BETHANY GIZZI
President
Bethany began her career as an adjunct in 1997 and has been full-time at MCC since 2001.. She has been in a leadership role in the union since 1999 and has served as the FA President since 2011. She also serves as a member of the AFT Higher Education Program and Policy Council, the NYSUT Higher Education Policy Council, the NYSUT Women’s Committee and both the NYSUT & AFT LGBTQ+ Committees. Her academic areas of expertise include gender & sexuality studies, sociology of the family, social movements and environmental sociology. Bethany developed the Gender & Sexuality studies degree at MCC and serves as the faculty advisor for students in that program. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the student LGBTQ+ co-curricular club, the Pride Alliance and is a certified Safe-Zone trainer and Implicit Bias/Anti-racism trainer.
PHIL OETTINGER
Vice President for
Professional Staff
Phil started at MCC in 2008 as an Audio Visual Specialist in the Learning Resources Department. He is now is the Assistant Director of Academic Learning Environments. Before coming to MCC, Phil worked at the Brighton Central School District providing technology support for the district.
As Assistant Director of Academic Learning Environments, Phil gets to work with a variety of people across many departments assisting them in achieving MCC’s main goal of student success. In the role of VP of Professional Staff, he would like to bring all concerns and innovative ideas to those who need to hear it.
Outside of MCC, Phil manages his daughter Addy’s 12u Girls Hockey team, coaches his daughter Elise’s 10u girls hockey team, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Rochester Edge Girls Hockey Organization as the Registrar.
JENNIFER HILL
Vice President for Teaching Faculty
Jennifer has been teaching in the Biology Department at Monroe Community College since 2006 and has been involved in the Faculty Association since 2008. She has held a variety of positions including Secretary, Acting Contract Chair, Institutional Chair and currently serves as the Vice President for Teaching Faculty. Additionally, she has served on the Executive Committee, Labor-Management Committee and several Negotiation Teams. Jennifer’s commitment to providing an outstanding, affordable and transformative learning experience for our students is the foundation of her work as an educator at MCC. As a union leader, she strives to represent our members fully and fairly and help maintain a high-quality workplace and institution for students and all employees. We are “stronger together”.
Jeff Baker
Secretary/ Treasurer
Jeff is Adjunct Professor of Psychology in his 21st year at MCC. He also taught at RIT and other universities. Jeff held the role of Adjunct Director for seven years and is now the FA Secretary/Treasurer. He has twice been a member of the FA negotiating team, served on the adjunct and communication sub-teams, and conducted FA workshops for adjunct faculty. He is a past president of the New York State Conference of the American Association of University Professors (both a faculty union and a non-disciplinary professional advocacy group), and of the Learning Disabilities Association of New York State. He has a M.S. in counseling and a Ph.D. in psychology with an educational specialization.
KEVIN FRENCH
Membership Chair
Kevin began his career teaching in the HVAC/R Program in 2004. He is a Full Professor at the Applied Technologies Center. He has served as the Applied Technologies Department Chair since December of 2006. Kevin served for several years as a Co-Chair of the Chair’s Network and had the honor of hosting Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden during their visit to the ATC during his tenure as Chair of the Department. He has an A.A.S in HVAC/R Technology from MCC, a B.S. in Educational Studies from Empire State College, and a Master’s in Education from Buffalo State College. Before coming to Monroe Community College in 2004, he owned and operated a heating, cooling, and refrigeration company and was the managing partner of a commercial refrigeration company for over 12 years. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and two dogs cheering on the Yankees and Bills. As a member of the Faculty Council, Kevin considers it an honor and a privilege to represent and advocate for a fair, just work environment for the membership and a high quality educational environment for students.
APRIL DANIELS
Diversity & Inclusion Chair
April has been teaching in the ESOL/TRS department since 2014. Teaching courses that support predominately underserved students, the faculty in this department strive to carry out the very mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion, despite the systemic barriers within higher education. She is proud to be a part of this dedicated team of equity-minded, compassionate, and innovative educators. As a proud alumna of MCC and now a proud faculty member, April is intimately acquainted with the necessity for the entire college community to experience the benefit of a robust historically underrepresented faculty. Promoting and protecting diversity, equity, and inclusion is a primary motivation for her service at a community college. In addition to serving on Faculty Council, April is beginning her first term as a senator, serving on the SCAA committee.
April lives on a small-but-tranquil bit of nature, and when not working, she cherishes her quiet time with her books, her 3 cats, the wild animals on her property, and her close loved-ones.
JUDI SALSBURG-TAYLOR
Communications Chair
DAVID LEDERHOUSE
Health & Safety Chair
David is a Network Specialist in Communications and Network Services. He has worked at MCC since 2010 and has over 20 years’ experience in the technology field. As a network specialist, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of MCC's Campus Network – keeping all of the technology that MCC employees and student rely on running smoothly. You may have seen David on a ladder installing WIFI Access points or out and about on campus activating network ports. In his field there is always something new to learn or a problem to solve and teamwork is key. David is looking forward to working in a different role now that he has joined Faculty Council and looks forward to working to ensure that working at MCC is rewarding and safe for all employees.
JOE SCANLON
Legislative Chair
JIM McKENNA
Teaching Director
Jim teaches Drugs & Behavior classes in the Health & Physical Education department and serves as the Faculty Advisor for the Men's Basketball program and an advisor/mentor to student athletes. He regularly brings guest speakers to campus to present on Narcan training and the C.A.R.E. program (Credit Abuse Resistance Education). Jim has served on Faculty Council as the Teaching Director since 2016 and has also served as a member of the FA negotiating team. Jim is an outspoken advocate for students and faculty.
GORDON DUTTER
Teaching Director
Gordon has been teaching history at MCC since 2004 and teaching somewhere since 1983. It is possible he has learned something about teaching, but also possible he just tells everything to his dogs and cats and then forgets. He is delighted to be back in the classroom and to see students and activity around MCC. Please share any concerns about teaching conditions at MCC and ideas about how to address them.
JULIE SLATE
Professional Staff Director
Julie is the Director of Admissions at MCC. She has been working for the college in the Admissions Office since 2009 & has 15 years of Admissions experience including extensive experience in recruitment and sales. Julie has been involved in numerous college-wide committees, as well as in local, state and national leadership positions including serving as President of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC), Region 1 Director of AAWCC through the National Board, Chair of the Rochester Area College Committee, and SUNY College Admissions Professionals E-Board Community College Representatives. In 2019, Julie was named SUNYCAP Professional of the Year. Julie holds a B.S. in Marketing from SUNY Oswego and an MBA from Medaille College. She is currently enrolled in the Educational Doctorate of Higher Education leadership program at American College of Education.
ANTONIA CUSTODIO
Downtown Site Director
Antonia started at MCC in 1992 as a receptionist in the Student Services Office at the Damon City Campus. She is now the Facilities Director - Downtown Campus Operations and Engineering Services. In her role, she provides leadership and direction on the daily operations and management of the Downtown Campus. Toni has served in many college-wide committees and initiatives, as well as in local, state, and national leadership positions including Chair for the Latino Empowerment Network (LEN) MCC affinity group; President, President-Elect, and Secretary of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC); served on the Ad Astra Client Advisory Board; 2006 graduate of the Latino Leadership Development Program through United Way; 2017 MCC’s President’s Emerging Leaders Fellowship; 2019 Institute Fellow for the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute. Toni is a lifelong learner and is always seeking ways to engage with colleagues and students to make MCC a destination. Toni’s heart is her two grown adult boys Daniel and Jeremiah. She enjoys landscaping and adult coloring.
MELISSA SANTIAGO
Professional Staff Director
BILL HORTON
Grievance Chair
Bill was born and raised in North Chili, NY, graduated from York Central, and is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He obtained an A.A.S. in Heating and Air-Conditioning Technology in 1992 and completed a 5 year apprenticeship in HVAC (Journeymen) with Sheet Metal Workers Local 46, May 1997; working for 15 years for the Leo J. Roth Corporation as an HVAC field technician and an apprentice instructor at the union hall. He became an HVAC Instructor at MCC in 2007. He earned a B.S. in Vocational and Technical Education in 2016 from Empire State College and a Masters in Adult Education from Buffalo State College in 2017. He is pleased to have a chance to serve on Faculty Council as the site director for the Applied Technologies Center and hopes to become more involved in union leadership. Bill enjoys all outdoor activities including hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. He has two huge dogs that he loves to walk in all four seasons of weather and incredible beauty of New York State. He has enjoyed 28 years of marriage to his wonderful wife as they raised their son and daughter.
DIANE DINKINS-LOURETTE
Adjunct Director
Diane is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the ESOL/TRS department. She has been at Monroe Community College since the fall of 1999. Diane served on the initial Adjunct Sub-Team which was formed to give contingent faculty a voice here at the College, and she continues to be a part of that Adjunct Sub-Team. She has been a part of the Faculty Council leadership team since 2021. Her goal is to help get more adjuncts involved in the Faculty Association.
She has served an advisor to the Honorable Women Club at the Downtown Campus since 2016.
She is currently beginning her role as a mentor here at the College, which is a component of the College Orientation and Success Strategies course (COS 181). Diane is excited about being paired with students in this course.
ELLEN MANCUSO
NYSUT PAC Representative
As your NYSUT rep to our local Political Action Committee, Ellen works on behalf of higher education. She is one of five local Political Action Coordinators (PAC) and serves as a liaison to our Regional Political Organizer, Anthony Plonczynski-Figueroa, and NYSUT’s Legislative Department. Our PAC team along with two Vote Cope Coordinators create strategic plans for regional political actions and for our lobbying efforts and interviews state legislative candidates to make recommendations to NYSUT. Ellen and the PAC team organize meetings and advocacy efforts on behalf of all NYSUT members, including taking part in labor walks, phone-banks, and local AFL-CIO Labor Councils. Ellen has been an activist for public education for over 28 years, serving as MCC’s Legislative Chair for 22 years. She continues to work with the MCCFA to improve educational funding in NYS.
PJ CIACCIA
Adjunct Chair
SONJA LENHARD
Office Manager
Sonja has been employed with the FA since 1999. She started off as a part-time secretary then became full-time several years later and is now the FA Office Manager. She also serves on the FA Scholarship committee and coordinates all of the FA events & parties. Sonja received her Associates Degree from MCC in 2011. She has worked alongside FA Administrator Director, Marlene Goho, and past FA presidents Mike Goho and Charlie Clarke. Sonja enjoys camping, biking & hiking with her husband and crazy dog Finn. She has two grown boys, Nick and Zack.
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