Press release:
Genesee Community College is pleased to announce Kirsten Tedesco has been named February 2013 Employee of the Month. Kirsten is a Business Training specialist in The BEST (Business and Employee Skills Training) Center, managing grant-funded training programs and ensuring client expectations are met.
Her job involves everything from scheduling to invoicing and lots of trouble-shooting in between – prompting her to describe her position as "professional juggler." She manages a heavy workload with organization, a positive attitude, and an ever-present smile. She also serves on GCC's Diversity and Creativity Committees.
Tedesco joined GCC two and a half years ago with a wide range of experience. She's been a financial consultant, a legal assistant and a teacher. She earned her business degree from SUNY Empire State College and an MBA from New York Institute of Technology.
There are many things she enjoys about her position at GCC, mostly the team she works with at The BEST Center, which she says provides "non-stop support and encouragement." She also notes, "GCC encourages employees to serve together on committees, making them a part of a larger group beyond their normal team. I love working in an environment that matches my passion for providing workforce development and training services to adult learners."
A resident of Amherst, Tedesco is passionate about her family outside of work. She is engaged to David Regan, has two daughters and two future stepdaughters who she enjoys spending as much time with as possible.
Genesee Community College is also pleased to announce Samantha Callisher has been named the February 2013 Student of the Month. Samantha, 20, is the daughter of Arthur and Pamela Callisher and sister to Jessica. She hails from Batavia and graduated from Batavia High School in 2011.
Callisher is studying Fashion Merchandising Management. A recipient of the President's Scholarship, she chose GCC because of its fashion program. Once she completes her studies here, she plans to go on to a university fashion program and eventually earn a master's degree in business. Her ultimate career goal is to become a fashion buyer for a successful retailer.
She can't say enough about what she's learning at GCC. "[Professor Rick] Dudkowski...has given me so many great opportunities and I have gained many lifelong connections from him that are going to make me into that successful buyer."
Currently, Callisher has a mentorship with NYC merchandiser Maria Pesin and is active on campus in Phi Theta Kappa and the DECA Club. She also gives back to her community by volunteering at Jackson Elementary School, the Batavia Nursing Home, and GCASA (Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse).
