Donny Bazluke is a Network and Security Analyst at the Vermont State Colleges – Office of the Chancellor. He graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Security and Forensics. A lifelong Vermonter, he is now learning the skills of a network administrator and is also committed to ever increasing the information security posture of the Vermont State Colleges.
Alexandra Bergeron is a software engineer and database specialist for OC IT. Part of her duties include database analysis and developing new software solutions facilitating workflow for our colleges’ team members. She joined the Chancellor’s Office in 2015 bringing with her 25 years of experience in computer technology, having worked with organizations like Honeywell, Southwest Kidney Institute, Arizona Department of Transportation, Logibec, and more. As a proud new owner of land in Vermont, Alex is enjoying some of her favorite passions, architectural design and property engineering.
Jonathan Black is a System Administrator for the Chancellor’s Office, he has worked here since 2015. He has an AS degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Vermont Technical College as well as a BS in Computer Information Systems from Champlain College.
Jill Carroll is a Lead Systems Analyst in the Chancellor’s Office IT Department (OCIT). Her main responsibilities are supporting Ellucian’s Colleague in the Admissions and Student Registration areas, Ellucian Recruit, report development, and Colleague integration processing. Jill has over 25 years of experience working with Higher Education Administrative Information systems, with 16 years of programming/analyst experience working with Ellucian’s Colleague software. She has a BA in Business Administration from Rutgers College, Rutgers University. Jill is also a Yankees and NY Giants fan.
Kevin Conroy is the Chief Information Officer. His over 25 years of engineering and information systems experience in healthcare, education and the private sector includes integrating information technology into all aspects of mission and business. Kevin earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Norwich University and Master of Public Administration from Marist College. He enjoys design and installation of solar electrical systems and teaching as an adjunct professor of engineering and technology.
Jedediah Hock is the Lead Systems Administrator in the Chancellor’s Office. He manages numerous servers and applications including ImageNow, ServiceDesk, EMS, PGP, and SQL servers as well as providing local helpdesk support to the Chancellor’s Office. He joined the VSCS in September 2006 after working for 5 years at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY as a System Administrator. Jedediah graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2001 with a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science and completed an MS in Information Technology from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY in 2004. He lives with his family in Montpelier.
Mary Kilroy is a Programmer/Analyst for VSC. She earned her Master’s degree in Information Security from Norwich University in 2016 and earned her B.S. in Computer Science from Augusta University in Georgia, where she grew up. She now lives in Northfield with her family and likes to spend her free time fishing, skiing, hunting, camping, and cooking. She volunteers at Northfield Elementary school in the spring and fall as a running coach for the Bridges program.
Richard Lee is a Lead Systems Analyst in the Chancellor’s Office. He has worked full time for the Vermont State Colleges System since 1973. Richard brews beer in his spare time.
Tom Maguire is Director of Network Services and has managed the Vermont State Colleges’ state-wide network infrastructure for over 25 years, including WAN, Internet, Internet2 and 3rd party collaborations. He works closely with IT staff at all of the colleges, ensuring that the network is designed to support the needs of students, faculty, and staff. Access to system-wide resources and the Internet is centrally located, making a robust, reliable network infrastructure critical. Under Tom’s leadership, the network has evolved from a simple point-to-point to a fully-redundant architecture that includes multiple paths to the Internet, I2 and WAN circuits to our colleges. Tom began his career at GTE Government systems in Needham, Ma., working in IT/Network support roles in both the manufacturing and engineering organizations. He holds a BS in CIS and an MBA, both from Bentley University.
Michael Martel is the Director of Data Center Administration for the Vermont State Colleges Office of the Chancellor. Michael joined the VSCS in 1994 after his graduation from VTC, and has been an integral part of the Information Technology staff since his arrival. In his free time, Michael can be found with his dogs or on the coast of Maine.
Bob Noble learned programming in college before it was called Computer Science. He has been an application programmer for 40 years. Bob has been a part of the Chancellor’s Office for 26 years.
Amy Roth is a lead systems analyst focusing on the ImageNow electronic document storage system. She joined the Chancellor’s Office in 2006. Formerly, she worked as a programmer at Johnson Space Center specializing in trajectory analysis, as a consultant in database systems at a number of large organizations such as American Express, Risk Sciences and the City of New York, and as a college instructor. She studied at Washington University in St. Louis and at the University of Houston, and has a B.A. in Sociology, B.S. in Computer Science, and an M.B.A. in Finance. She lives in Montpelier with her partner Stephen, and her two furry children.
Meg Walz is the Bibliographic Database Coordinator. She works with the all of the libraries in the VSC, helping maintain the shared library systems. Meg has a master’s in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She joined the VSCS in 2013, moving to Vermont from North Carolina.
Finance
The department manages and oversees finance, accounting, facilities management, human resources, payroll, fiscal reporting, internal and external audits, and the pro-forma development and implementation of the operating and capital budgets for the system.
Staff monitor all financial accounts, budgets and financial conditions for compliance with national accounting standards, budgetary and policy requirements and plans; direct the implementation and ongoing maintenance of automated financial systems, system controls and user training and support; coordinate and develop the annual financial statements and provide system office financial and business office support functions.
Read More about Federal Compliance
Rick Bourassa is a Senior Staff Accountant involved with Accounts Payable, Fixed Assets, and various reconciliations at the Chancellor’s Office. Rick also provides administrative support for reimbursements to the VSCS and other partner schools involved in the State of Vermont’s dual enrollment program. He joined the Chancellor’s Office in 2007 after nearly 25 years at the Burlington Electric Department. Rick has previously served as Treasurer for the Vermont Kidney Association and Colchester’s Friends of the Burnham Library. He has an Associate’s degree in Accounting from Champlain College and Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from UVM.
Lea Collins joined the VSCS in 2008 and works in the Finance Department performing a variety of financial functions. Her previous employment included 12 years with a commercial real estate appraisal firm. She enjoys being outdoors and especially likes bird watching and snowmobiling. She also sings on the worship team at her church. Lea and her husband live in Williamstown and find time to spend with their family, which includes two grandsons.
Linda Davis joined the Chancellor’s Office from Johnson State College, where she spent over nine years. In addition to accounts payable, Linda has a depth of knowledge and understanding of many other important aspects of the Vermont State Colleges, such as student financial services. Linda is passionate about employee wellness and served as the Wellness Coordinator at Johnson State College for several years. Prior to her VSCS experience, Linda and her family owned three successful businesses in the Cambridge, VT area.
Dick Ethier is the VSCS Director of Facilities. He started working for the VSCS system in 1973 at Vermont Technical College. In 1989 he became the VTC Director of Physical Plant. He held that position until 2004, when he came to the Chancellor’s Office as Director of Facilities. Dick lives in Braintree with his wife and in his spare time enjoys collecting and working on antique cars and tractors.
Brenda Flint is the Director of Business Services. Among other responsibilities, she works very closely with accounts payable and accounts receivable. Brenda worked at Vermont Tech where she spent eight years working in the business office. Her prior experience includes accounting and human resources in an engineering firm and health insurance organization. Brenda lives in Brookfield with her husband and daughter and enjoys running and Spartan races.
Sheilah M. Evans is the Systems Controller & Senior Director of Financial Operations. She joined the Chancellor’s Office in July 2016 after 9 years in a similar role at Lyndon State College and 2 years at Johnson State College. Her previous experience includes positions in finance and accounting primarily in manufacturing corporations, as well as several years in the public accounting sector. Sheilah earned her BS from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and her MBA from Plymouth University. She resides in Danville with her family and farm animals.
Sandy Sabin, Student Accounts Specialist, creates student statements and oversees student accounts billing tables and all other aspects of student accounts receivable for the VSCS system. She joined the Chancellor’s Office in 2010 after 30 years in the automotive business, and still does some automotive accounting consulting. Sandy currently lives in Claremont, NH with her little dog Sammy. She has an AS in law enforcement and a certificate in accounting from Champlain College, and is working towards her BS in business at Johnson State College.
Jamie Stone is a part of the Accounts Payable team at the Chancellor’s Office. She came to Montpelier from Vermont Tech, where she worked in the business office and accounts payable. Jamie has always enjoyed the business side of the house, having spent most of her career in finance and accounting related roles. Jamie enjoys riding her motorcycle, taking pictures and enjoying what Vermont has to offer for the great outdoors.cShe especially enjoys camping, fishing, and hikes with her husband and son.
Tracy Sweet is the Director of Payroll and Benefits for the VSCS system. She joined the VSCS in 1990, starting at CCV in the business office. She worked as an accounts receivable clerk for five years before moving to payroll, eventually becoming CCV’s payroll director. Tracy joined the Chancellor’s Office in her current role in 2005. She has an associate’s degree in accounting from Champlain College.
Steve Wisloski is VSC’s Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Chancellor’s Office in 2016, he served as Vermont’s Deputy State Treasurer, where oversaw the State’s investment and debt management programs. Steve also worked for The PFM Group for twelve years advising state and local governments in municipal finance, and served in the U.S. Air Force as an acquisition program manager. Steve lives in South Burlington with his wife and two sons. He has a BS in Political Science from MIT, which he attended on an ROTC scholarship.
Human Resources
Ashley Kellett is the Assistant Director of Human Resources. She manages retirement and benefits administration, serving as a liaison with carriers, staff and faculty. She assists the Director of HR on compliance, HIPPA, ADA, FMLA, and other tasks and works with the Director of Payroll & Employee Services on crossover information. She holds an MA in counseling from Johnson State College, a BA in English from UVM, and is certified by the Society for Human Resources as a Certified Professional in HR. She was also a licensed Realtor in Vermont prior to joining the Chancellor’s Office in 2008. Ashley serves on the board of her daughter’s preschool and is an Institutional Representative for Vermont Women in Higher Education.
As Director of Human Resources for the Vermont State Colleges since 1999, Nancy Shaw serves as a resource for the colleges in the system for labor and employee relations, classification and compensation, training, compliance, and benefits administration and design. Nancy has been in the field of human resources for over 25 years and was previously employed at the Howard Center for Human Services and The Shelburne Museum.
Legal
Sophie Zdatny is the General Counsel for the Vermont State Colleges System. She represents and provides legal advice to the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor’s Office, and the member institutions. She joined the Chancellor’s Office in August 2014, following fifteen years in private practice litigating cases and two years clerking for a federal judge. She taught several classes at West Virginia University’s College of Law, prior to moving to Vermont in 2008. She previously served as the President of the Vermont Bar Foundation and she currently sits on the Vermont Board of Bar Examiners. She is a member of the Central Vermont American Inns of Court. She has a BA in Political Science from Wellesley College and a J.D. from West Virginia University.
Todd Daloz is Associate General Counsel for the Vermont State Colleges. He provides a wide range of legal services for the Chancellor’s Office and the state colleges. Before joining VSC in December 2016, Todd spent five years working at the Vermont Attorney General’s Office representing the State in a variety of cases. He also spent two years as a law clerk for the Hon. Marilyn Skoglund of the Vermont Supreme Court. A native of the Northeast Kingdom, Todd received a BA in History from Oberlin College and a JD from UC Hastings College of the Law. He currently serves on the board of the Vermont Humanities Counsel and is a member of the Board of Bar Examiners.
Susan Law is the Investigator for the Vermont State College System. As such, she serves as the primary investigator on complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking involving students, employees and third parties, as well as handling employment, whistle-blower and other investigations. Prior to coming to the VSC, Susan was an officer for U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services in Maine, where she conducted pretrial and presentence investigations, and drafted reports for the U.S. Courts. Susan, who has family in Vermont, was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended Shippensburg University, where she received her B.A. in Psychology and Political Science. She went on to earn her J.D. from Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts, and had the opportunity to complete an internship at the Vermont Conservation Law Foundation. In her free time, Susan enjoys making ice cream, visiting goat farms, and rockhounding.
Chancellor's Staff
In addition to our departments, Chancellor’s Office staff are responsible for several other areas of work, including academic affairs, Board of Trustees support, grants administration, institutional research, and legislative affairs.
The Chief Academic Officer provides leadership for system-level approaches to academic policy, program delivery, professional development, institutional research, and use of technology in academic programming and delivery. The Chief Academic Officer also works with the VSCS and other public and private Vermont stakeholders to support continued development of personalized learning and flexible pathways to postsecondary education that address affordability, academic preparedness, degree attainment, and employment opportunities.
The Director of External & Governmental Affairs is the VSC’s chief liaison to the Vermont Legislature, and develops and maintains meaningful alliances with stakeholders in the business, government, education, non-profit, and philanthropic communities in support of the mission and work of the VSC. Resource development and grant coordination are also a focus of the Director.
Hope Baker-Carr is the Director of Institutional Research for the Vermont State Colleges, a position she has held since 2004. Prior to Coming to the Chancellor’s Office Hope held several different positions at Castleton State College, including five years as the Registrar. In her current position she is responsible for all of the IPEDS reporting for the five colleges and system office, and most of the reports in the Performance Indicators, VSCS Sourcebook and on the website. Hope has a BA in Art from Brown University and an MS in Management from Antioch University New England. In her spare time she is an artist and avid bicyclist.
Tricia Coates is the Director of External and Governmental Affairs. She joined the Chancellor’s Office in 2015 after serving for eight years as State Director for Congressman Peter Welch. Tricia is a former high school history teacher. She has a BA in history from St. Michael’s College and an MAT from Union College. She lives in Jericho with her family.
David Rubin is the VSCS Grants Coordinator. Prior to joining the team at the Chancellor’s Office, he served for over 16 years as a senior manager at a large community-based non-profit in Vermont. David possesses a depth of experience and expertise in workforce/economic development, grants administration and forging strategic partnerships. He has held leadership positions on local, state and national boards, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Vermont Adult Learning. He resides with his family in Montpelier, where he plays competitive baseball and softball, as well as a 6-string acoustic guitar.
Elaine Sopchak is the Administrative Director of the Chancellor’s Office. She serves as the executive assistant to the Chancellor as well as secretary to the Board of Trustees. She also helps oversee the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Chancellor. She joined the VSCS in 2008 after 20+ years as a bookseller and bookstore owner. Elaine also serves as the vice president of the Village of Essex Junction, where she lives with her family, and chair of the board of Channel 17 Town Meeting Television. She has a BA in English from Rutgers University and is working on a master’s in public administration at UVM.
Yasmine Ziesler currently serves as Chief Academic Officer. She supports the work of the Education, Personnel, and Student Life (EPSL) Committee of the Board and works closely with several VSCS-wide teams including the academic deans, institutional research, registrars, teaching and learning technologies, and advising technology. Prior to coming to the Chancellor’s Office in 2015, Yasmine served as Dean of Technology and Associate Academic Dean for first year programs at Castleton University, and she began her VSCS career at the Community College of Vermont Burlington site as an academic coordinator in 2003. Yasmine received her Ph.D. in anthropology from Boston University and was a Fulbright English teacher in the Republic of Korea in 1995-1996.
