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MCC Daily Tribune

TCC: Gratitude Series Fall 2025: Day 8 (From Students to Professional Staff)

Happy Wednesday! I’m excited to share kudos from our amazing students to our professional staff for their endless support, dedication to student growth and learning, and commitment to well-being. You all truly rock! Please take a moment to enjoy today’s kudos—and have an awesome day!

Bryan Cockett (Bookstore)

Bryan is very kind and always is stocking the shelves, while assisting students and staff with questions or concerns. Bryan has helped me understand my Brightspace tools and student needs and he's very approachable and such a great listener.

TJ (Marketplace)

He’s always positive and makes me and my friends smile when we go to get lunch. We are always sad when he’s not there.

Aysel  Akkilic Department of Student Success and Strategic Initiatives (SUNY ASAP Program)     

Over the past few months, my success coach has made a real difference in my experience at MCC. Her support, guidance, and consistency have helped me feel more confident as a first-time college student. Because I knew her from Trio and now SUNY ASAP, I felt comfortable reaching out, and she has always gone above and beyond to make sure I understand my next steps. She truly does remarkable work, and her dedication to students like me deserves recognition.

Loida Lagares (Career and Technical Education)

I only had a couple of advisement chats with Loida but she was well informed and very helpful during both of them! She made registering for classes easier, and me navigate Degree Works so I can stay on top of my learning goals.

Brittney Granville (EOP)

Every counseling appointment she makes sure that I’m doing okay whether school wise or outside of school, and is always a person I can go to if I’m having a hard time with anything. And I really appreciate that a lot being able to have a counselor in college is very helpful.

Lori Bartkowitch (Financial Aid)

Another staff member at MCC who cares immensely about her students and is always there for them. They are very familiar with all the departments at MCC, If I ever have a question and do not know who to ask, she is the first person I reach out to. She has helped me with applications to RIRP, grants, and scholarships so I can attend MCC while balancing a full-time job and a part-time job. She always makes time for her students and wants to help them the best she can. The other member of the faculty who is the reason I stayed at MCC, and encouraged me to push through my engineering degree. Thank you Ms. Bartkovich!

Carly O'Keefe (GEIS) Receiving 2 nominations

  • Always there to help and open-minded
  • She has always been very helpful when I require help in setting myself up for success. From the application process for this college to scheduling my classes for the next semester. It is as if she is just as interested in my path as I am and I am grateful for her willingness to help.

 Katie Leiter (GEIS)         

Professor Katie was truly remarkable. She supported me from the very beginning and always helped me whenever I needed guidance. Her patience, kindness, and dedication made learning easier and more enjoyable. She was the best teacher because she genuinely cared about her students’ success. I wished I could have studied with her again.

Tracy Mckinney (Student Life and Leadership) Receiving 2 Nominations

  • Tracy is truly an extraordinary person, and it’s hard to capture just how much she means to the people around her. She leads with a level of genuine care and thoughtfulness that is rare to find. She pays attention, she listens, and she makes people feel seen and valued in a way that stays with you. Her kindness isn’t something she turns on and off it’s who she is, every single day. What makes Tracy even more remarkable is how incredibly hard-working and dedicated she is. She gives her all, not for recognition, but because she sincerely wants the best for everyone she works with. She balances strength and compassion effortlessly, showing us what true leadership looks like. Even on the busiest days, she finds time to support others, offer guidance, and bring out the best in every person around her. Tracy’s presence creates an atmosphere of trust, respect, and warmth. She inspires people through both her actions and her heart. Anyone who gets the chance to work with her is better for it, and the impact she makes is something that stays with you long after the day is over. I am truly grateful for her and everything she brings to our team and to the people whose lives she touches.
  • Tracy, I just want to recognize how much you do for Dwight and for our whole Leadership Office. I see how hard you work every single day, nonstop, and yet you still manage to bring the warmest, most supportive energy into the space. You make this office feel welcoming, comfortable, and positive, and people truly love and appreciate you for that....and FIRE STYLE TOO.You really do carry this office, and so much of what we do depends on you. I honestly don’t know what we would do without you. Thank you for everything you give...your time, your effort, your care, and your heart. WE appreciate you more than words can say.

Morganne Madonia (Student Life and Leadership), Receiving 2 Nominations        

  • Morganne, I need to give you your flowers because you truly deserve them. You are one of the funniest, sweetest, most genuine people in this entire office. You bring so much energy, laughter, and warmth everywhere you go, and it makes such a difference. Even on the craziest days, you somehow make everything feel lighter and more manageable just by being YOU.
  • I appreciate your kindness, your patience, and the way you always show up for everyone. You keep this office running with your dedication, but you also make it a place people actually want to be. Thank you for being amazing at your job MAAJJJ....but also for being such an incredible human. You’re truly one of a kind. WE appreciate you.

Chloe Allen (Student Life and Leadership), Receiving 2 Nominations         

  • Chloe, I want to take a moment to genuinely thank you for everything you do for us and for this entire office. Your leadership, your steadiness, and your guidance make such a huge difference every single day. You create an environment where we feel supported, encouraged, and understood...even when things get chaotic or we’re all over the place. And honestly… thank you for putting up with us. Truly. Your patience and calm energy never go unnoticed. You handle everything with such grace, kindness, and humor, and it means more than you know.
  • WE appreciate you so much...not just for the work you do, but for the person you are. Thank you for leading us, supporting us, and making this office feel like a team.

Ryan Messenger (Associate Vice President, Student Development)

Ryan, I want to take a moment to truly thank you for everything you do. Even though you work closely with the President’s Office and carry so much responsibility, you always make the time to show up for us. Your presence means a lot...you’re consistently supportive, approachable, and genuinely invested in how we’re doing.

You handle that role with so much professionalism, clarity, and care. But what I appreciate the most is how you still check in on us, encourage us, and make sure we feel seen and valued no matter how busy you are.

Thank you for always showing up, for being supportive no matter what, and for making us feel connected to the bigger picture of MCC. It truly makes a difference.

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
12/17/2025