Appointments / Promotions / Kudos

BINGHAMTON

Melinda Holicky, parent relations coordinator, attended the Administrators Promoting Parental Involvement Conference in Boston, Mass., in March.

BROCKPORT

Jim Dusen, manager of Photographic Services, attended the 48th Annual UPAA Symposium at Auburn University in Alabama from June 16 to 20. He is president of the University Photographers Association of America.

COBLESKILL

Becky Dostie is an alumni associate. She was working at SUNY Oneonta.

EMPIRESTATE

Heidi M. Lazare is the new assistant director of annual giving. She is also a foundation specialist with St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center in Albany, where she is responsible for fundraising activities and coordinating special events. In her role at Empire State, she assists with the annual fund, writes and designs correspondence, and oversees the college’s phonathon.

 HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Jessica Shahda, a public relations and marketing professional, has been named communications and marketing specialist. She is responsible for the communications and marketing efforts for the School of Business and School of Engineering and Industrial Technologies, as well at the promotion of Student Services, Viking Video Technologies, the Disability Resource Center, Cultural Affairs, Facilities Utilization/Special Events, High School Programs and Educational Outreach Programs, the Library and the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). Shahda comes from Shorey Public Relations, in Saratoga Springs, where she was an assistant account executive. She received a B.S. in marketing and management from Siena College.

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UTICA, ROME

Brenda Dow, alumni and advancement services officer, was elected to a two-year term as chair of the SICAS Advancement FAUG (Functional Area Users Group), which represents the needs and interests of SICAS member campuses who use Banner for institutional advancement operations.

NIAGARA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Brendan McDaniels is the new technical assistant in Public Relations as of May 19. Since August 2007 he served as a temp in the office, and then was interim director of public relations from October to December of that year. He holds a B.A. in journalism/mass communications from St. Bonaventure University.
Michele Schmidt is the new director of Public Relations as of January 2. She was assistant athletics director for media relations at Niagara University. She holds an M.S. in physical education from Canisius College and a B.S. in communication from Brockport.

ONEONTA

Dayna Boyles Carpenter is the new phonathon manager. A 2002 graduate of the University of Maine, she was employed by Maine Public Broadcasting Network and by L.L.Bean as a quality coach in the Customer Satisfaction division.

ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Amy Kremenek, chief public affairs officer, received the “40 Under 40” award at its 10th annual recognition luncheon. The event honored 40 people under age 40 who made significant contributions in the workplace and in their community.

OSWEGO

Richard Buck joined the Office of Public Affairs in February in the new position of Web support specialist. He began his time at Oswego in 2006 when he was an assistant to the Web coordinator while working on his master’s degree in human-computer interaction. Later he was interim Web coordinator. He also earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from SUNY Oswego.

PLATTSBURGH

Brendan Kinney has been promoted from executive director for marketing and public relations to associate vice president for institutional advancement. He will help develop and implement a development strategy for the school’s $15-million campaign, Bright with Promise.