Vice President's Office

Christine A. Bouchard

Vice President for Student Success

Christine A. Bouchard was appointed as the Vice President for Student Success in November 2007 after serving as Associate Vice President for six years. She has been at the University at Albany since 1982, holding a variety of positions including Assistant Registrar, Assistant Director of Admissions, Director of Community Relations and Assistant and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. As Vice President for Student Success Bouchard is a strong and active advocate for students. She works closely with all departments within the division to enhance services and promote a quality learning experience for the UAlbany student community. She is a member of the University at Albany Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of the Albany Collegiate Interfaith Center (Chapel House), the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Board (IAAB) and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society.

Bouchard received both her B.A. and M.S. degree in Educational Administration from the University at Albany. She is a recipient of the 2004 Excellence in Professional Service Award and the Chancellor's Award for Excellence.
John Murphy

Associate Vice President for Student Success

John M. Murphy joined the University at Albany as a graduate assistant in 1974. During the past 33 years, he has held several positions in Student Success including Associate Director of Residential Life, Director of Judicial Affairs and Assistant Vice President. He currently provides leadership for the campus student conduct program, Student Involvement and Leadership, including Greek Affairs, the Campus Center and the Disability Resource Center. He is an elected University Senator and serves on several Councils and Committees. He is currently the President of the University Auxiliary Services Board of Directors. He believes successful students are both academically disciplined and socially responsible. Mr. Murphy, a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Services was recognized with the Albany County DWI Community Service Award and the Student Association Outstanding Partnership award in 2005. Mr. Murphy can be reached at (518)956-8140.
Clarence McNeill

Assistant Vice President and Director of the Office of Conflict Resolution & Civic Responsibility

Clarence (or “Clay”) entered the University at Albany as an E.O.P student in 1990. He received his B.A – 95’, M.A – 97’ & C.A.S – 03’ in Education Administration here at the University. Since 1995, he has served in a variety of roles as a member of the Department of Residential Life (from Resident Assistant to Assistant Director). From 2001-2003 he served as Assistant Director of Residential Life/Judicial Affairs and from 2003-2005 he served as the Associate Director of Judicial Affairs.

As Director of Conflict Resolution & Civic Responsibility, Clarence is responsible for implementing a community conscious campus student conduct program. He is supported by 2 Graduate Assistant’s, and a secretary - Ms. Marguerite Hill. If you have any questions regarding the campus judicial system or the code of conduct, please contact him at (518)442-5501.
Cynthia Brady

Assistant to the Vice President

Cynthia Brady joined the University in 1998. She’s held positions in the Division of University Development as Assistant Director of Special Events and Associate Director of Development Events. Ms. Brady began her career in Student Success in 2001 as the Director of Operations for the Office of the Vice President for Student Success. She also served as the university liaison in coordinating the NY Giants Summer Training Camp from 2001 – 2004. In her current position as Assistant to the Vice President, Ms. Brady is responsible for the divisional budget, personnel operations, web site maintenance, student satisfaction, retention and school spirit initiatives. She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, national leadership honor society and Beta Gamma Sigma, international honor society recognizing business excellence.

Ms. Brady received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing management from Siena College and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University at Albany.
Michael N. Christakis, Ph.D.

Assistant to the Vice President

Michael Christakis has been at the University at Albany since 1999, holding several positions in the Department of Residential Life since his arrival. While with Residential Life, Dr. Christakis coordinated programming efforts supporting the first-year experience of resident students, opened the University’s newest housing complex (Empire Commons), and led the Departments mission-review, assessment and learning outcomes efforts before moving to the Office of the Vice President in November 2007.

As Assistant to the Vice President, Dr. Christakis is responsible for the assessment of programs/units across the Division, division-wide planning, and risk management related to areas which impact students. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Christakis is an Instructor of Public Administration and Policy at the University.

Dr. Christakis serves on various boards including the Board of Director of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Board of Trustees of the Omicron Delta Kappa Foundation, Empire State Capital Area Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), Alfred University Alumni Council, and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region II.

Dr. Christakis received his BA from Alfred University, and his MPP and Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at UAlbany.
Linda Watson

Secretary to Vice President Bouchard

Linda Watson has been with the University at Albany for over eight years. As secretary to the Vice President she oversees the operation of the Student Success central office and maintains the Vice President’s schedule. Ms. Watson can be reached at (518)956-8142.

Directors of Student Success

J. Philippe Abraham

Director of Career Services

In 1989 J. Philippe Abraham began his career at UAlbany as a full-time Academic Advisor, eventually becoming Associate Director of ASC/US. Prior to that he pursued and received two degrees and a certificate from UAlbany, a BA in Spanish Education, an MA in Spanish and a certificate in Latin American Studies. Throughout the years, Philippe has consistently worked to assist large numbers of undergraduate students to define and achieve their academic goals and career objectives. The Student Association awarded him a Certificate of appreciation for outstanding service to the students of the University at Albany in 1991. In 1993, Philippe received the Disabled Student Services Achievement Award. His efforts were also recognized in 2001 with both the President’s and the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. As Director of Career Services, he looks forward to continuing his unflagging commitment to helping students make the most of their many opportunities afforded them by the University at Albany. Philippe can be reached at (518)437-4900.
Holly Barker-Flynn

Assistant Director of Residential Life/Parent Liaison

Holly Barker-Flynn has worked for the University at Albany since 1998. She has served the Department of Residential Life in several positions over the years, and most recently has become the University's Parent Liaison. Holly completed her undergraduate work at Elmira College and obtained a Master's Degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta. It was there that she began her career in Student Success as a Residence Hall Director.
Nancy Belowich-Negron

Director of the Disability Resource Center

Nancy received her B.A. in History and M.S. in Education from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York and has served as the Director of Disabled Resource Center at the University at Albany since 1980. She is an active participant in numerous campus organizations including the Faculty Senate, University Commission for Affirmative Action and many women's organizations. Ms. Belowich-Negron can be reached at (518)442-5490.
R. Scott Birge

Director, Campus Center Facilities Management

Scott has a Masters and Ed S. degree in Counseling Psychology from the University at Albany and has been involved in the operations management of the Campus Center for the over 25 years. In that daily management of the campus' main conference and student service center, Birge has been involved with countless events and organizations, including a Presidential visit, 2 movie productions, and 2 dozen Commencements. Scott has served on the regional board of the Association of Colleges & Universities — International and the National Association of Campus Activities. Scott can be reached at (518)442-5490.
Laurie Garafola

Director of Residential Life

Laurie Garafola oversees this department which is responsible for housing over 6000 University at Albany students. Ms. Garafola has a Master's degree in Higher Ed Counseling and has been with the Department of Residential Life since 1985, serving in a variety of positions. Ms. Garafola can be reached at (518)442-5875.
Thomas L. Gebhardt

Director of Personal Safety & Off-Campus Affairs, University Police Department

Tom has worked in the field of off-campus affairs and community relations for twenty two years. He has been Chairperson of the very successful campus-community coalition the “Committee on University & Community Relations” for over seventeen years. This committee has representation form all major colleges in the City of Albany. He works closely with the Albany Police Department, local neighborhood associations, tavern owners, landowners, City of Albany officials and student leaders to improve safety off campus, develop alcohol and other drug prevention and education programs off-campus and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods where college students reside. Tom and the Committee on University & Community Relations have been recognized both locally and nationally by organizations such as Albany’s Neighborhood Resource Center, Neighborhoods USA and the American College Personnel Association. The Committee on University & Community Relations was recently designated as a 2006 “model program” by the U.S. Department of Education Alcohol and other Drug Prevention Models on College Campuses Grant Competition. Mr. Gebhardt can be reached at (518)442-3130.
Michael Jaromin

Director of Student Involvement and Leadership

Michael Jaromin joined the University in 1989 and has served in many roles in Student Success since that time. A dedicated Student Success professional, he was appointed the Director of Student Involvement and Leadership in 1999 and truly enjoys working with the student leaders on campus. The office of Student Involvement and Leadership has responsibility for advisement for the over 200 student organizations and student government, Greek Affairs, management for all student events, and leadership development programs. Mr. Jaromin is a member of the Association of Leadership Educators and has been trained by Project Adventure, Inc. He designed and presented many original workshops for student leaders. He is dedicated to enhancing the extra-curricular program for students through quality advisement, services, programs and leadership development opportunities. Mr. Jaromin received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of the Holy Cross and his Master of Arts degree from the University at Albany. His office is located in the Campus Center, Room 130 and he can be reached at (518)442-5566.
D. Ekow King

Director, Multicultural Student Success

D. Ekow King is a graduate of the University at Albany (BA ’90, MA’95). He has served in a variety of capacities within the Departments of Residential Life and Student Involvement & Leadership at the University at Albany. He is a senior trainer for the National Coalition Building Institute, International (N.C.B.I.) and a member of Men for Relationship Education and Change, (Men REACH). Mr. King is also an adjunct professor in the Liberal Arts and Science Dept. at SUNY Cobleskill, where he teaches Introduction to Africana Studies. He is currently the Director of the newly created Office of Multicultural Student Success.
Estela M. Rivero, Ph.D.

Director, University Counseling Center

Dr. Estela M. Rivero received her doctorate in psychology from the University of Michigan and has over 15 years experience working in university and college counseling centers. With her leadership, the center has developed a seamless array of education, prevention and counseling and consulting services carefully tailored to meet the needs of university students. She can be reached at (518)442-5800.
Mary Schimley

Director of Orientation

Mary Schimley’s career in higher education has focused on working with students and their families at several colleges in the areas of Admissions, Financial Aid, Transfer Services, and currently, in Orientation here at Albany. The past 16 years at Albany have been spent developing programs and services to assist new students and their families to become a part of the campus community prior to beginning classes here. Ms. Schimley can be reached at (518)442-5509.
Peter Vellis, DO

Director of University Health Center

Dr. Vellis comes to UAlbany from Seton Health in Clifton Park, N.Y. Dr. Vellis brings rich clinical and administrative experience to the position. Board Certified in Family Practice with a specialty in Sports Medicine, he has a medical degree from the University of New England's College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a Baccalaureate Degree from Union College. Vellis can be reached at (518)442-5461.
J. Frank Wiley

Chief of the University Police Department

Chief Frank Wiley is a 23-year veteran in law enforcement. He came to the University at Albany from the University at Maryland system. His philosophy for UPD is community policing which emphasizes crime prevention, community education, high visibility, on going communication with the community and a de-emphasis on use of force. Chief Wiley can be reached at (518)442-3130.