Staff

Connor Holtkamp

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Jimena Huaco

Biography

Jimena is a member of the Institutional Research team at Champlain under the Provost Office. Jimena provides analysis for institutional metrics and data reporting. She’s been part of the Champlain family since 2008 when she joined as an undergraduate student. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she later became a Financial Sophistication Specialist educating Champlain students on personal finance topics. Before joining the IR team, Jimena managed Champlain’s extracurricular career education program called InSight. During this time, she discovered her passion for data, and data-driven decision-making. She completed her MBA from Champlain College in 2018, and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Data Science.

What are your hobbies?

Mountain biking and gardening

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

The Tillerman in Bristol, I also love to explore trails in Vermont. I love mountain biking in the Kingdom Trails!

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Matt Huwiler

Biography

Matt Huwiler is a seasoned web developer with over two decades of experience at Champlain, where he currently works as a senior level Web Developer in the Information Systems department. In this role, Matt’s responsibilities include managing Single Sign-On (SSO), creating custom reporting solutions, building online payment forms, React Native development, and building/maintaining cloud server infrastructures. His diverse skill set allows him to tackle a wide range of programming, systems administration, and web development tasks.

Beyond his duties for Information Systems, Matt is passionate about teaching as an Adjunct Professor for Champlain College Online. He has taught courses ranging from JavaScript and iOS development with Objective-C and Swift to web media and vector graphics animation. He is dedicated to online teaching methods and enjoys sharing his knowledge with students.

Outside of work, Matt is deeply interested in emerging technologies such as DLTs and AI. He also has a keen interest in physical fitness, chess, and skiing. Despite working remotely from Michigan, Matt remains an integral part of the Champlain community and hopes to return to Vermont in the future.

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Susan Jacques

Biography

Susan is a Nurse Practitioner at the Student Health Center. She has worked at Champlain College for 7 years and has been a Nurse Practitioner for over 30 years with experience in primary care, women’s health and college health.

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Sarah Jerger

Biography

Sarah Jerger currently serves as the Director of the Emergent Media Center (EMC) at Champlain College. Having joined Champlain College in January 2008, she is a founding member of the EMC, which is committed to educating and inspiring students through hands-on experiences developing creative media solutions for real-world challenges. She leads visioning and goal setting, strategic communications, successful student outcomes, budgetary and management operations, strong community partnerships through sponsorships and grants, and fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Jerger holds a Master’s degree from Champlain College in Emergent Media. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and two Associate’s degrees in Multimedia & Graphic Design and Public Relations & Media Communications.

Jerger’s previous experience includes communications, operations, graphic design, and media-buying in the advertising, beverage, and real estate industries. Sarah is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for making and craft, which she explores intertwining with digital means of expression. Her work spans (for now) textile art, digital storytelling, mixed-media collage, video, and wearable electronics. She also operates and curates a Free Little Art Gallery, a community-driven project to make art more accessible and nurture creativity.

What are your hobbies?

Mixed media art, hiking, nature, cooking, taking classes & learning new things, procrastinating folding laundry

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Devil Takes a Holiday, Kate’s Food Truck, Jericho Cafe & Tavern, Spot on the Dock // Palmer Lane Maple for creemees, hikes around Indian Brook Reservoir, South End Art Hop in September, shows at the Monkey House, Vermont Comedy Club, concerts at Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero

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Chikomborero Jeso

Biography

Chikomborero (Chiko) Jeso graduated from Champlain College in December of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. During his time at Champlain, he has also worked as a Data Intern, Course Producer, and Senior Enrollment Operations Coordinator.

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Jessa Karki

Biography

Jessa has a B.A. English Language and Literature and an MA in Teaching English As a Second Language (TESL) from Saint Michael’s College. Jessa Karki has been in the field of international education in the State of Vermont since 1992. She started as a Student Assistant at the School for International Studies in the second year of her undergraduate studies at Saint Michael’s College and fell in love with the field. She is the Director of the Office of International Student Services (OISS) at Champlain College.

In her current position, she is a one-person office for ISSS and an area expert in international admissions, recruitment, student services, and international alumni relations. She is responsible for the welfare, safety, and immigration advising of all international students, exchange students, and scholars at Champlain. She is the Principal Designated School Official and the Responsible Officer for the College. She also teaches a one-credit, 5-week course of her creation, specifically designed for new international and exchange students which delves into the complexities of U.S. academic writing and cultural norms/expectations.

She has presented at various NAFSA Regional and National conferences. She is a former NAFSA National and Region XI Co-Chair for the One Person Office Member Interest Group and NAFSA VT State Representative for NAFSA Region XI. She currently serves on the NAFSA Region XI GRAC (Government Regulations Advisory Committee) and is the National Co-Chair of the OPO Mentoring Committee.

Jessa lives with her 3 teenage children and her husband in Essex Junction, Vermont. In her free time, Jessa loves to walk, hike, and run. She especially loves hiking the U.S. National Parks and has visited 28 so far!

What are your hobbies?

Long-distance walking, hiking Vermont and the National Parks, and running

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont

Chef’s Corner Table, Williston – hiking all seasons and spending time near, on, or in Lake Champlain.

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Samantha Kassel

Biography

Sami joined Champlain College in the fall of 2022. She earned a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Boston University and spent many years traveling the world. A Vermont native, Sami has lived in Boston, Alaska, Hawaii, and San Diego, but is happy to be calling the Burlington area home once again. She enjoys spending her time skiing, hiking, reading, pet-sitting, and watching reality TV.

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Skinny Pancake, Cucina Antica in Shelburne, Barrio Bakery

Favorite Champlain tradition:

Apple Picking

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James Kelley

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Jennifer Kennelly

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Sage King

Biography

Sage is a Burlington resident and Champlain College alum. He brings a multitude of experience with him to the Champlain team having worked in different fields from maintenance systems to microchip technology.

Sage enjoys sports and the outdoors and is also a part time firefighter for the City of Winooski.

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Lyle King

Biography

Lyle is an alumnus of Champlain College with a BS in Mass Communications and over twenty-five years of professional experience in audio/visual (AV) technology support. He earned his AVIXA CTS® and Extron AVA certifications in 2013, and as a member of the Pivot Team, was recognized with the college’s John Lavallee Innovation Award in 2021.

As the manager of Media Services within the Information Systems department, Lyle works closely with his team and campus partners to identify and implement technology and multimedia solutions for campus spaces, events, and academic programs.

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Christian Konczal

Biography

Christian Konczal, Director of Esports at Champlain College, is a passionate advocate for the integration of technology and education. A proud alumnus, Christian received his MFA in Emergent Media from Champlain in 2017 and has been steadfastly committed to the development of collegiate esports ever since.

As a graduate student, Christian served as a project management fellow for BREAKAWAY, an internationally recognized project partnered with the UNFPA, UNiTE, and Grassroot Soccer. BREAKAWAY aims to educate youth about Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), promote gender equality, and inculcate respect, values that Christian carries forward in his current role.

Christian is a strong proponent of gender equity within esports, striving to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all players. He believes in the transformative potential of esports to bridge gender gaps and is proactive in his efforts to ensure this in practice.

After graduation, Christian honed his skills in the field, consulting for multiple collegiate esports programs across the country. He then launched a successful program at a D2 State University, wherein he established varsity esports teams, oversaw program operations, supervised student coaches and players, and integrated esports into the academic experience. His fundraising efforts during this period helped support scholarships and program expenses, further validating his dedication to esports in the educational sphere.

Upon returning to Champlain, Christian pioneered the college’s esports program, fostering strong varsity teams and empowering the existing esports club. His leadership, combined with his unwavering belief in student potential, brought Champlain its first Varsity championships in over 20 years within the first year of the varsity esports program’s inception.

Christian is a fervent believer in preparing students for life post-college. His approach to esports extends beyond gameplay to encompass professional development, ensuring his students are equipped with practical skills and a strong foundation for their future careers.

Beyond his collegiate commitments, Christian has a heart for philanthropy. Working with his students he has been instrumental in raising over $20,000 for the Extra Life charity throughout his career, demonstrating his commitment to broader societal issues.

Christian Konczal’s multifaceted contributions at Champlain College exemplify the blend of passion, dedication, and vision needed to drive growth and success in collegiate esports. His unwavering commitment to gender equity and student development ensures that Champlain College’s esports program prepares students not just for competitive gaming, but for the wider world that awaits them after graduation.

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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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Angelika Koukoulas

Biography

Angela joined Champlain in June of 2023 as part of the innovative partnership between Champlain College and Hula (a coworking 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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