Skip to main content


Repost Message will copy the article into draft mode and enable you to edit/change dates and information.
Do not change the dates of this posting because it will affect the original.

MCC Daily Tribune

TCC Gratitude Series - Day 12: Celebrating Our AHPSS, Psychology, and World Languages & Cultures Departments

As we continue to celebrate our faculty and professional staff through the TCC’s semi-annual Gratitude Series, I’d like to take a moment to recognize and honor three outstanding departments: AHPSS (Anthropology, History, Political Science, and Sociology), the Psychology Department, and the World Languages and Cultures Department. As a bilingual sociology scholar, sharing today’s kudos feels especially meaningful and joyful to me. Your collective work is truly appreciated.

From TCC to Faculty

Kathleen D’Alfonso (AHPS)

I would like to send a big kudos to Kathleen D'Alfonso for her incredible dedication and passion for building inclusive learning communities in her classes. Kathleen is an inspiring educator. This semester, she led three impactful deep learning workshops focused on enhancing student engagement and creating accessible, equitable classroom environments. Kathleen — the Teaching and Creativity Center truly appreciates your commitment and contributions. Thank you for all that you do!

Amy Betti (World Languages & Cultures)

I’d like to give a big kudos to Amy Betti for her exceptional work as part of the TCC’s Instructional Development Stipend initiative. Amy explored the PlayLab educational technology platform, leveraging its AI-integrated features to support student learning in innovative ways. Despite her busy schedule, Amy delivered three engaging workshops and created a video showcasing her research and pedagogical insights. Amy, please know that the Teaching and Creativity Center, along with the AI Teaching and Learning group, deeply appreciates your dedication, creativity, and valuable contributions.

Natasha Chen (AHPS)

I’d like to give a big shout out to Dr. Natasha Chen for her outstanding contributions. In addition to playing a key role in the Middle States accreditation process, Natasha is co-facilitating the First-Year Faculty Series and leading the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Teaching and Learning working group. Natasha, please know that the first-year faculty truly value learning from you and engaging in our reflective dialogues around equity and inclusive teaching practices. You consistently create a space where everyone feels heard, acknowledged, and welcomed. Thank you for all that you do!

Faculty to Faculty

Bethany Gizzi (AHPS)

Thank you to Bethany for your tireless advocacy to ensure that worker's rights are at the forefront of our work across the College. Your steadfast determination and clear, unwavering voice to always represent the needs and rights of our Faculty Association is deeply appreciated. Thank you for seeing us through what continues to be a very difficult period of time, and for being such a strong, capable, skillful leader for all. We appreciate your example of the power of value-based leadership in all that you do!

Joseph Scanlon (AHPS)

Professor Scanlon does an excellent job engaging the class with discussion allowing for ideas to flow freely and for the class to defend/challenge our own positions as well as refer to real life scenarios to help integrate learning into practical reality.

Pam Fornieri, Bridgette Dee (World Languages & Cultures)

Our full time faculty (Pam and Bridgette) are most certainly forces of nature. They work diligently ensure a high-quality and supportive environment for our ESOL learners at MCC and we are most fortunate to have them both at the helm. A sincere thank you to all who teach in this department for ensuring that our global students receive such a warm and inviting welcome to MCC. Thank you!

Beth Wilson (Psychology)

 Fourteen psychology program students participated in paid internships this semester because of Professor Wilson's dedication and resolve. Her willingness to develop and teach this internship course gave students an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their field. Professor Wilson’s work with internship partner agencies also strengthened connections between MCC and the greater Rochester community. Her commitment to fostering learning beyond the classroom has empowered her students in ways that will shape their future academic and professional careers. It was a pleasure to meet some of her internship student at their Celebration of Learning table and learn from them about Professor Wilson’s mentoring.

From Students to Faculty

Patricia Kress (Psychology, Receiving Five Nominations)

  • I’ve been at MCC for quite a while, having been through a good amount of professors. Throughout that time professor Kress has stood out the most. She is very engaged with her students, providing everything we need to pass successfully. She puts effort into making sure we are interested and engaged, strikes conversations and overall is very accommodating to students especially if something personal is going on. Professor Kress is welcoming, and makes such a safe environment to be yourself, letting you know she’s there for you whenever you need her to be. I enjoyed being in her class this semester, and I wish I could have her for every course. Such a wonderful, kind and intelligent woman.
  • Professor Kress is dedicated to creating a fun and open learning environment. If you have problems, she goes above and beyond to help accommodate. I enjoyed her so much, I went out of my way to take all of her classes.
  • Professor Kress has a lot of knowledge about psychology, especially social psychology, and her teaching methods are clear and concise about the topics.  The way that she accommodates me with the module handouts has been helpful, as the screen projector from where my desk is located is too far away from where the screen is located, form to read, in order to take notes.
  • I am currently enrolled in Psychology 101 with this professor, and I must say that this semester has been the most challenging period of my academic journey. The difficulty has not only come from my coursework but also from ongoing personal issues. Almost every day, a new situation has emerged in my personal life that made it hard to stay focused. However, I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to take this course with this particular professor. Among all the professors I have encountered throughout my college experience, she stands out as the most understanding and compassionate. Whenever I missed an exam, she allowed me to retake it at the testing center without hesitation or judgment. She never questioned why I was missing tests, even if it happened more than once. Instead, she listened to me, believed in what I was going through, and respected my explanations. Her support meant a great deal to me. I truly believe that if I had been in someone else’s class, I may not have been given the same understanding or flexibility. At one point, I even considered withdrawing from the course due to my personal challenges. However, this professor made a lasting impact on me. She is the reason I continued with the course, and I am deeply thankful for her kindness, empathy, and support.
  • Dr. Kress truly made me excited about psychology! I learned so much in her class, and built confidence to push myself academically. She teaches from a place of  kindness and compassion while also being stern with her expectations. Her teaching style and class  were really enjoyable and more teachers should strive to teach in the same manner as her. I’ve learned the most in her class than I have compared to any other class I’ve taken at MCC or FLCC!

Tomomi Yamagishi Tewksbury  (World Languages & Cultures), Receiving Two Nominations

  • Yamagishi-sensee works perhaps the hardest out of any professor I have ever had to make sure her students succeed. She is a kind, enthusiastic professor who carefully and deliberately works to make her students perform their best while still challenging them and instilling a precise understanding of the material. She is charismatic, earnest, and polite, and fosters a jovial, but still academically rigorous classroom environment.
  • Professor Tomomi Tewksbury is a fantastic teacher who takes the time to set up fun and interesting culture days at the end of each semester. She also went above and beyond to work with students to complete the final part of the Japanese classes' textbook, past the point covered by the classes.

Joseph Scanlon (AHPS, Receiving Two Nominations)

  • Professor Scanlon is entirely dedicated to the education and personal development of his students. He is incredibly patient, compassionate, and laid back, helping to create a relaxed yet productive environment in the classroom. His personal whit and sense of humor are combined with brilliance, as his grasp of the subject matter in each class he teaches is nothing short of extraordinary. Professor Scanlon goes above and beyond to create opportunities for his students, whether it be through his engaging classes, on-campus discussions, or his involvement in extracurricular programs like Model United Nations. My work with Professor Scanlon over the last year has motivated me to continue my path through higher education, and provided a model for the ideal student-instructor relationship. I cannot speak highly enough of him.
  • Joseph Scanlon is a phenomenal professor who always advocates for his students and pushes them towards success. In my personal experience, Professor Scanlon encouraged me to challenge myself with academically rigorous courses and get involved with extracurriculars and PTK. He showcases his unwavering commitment to his students everyday and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him as a mentor. His contribution to MCC is invaluable.

Nayda Pares-Kane (Receiving Two Nominations)

  • Professor Pares-Kane is an extremely knowledgeable and passionate professor who pushes her students towards success. In my personal experience, she has not only provided me with academic wisdom that I will carry with me, but guidance in my college journey. As a first generation student, someone that is able to provide me with support to ensure that I am taking advantage of all the opportunities that college has to offer means the world to me. Nayda Pares-Kanes' contributions to MCC are irreplicable and extremely appreciated.
  • I had the honor of studying Sociology 210 course with Dr. Nayda Pares-Kane, and I can confirm with trust that she is an exceptional teacher.  In short amount of time, this spring 2025 semester I've gained useful skills and a greater comprehension of sociological ideas that would help me in my academic career and personal life.  I've been in MCC as a student for over 5 semesters now, as a professor; She really stood out and so far I've learned many imporant things from her class such as various social issues and other things that I can take away outside of school and implement in real life settings. 

    She highly encourages each one of her student to enhance their critical thinking skills and abilities and she also goes over many important and meaningful aspects of different topics and discussion.  Her hard work and dedication can be seen through her work as a professor during each classes as a straightforward, interesting, and insightful teaching style.  Because of her commitment, knowledge, and remarkable ability to make difficult subjects approachable and relevant, I strongly recommend Dr. Nayda Pares-Kane.

Michael Weingart (World Languages & Cultures)

My ASL class is very diverse, having students from all over the world, where English is not their first language and a few have openly shared how they have always struggled due to their learning disabilities. For these students learning a new language in a fully immersed class can be very difficult, but Professor Weingart is able to embrace these extra challenges and help his students become more confident in their capabilities. Whether that is continuously making sure everyone completely understands not only the actual translation but how to sign with the correct hand positions or breaking down topics and thoroughly answering questions. He truly cares about his students, as I am able to witness it every class, I am truly grateful to have Mr. Weingart as my professor.

Marisol Galarza Ruiz (World Languages & Cultures)

Professor Galarza Ruiz is an amazing teacher always willing and open to helping no matter the circumstances. She not only helped me as it pertained to her class but she has also helped with advising questions and helped point me in the right direction if she did not know how to assist. You can see her passion and love for her students and what she does through the smile she wears daily and her bright presence. It was truly a pleasure to have had a class with her.

Pamela Fornieri (World Languages & Cultures)

Hi Professor, you’re an incredible, wonderful professor, you have always been there for me since my first semester at MCC. I want to say thank you for everything you have done for me and others students.

Michael Stone (AHPS)

Thank you for being kind and professional. For being fair and straight forward with us. I appreciate how approachable you are and I feel comfortable coming to you with any concerns.

Daniel Tyree (AHPS)

Dr. Tyree was truly an incredible professor who made every class something to look forward to. His ability to turn complex material into something clear and relatable by connecting it to real-life examples made learning not only easier but genuinely enjoyable. He always brought positive energy, no matter what he had going on personally, and it was clear that his students were his top priority. His passion for teaching, sense of humor, and dedication created an engaging and supportive environment. Without a doubt, 10/10—he’s the best professor I’ve ever had.

Beth Wilson (Psychology)

She has been able to create a challenging as well as engaging learning environment without making work in the course feel unfair or unreasonable. She is also realistic and understanding of her students personal lives and has made adjustments within her classes to reflect that, which makes for a less stressful experience overall. I also appreciate her openness and willingness to connect with her students.

Crosetti Laura (Psychology)

My Professor takes her time to thoroughly explain the material to ensure we understand. She also goes above and beyond to answer our questions, providing clarity and support when needed.

Andrew Knapp (Psychology)

This professor has been incredibly supportive and kind all four semesters I’ve been here. His classwork is hard, but it is never busy work, and it is always supplemental to the work we’re doing at that time. He allows us time for excessive questions no matter how off topic we are in class, and easily communicates as well as demonstrates the topics on a level that fits us all. He’s inflamed my love of psychology and  given me an aspirational figure to look up to. When I’m going through difficult times, he is understanding about other aspects of my life, but is also stern. I’ve never enjoyed a class as much as his.

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
05/30/2025