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Michael Coleman

Biography

Mike Coleman began working just recently at Champlain in August 2023. He has 30+ years of experience in higher education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. He was a Senior Lecturer in mechanical engineering at the University of Vermont for 13 years. Most recently, Mike got his first experience in K-12 education as a math tutor at the Rock Point School in Burlington, where he spent several years. Mike has also worked for IBM as a research and development engineer and was the co-founder of a company in Vermont that developed and produced freehand drawing tools and learning materials for the blind and visually impaired. In his work, he has been an academic advisor and mentor on student projects. Mike loves working with students to help them be the best versions of themselves in school, work, and life in ways that make sense to them.

Mike has a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University and a doctorate in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Cornell University. As a graduate student and post-doc, he was very fortunate to work on a team studying the physics of how humans walk on two legs and how apes swing from branch to branch. Using construction toys such as Tinkertoys and Legos was a big part of his work! Mike has also done coursework in the fine arts.

Mike is a serious athlete outside work, competing in bike and cross-country ski racing. He has also played a lot of soccer and racquet sports. He is also an artist, pianist, and photographer. Currently, he volunteers as a gallery docent for Burlington City Arts and the Old Spokes Home as a bike mechanic. Mike loves spending time with friends, getting to know new people, and hearing people’s stories.

What are your hobbies?

Biking, cross-country skiing, photography, fine arts, piano, reading

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Elaine O’Reilly

Biography

Elaine O’Reilly began working at Champlain in November of 2022. She has 30 years of experience in higher education. Her career history includes having been a social worker, therapist, educational programmer, hiking guide, cook, writer, and mostly a lecturer in psychology. She is excited to be where her values in guiding students toward success is a true passion!

Elaine holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Maine, a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and Dance Movement Therapy from Antioch Graduate School, and a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has taught psychology classes in General Psychology, Psychology of Adjustment, Psychology Learning Communities, Psychology of Adolescence, Lifespan Development, and History and Systems. She served as the advisor to the Transfer Coalition in NC. She has also developed a side gig of consulting in higher education and wellness, and has written and published a guide for transfer students.

Elaine characterizes all of her work as assisting people to shift their perception so they can become the navigators of their path. She has a grown daughter and takes frequent trips to NC to hang out with her. She has lived in MA, Vermont, Maine, North Carolina, and currently lives in Colchester!

Distinctions & Awards

Faculty Member of the Year

What are your hobbies?

Reading, writing, paining, cooking, hiking and enjoying nature

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

I love the nature all around us in Vermont.

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Megan Sheldon

Biography

Megan Pow Sheldon, M.Ed, PCC, CPCC is a happy and successful ICF-certified coach, professional educator, instructional coach, and licensed dance fitness instructor who loves supporting Champlain students as an Academic Coach.

Megan is known for her big laugh, her zest for life, and her commitment to working at the crossroads of body, mind, emotion, and spirit. She’s passionate about social justice and liberation, radical goodwill, and wellness for all.

As a voracious and neuro-spicy learner whose executive function skills were not well-developed in college (read: my papers were not turned in on time), Megan is passionate about helping people develop the organizational skills, self-awareness, and embodied habits that deeply support a well-lived academic and professional life.

In addition to her role at Champlain, Megan maintains a thriving private coaching practice specializing in ADHD-friendly, holistic productivity and academic wellness coaching. She also teaches lively, inclusive dance fitness classes that have become a community touchstone. (www.meganpowcoaching.com)

All of Megan’s work aligns with her life’s mission: helping creative people (in college and beyond) build joyful, productive and satisfying lives filled with delight and significance, in connection with the natural world and marked by the accomplishments that matter most – to them.

What are your hobbies?

Dance fitness, yoga, gardening, traveling, reading, writing, baking apple pie, hanging out with friends, and trying new restaurants

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Leslie Van Wagner

Biography

Prior to joining Champlain in 2019, Leslie was the Director of the Academic Support Center at Rivier College in Nashua, NH for 12 years, overseeing the Writing Center, Peer Tutoring Center, and Peer Mentoring Program. Leslie also taught many English Literature and Writing classes during her 25+ years at Rivier.

Leslie holds a MAT in Teaching from Rivier University and completed her undergraduate work at St. Lawrence University. She also holds a Certificate of Copyediting from University of San Diego online. Currently, Leslie is president of the Learning Assistance Association of New England.

Throughout her career, Leslie has drawn energy from helping students discover their potential and succeed in college and beyond. During her free time, Leslie enjoys reading, watching films, making trips to NYC to see plays, exploring Vermont, and playing with her grandson, Sam.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, watching films, going to live theater

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