SUNY Potsdam Celebrates Completion of Leadership Cohort Program
SUNY Potsdam Honors 10 Employees from Across Campus for Completing Leadership Cohort Program
Potsdam, NY (02/20/2025) — SUNY Potsdam recently honored a group of dedicated employees upon their successful completion of the Leadership Cohort program, a comprehensive professional development initiative designed to enhance key leadership skills.
The 2024-25 cohort included:
- Shane Ashley, chief of University Police
- Rachel Bayliss, director of residence life
- Jessica Burnett, director of special student programs (summer intensive only)
- Nathan Carr, associate director of physical plant/sustainability coordinator
- Tanya Hewitt, instructor and chair, Department of Public Health and Human Performance
- Steve LaMere, manager of administrative information systems
- Marie Loson, director of advancement services
- Amy Richardson, director of student health and counseling services
- Anna Sorenson, associate professor, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice and Women's and Gender Studies Program
- Diana Valdez, interim director, Educational Opportunity Program
The participants were all selected by the President's Council for their commitment to excellence and potential for leadership within the campus community.
"We are incredibly proud of our employees who have completed this rigorous program," said Vice President for Administration and Human Resources Melissa Proulx. "Their dedication to professional growth and leadership development is a testament to their commitment to our College's mission and values."
The Leadership Cohort program is led by MaryAnn Stark, the senior employee and organizational development strategist with SUNY Upstate Medical. The program focused on critical areas such as communication, conflict resolution, team building and the keys to supervising success. The cohort came together at intensive workshops held in July 2024 and January 2025, complemented by at-your-own-pace online trainings between the sessions.
The Leadership Cohort program is part of SUNY Potsdam's ongoing efforts to invest in the professional development of its staff, ensuring they are well-equipped to lead and inspire. To learn more about employment at SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/hr.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.
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