Vice President News from Ian Harper
The academic year came to a close with Commencement Ceremonies at the end of May, a tremendous milestone for our graduating students and the beginning of new adventures! Thank you to everyone who helped and supported those events.
We may have come to the end of the current academic year, but as we enter the summer months, the University’s attention turns toward ensuring we can maximize our enrollment efforts for the new Academic year. The team is working incredibly hard holding events and reaching out to new potential undergraduate, transfer, and graduate students, as we strive to achieve our enrollment targets.
In late May, I attended the SUBOA Annual Meeting – a gathering of Business Officers across SUNY. We spent a few days discussing a variety of topics, ranging from the current Federal landscape, decarbonization, capital spending, budgeting, and procurement, to name just a few. It’s good to chat with colleagues from other SUNY institutes and appreciate that we all have similar challenges and concerns.
Also, I also attended the SUNY Brockport Annual Recognition Dinner held at the end of May. It was a fantastic evening celebrating so many outstanding individuals that have shown great dedication and commitment to the University. Congratulations to everyone who was recognized.
The Human Resources Team has successfully launched NEOED, the replacement for PageUp. I fully understand what a tremendous achievement this is, as change can be uncomfortable and daunting, so kudos and congratulations.
I am happy to announce that Tammy Gouger has recently been promoted from Assistant Vice President for Human Resources to Associate Vice President for Human Resources. Congratulations, Tammy!
On a personal note, I just celebrated my first year anniversary at SUNY Brockport. The year has flown by, but I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I still have a lot to learn and I’m sure mistakes to make, but I’m committed to working hard to represent the University and especially the Division to the best of my ability. Thank you to everyone that has supported me during my first year.
Finally, I do hope and encourage you all to find some time to take a breath and enjoy some downtime over the summer months. Take care and thank you for all that you do.
Departmental News
Brockport Auxiliary Service Corporation (BASC)
Jitterbugs Café is open weekdays from 8 am to 2 pm throughout the summer. Stop by for Starbucks beverages, boba tea, smoothies, and grab-n-go items. Please note that Jitterbugs will be closed June 19-20, July 4, and August 7-8.
And starting June 9, stop by the SUNY Brockport Campus Store in the Seymour Union, now under new management. Students may place their order for course materials online via https://brockport.ecampus.com/.
Brockport Information Technology Services (BITS)
At the SUNY Brockport Annual Recognition Dinner last month, some BITS members shared a group photo with their three award winners (announced in last month’s newsletter).
Also, BITS received the Campus Partner Award from the Division of Enrollment Management at their End-of-Year Celebration on May 20.
Facilities Maintenance & Operations (FMO)
Has employed 35 Summer Workers starting in May and June, through August 13, 2025.
Finance & Management (F&M) – “Ta-Da” List
- Completed NYS Sole Custody Reporting (where agencies report reconciled bank account information needed for the State’s annual financial statements) – Budget, F&M, OSAA
- Identified an issue with SUNY TAP Credit; partnered with Financial Aid and IT to resolve – OSAA
- Continue to work closely with Residential Life and BITS to implement Housing Cloud (for Exceptional Student Housing Experiences), a Nelnet interface – OSAA
- Attended the SUBOA Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY – Budget, F&M
Employees in the Spotlight!
New Employees
BITS welcomes Michael Oher as a Classroom Support Specialist! Michael started on May 22, 2025.
New Role
BITS welcomes Carl O’Connor to their team as their new IT Business Manager! Carl previously worked in Residential Life for the Student Affairs Division and began his new role with BITS on May 27, 2025. We welcome Carl to the Administration and Finance Division!
Achievements
- BITS congratulates James Onley for earning his Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity!
- BITS also congratulates Steve Cook for earning his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Change from Empire State University, as part of their very first Cohort for this program (fall 2021 – spring 2025).
Awards
Pam Powell, Assistant Director of Procurement and Payment Services (PPS), was recently presented with the Joanne Fazioli SUNY Purchasing Award. This award is given to only one person per year by the SUNY Purchasing Association to one who goes above and beyond for not only their university, but for SUNY as a whole. Pam protects our university and the State by reviewing complex agreements with vendors and partners of the university, ensuring that our risk it mitigated. It is a complex world that we live in, and Pam works diligently behind the scenes to protect the university and the State of NY with every agreement she reviews. SUNY Brockport and PPS are very lucky to have Pam on their team. Please join us in congratulating Pam on this prestigious award – it could not have gone to a more deserving person!
BizLibrary suggested course of the month
Five Tips for Giving Feedback to Peers – This 6-minute video lesson is intended to help team members deliver feedback in an effective way to their peers or team members on the same level. This lesson covers when peer-to-peer feedback is appropriate and why it’s important to give and receive feedback to your team members. It also covers how to increase the chances of constructive criticism being taken well with the right strategies. Ultimately, after watching, learners should feel more confident that they can effectively deliver feedback to their coworkers to contribute to a positive team culture.
May 2025 Green & Gold Star Awards
(not yet available; will be announced next month)
June Birthdays
- Reddy Anugu
- Joseph Balonek
- Kenny Bateman
- John Baun
- Amy Brigham
- Tanasee Conner
- Laura Coriddi
- Holly Cunningham
- Ezgi Erdogan
- Jean Gilman
- Kristin Hartway
- Rupesh Kc
- Lorraine Lair
- Jeffrey List
- Deborah Looney
- Shawn Maher
- Stephen Mcdaniels
- Mary Menge
- John Perevich
- Thomas Spoto
- Mark Stacy
- Connor Winkley
June Work Anniversaries & Years of Service
- Sandy Mosher, 47
- Deborah Looney, 28
- Karen Simpson, 28
- Joanna Camp, 20
- Christopher Cavallaro, 19
- Jean Gilman, 19
- James Bennett, 18
- Martin Fleming, 18
- Jason Swift, 18
- Dora Henry, 15
- Michael Gamin, 13
- Tiffany Jolly, 12
- Stephen Cook, 7
- Alyse Wenzel, 7
- George McCauley, 6
- Teresa Holland, 3
- Jonathan Stephenson, 3
- Toby Cappotelli, 2
- Logan Willard, 2
- Cody Parsons, 1
- Nischal Timalsina, 1
Events Coming Up
- June 2 through August 31 – Campus Electrical Upgrade Initiative across our North Campus
- June 7 (5:30-9:00pm) – The Roast of Koz (retiring WBSU general manager, Warren “Koz” Kozireski) in the Seymour Union Ballroom
- June 13 (11am-Noon) – Ribbon-Cutting for Pedestrian Bridge over the Canal in Commissary Park
- Every Friday! – Green & Gold Fridays – everyone is encouraged to wear their SUNY Brockport gear / colors!
*Check out our inclusive SUNY Brockport Events Calendar*
If you have news you’d like included in a future issue, please email to Laurie A. Smith (lausmith@brockport.edu).