor

Mona Maharjan

Lead Programmer/Analyst

Sending a shout-out to Mona for her invaluable contributions to enhancing our webpage content. Her dedication to providing feedback and promptly responding to inquiries has greatly improved our overall online presence. Thank you, Mona, for your outstanding support!
 
Hui Chen
Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services

John Turbeville

Director of Career Services and Corporate Engagement

John deserves a shoutout for a bevy of reasons — his unparalleled and consistent dedication to the College, coupled with his strategic and intentional insights, have allowed him to greatly contribute to ESF and the student experience for the past 20 years. He positively adds to the ethos of ESF by consistently embodying the College’s core values, demonstrating commitment to our mission, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture while inspiring his colleagues to do the same. In addition, his leadership is inspirational. He sets a high standard for professionalism, ethics, and dedication, motivating the entire team to excel. His open communication fosters a collaborative work environment where ideas are valued, and innovation thrives.

Casey Duffy
Associate Director of Career Services

Hui Chen

Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services

Hui goes above and beyond daily for the students she works with and her colleagues. For international students, she is a welcoming presence, a mother figure, an advocate, and so much more. Hui puts tremendous effort into her daily support of international students and planning social events, field trips, and cultural celebrations for the entire campus. As a colleague, she is always there to support,  listen, and help with anything she can. Much of the hard work she does is behind the scenes, and she deserves recognition for the international community she helps create and supports on campus.
 
Kerrie Findlay
Coordinator of Education Abroad

Aley O'Mara

Coordinator of Academic Success

The Academic Success Center (ASC) is the backbone of this campus. It's a place that has to be safe for students to come in and talk about some of their most vulnerable academic challenges. Aley does an excellent job running the ASC while going above and beyond supporting the Peer Tutors and the students who go there for academic help. Aley's relationships with students keep them at ESF and keep them going. Thank you for all your work, Aley!
 
Div Kirti
EOP Counselor

Dr. Timothy Volk

Professor and Associate Chair, Sustainable Resources Management

Tim goes above and beyond as a mentor to new faculty in Sustainable Resources Management (SRM), including myself. He reaches out and follows up with research, teaching, and other opportunities. Tim gives his time and cares about our success at ESF and as individuals, which helps make ESF mightier. He does not hesitate to support us where he can but does not take the lead, rather allowing us to grow and encouraging collaboration within and outside of the department. He is action-oriented and highly collaborative beyond the walls of academia, contributing positively to our community and putting the ESF mission into action.

Cole Gross
Assistant Professor
Sustainable Resources Management

Pete Vandermark

Asst. Director of Environmental Health & Safety Services

Pete Vandermark has flown under the radar for too long! He is an incredible leader who is always willing to lend a helping hand. Pete has been an excellent collaborative partner and is always willing to find ways to enhance and beautify the campus. Pete starts from a place of yes, and I have always appreciated every opportunity to work with him and the team.

Amelia Hoffman
Director of Student Success and Engagement

Terrance Caviness

Undergraduate Advisor & Curriculum Assistant, Environmental Biology | Assistant Director, Cranberry Lake Biological Station

Terrance Caviness embodies the concept of "going above and beyond." Not only does he perform his job superbly, he is so attentive to what needs doing that he applies his incredible skills to whatever problem arises — an invaluable approach in the remote setting of Cranberry Lake. All summer long you'll see him developing student research, writing creative grant proposals, improvising equipment, as well as comforting students, bailing boats, planting trees, and making breakfast for the campus if the cooks are fogged in. All of this he does with a ready laugh and spirit of service and compassion that is a rare gift to our ESF community.

Robin W. Kimmerer
Distinguished Teaching Professor

Student Success & Engagement Team

Christopher Card, Aley O’Mara, Ebby Adukkalil, Amelia Hoffman

The Student Success & Engagement team has been CRUSHING it this semester! The Barbie Disco was a blast, the TGIF event was awesome, and the time and effort put into Family Weekend shows the level of dedication this group has to ESF. We're so lucky to have a team that will go all out to provide our students with opportunities to let loose responsibly!  

Div Kirti
EOP Counselor 

Dave “Dz” Dzwonkowski

Director of Business Affairs

Dave has gone above and beyond for me numerous times while sorting out awards and finances. He is communicative, reliable, and he truly cares about the student experience at ESF. I'm thankful to Dave and his team for helping to get things done (sometimes on a tight timeline)! 

Abby Webster
ESF Student

Mark Poupore

Supervising Janitor

Mark is upbeat, exudes positivity, goes above and beyond and is supportive of his team. He is a pleasure to work with at ESF!

Rebecca Hoda-Kearse,
Executive People Officer