NEW FACULTY, ACADEMIC SUPPORT STAFF, and ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF BIOGRAPHIES – FALL 2012

These biographies are of the faculty, academic support staff and administrators who joined St. Lawrence, or took on new roles, between August 2011 and August 2012.

Meg Bernier ’07, M’09 joins St. Lawrence as university writer in the University Communications office, where she is responsible for developing content for print and online communications. While a student at St. Lawrence, Meg spent two-and-a-half years working for communications. After graduating with a B.A. in English, she worked in the University’s athletic media relations office while completing a master’s degree in educational leadership. She worked in admissions at Clarkson University and as public relations coordinator at SUNY Canton before returning to her alma mater in March 2012.

William Bradley ’99 returns to Canton as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the English Department.  Dr. Bradley received his PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2006.  He will be teaching classes in creative writing and literature.

Amy Brady has been promoted from Volunteer Services and Themes Coordinator to Coordinator of Volunteer Services.

Neal Burdick ’72, a 35-year veteran of St. Lawrence’s communications endeavors, was named director of editorial services in early 2012. He leads the writing and editing aspects of St. Lawrence’s publications program, encompassing the alumni magazine and major admissions and fund-raising communications, as well as some online material. He teaches the English course Internships in Communications and, outside of St. Lawrence, is a freelance writer and editor specializing in the Adirondacks.

Athletic Trainer Samantha Campbell earned a Bachelor of Science in athletic training from Boston University in 2009 and has been working on her Masters degree in the same field at A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ.  The Gilbert, AZ native was a student trainer at BU, working with the Terriers' women's basketball team, and also gained experience working with MIT's men's basketball and lacrosse squads.  She has worked the past year as the head athletic trainer at Combs High School in San Tan Valley, AZ, and will work alongside the Saints' women's soccer and men's and women's cross country and track and field teams.

Insoo Cho comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Economics.   She expects to earn her Ph.D. in Economics from Iowa State University in Fall 2012.  Her research focuses are the role of risk aversion in economic decisions, gender differences, and entrepreneurship. She will be teaching a number of principles of economics as well as a labor economics.

Grant Currie M'09 was promoted to Educational Technologies Manager from Educational Technologies Training Coordinator. Grant received his Master’s degree in Education, General Studies, from St. Lawrence in 2009 and graduated from Grinnell College several years before that with a BA in Psychology.

Max DelSignore joined the Office of Annual Giving and Laurentian Engagement in February 2011, and has been recently promoted to associate director of annual giving.  He is responsible for the management of leadership giving in support of St. Lawrence’s annual fund.  He also oversees and coordinates volunteer recruitment, training and engagement within the University’s Leadership Gifts Committee.  He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting and Mass Communications from SUNY Oswego in 2005. In 2012, he garnered a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from Buffalo State.

Susan Dodd comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Education after spending four years as an Assistant Professor and School Counseling Program Coordinator at SUNY Plattsburgh.  Dr. Dodd earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Georgia State University in 2008 and has recently completed a CAS in Educational Administration at SUNY Plattsburgh.  Dr. Dodd’s research focus is on the alignment of school counseling practices with national standards set forth by the American School Counselor Association.  She will be teaching classes related to counseling and education.

Mike Elberty, Strength and Conditioning Coach, joins the St. Lawrence athletic staff as strength and conditioning coach for the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams and will also work with Division III teams in that area.  Elberty is a 1979 graduate of St. Lawrence and was a history and physical education major. He has extensive coaching experience at the college, high school and youth levels. A certified strength and conditioning trainer by the International Sport Science Association in 1992, he served as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey program in 2011-12 and was the head coach and general manager of the 1000 Islands Privateers in the Federal Hockey League in 2010-11.

Laura Ellis was appointed Vice President for University Advancement for St. Lawrence University in March 2012.  Laura earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in nutritional sciences from Cornell University and a master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Michigan.  After conducting post-doctoral research in nutritional biochemistry at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, she embarked on a 20-year career in advancement.  She brings to St. Lawrence experience in alumni relations and development from diverse institutions including Cornell University’s Weill Medical College, Albany Medical College, the University at Albany (SUNY), Pace University, and Columbia University’s Teachers College.  She has also served on numerous nonprofit boards and on the alumni board of Cornell’s University’s College of Human Ecology.

Jenna Farmer ’11 joins the Admissions staff as an assistant director.  Jenna graduated cum laude from St. Lawrence with a B.A. in sociology and in anthropology.  While at St. Lawrence, she was an admissions ambassador and an admissions summer intern.  In addition, she worked in the sociology and anthropology departments, at the Brewer Bookstore and in the financial aid office.  She was involved as a mentor, a SLU Buddy, and in Alpha Phi Omega. She studied abroad in Australia.  She will be coordinating our campus events, supervising the admissions ambassadors, and traveling in Massachusetts.

Haley Feickert ’11 joined the Office of Annual Giving & Laurentian Engagement in June of 2012.  As the assistant director for event planning, Haley is responsible for planning regional alumni events as well as Homecoming.  Haley grew up in Canton, NY and attended St. Lawrence earning a B.A. in Performance and Communication Arts.  While a student, Haley was also a member of the Laurentian Singers, The Up Beats, and worked in the Admissions office.  Since graduating in May of 2011, Haley has interned for SLU alumna Kathleen Colson at her non-profit organization and then returned to work in Admissions at St. Lawrence before accepting her position in AG&LE.  In her new position, Haley looks forward to working with SLU alumni across the country to plan regional events and facilitating connections for all SLU alumni.

Amanda Fish
Amanda joined the Office of Annual Giving & Laurentian Engagement in January of 2012.  As the assistant director for reunion giving, she is responsible for coordinating fundraising efforts for all reunion classes with the exception of the 25th and 50th reunion years. Amanda earned her BS from Vanderbilt University in 2007, majoring in Human and Organizational Development.  During her time at Vanderbilt she was captain of the women's tennis team and a two time All-American.  Amanda earned her MBA from UNC-Charlotte and then began working in university advancement at Boston College as a leadership gifts officer.  In her new position, Amanda looks forward to connecting with alumni of all ages and working with several reunion classes.

Megan Flaherty has been promoted from Assistant Director of Student Activities and Leadership to Associate Director.

Ana Foteva comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in German Studies from the Visiting Lecturer position at the University of Minnesota at Morris. She earned her Ph.D. in German literature from Purdue University in 2009. Dr. Foteva’s research focus is diverse. Her book The Habsburg Monarchy and the Balkans: Europe’s Most Challenging Juncture, which should come out from Peter Lang by the end of this calendar year, explores the cultural and geopolitical relations between the Habsburg Monarchy and the Balkans as reflected in literary works by Habsburg/Austrian and Balkan authors. Her research also includes drama and theater from the Early Modern Age until the present, particularly the Central European comical theater genres. She will be teaching a number of introductory, intermediate, and advanced language and culture courses in German Studies.

Sam Fuller’07 was promoted to Computing Facilities Coordinator. He is a North Country native, growing up in nearby Edwards, NY.  He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of St. Lawrence University, attaining a BA in history in 2007. He previously served as a Technical Support and Hardware Specialist at St. Lawrence from 2007 to 2011.

Jennifer Girard '10 returned to her alma mater in the fall of 2010 to begin work as the Graduate Assistant to Sports Information and was named a full-time Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations in the summer of 2012.  A native of Gouverneur, NY, Girard received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology. During her four years at St. Lawrence, Jennifer played on the softball team and worked as a student-assistant to the sports information office.  While captaining the softball squad in both her junior and senior seasons, Girard was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Chi and graduated Magna Cum Laude.  In her undergraduate work in the sports information office, she worked as a statistician for the men's and women's basketball programs and assisted with both football and women's hockey.

Julie Grant joined North Country Public Radio (WSLU-FM) in July 2011 as a reporter and producer in the news department.  She has 15 years experience in public radio news, covering issues in education, the environment and health care.  Julie earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and political science at Miami University in Ohio.

Stephanie Elizondo Griest will be spending the 2012-2013 academic year as the Viebranz Visiting Professor of Creative Writing here at St. Lawrence. She is the author of Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana; and Mexican Enough: My Life Between the Borderlines; and holds a MFA from the University of Iowa. She will be teaching classes in creative nonfiction, including travel writing and literary journalism.

Adam Harr comes to St. Lawrence University as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Anthropology. He arrives in Canton hot on the heels of completing a PhD in cultural and linguistic anthropology at the University of Virginia.  Adam’s research focuses on the recent revival of traditional religions in regional elections in eastern Indonesia. Adam will teach courses in the anthropology of communication, including Language in Religion, Language and Human Experience, and Talking Politics.

Stephanie Hopwood will serve as a Visiting Assistant Professor of French in the department of Modern Languages.  Stephanie has previously taught at the University of Virginia, where she earned her Ph.D., and at Lycoming College in central Pennsylvania.  This fall she will teach a course on the modern French novel and two sections of intermediate French.  Stephanie's research interests lie in the Francophone Caribbean and the Haitian Diaspora.

Musa Khalidi is associate director of admissions and director of international admissions.  He came to St. Lawrence from Earlham College where he served in a similar capacity for 17 years, helping bring that institution recognition and record numbers of international students. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature from Bethlehem University in the West Bank and his master’s degree in peace studies from the Joan Kroc Institute at the University of Notre Dame.

Dawn Kaufman joins St. Lawrence University as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Vertebrate Ecology and previously held faculty appointments at The Claremont Colleges and Kansas State University.  Her formal training includes 3 years as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (at The University of California-Santa Barbara), a Ph.D. in Ecology from The University of New Mexico, an M.S. in Biology from Texas Tech University, and a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Kansas State University.  Dawn works at the interface of field ecology, macroecology, biodiversity, and conservation; she is currently serving her second term as an Elected Director on the Board of the American Society of Mammalogy (for which she also serves as the Chair of the Human Diversity Committee).  Her research interests include understanding the ecological effects of harsh environments and physiological limits on mammalian diversity and distribution, examination of the geographic gradients of biodiversity and effects of global change, and assessment of the ecological impacts of environmental degradation and habitat fragmentation.  Dawn will be teaching intermediate and advanced courses in mammalogy, ecology, biogeography, and conservation biology.

Kara Kauffman, Residential Coordinator, Residence Life Office, is a graduate of Ohio University with a Masters of Education in College Student Personnel.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.  Kara’s previous experience includes Residence Hall Coordinator, Graduate Assistant International Student Union Advisor and Graduate Assistant International Student Orientation.

Katie Kennedy began work at St. Lawrence as the Program Coordinator for the CSTEP and McNair Scholars program last January. Prior to beginning her position at St. Lawrence, Katie was a teaching assistant and contract instructor in Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication (Ottawa, Ontario) where she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Communication.

Barbara Knauf has been promoted to the director of annual giving in the Office of Annual Giving & Laurentian Engagement.  In this role she will coordinate the day-to-day management of all aspects of the St. Lawrence Fund as well as secure leadership philanthropic support from alumni.  She has been in advancement since August 2001 and has served in many roles ranging from reunion planning and fundraising, volunteer management and annual fund leadership giving.  Barbara earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Politics from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

Kyle Jicha joined St. Lawrence in January as a Systems Administrator. Prior to joining the university, Kyle worked as an IT Technician for the Mohawk Regional Information Center. He earned his B.S. in Network Administration from SUNY Cobleskill.

Susan R. Johnson was promoted from Counselor to Clinical Director of Counseling Services.

Stacie Olney LaPierre has been promoted from Assistant Director of Residence Life to Associate Director of Residence Life.

John LaShomb '10 returns to the Information Technology department as a Web Developer/Programmer. While attending St. Lawrence John worked as a Help Desk Technician and graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics with a minor in Education Studies.

Christopher Marquart, Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Residence Life, Chris has a Master’s in Education from St. Lawrence University and a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Geneseo.  He began his responsibilities as Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Residence Life & Housing on July 1.  He was previously the Director of Residence Life at Green Mountain College in Vermont. 

Daniel Macfarlane is a SSHRC postdoctoral fellow at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. He will be at St. Lawrence as a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Canadian Studies for the fall semester. Dr. Macfarlane completed his Ph.D. in History at the University of Ottawa in 2010. His area of research is Canadian-American border water relations, and he is completing a book on the history of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project. He will be co-teaching a course on the Seaway in the First Year Program.

Kevin Mathes, who joined St. Lawrence in 2008,has been promoted to senior assistant director of admissions from assistant director.  Kevin graduated with a B.A. in mathematics and education from Bucknell and earned his M.Ed. at Ohio University while completing practica in the admissions, financial aid, and alumni offices.  His current duties include managing an extensive admissions territory and traveling in many states in our tertiary market.  In addition, he coordinates many programs and initiatives and is co-founder of our new Senior Admissions Fellowship program.

Richard J. Mattimore, Residential Coordinator, Residence Life Office, has a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Potsdam.  He has been Sustainability and Operations Coordinator and a Residence Director at SUNY Potsdam.  He also served as a Resident Assistant during his undergraduate years at Potsdam. 

Jeff Maynes joins the Philosophy department as a Visiting Assistant Professor.  He earned his Ph.D from the Johns Hopkins University and has previously taught at Gettysburg College and McDaniel College.  His research interests lie primarily in the philosophy of language and mind.  He will be teaching course in Ethics, Modern Philosophy and the Philosophy of Science, among others.

Former Union College and professional hockey goaltender Kris Mayotte has been named men's ice hockey assistant coach at St. Lawrence University. The new Saint assistant spent last season as a volunteer assistant coach at Cornell following an eight-year playing career as a goalie in both college and the professional ranks. Mayotte was a full-time goalie coach in 2010-11 in Maryland, having spent the previous seven years of his playing career as a part-time instructor. A native of Pittsburgh, Mayotte was the primary starting goalie for Union for four seasons, spanning from 2002 to 2006. Mayotte was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie team after his freshman season and earned a spot on the all-league second team after his senior campaign. He played 116 career games for Union, finishing with a 2.69 career goals against average and 10 shutouts.

Kristin McKie comes to St. Lawrence as an Assistant Professor of Government and African Studies from a postdoctoral fellowship with the Program on Democracy at Yale University.  She earned her Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University in 2011 and has liberal arts college roots from her undergraduate days at Haverford College in PA.  Her research focuses on the development of the rule of law in democratizing countries across sub-Saharan Africa.  Dr. McKie is very excited to teach the introductory course in Comparative Politics and a seminar on African Politics this fall semester.

Steve Millington’07 was promoted to Student Services Coordinator from Technology Support Specialist. Steve received a BA History in 2007 and previously served as the MAC technician at St. Lawrence from 2007 to 2011.

Dennis Morreale ’07 joined the Alumni & Parents Programs staff as assistant director of alumni & parent programs in 2007, and has recently been promoted to associate director of annual giving.  Dennis earned his BA degree with a double major in History and Government.  He oversees a myriad of young alumni committees encompassing graduates of the last 15 years. He is also responsible for administering programs, crafting appeals and planning events that promote volunteerism and annual giving.  Originally from Corinth, NY, Dennis came to SLU as an Augsbury North Country Scholar, and during his undergraduate years he spent a semester abroad in France, participated in a University Fellowship, and was a proud resident of the Green House Theme Cottage. 

Tsutomu Nagata comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Japanese. Dr. Nagata earned his Ph. D. in English from Idaho State University in 2011. Dr. Nagata's research focus is modern Japanese literature. He will be teaching courses on Japanese language, films and literature.

Laura N. O’Shaughnessy completed a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in 2008 and is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She will be joining us this year as an Assistant Chaplain and Coordinator of Peace Studies program, in which she will be teaching.  Rev. Dr. O’Shaughnessy is no stranger to St. Lawrence as she retired as Emerita Professor from the Government Department to pursue her ministerial studies.

Sara O’Brian Polniak has been with the Office of Annual Giving & Laurentian Engagement since January 2008, and has been recently promoted to associate director of Laurentian engagement.  She is the staff contact for Reunion Planning Committees (except for the 25th and 50th Reunion classes) and overall Reunion logistics coordinator.  She is also responsible for maintenance and development of the Alumni portion of the SLU website.  Sara graduated from SUNY Potsdam in 2005 majoring in Philosophy and History.

Charlie Pepiton comes to St. Lawrence as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Performance and Communication. Most recently, Mr. Pepiton taught and directed at Guizhou University (pronounced "GWAY-joe") in the People's Republic of China with the U.S. Peace Corps. He earned an MFA in Directing from the University of Idaho and was Producing Artistic Director at Square Top Repertory Theatre in Southwest Colorado. He will be teaching acting, directing, and other theatre and performance courses.

Juan Ponce-Vázquez is the new Visiting Assistant Professor in Latin American History. Before coming to St. Lawrence he taught at Rutgers University/New Brunswick. He earned his Ph. D. in History from The University of Pennsylvania in 2011. Dr. Ponce's research focuses on Spanish Caribbean societies during the late 16th and 17th century, particularly, the island of Hispaniola. He will be teaching a survey of Caribbean and Latin American Studies as well as two 200 level courses: one on the History of Modern Latin America and another on US-Caribbean relations from the Haitian Revolution to the present.

Davide Ponzi comes to St. Lawrence University as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Biology. He obtained his Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of Missouri in 2011 with an interdisciplinary thesis embracing biological anthropology, neuroendocrinology and developmental psychology. Prof. Ponzi’s research interests range from human biology to evolutionary psychology and it targets the long term effects of the exposure to early (prenatal and postnatal) stress on the development of the hypothalamus pituitary axis. He will be teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Jessica Prody is an Assistant Professor in Performance and Communication Arts from a post-doc position at Colgate University.  Dr. Prody earned her PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Minnesota in 2011.  Her research focuses on environmental communication, citizenship, and community-building.  She will be teaching introductory courses in rhetoric and communication as well as a special topics course in Environmental Communication.

Ying’ai Quan is a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant.  She received her B.A. in English and her M.A. in English Literature and Linguistics from Jilin University and is employed as an English teacher at the School of Foreign Language Education at Jilin University in China.

Jamie Richardson was promoted to Manager of User Services from Helpdesk Manager.  He oversees the IT HelpDesks, campus computer, event and classroom support. Jamie is a graduate of Clarkson University with a BA in Management Information Systems and a Masters in Business Administration. 

Jessica Rood joins the communications staff as director of creative services. She leads St. Lawrence's efforts in publications design and production, as well as graphic standards and art direction across all communications. She has more than a decade of experience in graphic design in higher education and private industry and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism, with concentrations in graphic design and women’s studies, from SUNY Oswego.

Matt Saltzberg, a native of the Hudson Valley in downstate New York, comes as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Performance and Communication Arts Department after a stint as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Managing Innovation: Navigating Disruptive and Transformational Technologies in the Department of Theatre at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Saltzberg earned his Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies from the University of Missouri in 2011; his research is focused on the capacities and capabilities of the body. At St. Lawrence, he will be teaching both introductory and advanced courses in performance, dramatic literature, and theatre history, and will direct theatrical productions.

Mamadou Samb comes as a Visiting Instructor of French and African Studies. He is originally from Senegal, where he completed his master’s degree in Modern Languages at Cheich Anta Diop University. He is currently finalizing the last chapter of his dissertation at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.  His research focuses on postcolonial Sub-Saharan literature, movies, and Arts. He will teach Language courses in French as well as introductory courses in French and Francophone literature.

Elvira Sanatullova-Allison joins as an Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Education Department. She completed her Ph.D. in Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1999. Prior to SLU, she served in various teaching-administrative positions at Chatham University, the State University of New York-Potsdam, and Concordia University-Nebraska. Her scholarly and teaching interests are interdisciplinary in nature and lie in the areas of multiculturalism and multilingualism; globalization and internationalization; global and cultural studies; language learning, pedagogy, and education; and gender diversity in education.

Jennifer Schmeisser is a Visiting Assistant Professor in Chemistry.  Dr. Schmeisser earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Simon Fraser University, which is in British Columbia Canada, in 2008.  Dr. Schmeisser's research focusses on novel materials for applications in sensor and alternative power generation technologies.  She will be teaching primarily freshman chemistry and participating in the first year seminar in the winter semester.

Justin Sipher joins St. Lawrence as Vice President for Libraries and Information Technology effective August 27.  Justin, a native of Gouverneur, has been chief technology officer at Skidmore College since 2005. Justin earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from SUNY Potsdam, and worked there from 1994 to 2005. He held a variety of positions at the college during that time, ultimately being named assistant vice president for information technology, the senior technology officer with responsibility for academic, administrative and communications technology.  At Skidmore, Sipher led the Information Technology division, with responsibility for development of information technology strategies, acquisition and implementation of new technology, and communication of technological information to students, faculty and staff.  He serves on the Board of Directors for NYSERNet.org and the Microsoft Higher Education Advisory Group. Sipher has previously chaired the SUNY Council of Chief Information Officers and has been active in EDUCAUSE.

Jesse Sheehan recently joined IT as a Technology Support Specialist. Previously Jesse worked as Web developer at the Advantage Company. He received his B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Buffalo State College.

Doug Soholt joins St. Lawrence as an Assistant Director for the Adirondack Semester.  He graduated with a BA in Geology from Colorado College, where he also completed the coursework for an elementary teacher’s certificate.  Doug cut his teeth as a trip leader in northern Maine with the Chewonki Foundation, leading extended backpacking, canoeing and kayaking trips.  Doug advocates for applied, personal education that is based on both philosophy and practice, believing that each is hollow without the other.  Though he is a hiker through and through, canoeing and skiing have been making serious inroads to his heart.  He feels the compulsive need to be near a television whenever the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team has a match.

Angelica Soto,  Residential Coordinator, Residence Life Office,  is a FYP Residential Coordinator in our Residence Life Office.  She has a Master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Buffalo.

Katie Spencer’02 joins us in Academic Advising Programs as the Coordinator of Academic Development. At St. Lawrence, she majored in Creative Writing in English. Katie earned an MFA in Writing and Poetics at Naropa University. She is a published poet and has taught college-level English Composition and Literature. In spring 2012 she took a backpacking trip through Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Carol Smith joined the University’s Advancement Division as grants manager in 2001 and assumed the role of associate director in August 2012.  Through the campus grants office, she works with faculty, staff, and students to develop and submit proposals for individual, group, and institutional projects; to administer grant awards and budgets; and to research potential funding sources for new projects.  She earned her degrees in French/Education and Economics from SUNY Potsdam and McGill University, respectively.

Lauren Stemler’12, Residential Coordinator, Residence Life Office, joins the Residence Life staff as a Residential Coordinator in our upperclass residence halls.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Lawrence. Most recently, Lauren was our Interim Housing Coordinator from May through July.  During her undergraduate years, Lauren held positions as a Community Assistant and a Building Coordinator in our Residence Life department.

Chad Tessier ’93, M.Ed. ’04  has worked in higher education for the past fourteen years, first in undergraduate admissions at Clarkson University and then in various positions at The Clarkson School—culminating in his role as director of admissions. He joined St. Lawrence University in July 2008 as an associate director of admissions and then transitioned to the Development Office as associate director of major gifts in February 2011.  Chad, a native of the North Country and a former Saints lacrosse player, received his BA in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration.  In his new role as director of parent leadership giving & senior associate director of major gifts, Chad will be responsible for identifying and putting to best use the considerable talents and resources of St. Lawrence parents for the benefit of our students' education.  He will also provide parents committee members with opportunities to learn more about the people, programs, and plans of their children's school.

Nathan Torres’11 returns to St. Lawrence as Technical Director & Production Manager for University Theatres.  Nathan earned his B.A. in Music and Performance and Communication Arts, with a focus in technical theatre and sound. He will be teaching Stagecraft, Stage Lighting, and supervising various Independent Studies.

Sara Trimm returns to St. Lawrence as our Coordinator of International Student Services.  For the past two years, Sara has been an International Education Program Specialist at SUNY Potsdam.  From 2002 to 2006, Sara was at St. Lawrence as Assistant Director of Off-Campus Programs.  Sarah has a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Applied Sciences Fulda, Germany and a Bachelor of Arts from Carthage College in Wisconsin. 

Elisa Van Kirk was named the new head coach of the St. Lawrence University softball program in the summer of 2012 after serving as the assistant coach at Wesleyan in Connecticut.  Before joining the Cardinals in 2011, she spent a year assisting at Smith College, where she also earned her Master of Science Degree with specialization in exercise and sport studies. A former division I softball player at The George Washington University, Van Kirk finished her career with the Colonials ranked fourth all-time in walks and fifth in home runs.  A two-time Dean's List honoree, she was twice named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll and three times to the GWU Athletic Department Honor Roll.   Along with playing and coaching experience at the collegiate level, Van Kirk has worked extensively with U-14 and U-18 summer teams, as well as numerous camps and clinics as a hitting and catching instructor.

Athletic Trainer Aisha Visram joins the St. Lawrence staff as the athletic trainer for the women’s hockey program and will assist with coverage of the Division III athletic program.  A graduate of the University of Guelph with a degree in human kinetics, she earned an advanced certificate in athletic therapy at Mount Royal University and a Master’s of Science in Kinesiology a the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She was a graduate assistant trainer at UMass.-Amherst and at Smith College. She also worked as an athletic therapist at the Unviersity of Calgary and for Hockey Canada’s U18/U22 Strength and Conditioning camp.  She has certifications from the National Athletic Trainers Association, the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association and is a certified first responder.

Ryan Walsh ’12 joins the Admissions staff as an assistant director.  Ryan graduated magna cum laude from St. Lawrence with a B.A. in history and minors in government and educational studies.  While at St. Lawrence, he was an admissions ambassador, and admissions summer intern, and coordinated the admissions overnight program.  A founding member of the UpBeats a capella group, he also served as an orientation leader, and as an student assistant coach to the women’s volleyball team.  He studied abroad in Denmark.  He will have an extensive admissions territory and will be traveling in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Jersey.

Benjamin Watson ’11 joins Information Technology as a Technology Support Specialist. As a student, Benjamin received a double major in Environmental Studies and English Literature, and worked three years as part of the Helpdesk student staff. He will be working with User Services to support campus technology resources.  

Nicole Williams joined the St. Lawrence University athletic training staff in the fall of 2011.   Williams graduated from Alfred University with her Bachelors of Science degree in Athletic Training in the spring of 2008.  During her time at Alfred, she worked for four years as a student athletic trainer, working with the Saxons' football, soccer, basketball, softball and lacrosse teams. Following her undergraduate work, Williams joined Nichols College's athletic training staff as a graduate assistant.  She was the primary trainer for five teams, including soccer and lacrosse, and assisted in the evaluation and treatment of all student-athletes.  Williams is NATABOC certified as well as Red Cross certified in First Aid/CPR/AED. She works with the Saint soccer, basketball and track and field programs.

Mike Ziemer, a 2010 graduate of Canisius College, joins the Saint staff as an athletic trainer. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training, and earned a Master’s degree in athletic training at Marshall University.  The Hamburg, NY native was a student trainer at his alma mater and worked as an intern with the Buffalo Bills Football Club.  He comes to St. Lawrence from Marshall University, where he was a graduate assistant for the Thundering Herd's men's soccer, baseball, track and field and football teams.  Ziemer will serve as the primary trainer for both the Saints football and softball squads.

New faculty and staff bios from 2010-2011
New faculty and staff bios from 2009-2010 
New faculty and staff bios from 2008-2009
New faculty and staff bios from 2007-2008
New faculty and staff bios from 2006-2007
New faculty and staff bios from 2005-2006