MCC Daily Tribune

TCC: Kudos Gratitude Series (Day 10): Last Rounds of Kudos

As we welcome Professional Development Week, I’d like to wrap up the Kudos Gratitude Series by highlighting the final round of colleagues-to-colleagues messages. Thank you for all that you do.

We look forward to welcoming you to the June Teaching and Learning Conference on June 5, 2026. In the meantime, we hope you take time to relax and take full advantage of the exciting professional development opportunities offered this week.

Please also stay tuned for TCC’s Program Interest post in the Daily Tribune, where you’ll find more information about our Fall TCC programs and events.

Alyce Lew (Career Services)

Alyce is an excellent "partner in crime" in the transfer services world. She brings a fresh perspective and a "can do" attitude that gives new energy to the services provided to students. I appreciate her continuous support and hard work!

Amanda Colosimo (Chemistry and Geosciences)

Amanda lead TCC Belonging Book Club in 2025-26, driving thoughtful and engaging discussions about the sense of Belonging and its roots, implication for the students, employees and the College.

Debra Joseph-McEwen (Student Success and Strategic Initiatives)

I appreciate her strong advocacy for student success and her dedication to supporting students. She creates a supportive and positive environment for everyone.
Debra sought me out not long after I started, and it was as if we had already been friends for years! Never has someone so quickly demonstrated themselves to be a caring, dedicated, and enthusiastic partner and professional. During a chat we had recently, Debra stopped a random student passing by for a chat, and the three of us had an authentic, impactful, and honest conversation on the spot. I am so lucky to be able to work with a good and caring human like Debra!

Jack Reifsteck, Bob Reynolds, and Oleg Vyshnyvetskyi (Computing Information and Technology)

Thank you for all your work throughout the year - Jack (Degree Works and Banner support), Bob (catalog and web edits), and Oleg (major change updates). We've gotten a lot done and I appreciate all your help!

Jodi Oriel (Office of Student Life and Leadership)

Jodi personifies the idea of putting "students first" She is a dedicated worker and one never walks away from an interaction with her without feeling inspired.

Julissa Rivera (Communications Network and Services)

Julissa consistently goes above and beyond in her role, often contributing in ways that quietly strengthen the entire team. Her reliability, attention to detail, and willingness to support others make her an invaluable presence in day-to-day operations. She holds herself to a very high standard, and her work has a meaningful impact across the organization. Thank you for all of your support!

Mackenzie Hiddie (Admissions)

For always answering my "can you please change this major" email. I'm so grateful for the support.

Michael Martella (Law and Criminal Justice)

I want to take this opportunity to thank Professor Martella for his many years of dedicated service to our department. What makes him truly remarkable is that he always brought his authentic self to his work, demonstrating passion, commitment, patience, and persistence with every student he encountered. These qualities made him an unforgettable professor, not only in the eyes of his students, but among all of us as colleagues. As Mike retires after this semester, he leaves behind a legacy and a lasting impression of how much he cared for both his students and all of us in this department.

Nicole Meyer (DC, Student Engagement)

Nicole has done wonders for the student engagement downtown. Her energetic, happy spirit is contagious.Students are excited to be involved in the many activities and events that Nicole plans and executes.

Rebecca Mack (Career Services)

I appreciate her mentorship and deep knowledge of all things Transfer!

Sarah Hagreen (Registration and Records)

Sarah has been an incredible support and a wonderful colleague to work with. She always brings a level-headed and logical perspective, especially in moments when I feel lost or confused. No matter how busy she is, Sarah is always willing to step in, help out, and offer guidance with patience and kindness. Her reliability and calm approach make her someone I truly appreciate working alongside.

Last Round of Kudos from TCC (Teaching and Creativity Center)

As we welcome the summer filled with professional development opportunities, I would like to share this final round of kudos.

First, I would like to acknowledge our dedicated steering committee, along with my faculty leads and co-facilitators for the first- and second-year faculty programs. I appreciate each and every one of you and all that you do. I often worry about unintentionally leaving someone out, so please know how deeply I value your time, dedication, and energy in supporting professional development and your involvement in the Teaching and Creativity Center.

Amy Burtner & Erin Strobl

I sometimes forget how often I email and chat with you both! Thank you, Amy and Erin, for your dedication, leadership, and passion for teaching and learning—I truly appreciate all that you do. I deeply value your wisdom and your encouragement when it comes to developing programs that meaningfully support faculty growth. Wishing you both a restorative and well-deserved summer!

Nancy Soregi

Nancy, thank you for all that you do for the TCC. Your deep institutional knowledge and historical perspective of both TCC and MCC are truly invaluable. I greatly appreciate your wisdom, your insights, and the care you bring to this work. Thank you again for all that you do!

Natasha Chen & Ben Schermerhorn

Natasha and Ben are always incredibly busy, yet I had the pleasure of working with these two outstanding educators through our full-time faculty development programs this semester. They are both passionate, student-centered educators and leaders who strongly value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are so fortunate to have them.

Amanda Colosimo (Chemistry and Geosciences)

I would also like to recognize Amanda Colosimo, another amazing colleague. Amanda led our TCC theme book discussion on The Effect of Belonging on Learning. Despite her many commitments, she is always eager to contribute to professional development that supports student learning and growth. I truly appreciate your wisdom and your growth mindset approach. TCC is lucky to have you!

Mary Mohr & Chris Wendtland

Thank you, Mary and Chris, for your commitment, encouragement, and passion in coordinating professional development programs for our adjunct faculty. Your work is deeply appreciated.

Kara Tierney

Kara, thank you for your time and dedication in coordinating mentorship for our full-time faculty. Please know how much the new faculty cohorts value and appreciate your support.

Nasim Sarvaiya & Ivan Matthew

Nasim and Ivan led a Mental Health First Aid training this semester, which was a valuable learning experience for students, faculty, and staff alike. We are very grateful for their efforts—they are outstanding educators and practitioners.

Rebecca Orvetti & Erin Antonienko

I’ve also created a number of Microsoft Forms this year—so many that I’ve lost count! Rebecca and Erin are true Microsoft Forms experts who work tirelessly to improve accessibility and provide helpful resources for our community. Thank you both for all that you do.

TCC Steering Committee Members

Amy Burtner, Faculty Lead (Brighton Campus)
Erin Strobl, Faculty Lead (Downtown Campus)
Michael Britton (Health and Physical Education)
Chrisann Breon-Fennessey (Nursing)
Renee Coleman (Psychology)
Amanda Colosimo (Chemistry and Geosciences)
William Comella (Public Safety Training Center)
Richard Costanza (Education)
Jim Downer (VaPA)
Jason Flack (VaPA)
Katie Ghidiu (Library)
Toya Manon (Education)
Robert Muhlnickel (English and Philosophy)
Kate Robinson (Virtual Campus)
Ben Schermerhorn (Engineering Science & Physics)
Eric Strong (Applied Technologies)
Jason Szymanski (Chemistry and Geosciences)
Kara Tierney (Chemistry and Geosciences)
Mary Timmons (Library Services)

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
06/01/2026