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MCC Daily Tribune

TCC: Acknowledging Hospitality Department Adjuncts

Michelle Bartell is Professor Emeritus and former chair of the Hospitality department.  During her full-time tenure at MCC, Professor Bartell taught courses across the Hospitality curriculum, developed and taught the "Principles of Healthy Cooking" course, and together with other faculty and technical staff, developed and taught the "International Cuisine" and "Fundamentals of Baking" courses. Since semi-retiring, Professor Bartell has worked a variety of positions, including as the Health and Wellness Manager for Harvest Table Culinary Group. She loves teaching Basic Consumer Nutrition, traveling, learning how to knit, and enjoying all the food, wine and events in the Finger Lakes region where she now lives.   

Natalie Fichera is a graduate of Monroe Community College and an adjunct instructor in the Hospitality department. Her favorite part of working as an adjunct in the Travel & Tourism department is that she once was in this same program. She loves that she can relate to her students and help mold them to be future industry leaders. Thirteen years after graduating from MCC, she now owns a successful travel agency and hopes to encourage her students that this department really can help shape their future.   

Julianna Frisch has been teaching for the Hospitality Management program at MCC since 2004 as well as writing curriculum for the Event Management program. She has over 35 years’ experience working in the hospitality/service industry, holding various leadership positions in franchise management, catering management, event management, and project management. She was part of the team that earned the Innovation of the Year Award for DWIGHT. Currently serving as the Assistant to the President’s Office, Special Projects at the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, Julianna is a lifelong Bills fan and enjoys spending weekends glamping with family and friends.   

Niki Januzzi is an experienced hospitality professional and a local business owner. Niki supports the Hospitality department by teaching in the Food For Thought restaurant (HSP 102 – Hospitality Service) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Niki also works at the Birdhouse Brewing company and spent much of her career with The Rabbit Room in Honeoye Falls. Niki is passionate about yoga, owns and operates Yoga Love Honeoye Falls, and teaching classes weekly. Stop by Food for Thought to see her smiling face!  

Todd Plouffe is a hotel professional who has taught in the Hospitality department for over 15 years. Todd has taught multiple courses within the department, which include, HSP 105 – Hotel Operations, HSP 202 – Introduction to Conference and Event Planning, HSP 101 – Introduction to Hospitality, FSA 205 – Purchasing, Storage and Handling, HSP 201 – Hospitality Human Resource Management, and HSP 206 – Hotel Sales and Marketing. Todd is the Vice President of Lodging for the Indus Hospitality Group and enjoys sharing his industry experience and best practices with students and preparing future professionals for the industry.  

George Vila is a graduate of the MCC Culinary Arts program and a current Culinary Adjunct Instructor. Chef George has had local, national, and international opportunities to expand his skill set through the MCC Culinary program. George is a member of the local ACF chapter where he enjoys getting to know local leaders of our industry and participates in events at the great venues and kitchens around our area. George has been able to work at Wegmans, Oak Hill, cater events, and even work as a butcher as well as inspire and encourage our students to be as engaged as possible during their time at MCC.   

Michael Weisenreder has been an adjunct professor for 15+ plus years now, after 25 years in the restaurant/hospitality business. Chef Mike is very much into the farm to table approach of food, seasonal menus using local ingredients. Chef Mike is also a full-time teacher in the Rochester City School district and enjoys the change from the hours that the hospitality field demands. Chef Mike has a successful AIRBNB business that provides a whole house rental in a historic Ellwanger-Barry mansion. When not here at MCC or teaching in the RCSD, Chef Mike tries to travel as much as possible as the world has a lot to teach us.   

Terry Shamblin
Teaching and Creativity Center
03/08/2023