By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart

Employees from across campus gathered in the Baldwin Gym on Thursday, August 25th to attend the Fall 2022 Faculty Staff Assembly. This bi-annual event encourages fellow colleagues to share breakfast, to reconnect, and to learn about the plans and goals for the upcoming academic year.

Dr. Penny Kelly, Vice President for Academic Affairs, happily welcomed the attendees and kicked off the meeting with the traditional “Year in Review” montage. This video recap included highlights from some of the following:

  • Fall Move-In Day
  • 20th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
  • Culinary & Event Center Grand Opening 
  • Cross Country Team Goes to Nationals
  • Volleyball Team Goes to Nationals
  • 75th Anniversary Press Event
  • Fall/Spring Open House
  • Windsor “College Express” 
  • “Rooted in the Land” Opening
  • Engineering Week Celebration
  • SUNY Broome & Binghamton University 75th Anniversary Birthday Party
  • Village Chopped Robotics Competition 
  • STEM Career Expo 
  • ISO Luncheon 
  • Mock Physical Ability Test 
  • 75th Anniversary Aerial Photo
  • Commencement 

Dr. Kelly then took time to welcome SUNY Broome’s newest employees and to congratulate many current employees on their new professional roles within the campus.

New hires and employees with new roles include: 

  • Maureen Breck: Academic Advisor, Academic Advising
  • Nicole Brooks: Academic Advisor, Academic Advising
  • Kevin Bryant: Technical Assistant IIA, Information Technology Services
  • Joanna Burd: Assistant Professor, Business Department
  • Joseph Cronin: Technical Assistant IIA, Information Technology Services
  • Krista Doherty: Senior Staff Assistant, Registrar’s Office
  • Colleen Kaminski: Instructional Designer, Teaching Resource Center
  • Conal Larkin: Director of Information Technology Services
  • Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola: Interim Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  • Amanda Murphy: Clerk, Registrar’s OFfice
  • Michelle Naylor: Clinical Radiologic Technology Instructional Specialist
  • Samantha Potter: Staff Associate, Registrar’s Office
  • Colleen Regan: Assistant Professor, Business Department
  • Rebecca Singer: Assistant Professor, Nursing Department
  • Michael Streeter: Technical Assistant IIA, Information Technology Services
  • Margaret Sullivan: Senior Staff Assistant, Admissions 
  • Julie Tracy: Assistant Professor, Dental Hygiene Department 
  • Marquis Bennett: Associate Vice President of Student Development and Dean of Students
  • Nicholas Brey: Director of Campus Safety and Security
  • Colleen Cashman: Director of Athletics
  • Michael Gutierrez: Housing Facilities Assistant 
  • Michael Huggler: Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information Director 
  • Alex Mitchell: Campus Police Officer, Public Safety
  • Tommy Odette: Graduate Resident Director, Housing
  • Rae Palmer-Jones: Staff Assistant, Student Activities
  • Dr. Nicholas Wagner: Director of Student Activities
  • Libin Babu: Assistant to Director of Facilities Management
  • Laura Hodel: Assistant Vice President for Human Resources and Student Finance
  • Judy McMiller: Senior Account Clerk, Payroll
  • Sally Mugglin: Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
  • Cheryl Myers: Duplicating Center Worker, Copy Center
  • Robert Snyder: Custodial Worker, Custodial Services 

 

Dr. Kevin Drumm, President of SUNY Broome, began his address by explaining that this 2022-23 academic year will be one that will forever remain very dear to his heart, but be bittersweet as well. After serving as the College’s 7th President for the past 12.5 years, President Drumm plans to retire in July of 2023.

Dr. Drumm took time to briefly reflect on his tenure at the College and marvel at how much the campus has changed. In 12.5 years, 11 buildings have either been built, knocked down, or significantly renovated. On an academic front, SUNY Broome’s faculty and staff have added new programs and have created educational opportunities through travel and other service initiatives. The College worked diligently to adapt its curriculum delivery methods to allow students to receive a SUNY Broome education on campus, online, or through a combination of both.

When Dr. Drumm arrived at SUNY Broome over a decade ago, he often encouraged the campus community with his adage “continuous improvement, continuous innovation.” He is bringing that motto back and highlighted areas to actively address this upcoming academic year, including capitalizing on partnerships with both regional high schools and public and private four year colleges. 

Brenda Dawe, Associate Professor/Chairperson of Music and Theater Arts, introduced the featured musical performer.  Environmental Science student, Emily Dimock, performed “Think of Me” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. Brenda Dawe proudly enumerated Emily Dimock’s many talents and accomplishments, as both a musician and as an athlete, and reminded her colleagues to encourage their students to engage in extracurricular activities.

“If you have students in your classes like Emily, please send them to me. If we have learned anything from these past few years, it’s that students need outlets to maintain overall mental health,” shared Dawe.

Dr. Penny Kelly returned to the podium and highlighted the accomplishments of the previous year that will launch the College into the upcoming academic semester. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of many faculty and staff, major strides were made in the academic master plan including the implementation of a new advising model, major progress with Guided Pathways, and securing an overwhelmingly impressive amount of grant funding to support each academic division. 

Other presenters included Dr. Andrew Haggerty (CAI), Erin Marulli (CA), and Brittney Richardson (COI) who represented Shared Governance. They announced that all Shared Governance meetings will be conducted both in-person and via Zoom.

Dr. Carol Ross-Scott, Vice President for Student Development & Chief Diversity Officer, expressed the importance of physical and mental wellness for both SUNY Broome’s students and employees. She also reminded the campus community that over 250 new students will be arriving at the Student Village on Saturday, August 27th and that move-in volunteers would be genuinely appreciated. 

Dave Ligeikis, representing Campus Operations, provided a comprehensive recap of the tremendous work done by the facilities team. This recap included on-going initiatives and upcoming major projects. In the past 16 months, over 1,800 work order requests have been completed by the maintenance and facilities teams. 

Cathy R. Williams, Executive Director of BCC Foundation, concluded the assembly by highlighting the just under 1.8 million dollars of overall financial support raised for the College for student support for scholarships, campus activities, faculty development, and for capital projects. Cathy shared her genuine and constant appreciation for the faculty and staff and encouraged her colleagues to participate in the Foundation’s “Very Inspiring Person” campaign, which recognizes fellow employees for their hard work and dedication to SUNY Broome. 

 

 Watch the full 2022 Faculty Staff Assembly!