Monica Schneider, professor of psychology (SUNY Geneseo/Keith Walters '11)
New and returning students and faculty are settling in for the start of the 2019–20 academic year as classes begin.
The College officially welcomed new students to campus during New Student Convocation Friday evening, which included a keynote address by Monica Schneider, professor of psychology, on the commitment to community, diversity, and inclusivity students can find on this campus.
“I know that many of you are sitting there, wondering whether or not you will fit in and have what it takes to succeed,” Schneider said. “Some of you may be struggling with personal, physical, and emotional issues and are concerned that these may potentially create additional challenges for you. Maybe you’re the first one in your family to come to college, or you come from an environment that is really different from Geneseo. At some point, these and other things may make you feel like an imposter. Let me assure you that you belong here and that you have the potential to thrive and succeed at Geneseo.”
“As every single person in this room can attest, successful people have one thing in common. They did not do it alone," Schneider told the audience of incoming students. "They had received invaluable support and resources from mentors and other people in their community. So, when we talk about our commitment to community, diversity, and inclusivity on this campus, we want you understand that this means that each and every one of you matter to us and that you are not alone in this process!”
Alumni speaker Robert “BJ” Scanlon ‘07 talked to students about making a difference. “I volunteer and try to make small changes. Do a little part to add to the bigger picture,” Scanlon said. “I realize that making other people happy may not change the world, but it changes their world or at least their day.”
SUNY Geneseo President Denise A. Battles delivered her keynote address “High Expectations, Exceptional Outcomes” at Opening Convocation for faculty and staff Friday afternoon. Battles recently completed her fourth year as president and reviewed the college’s latest accomplishments and addressed some of the challenges the College must meet.
“All of us here at Geneseo have tremendous capacity and have achieved so much already, even in the face of significant challenges,” Battles said. “Our community takes great pride in the high expectations we set for ourselves, tapping into our resilience, community spirit, and determination to meet every challenge head on. As we draw on that historic strength and commitment to the College and its students, I have no doubt in our ability to succeed.”
President Battles also recognized recent 2019 award recipients, promotions and appointments:
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service
Margaret Foster, Marketing Communications Coordinator, Admissions
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service
Travis Andrews, University Police Officer
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching
Amy Ivers, Lecturer of Sociology
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities
Nicholas Warner, Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence for Excellence in Librarianship
Brandon West, Head of Research Instruction Services
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service
Annmarie Urso, Associate Professor, School of Education
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Jennifer Guzmán, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Aaron Steinhauer, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
William R. Cook Supported Professorship in the Humanities
Caroline Woidat, Professor of English
James and Julia Lockhart Endowed Professorship
Kevin Militello, Professor of Biology
Dr. Spencer J. Roemer Supported Professorships
Aaron Heap, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Jennifer Katz, Professor of Psychology
Distinguished Teaching Professor
Beverly Evans, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Languages and Literatures
Faculty Career Achievement Award
Stacey Edgar, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Faculty promotions and appointments announced at convocation:
Melanie Medeiros, promotion to associate professor of anthropology
Daniel Ross, continuing appointment with promotion to associate librarian
Justin Behrend, promotion to professor of history
Meredith Harrigan, promotion to professor of communication
Paul Pacheco, promotion to professor of anthropology
Aaron Steinhauer, promotion to professor of physics and astronomy
Michelle Costello and Brandon West, continuing appointments in the Milne Library
Travis Bailey, continuing appointment with promotion to associate professor of biology
Mark Broomfield, continuing appointment with promotion to associate professor of dance studies
Elizabeth Hutchison, continuing appointment with promotion to associate professor of biology
Mansokku Lee, continuing appointment with promotion to associate professor of economics
Anne Pellerin, continuing appointment with promotion to associate professor of physics and astronomy
Suann Yang, continuing appointment with promotion to associate professor of biology
Staff promotions and appointments announced at convocation:
Christa Aldrich, promotion to talent acquisition manager
Kristina Barsema, promotion to assistant director of student life for co-curricular involvement and townhouses
Sarah Frank, permanent appointment in Student Life and promotion to director of residence life
Jessie Lombardo, promotion to director of Career Development
Darlene Necaster, promotion to assistant director of Environmental Health & Safety
Monique Patenaude, promotion to director of media relations
Tiffany Brodner, permanent appointment in Student Life
Sarah Covell, permanent appointment in Student Health and Counseling
Brian Galliford, permanent appointment in CIT
Kristopher Heeres, permanent appointment in Admissions
Ryann Lindsay, permanent appointment in Milne Library