Staff

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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Olivia Vittitow

Biography

Olivia Vittitow is a Champlain Professional Writing alum, who upon graduation, pursed a career in copywriting and non-profit fundraising. When she was offered the opportunity to return to the Champlain community alongside a team she had worked with as a student employee, she was overjoyed. Champlain has always felt like a home away from home for her, a transplant from Louisville, Kentucky.

Among her many hobbies are reading, traveling, fermenting, amateur film-buffing, and playing piano. Managing the InSight Program is her way of giving back to a program that she was a product of and champion for. Helping students find their confidence in key life skills, and graduate with competencies for personal and professional success is the most rewarding thing of all.

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Leandre Waldo

Biography

In her role as Chief of Staff, Leandre is the orchestrator behind the scenes of the President’s office and the leader of the College’s institutional communications. As Secretary of the Corporation, she also helps ensure the Board of Trustees is supported, informed and engaged.

Grounding her work in values like curiosity, inquiry and empathy, Leandre blends strategic vision with relentless authenticity. Her audience-focused approach to communications drives her to distill great ideas into clear, concise roadmaps and carefully crafted slide decks.

Leandre previously served as Chief of Staff to the President at St. Michael’s College and the Director of Client & Media Relations at Champlain. She holds an MBA from Brandeis University and a BA from Hamilton College.

Leandre has lived on both coasts and several states in between but is happy to call Burlington, VT her permanent home. When not herding cats, Leandre spends her time running, cycling, hiking, snowboarding and dreaming about her next SCUBA trip. She lives with her partner and two teen-aged children.

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John Ware

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Susan Waryck

Biography

Susan joined the Champlain College team in 2019. She’s worked in higher education and in Student Affairs for her entire 30+ year career. Her experiences range from small, private liberal arts colleges to mid-sized, public universities in the south and mid-west. Susan enjoys serving as the Dean of Students supporting students in their college experience. In her role, Susan supervises the Director of Housing and Residential Life, the Director of Community Standards, and the Director of the Office of International Student Services. Connecting students to these dedicated and committed team members is an important part of Susan’s role. She looks forward to supporting all students as they navigate Champlain College.

What are your hobbies?

I love to quilt (making t-shirt quilts, specifically); I enjoy riding my bike with my husband; I love to kayak

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Gary Washburn

Biography

Gary earned his Master’s in Professional School Counseling at Sage Graduate School in Troy, NY. Gary has been working in Higher Education for 15 years. Gary is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in enrollment management, academic affairs, student affairs, business development, and relationship building. He has demonstrated expertise in building highly efficient operations and teams, ensuring a seamless student experience. In his downtime, he enjoys being on the golf course as much as possible and spending time with his family and friends.

What are your hobbies?

Golf

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Jordan Weeden

Biography

Jordan is a new member to the Housing and Residential Life team at Champlain College. She recently graduated from Colby-Sawyer College where she double majored in a self-designed program called Animal Science and Business, and Studio Art. Working as a Resident Assistant in undergrad got her excited to pursue higher education, which is how Jordan ended up at Champlain.

In addition to being a Resident Assistant, Jordan was also an Admissions Ambassador, Student Photographer, and Teaching Assistant. Getting involved in her campus community was extremely important to her social and professional development. Her success at Colby-Sawyer came from her determination to work with many different departments and gain as much experience as she could. She is hoping to foster that same excitement and drive for her RA staff at Champlain as well.

Here at Champlain, Jordan is the new Area Coordinator, working with upperclass students in apartment style housing. She is excited for this opportunity, as she previously worked with first year students more often than upperclass students. In the AC position, Jordan supervises and supports her RA staff, has meetings with students to discuss any questions or needs they may have, and oversees the building in her area. Jordan is always open to students popping into her office if they have questions when she is available.

What are your hobbies?

Training my dog and playing pool

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Madison West

Biography

Madison (Maddie) joined Champlain College in 2017 as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Women’s and Gender Center (WGC). There, she discovered a passion for mentoring and supporting college students. Following two years of service at the WGC, she joined the Library as a Circulation Coordinator. In 2021, Maddie transitioned to the Office of Accessibility. As Assistant Director, she strives to provide successful access and services to students with disabilities.

Maddie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gender Studies from Saint Michael’s College and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Vermont. During her time at UVM, Maddie served as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. In her free time, Maddie enjoys biking, fishing, reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family. She lives in St. Albans with her husband and two cats.

What are your hobbies?

Biking, fishing, reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

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Rosalynne Whitaker-Heck

Biography

Dr. Roz Whitaker-Heck, APR, has served as the Associate Provost of Academic Affairs at Champlain College in Burlington, VT since 2021. Prior to that, Whitaker-Heck served in the Division of Communication and Creative Media as its first Associate Dean for Administration in 2015. She is also the co-owner of HECK Productions, a digital content creation company.

Whitaker-Heck has been an active member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), a national organization of more than 22,000 members, since 2000. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Yankee PRSA Chapter based in New Hampshire and is on the programming committee for the national PRSA organization. She has been the faculty advisor for two PRSSA chapters, most recently with the Champlain College PRSSA chapter.

Whitaker-Heck is a 30-year veteran of communications, including broadcast production, telecommunications education, media relations, strategic communication, special events, and community relations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a minor in Media Management from Howard University and earned a Master of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2013, she earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University.

Whitaker-Heck’s recent consulting work has included media relations for the Clemmons Family Farm—one of the largest African-American owned farms in Vermont that is transitioning into a multicultural heritage center; VIP management for the National Association of Black journalists’ Conference and Career Fair, and Google Tools training for select HBCU students; media training for the State of Vermont Department of Mental Health; and event planning for the City of Burlington (VT)’s annual Juneteenth Celebration.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy interior design and helping friends with decorating challenges.

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

A favorite local eatery is Maliwan Thai Restaurant.

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Sherry White

Biography

Sherry White has more than 25 years of experience in media and communications, 13 of which have been in higher education.

White began her career writing for textbook publishers, including Houghton Mifflin and Pearson Education. It was during her time in the textbook industry that she learned to unravel complex material from experts and translate it into clear, relevant information for users.

During her career, White’s interests and skills evolved from writing to digital media, including videography, photography, graphic design, and website design.

Sherry and her husband, Aaron, have two young-adult children, Gabriella and Ian.

What are your hobbies?

Painting, flower gardening

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Sarah Camille Wilson

Biography

Sarah Camille Wilson manages the Access Services Department at the Champlain College Library. Sarah Camille and her team keep the library open and staffed seven days a week during the academic year, and make sure that students have access to the resources they need. As part of the Library’s reference team, Sarah Camille assists students and employees with research. She also manages the library’s Interlibrary Loan service, obtaining materials students and colleagues need from other libraries. The Access Services Department employs over 20 students each semester, and the library couldn’t run without their help.

Working to increase student belonging, resilience, and success are among the top reasons Sarah Camille loves working at Champlain, as well as collaborating with her incredible colleagues!

What are your hobbies?

Reading, bike adventures, yoga, hiking, gardening, cooking

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Nomad Coffee (excellent coffee and incredible pastries)
Folino’s Pizza
Poppy Cafe (best sandwiches in VT)
Shy Guy Gelato (simply the best, full stop)
Honey Road (Mediterranean mezze)
Pho Hong
Mrs. Hong’s Dumplings
A Taste of Abyssinia (Eritrean cuisine that can be ordered ahead by the meal, or found at events and the Shelburne Farmers market)
Sangha Studio (non-profit, donation based yoga studio founded by a Champlain alum!)
Old Spokes Home (non-profit bike shop with a social mission)
Saxon and Sunny Hollow trails for mountain/fat biking
The Intervale- for dog walks, nature walks, and time in nature right in the middle of town!
Mount Philo (a short, easy, kid friendly hike with incredible views)
Stow Pinnacle hike (also pretty short and easy, not as short and easy as Mt. Philo)

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Laura Wingler

Biography

Laura has two master’s degrees, one in education and one in fine arts. She believes that the role of Instructional Designer is critical in the world of online education because this environment specifically requires clear learning paths for students that are aligned to the curriculum, accessible to all, engaging and current.

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Ted Winokur

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David Wolfe

Biography

David started at Champlain College in the fall of 1999 and has had a number of roles during that time. David has been the Student Engagement Advisor for the Grind open Mic Coffee House from its inception in 2000. As an adjunct faculty member, David developed and delivered courses in Web Development, Networking, and Internet Media. As an IT Specialist, David has worked alongside the Help Desk and provided server support for ITS.

What are your hobbies?

karaoke (GodfatherKaraoke.com), house music, and lighting design/direction

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Asiana Noodle Shop, Leunigs, Rotisserie, and Leonardos Pizza

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Lynde Wright

Biography

Lynde Wright is a dynamic member of the Career Collaborative Team, making her mark in the field of Employer Relations. With a passion for connecting employers with top talent, Lynde brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her role. Armed with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a specialization in Marketing from Western Governors University, she possesses a solid foundation in business strategy and relationship building.

With over 5 years of dedicated work in Employer Relations, Lynde has honed her skills in fostering strong partnerships between organizations and job seekers. Her ability to understand the needs of both parties and effectively bridge the gap has resulted in numerous successful collaborations throughout her career.

Prior to her work in Employer Relations, Lynde spent 8 years in healthcare leadership, where she developed a deep understanding of the healthcare industry’s intricacies and challenges. This experience provided her with invaluable insights into managing teams, streamlining processes, and maintaining high-quality standards in a fast-paced and demanding environment.

While dedicating herself to her children’s upbringing, Lynde took an inspiring career break, during which she delved into the world of full-stack software development. Embracing her curiosity and love for learning, she acquired extensive knowledge and skills in this dynamic field. This experience not only broadened her technical expertise but also cultivated her problem-solving abilities and adaptability, making her a versatile professional.

Originally from the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, Lynde recently made the move to Savannah, Georgia. While working remotely, she enjoys the charm and vibrant culture of her new surroundings. As a mother of three, Lynde finds immense joy in witnessing her younger two children participate in soccer and theater. Their enthusiasm fuels her passion for supporting their growth and nurturing their talents.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Lynde embraces her adventurous spirit. She revels in the great outdoors and finds solace in camping trips and exploring new destinations. An avid traveler, she seeks inspiration from different cultures, immersing herself in diverse experiences that broaden her perspective.

Driven by a sense of purpose, Lynde volunteers her time to assist others in their career journeys. She dedicates her expertise to writing and reviewing resumes for women, single parents, and individuals with career gaps, empowering them to present their unique skills and experiences with confidence.

Lynde Wright is a true embodiment of resilience, adaptability, and empathy. Her multifaceted background, encompassing Employer Relations, healthcare leadership, and software development, allows her to approach challenges with a holistic perspective. With her unwavering commitment to excellence and her genuine desire to make a positive impact, Lynde continues to be an invaluable asset to the Career Collaborative Team, helping both employers and job seekers thrive in their respective domains

What are your hobbies?

Walking, Camping, Reading, Traveling, Swimming, Paddle Boarding

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