VIP Employee Appreciation Campaign

Caitlin Davidson

PT Staff Assistant, Admissions Office

“Caitlin is truly a hidden gem in the Admissions Office! The majority of the applications that are submitted to SUNY Broome are reviewed, processed, and accepted by Caitlin! She is a genuinely solid, efficient, quality employee. SUNY Broome needs a hundred more Caitlin’s! Though she is quiet, she is a powerhouse!” – Anonymous

Brenda Dawe

Associate Professor & Chairperson of Music and Theater Arts & Coordinator of Music

“Brenda is a tireless advocate for music at SUNY Broome, a talented vocalist, and a dedicated teacher. She has overseen the expansion of the music department from a modest basement facility in the Public Safety building to a more professional setting in the Campus Services building. She encourages her staff and is always looking for ways to improve.” – Joe Roma

Lynn Fedorchak (LA ’80)

Human Resources Officer

“Besides her work in human resources, Lynn has been a friendly and welcoming presence in the Wales building for many years. Lynn was certainly a VIP and we shall miss her!” – Anonymous

Meigo Fitzpatrick

Programmer/Analyst II, Information Technology Services

“Meigo is a VIP because she will drop everything to assist a student coming in looking for help. On more than one occasion, she has brought a student and or their family to her office or contacted someone to make sure they are able to get all their questions answered before they leave her presence. Meigo is an absolute treasure, and we are lucky to have her as a campus member!” – Anonymous

Justin Hawley

Custodial Worker, Custodial Services

“From the first day that Justin started at SUNY Broome, he has made a difference! Justin is responsible for maintaining the Titchener building, and in my 36 years at the college, I have never seen it this clean! Our building sparkles, all due to Justin’s hard work and dedication! The floors shine, the classrooms and restrooms are cleaned continuously, and we all take pride in our building. This is due to Justin’s “can do” attitude and daily dedication to his position.” – Carla Michalak

Lisa Hughes

Sr. Accessibility Specialist & Coordinator of Accessibility Resources Office

“I consider Lisa the heart of our Accessibility Resources Office. Her compassion for our students is the BEST I have ever witnessed in my 21+ years with BCC. Her continued fight for campus accessibility for our students is inspirational. BCC is not just a BETTER place to be because Lisa works here, but the BEST place to be!” – Frances Gill

Kelly Page (PL ’93)

Secretary, Athletic Office

“She is the best! She is always there when you need. She works hard everyday to support and encourage our student athletes to do their best. She is fair and upbeat and generous and always willing to help others no matter what. Plus, she has the best holiday decorations on campus!” – Ashley Blackwell (ISAT ’10; LAGS ’04)

Timothy Shea (ARTS ’15)

Technical Assistant IIA, ITS

“Tim Shea has been a significant technical support person to the Foundation since he first joined the IT team. He is a pleasure to work with – and assisted with so many different technology needs that we have had over the years.” – SUNY Broome Foundation

Robert Snyder

Custodial Worker, Custodial Services

“Bob gives 150% every day he works in AT. He’s always willing to take on any project, and consistently goes above and beyond to help everyone out. It’s obvious that he cares not only for the building and doing a great job, but also for the people who work there.” – Anonymous

Would you like to submit a VIP nomination?

Submit your story of a co-worker who regularly inspires others, is kind, and goes the extra mile!

Susan Backo

Personnel Assistant, Budget and Finance Office, Payroll

“Susan is a giant ball of sunshine with a great sense of humor. She really cares about how you’re doing and is ever grateful. Her positive attitude helps everyone around her to get through the day.” – Meigo Fitzpatrick

Maureen Breck (ISAS ‘13)

Academic Advisor, Academic Advising Department

“She volunteers to attend events that will support students, but are not directly related to her advising duties, stays late to meet with students, and has taken extra time to learn from program chairs. She is dedicated to making sure students feel supported and to me, that makes her a VIP!” – Erin Marulli

David Capodaglio

Courier, Mail Room

“David is always kind, welcoming and polite. Always greeting people by name with a smile on his face, and asking if he can help in any way.” – Anonymous

“David does way more than deliver the mail, although he does that very well. He also answers questions about mail delivery, postal deadlines, shipping methods and costs…He does all this and more with a smile and a sense of humor.” – Anonymous

Brian Croteau (ISAT ‘17)

Technical Assistant IIA, Accessibility Resources Office

“Brian always goes above and beyond to help not only students, but faculty and staff. He was in the ASL Club performance at our annual giving of the toys at Christmas. He won a gift card to our campus bookstore for winning the ugliest sweater contest, and he turned around and gave it to a student to get supplies they needed.”– Frances Gill

Ryan Dempsey (CJPO ‘09; CSF ‘15)

Courier, Mail Room

“Ryan is genuinely a VIP. He greets me with a huge smile and his happy-go-lucky charismatic personality every day. Ryan does a fantastic job as a mail carrier, he goes above and beyond anytime you need help, and he does an even better job at keeping everyone he talks to smiling!” – Anonymous

Steven Fetterman (BUBA ‘08; ISAS ‘19)

Student Records Specialist, Admissions

“Steve Fetterman is the heart of the Admissions Office. He never hesitates to stop what he is doing to help a colleague or student. Steve is often in the background due to the nature of his professional position, but it is unquestionable that the office would not function without him.” – Anonymous

Dr. Diana (Lee) Heron

Associate Professor/Coordinator of Business Programs, Business Department

“Dr. Heron regularly goes the extra mile for her students. She provides them with interesting and fun classroom exercises – sometimes, they include toilet paper or marshmallows. Mentors them not only when they are attending Broome but also after they graduate – they often reach out to her with exciting stories of their successes… I could go on and on, but you get the picture.” – Anonymous

Laura Hodel (ISAS ‘15)

Director of Student Financial Services

“Laura Hodel is a VIP. She provides exemplary leadership. She leads her office by example in being able to execute all of the processes, procedures and tasks. She shows genuine compassion for students and everyone on campus. SUNY Broome is fortunate to have Laura Hodel on staff.” – Anonymous

Barbara Hughes

Programmer/Analyst II, Information Technology Services Department

“[When a student needed help to get back to NYC, Barb] offered to drive her to the bus station downtown [so she could] catch her bus home. Barb has a genuine kindness in everything she does.” – Meigo Fitzpatrick

“She is a very dedicated employee [and] a wonderful person.” – Tina Tomassetti (CSCT ‘89)

“Barb has the ability to solve complicated reporting and data issues with patience and with kindness. Barb is truly the most pleasant person to work with.” – Larry Allen (BUBC ‘01)

Kathleen M. McKenna, J.D.

Professor

“Kathleen teaches in three departments and gives 100% in all three! Any time we need help, Kathleen is the first to volunteer! She also is the COIL Coordinator and invited the international students and their professors to participate in the Russia-Ukraine presentations. Because she included our international partners, our conversations were richer and our students…were provided a broader perspective. She is a VIP!” – Carla Michalak

Maria Montemagno

Associate Professor & Chairperson of Hospitality Programs

“Maria has worked tirelessly during her first semester as department chair. She has focused on enrollment, with the development of multiple articulation agreements. She has hosted events which truly showcase the amazing work that her department’s students do. Kudos to the amazing work she is doing.” – Anonymous

Venessa Rodriguez

Director of EOP, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

“Venessa always has her door open for her EOP students, and does amazing work with the President’s Task Force and Men of Excellence. Long days are spent here supporting our students. She is always cheerful and encouraging to her students.”– Loreta Paniccia

Andrea Roma

Director of EOP, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

“Andrea Roma is such an asset here at SUNY Broome. She came here in July of 2009 and worked in Admissions until she joined the Foundation staff in 2013. In 2018, she followed her heart back to the student affairs side of the house where she excelled in her role of Director of Fast Forward and in Shared Governance. She is inspiring in many ways – and one of the most organized people we have ever worked with.”– The Foundation

Dr. Carol Ross-Scott

Vice President for Student Development & Chief Diversity Officer/Executive Director

“Dr. Carol Ross-Scott is one of the most supportive people I have ever met. She reaches out with care and concern. I have been given tools, and advice, and freedom to learn and grow, and also challenged to do more and be more.”– Evan Bigam

Dr. Michele Snyder

Associate Vice President and Dean of STEM and Health Sciences

“Michele started her job with SUNY Broome Community College with a smile on her face. She was never unable to accommodate your question or concern. She took on the many facets of her employment with professionalism and determination to make a difference. Michele is my VIP because she always inspired me with words that made me feel appreciated and empowered.” – Darlene Kanuk

Carine Surdey

Senior Instructional Designer and Adjunct Instructor

“Carine goes above and beyond to support faculty use of Blackboard in their courses. She possesses a vast wealth of knowledge and always helps with problems and provides suggestions for how to best use technology in every type of course. Her influence and help have improved and enriched my courses and my time at SUNY Broome. She is absolutely a SUNY Broome VIP and we are lucky to have her!”– Jen Musa

Justin Tabeek (LAAA ‘05)

Campus Peace Officer, Public Safety

“[During a heavy snowstorm,] I saw a campus public safety officer cleaning off all the cars in the lot. I doubt Justin was asked to do that, but it’s clear he was compelled by kindness to help out his fellow campus employees. I would like to recognize him as a VIP for his efforts to make sure we could leave campus quickly and safely during the heavy storm.” – Valerie Pitcher

Dr. Harold H. Trimm (CH ‘02)

Professor, Chemistry Department

“[While I was giving a family a tour of CAM], Dr. Trimm walked past us. He offered to take the family into a CAM Building class/lab to look around. He made them feel really comfortable. The family was very appreciative and spoke of the visit with the professor the rest of the tour.” – Susan Wellington

Would you like to submit a VIP nomination?

Submit your story of a co-worker who regularly inspires others, is kind, and goes the extra mile!