Office and People Directory

Christine Koogle

Biography

Christine is from Baltimore, Maryland where she first had her taste of beautiful events. After searching for schools that would provide her with an education that she could take and apply anywhere, she came up north to attend Champlain College. Here, she studied business administration and event management. Christine held many student leadership positions as an RA, Student Activity Programmer, Orientation Leader, CHAMP President, and more. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Christine stayed in Vermont to manage a luxury event catering company. After several years, she returned to Champlain and Student Engagement. Now, she gets to run the events she always participated in as a student!
When she’s not having fun with students, you can find her planning weddings for friends and family, kayaking in the beautiful state of Vermont, or trying out a new recipe to share.

What are your hobbies?

Cooking and Baking, kayaking, planning parties!

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

I love to eat and drink! And, of course, explore. Top places to eat: Honey Road, Poco, May Day, The Tillerman, and Philo Ridge Farm

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David Kopec

Biography

David Kopec joined the faculty at Champlain College in 2016 after five years in the startup world. He served both as a co-founder and as a consultant to early stage tech companies with a concentration in iOS app development. David developed a passion for computer science education which led him to author the introductory programming book “Dart for Absolute Beginners” (Apress, 2014) on Google’s emerging language. In parallel, he worked part time as adjunct faculty in New York while running his consulting practice.

David is active in the open source community as the author of several popular Swift data structure projects. He is the author of the “Classic Computer Science Problems” book series, which includes “Classic Computer Science Problems in Swift” (Manning, 2018), “Classic Computer Science Problems in Python” (Manning, 2019), and “Classic Computer Science Problems in Java” (Manning, 2020). An avid podcaster, he has served both as a guest and host on multiple podcast series. A native of New England, David has lived throughout the United States, Canada, and England. He holds an AB in Economics from Dartmouth College, an MS in Computer Science from Dartmouth, and an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business & Technology.

Publications & Abstracts

Classic Computer Science Problems in Python
Classic Computer Science Problems in Java
Classic Computer Science Problems in Swift
Dart for Absolute Beginners

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

Kopec Explains Software podcast
Business Books & Co. podcast

Favorite Quote

“The journey is the reward.”
― Chinese Proverb

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Nicholas Kornek

Distinctions & Awards

Innovation Award – MIGF 2015, Official Selection – Alt.Ctrl.GDC 2015, Official Selection – TIFF Nuit Blanche 2015, Finalist Best Interactive Experience – NUMIX 2017

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Fred Kosnitsky

Biography

Fred’s academic background is in the biological/ecological sciences and the environmental studies realm. He has an undergraduate degree in Biology from Williams College, has studied Ecology at the graduate level at Dartmouth College, and has a Masters degree in environmental law and policy from the Environmental Law Center of Vermont Law School.

For the past four decades he has been involved in the environmental arena as a Board member of groups such as Vermont Earth Institute, the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, 350vermont.org, and the Voice of the Potash Brook Watershed. He has written columns on nature and the environment for the Vermont Times, The Other Paper in South Burlington, and the Saint Albans Messenger. He is currently a member of the South Burlington Energy Committee. Fred has taught at Community College of Vermont since 1983, and has joined Champlain College as an adjunct in 2023.

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

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Angelika Koukoulas

Biography

Angela joined Champlain in June of 2023 as part of the innovative partnership between Champlain College and Hula (a co-working space on Lakeside Ave). In this role, Angela works with businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profits to bolster their teams with Champlain talent. Angela helps students land internships, work on client facing projects, and generally get connected to the Burlington business community. Angela also supports the development of Burlington’s Innovation District by forging intentional connections between students, academics, and industry.

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Erin Kwon

Biography

Erin is a National Certified Counselor and joined the Counseling Center in 2024 after her time as a Graduate Clinical Intern. She was born and raised in Northern Virginia but calls Southwest Virginia her home after studying at Virginia Tech. Erin made the trek up to Vermont in 2021 for her to earn her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Vermont. Lake Champlain and the lovely community of Burlington have kept her here since.

Erin’s clinical perspective is informed by her work in community-based programs of Appalachia. She is curious about the stories that shape people’s view of themselves and is interested in exploring where these narratives come from and how they serve them. Erin takes a collaborative and person-centered approach to counseling and believes that each of her clients hold the knowledge of what they need given their intersecting identities and lived experiences. She strives to create an affirming and compassionate space for her clients to gain personal insights, connect with their strengths/values, and access their agency in acceptance and change, all while leaning into the power of the therapeutic relationship.

In her free time, you can find Erin working with clay, never finishing a book, and taking long walks in the search of roaming cats.

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Danielle L’Esperance

Biography

Danielle has been the Compass Student Services Manager since 2019. She has her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Vermont (2012). Danielle also has extensive experience in the Hospitality industry. She loves her job because it combines her knowledge of Customer Service with her passion for Higher Education.

Danielle is a native Vermonter and a first-generation college student. During her personal time, she can be found meandering along nature trails with Levi, her small but mighty four-legged companion. She also enjoys Fantasy and Science Fiction novels, baking treats for family and colleagues, & traveling to new and exciting places.

What are your hobbies?

Baking, Hiking, Reading & Traveling

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Summer outdoor concert series (Williston, South Hero, SoBu), Kountry Kart Deli, Folino’s, Cafe Dim Sum

Meet Danielle

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Benton Lane

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Marcelle Langan

Biography

Marcelle Langan is an award-winning marketing writer, author, and mom. She is the Director of Institutional Marketing & Web Services at Champlain College and an Adjunct Professor for Champlain College Online. She has been at Champlain College since 2008 and previously held the titles of Director of Web Services; Director of Creative Services: Undergraduate Brand Manager, among others.

Prior to joining the marketing team at Champlain College, Marcelle founded and ran WordBroker Communications, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in marketing and advertising—primarily for startup operations. In addition to running WordBroker Communications, Marcelle held the position of Vice President of Content/Editorial Director of Tavolo, Inc.—a dot.com that was once the largest branded specialty retailer of premium foods and kitchenware on the Internet—where she was responsible for producing the site’s deep content components.

Before being swept up by the dot.com frenzy, Marcelle held the position of Editor-in-Chief of Eating Well magazine. Eating Well was a consumer health title with a circulation of 650,000 gourmet-cooking fans. She also helped launch and was Managing Editor of Food Arts, at one time, the premier trade magazine to America’s finest restaurants and hotels.

Marcelle lives in Burlington, Vermont. Her three grown children are awesome, and her dog, Hiccup—a Pembroke Corgi—keeps her vastly entertained.

Distinctions & Awards

2020 Champlain College John Lavallee Innovation Award “Champlain College Online Website”
2018 CASE Circle of Excellence Bronze Award Director of Digital Strategy: “This is Your Future”
Champlain College Class of 2022 admissions package
2017 Champlain College John Lavallee Innovation Award “New Campus Visit Experience”
2014 Gold CASE District I Excellence Awards “Champlain.edu Redesign”
2014 Champlain College John Lavallee Innovation Award “College Website Redesign”

Publications & Abstracts

Marcelle’s first book, The Big Sister’s Guide to the World of Work, was published by Simon and Schuster in January 2006. She has ghostwritten eight cookbooks, two for Royal Caribbean cruise line, five for Holland America Line, and one for Carnival Cruises. She also ghost wrote a biography of Dolly Farnsworth, one of the original homesteaders in Alaska. The book is called Immigrant’s Daughter: The Extraordinary Life of Alaskan Pioneer Dolly Farnsworth.

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Tony Langan

Biography

Tony Langan grew up 1 hour north of Dublin in a small rural village called Dromiskin in County Louth. He received an International Bachelors degree in History and Economics from NUI Maynooth where he also studied abroad at the University of Miami, Florida. Tony continued his studies at the University of Mississippi where he studied Tourism and Recreation. He has worked in the field of Study Abroad since 2013 where he ran programs in England, Spain, South Africa and Ireland. He is also an accredited National Irish Tour guide and runs his own tour company seasonally. During the recent lockdown Tony completed a Post Graduate Certificate from Trinity College Dublin in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship. Recently, he has completed the Lord Mayor Dublin’s certificate in Oral History and is currently taking a Family History course at Trinity College. Previous to his position as Assistant Director with Champlain College (and before COVID), Tony was the Student Life Manager here from 2018.

Tony is passionate about many things in life and they seem to change weekly. But the continuous passions are Study Abroad, Travel and Irish Culture. He loves to show students and tourists alike what Dublin and Ireland has to offer and watch as they slowly become locals in a new city. He also loves live music and a good pint of Guinness which, luckily, are very easy to find in Dublin!

Hobbies

Music, concerts, travelling and meeting new people!

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Michael Lange

Biography

Michael Lange is an anthropologist and folklorist, specializing in narrative, food, and identity. He has done ethnographic fieldwork in Scotland, Morocco, Norway, the US, and Canada. His books include Norwegian Scots and Many Meanings of Maple.

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Al Larsen

Biography

Al Larsen is a media artist and writer whose work engages with ideas of public space and populist uses of media technologies. He works in and across multiple media and processes including programmable technologies, textiles, performance, audio production and printmaking. His work has shown in festivals in the US and internationally and his writing on popular culture, art and performance has appeared in P-Queue, Careless Talk Costs Lives, Plan B and The Squealer. He directs toe Creative Media BFA program at Champlain College.

Distinctions & Awards

Residencies:
– Center for Machine Arts, Peekskill, NY
– Burlington City Arts, Burlington, VT
– Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, Buffalo, NY
– International Artist Exchange Residency, City of Glasgow, Scotland

Favorite Quote

“Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while.”

—Corita Kent

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Alan Larson

Biography

Alan Larson has worked in Information Technology for the past 30 years; he opened his own IT firm in 2001. He graduated from Seminole State College in 1999 with a degree in Networking Engineering Technology. Then continued to Champlain College to complete his bachelor’s in cybersecurity and then his master’s in information security management. Mr. Larson has Professional certifications from Microsoft, Novell, CompTIA, EC Council, and ISC2. He was chairman of the Mid Florida Tech Computer Systems Technology Advisory Committee, the Seminole Advisory Board Council, and an Orlando Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. Mr. Larson now works with The Department of Veterans Affairs, managing vulnerabilities.

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition by Jon Erickson
• Mind Hacking (How to Change Your Mind for Good in 21 Days)
• Hacking the Hacker Learn From the Experts Who Take Down Hackers by Roger A. Grimes

Favorite Quote

“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

—Rocky Balboa

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Melinda Lathrop

Biography

Melinda Lathrop is a seasoned digital marketing and communications expert. With a background in events, entertainment, and a passion for sports, Melinda has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing digital experiences across various sectors. Currently serving as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Southern Made, a prominent technology agency based in Nashville, TN, Melinda brings a wealth of experience and innovation to her role. Her expertise lies in identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends, ensuring brands stay at the forefront of digital innovation.

In addition to her corporate role, Melinda serves as an Adjunct Professor at Champlain College, where she shares her knowledge and expertise with students in the CCM Online division. Through her dynamic teaching style and real-world insights, Melinda aims to inspire the next generation of marketing professionals to excel in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Melinda holds a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Public Relations/Digital Marketing from Champlain College.

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John Lavallee

Biography

Began working at Champlain as a software developer in June 1970. Moved on to Director of the Computer Center. Later promoted to Director of IT. Began teaching for Champlain around 1973, and later became the Division Chair of the Information Systems division. Simultaneously, Selected to head up the Champlain Online program. Retired from Champlain in 2015 and has continued to serve as an adjunct instructor ever since.

Distinctions & Awards

An annual award created in my name hiring the individual or group showing innovation.

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