Celebrating the Impact of TC’s Long-Term Employees

Teachers College honored more than 75 TC employees for milestone work anniversaries of 10 years and longer during the annual Long-Term Recognition Ceremony, a standing-room-only celebration held in Milbank Chapel in June.

“This is such a meaningful occasion and a TC tradition that I love,” said Lisa Seales, TC’s Vice President of Administration, in her welcome remarks to an audience of family, friends and colleagues. “I have always been struck by the familial feel of the staff here, and so much of that is due to our long-time employees who…create that sense of continuity and community that makes TC so special.”

Following a special luncheon for honorees and their guests, colleagues packed Milbank Chapel to honor this year's honorees, with members of the President's cabinet each introducing the honorees in five year increments from 10 to 40 years.

10-year honorees, listed in alphabetical order: Deborah Beaudry, Director of Academic Technical Support; Heather Burns, Staff Developer; Rudy Caba, Event and Classroom Technology Specialist Lead; Ronald Chambers, Public Safety Officer; Katherine Chung, Program Manager; Amy Deiner, Director of Academic Program Planning; Tony Fangel, Associate Director for Housing and Card Services; Ivy Fernandez, Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis; Susan Fountain, Workshop Developer and Presenter; Juliana Fullon, Academic Secretary; Elizabeth Ganga, Senior Communications Manager; Jonathan Gonzalez, Lead Technology Analyst; Ann Gorski-Lobue, Executive Director of Strategy and Operations; Adam Gullo, Security Officer; John Handal, Senior Program Manager; Amy Hawley Alvarez, Director of Strategic Partnerships; Whitney Hedgepeth, Director of Strategic Operations and Communications; Karen Kirsch Page, Senior Associate Director of Professional Learning; Andrea Kutali, Porter; Jon Macmillan, Executive Director of Strategy and Portfolio Management; Patrick McDaniel, Public Safety Officer; Reynaldo Medina, Public Safety Officer; Lema Moliga, Director of Student Support & Advocacy; Julande Ocean, Senior Assistant Bursar; Joseph Riina-Ferrie, Associate Director of Educational Media; Ismael Rivera, Custodian II - Mover; Tony Shala, eProcurement Manager; Tariq Simmons, Security Officer II; Sarah Sreedhar, Senior Administrative Associate; Albert Ulysse, Service Desk Lab Analyst and Kimberly Woo, Assistant Director of Institutional Research.

President Thomas Bailey (Photo: Christian Hernandez)

Honorees who celebrated their 15-year anniversary, listed in alphabetical order: Alisha Arthur, Director of Academic Administration; Claudia Atkinson, Program Manager; Susan Bickerstaff, Senior Research Associate; Sarah Butrymowicz, Senior Editor for Investigations; John Bylander, Production Editor/ Electronic Publishing Specialist; Luis Calle, Maintenance Manager; Maria Cormier, Senior Research Associate; Briol Exius, Custodian II; Jannatul Ferdous-Hypolite, Budget Manager; Roberto Henriquez, Custodian II; Dana Klainberg, Assistant Manager for Ed. D. Students. Office of Doctoral Studies; Elizabeth Kopko, Senior Research Associate; Edward Kurzum, Manager - Environmental Health & Safety; Douglas McCartney, Public Safety Officer II; Kristopher McCook, Mechanic General - Steam Fitter; Trish McNicholas, Executive Director of College Events and Internal Communications; Erjon Myftaraj, Lead Electrician
Flora Rukaj, Financial Operations Coordinator; Denise Simpkins, Associate HRIS Analyst; Guillermo Toledo, Custodian II; Kevin Waldron, Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Office Administration; and Amy Wolf, Academic Secretary(Photo: Christian Hernandez)

Honorees recognized for 20-year anniversaries, listed in alphabetical order: Daysi Bourekas, Administrative Associate; Jacquelyn Duran, Director of Science Initiatives; Bernadine Gagnon, Director of the Edward D. Mysak Clinic for Communication Disorders; Aklilu Ghidey, Lead Person for Duplicating Services
Aimee Katembo, Director, Office of Teacher Education; Juan Pena, Porter; Aimee Seeram, Academic Secretary; Chrissandra Taylor, Department Secretary; Patricia Walker, Director, Business Services; Liz Willen, Director, Hechinger Report; Deborah Williamson, Director of Academic Administration; and Hua-Chu Yen, Senior Multimedia Producer (Photo: Christian Hernandez)

(Photo: Christian Hernandez)

Claudette Chung (left) was honored for her 40 years of service at Teachers College with remarks from Alicia Chung (Ed.D. ’13, center) and President Thomas Bailey (right).

Marcia Ruiz, secretary, who was honored for 30 years of service and Robin Davis. (Photo: Christian Hernandez)

Honorees who celebrated their 25-year anniversaries, listed in alphabetical order: Alla Bogoslavskaya, Accountant; Enrika Davis, Director of Academic Administration; Dennis Dumais, Manager Facilities Operations; Amanda Hartman, Deputy Director for Primary Literacy; Gerard Moore, Overnight Custodian Lead; MaryAnn Mustac, Associate Director for Special Projects; Mark Owen, Program Manager; Nancy Power, Marketing Manager; Felicia Smart-Williams, Department Secretary; and Matthew Turk, Senior Grants Accountant.

“The longevity of so many staff members is a testament to the teams and departments that cultivate our employees and our collective commitment to a strong and supportive culture,” said President Thomas Bailey. Addressing the honorees directly, he added: “You take care of our students...You make sure that we impact the public good, and that others know about our important work. You have been critical to our successful operations by applying your knowledge, sharing your expertise, committing to our mission and keeping us all moving forward. I am so grateful.”

This year’s longest serving staff member was Claudette Chung, a secretary in the Office of Teacher Education. Her daughter Alicia Chung (Ed.D. ’13) shared remarks that reflected on TC’s role in their family life.

“Thank you for all that you have sacrificed for me. You started at TC when I was three [and it] has shaped my childhood,” said Alicia, who is now Assistant Professor of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Growing up in the halls of TC…laid the groundwork for a community of extended family.”

Pictured: Amy Hawley Alvarez and friends.

Pictured: Institutional Advancement at LTR.

(Photo: Christian Hernandez)

Hear from the honorees

Prior to the event, long-term employees shared thoughtful reflections on their time at TC.

Teachers College has always been an oasis of members striving to do good. I feel fortunate to work alongside dedicated, reflective, and astute colleagues in an institution that has vision and integrity.

David Strauss - Creative Director of TC Press & Business Operations, 35 years of service

Twenty-five years at TC has been a privilege, and this milestone deepens my appreciation for the past, present, and future journey…TC is a special place, one that attracts people deeply committed to making a difference, and I'm grateful to be part of a community that has taught me so much and continues to inspire me every day.

MaryAnn Mustac - Associate Director for Special Projects at Advancing Literacy, 25 years of service

They say home is where you belong, but a ‘career home’ is where you feel you matter. For ten years, TC has been that place for me, not just because of the work, but because of the incredible colleagues and students who make this community feel so special.

Lema Moliga - Director of Student Support & Advocacy, 10 years of service

I came for a position and found a strong sense of community…20 years have passed in what feels like a moment — proof that time is short, and what matters most are the people we share it with, and how we spend that time.

Aimee Seeram - Academic Secretary for the Curriculum & Teaching department, 20 years of service

What makes this milestone special is not just the time, it is the people I’ve worked with, the challenges we’ve tackled, and how much I’ve grown along the way. I’m grateful for the trust, support, and friendships built over the years.

Chrissandra Taylor - Counseling & Clinical Psychology Department Secretary, 20 years of service

As a staff, student, alumna and instructor, I have experienced the many aspects of TC life. The best thing about being part of TC, though, is the vibrant and supportive community both within and surrounding TC.

Amy Hawley Alvarez - Director of Strategic Partnerships