Moderators: Michele Forte, Open SUNY Manager, Student Supports & Kristyn Muller, Open SUNY, Impact Analyst
Online Student Panel Presentation: What do Students Think About Online Learning Across SUNY?
Online Student Panelists:
- Sharon Wager, SUNY Canton, Senior, Legal Studies
- Jennifer Hagadorn, Finger Lakes Community College, Computer Information Systems
- Lynn Ann Hinds McCoy, SUNY Empire State College, BS in Business Management and Economics, MA in Adult Learning
- Kayle Viau, SUNY Broome, Clinical Laboratory Technician/Certification
- Brendan Caluneo, HVCC and SA Rep
- Vanessa Trotter, SUNY Canton
Michele Forte is Assistant Professor and Mentor at the Center for Distance Learning at SUNY Empire State College. She teaches courses in Community and Human Services and was co-creator of a new online space that supports the success of first year students. She leads the Open SUNY student supports team as the Open SUNY Student Supports Manager.
Kristyn Muller is the Impact Analyst for Open SUNY within SUNY System Administration. In this role, she evaluates the effectiveness of Open SUNY’s services, analyzes how online learning impacts SUNY’s overall goals, and develops ways to share data to inform the continuous improvement of SUNY’s online learning practices.
Lynn Ann Hinds McCoy is a native of New York State and lifelong learner. After many years of pursuing her college degree while juggling work, raising children and volunteering for community organizations, Lynn Ann found her home at SUNY Empire State College and completed a BS in Business Management and Economics. The unique experience at ESC ignited her desire to facilitate other adult students to successfully complete their academic goals and Lynn Ann enrolled in the Masters Program, earning her MA in Adult Learning. With a background in nursing and entrepreneurial business ventures, Lynn Ann is currently excited about embarking on a new career in the field of higher education.
Jennifer Hagadorn is from Utica NY. She has been employed with a local Credit Union for 20 years. She worked in the Collections Department as an Asset Specialist for most of that time. Three years ago, she had the opportunity to change her career and is currently working as a Junior Programmer Analyst. She loves the problem solving aspect of programming and the constant state of evolution. There is always room to learn and grow. When she started that new position she went back to college to pursue a degree in Computer Information Systems. She has 2 shepherd mix pups and enjoys spending time with her family.
Sharon Wager is senior in SUNY Canton’s Legal Studies program, Sharon Wager lives in the Syracuse area where she works as a paralegal specializing in workers’ compensation. In 2016, after her boss announced he would be retiring in 2 years, Sharon thought she could finish her bachelor’s degree in that time. To her relief, he hasn’t retired yet because, as she puts it, “Transfer credits didn’t quite work out right.” When not busy working full-time and going to school full-time, Sharon and her husband work on remodeling their home and can be seen around the neighborhood walking their 3 dogs.
Kayle Viau plans plans to pursue a certification as a Clinical Laboratory Technician. Her hope is to move up in her current work place. She works for Lab Corporation of America, formerly ClearPath Diagnostics. She has been there for 5 years and loves it. She never knew what she wanted to do with her life until she started working there and it just clicked. She loves learning all of the different aspects of the lab. She’s like a sponge soaking it all up. In her free time from school and working full time, she has two toddler boys, two and three, so her free time goes to them and her husband. She loves to read and listen to music and dance (though she’s not very good) and She loves to hike and be outside and enjoys nature and the sun. She’s not a huge fan of the snow and would prefer a sunnier warmer state, but this is where she grew up – good old CNY and all its glorious snow is home.