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Staff Spotlight: Erin Tochelli
Erin Tochelli recently earned a promotion to Associate Director of Academic Administration at ESF. During her seven years at ESF, has brought tremendous value to curriculum approval processes, SUNY academic requirements, and advising for Environmental Studies and Landscape Architecture. In her new role, she plans to bring a holistic, student-centered approach to academic procedures while working to further improve processes. We sat down to catch up with Erin about her time at ESF!
Q: What would you like ESF Students to know about you and your role?
A: My favorite part of my job is looking for creative solutions to fit individual needs or interests. I love having conversations with students about their academic experiences and learning what we can do to make their journey here better.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love to read! Last year I read 138 books, and hope to make it to 150 this year. I enjoy taking my dog out for nature walks and hope to get her up to the High Peaks this summer. I also have two kids who play competitive volleyball, so most weekends I am rooting them on at their games!
Q: Do you have a favorite ESF memory?
A: I have had a lot over the years, but I think my crowning achievement was winning the Golden Spatula for our Employee Cooking Contest, which benefitted the United Way. I made a cranberry beet cake with an orange walnut glaze.
Q: What do you like about Syracuse?
A: Having lived here for over 20 years, I've seen a lot of growth and change. I love eating at the many local restaurants around town (Cider Mill and Oh My Darling are favorites!); going to indie shops like Parthenon Books or McCarthy Mercantile; and seeing music at Beak and Skiff or The Landmark. We have tons of parks and nature trails to enjoy all of the seasons. There is always something great to do around town!
Q: What is your favorite tree? Why?
A: With the risk of sounding predictable, I'd say an oak tree. I was married under one of the oldest surviving oak trees in the United States, which contributes to my choice. Oaks are also powerful symbols of truth and wisdom in Celtic mythology. My favorite adage is "The mightiest oak in the forest is just a little nut that held its ground" which I like as a representation of the resiliency and power that is contained within a small package!