GCC

The #4 Genesee Community College men's lacrosse team traveled to #3 Nassau Community College on Long Island on Saturday afternoon, and defeated last year's national runner up, 9-6.

Blake Hurt got Genesee on the board just one minute into the game and the Cougars never looked back. Genesee held a 5-0 lead that included goals from Christian Reiller and Marcus Palvino before Nassau got on the board. GCC had a 5-2 lead at the half.

Chris Rabung scored a man up goal five minutes into the second half to extend the Cougars lead and Saxon Weil followed with two goals of his own. Jonathan Gill helped put the game away with a goal with one minute remaining.

Brady Lawrence made 24 saves in net for Genesee and the Cougars defense killed eight of nine penalties.

Pete DiLaura led the team with seven takeaways and added four ground balls. Bobby Wheeler, Jordan McElligott and Johnny Astrologo combined for 14 takeaways and 14 ground balls.

Weil led the team in scoring with two goals and two assists, Reiller added two assists to his goal and Palvino, Hurt, Rabung and Tyler Skrownski all had a goal and an assist.

The Cougars improve to 4-0 on the season and will play SUNY Delhi at Cortland State on Wednesday night at 8pm.

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees received a proposed College strategic plan for the 2013-2018 period on Monday. The plan, if approved by trustees, will commit the College to six strategic priorities: Student readiness and access; student success and completion; economic development and impact; faculty and staff success; college culture of collaboration and excellence; and sustainability.

In addition to the broad strategic priorities, the proposed plan includes a variety of outcomes the College would like to achieve in the five-year period beginning Sept. 1.

Executive Vice President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness William T. Emm told trustees that the strategic plan would be used as the basis for annual College work plans.

"This is intended as a 'living plan'," he said. "Every year, circumstances change, so each year we will develop an annual plan of achievements and implement a 360-degree evaluation process to help assess what we do each year."

Rigorous higher education accreditation standards mean that strategic planning and assessment are more important than ever, said President James M. Sunser. "This strategic plan is a 50,000-foot guiding document," he said. "It will demonstrate to accrediting bodies that we are using data to inform our planning and decisions, to assess, and then to continuously improve."

The Board of Trustees is slated to discuss and consider adoption of the plan at its April meeting.

The proposed strategic plan is the result of the efforts of a 25-member steering committee which examined College programs and activities, as well as emerging student and community needs. Implementation will be a college-wide effort, Emm said.

In other business, the Board of Trustees:

•    Heard President Sunser report that the State University of New York and New York State Education Department have approved the College's new Supply Chain Management academic concentration.

•    Heard Trustee Diane D. Torcello, Chair of the Board's Finance Committee, report that the Committee had reviewed the College's financial statements through February 28. Torcello reported that actual expenses are holding to budget estimates, and that staff members are doing a "very good job" managing expenses.

•    Heard Sunser report that Kathleen Schieffen, Ph.D., will join the College as Provost/Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs July 1. Schieffen currently serves as dean of Academic Services at Monroe Community College's Damon City Campus. She has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, including service as an administrator and instructor at Monroe Community College and Pima Community College District in Arizona. She holds an A.A.S. degree from Trocaire College; a B.S. degree from Roberts Wesleyan College; a M.S. degree from The University at Buffalo; and a Ph.D. from Capella University.

•    Heard Sunser report that Reid Smalley will join the College's staff as executive director of Workforce Development at The BEST Center on April 15. He comes to Genesee with more than 30 years of experience in higher education, with extensive involvement providing services to business and industry. He currently serves as dean of Workforce Development at Middlesex Community College in Connecticut. He holds a B.S. degree from Michigan State University and a M.Ed. degree from Pennsylvania State University.

•    Heard Sunser report that Sammy Naji joined the College's staff February 25 as academic advisor. Naji was a member of the advisement staff at Buffalo State College, and has experience in the banking industry. He holds a B.S. degree from The University at Buffalo and a M.S. degree from Buffalo State College.

•    Heard Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Virginia M. Taylor report that 80 students enrolled for "Winterim" courses this academic year, up from 30 students last year. Winterim is a "mini-term" between the fall and spring semester. Students may complete courses over an intensive three-week period during Winterim. Taylor noted the students had excellent academic outcomes.

•    Heard Taylor report that prospective students may still register for eight-week courses, which begin March 18.

•    Heard Taylor report that the College is gearing up for the Genesee Promise Plus program this summer. Under this program, juniors and graduating seniors in area high schools receive a full scholarship for up to two summer courses at GCC. Credits earned during the summer may be used toward degrees from Genesee Community College or other colleges and universities across the nation.

Press release:

For the fourth consecutive year, volunteers at Genesee Community College are once again providing free income tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2012 tax season. Those interested may access walk-in sessions at GCC's Batavia Campus or appointment-based services at Genesee County Department of Social Services (GCDSS).

These are the next walk-in sessions scheduled at the GCC Batavia campus, all in room T204:

•    Thursday, March 21 from 4 to 7 p.m.

•    Thursday, April 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The appointment-based services are available through April 9th at the Genesee County DSS at 5130 E. Main St., Batavia. To make an appointment, call 344-2580, ext. 6552.

Through VITA, IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to community members with household income up to $51,000. Business tax returns or complicated capital gains transactions cannot be completed through the VITA program. VITA offers free electronic filing of returns, but each client also receives a copy of his or her return that has been prepared.

"Genesee Community College is once again pleased to offer this service to our local residents. Our certified volunteers consist of faculty and staff, as well as current and former students," Cheryl Corke, GCC associate professor of accounting and business and VITA program director said. "Last year we prepared 176 Federal and NYS income tax returns. Through this effort, our clients received $214,000 in Federal Income Tax Refunds, including $48,000 in earned income tax credits, $15,000 in child tax credits and $17,500 in education tax credits."

Corke advises participants to bring all necessary documents including W-2 (wage and earning statement(s) from employer(s), W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc (interest and dividend statements from banks) forms and 1098-T (tuition statement) forms; social security cards for all persons listed on the tax return.

A copy of last year's Federal and State returns, if available, is suggested. In addition, bank account routing numbers and account numbers are also needed for direct deposit. Photo identification is required this year. Other information participants may need to provide includes total annual payment for daycare providers plus the daycare provider's tax identifying numbers and address. Lastly, for married-filing joint tax returns both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

Coming off of their second-straight trip to the NJCAA National Final Four in 2012, the #5 Genesee Community College men's lacrosse team opened up their 2013 season with a 23-2 victory over visiting Herkimer County Community College on Wednesday night.

Christian Reiller recorded an early hat trick, scoring the first three goals of the game for GCC to put the Cougars in front 3-0 just three-minutes in. Charlie Evans and Marcus Palvino rounded out the scoring in the first quarter to extend the Genesee to 5-0 after one.

(Mike Breindel (#2 white) fights for the opening face off on Wednesday night for GCC)

GCC pushed their lead to 9-0 before Herkimer finally broke through at the 7:33 mark of the second quarter. Reiller added his fourth goal of the game before the Generals notched their second goal just before halftime. Genesee led 10-2 at the break.

In the second half, it was all GCC as the Cougars outscored Herkimer 13-0. Jon Gill scored twice in the final two quarters to record a hat trick in the game. Nick Gray and Stephen Turkasz each added two second half goals.

Jordon McElligott led the defense with seven takeaways and seven ground balls on the night. Johnny Astrologo, Bobby Wheeler and Peter DiLaura combined for four more takeaways and 10 ground balls on defense.

Tom Owen had a solid night at defensive-midfield with four takeaways, four ground balls and an assist.

In net, Brady Lawrence played three quarters for the Cougars and allowed just two goals while making three saves. Craig Seneca and Mark Pucek split the final quarter and did not allow a goal while combining for five saves.

Reiller ended the night with 12 total points, tallying four goals and eight assists. Saxon Weil chipped in two goals and an assist.

In total, 16 Cougars recorded a point on Wednesday night.

Mike Breindel was 12 of 17 on face offs and Charlie Evans was 4 of 7 in the game.

Genesee improves to 1-0 on the year and will host Monroe Community College on Saturday (time TBA).

Press release:

Genesee Community College invites visual artists to submit their work for possible exhibition at GCC's Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery located in the Genesee Center for the Arts on GCC's Batavia campus. This call for work is open to individual artists and group exhibitions in all media interested for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The Steiner Gallery's mission is to foster community involvement in the arts while enhancing the learning experience for all GCC students, faculty and staff. Proposals are selected by the GCC Gallery Committee, which seeks out exhibitions rich in content and quality craftsmanship.

According to Gallery Manager Shirley Verrico, "Our gallery attracts both artists and visitors from throughout Western New York. We are currently averaging about 300 visitors each month. Our committee is always looking for artists that can contribute meaningfully to the education of our students while participating in the larger discourse of the contemporary art world."

The Roz Steiner Gallery opened in Spring 2011 and offers 1,700 square feet of outstanding exhibit space featuring 25-foot walls, moveable island walls, bamboo flooring, and multimedia capabilities. See more at the Gallery's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/gccgallery.

Artists interested in submitting their work can do so via the submission process available on the Gallery Web site at http://www.genesee.edu/campuslife/arts/gallery/submissions.cfm. The deadline for consideration for the coming academic year is May 1.

Press release:

Genesee Community College will host a Job Fair dedicated to careers in the health career industry from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, at the College's centrally located William Stuart Forum.

The event is designed to introduce potential new employees to employers, and also provides health care businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community. More than 25 local and regional health care companies and four-year colleges will be available to answer questions, accept resumes and distribute material relating to their company / college. Nursing, Physical Therapy Assistants and Respiratory Care, Polysomnographic Technology, Veterinary Technician, and Fitness and Recreation Management businesses will all be represented.

As of Feb. 26, the following employer representatives will be available to distribute career information and other printed materials, answer questions, and receive resumes (this list is subject to change):

Catholic Health System, Buffalo
Companion Care of Rochester
Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo
Fidelis Care, Getzville
Finger Lakes DDSO – Nursing, Rochester
Finger Lakes DDSO – Phys. Therapy, Rochester
Genesee County Health Department, Batavia
HCR Home Care, Rochester
Highland Hospital, Rochester
HomeCare & Hospice, Olean
Lifetime Assistance, Rochester
Lifetime Care, Rochester
Monroe Community Hospital, Rochester
NYS Veterans Home at Batavia
Olean General Hospital / Bradford Regional Medical Center
Orleans Community Health, Medina
Precision Scribes, Las Cruces, NM
Rehab Resources & Little Lukes, Oswego
Rochester General Hospital, Rochester
Unity Health System, Rochester
University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital - Physical Therapy Dept
WNY DDSO at West Seneca, Hamburg

The following four-year colleges will be available to discuss their RN to BSN programs (this list is subject to change):

Daemen College, Amherst
Grand Canyon University, Phoenix
Keuka College – Accelerated Studies for Adults Program, Keuka
Niagara University – Department of Nursing, Niagara University
Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester
St. John Fisher College – Wegmans, School of Nursing, Rochester
SUNY Delhi School of Nursing, Delhi
The College at Brockport – Army ROTC, Brockport
The College Network, Indianapolis
Trocaire College, Buffalo
University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester

"With the increasing need for qualified health care professionals, this Health Careers Job Fair gives students and employers a great opportunity to connect," said John McGowan, Career Services Center coordinator.

The job fair is FREE and open to the general public. For a current listing of registered employers / schools, please visit the Career Services Web page at www.genesee.edu.career/events. Employers interested in attending the fair should contact the Career Services office at 585-345-6888 to register for this event.

Press release:

It's not too late to take a class this spring at Genesee Community College. There are a variety of "late start" courses to choose from and many are offered online through GCC's eLearning program. Some are even offered on Sundays, beginning March 17.

The spring eight-week session boasts nearly 60 course offerings that include a number of introductory sports classes, public speaking, children's literature, even a class about the History of Rock and Roll. For a list of all the course options visit www.genesee.edu/Options.

"Many times students need to pick up three more credit hours for graduation, or at the other end of the spectrum – new students may not have been ready to start their coursework in early January," Tanya Lane-Martin, assistant dean for Enrollment and director of Admissions said. "The eight-week session is another opportunity for students to access to higher education on their own schedule."

Genesee Community College also has several spring Open Houses planned for new students of all ages to think ahead for enrollment in the summer and fall semesters. All campus locations will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, March 6 and March 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. Register online at www.genesee.edu/openhouse, call the Admissions office at 585-345-6800, or stop by any campus location:

•    Albion, 456 West Avenue / 585-589-4936

•    Arcade, 25 Edward Street / 585-492-5265

•    Batavia, One College Road / 585-345-6800

•    Dansville, 31Clara Barton Street / 585-335-7820

•    Lima, 7285 Gale Road / 585-582-1226

•    Medina, 11470 Maple Ridge Road / 585-798-1688

•    Warsaw, 115 Linwood Avenue / 585-786-3010

For the second consecutive year, the Genesee Community College men’s basketball season came to an end at the hands of Mercyhurst North East. Last season, the Saints eliminated the Cougars in the semi-finals of the Region III playoffs. This year, Mercyhurst held serve at home on Tuesday night in the #4/#5 match up of the opening round.

The two teams split the regular season series this year with both teams winning a game at home.

Mercyhurst, the no. 4 seed, shot better than 54% in the opening half on Tuesday night including eight 3-point baskets. The Saints erased an early 5-0 GCC lead, and after not scoring a basket during the first three minutes of the game, connected on three quick baskets from long-range to take the lead for good.

The #5 Cougars found themselves behind by ten, 37-27 with under five minutes remaining in the opening period and gave up a 15-9 run during the final four minutes of the half to fall behind 52-36 at the break.

GCC clawed back early in the second half and cut the Saints lead down to single digits just four minutes in. Stanley Peacock got the Cougars to within nine with a layup and after a made Mercyhurst basket, GCC converted on three straight free throws to close the gap to eight.

Mercyhurst responded and went on a 7-0 run in a span of just over a minute to extend their lead back to double-digits. The Saints grew their lead back up to as much as 16 with 12 minutes remaining, but the Cougars still had fight left in them.

Maurice Bailey connected on back-to-back three point baskets and E.J. Blackwell added a three of his own to get Genesee to within 11. Trailing 77-67 with under ten minutes to play, Donte Meredith got the Cougars back to within eight with a layup.

GCC cut the Mercyhurst lead to four just two minutes later before Terryl Coombs converted a layup to bring the Cougars all the way back to within two with 3:30 left to play. The Saints answered, and regained a lead as high as six with two minutes left in the game.

Genesee put together a quick 6-2 run to get back to within two at 92-90 with one minute remaining. Forced to put the Saints at the free throw line, Genesee was able to inch to within one at 95-94 when Vaughn Boler scored after Mercyhurst hit one of two free throws. The Saints converted on two free throws with less than ten seconds to play and trailing by three, the Cougars were unable to get off a final shot and a chance at the tie, falling to Mercyhurst, 97-94.

The Cougars out-rebounded the Saints 52-33 on the night, but Mercyhurst shot better than 55% from the field in the game.

Boler led the way for Genesee with 24 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds. Blackwell added 19 points, Coombs finished with 12 points and 11 boards, Bailey chipped in 16 points and Peacock collected six rebounds.

Genesee finishes the season with a 15-16 overall mark and will bid farewell to sophomores Donte Meredith and Terryl Coombs.

The Genesee Community College men’s basketball team dropped their regular season finale on Saturday afternoon, 87-69 to Erie Community College.

The Cougars found themselves behind early after Erie started the afternoon on a 21-8 run and had a 31-14 lead 15-minutes in. Donte Meredith closed the gap after a three-point basket and a traditional three-point play later in the half to get GCC to within 13 at 33-20 with four minutes left in the opening period. The Cougars trailed 39-24 at the break.

(#11 Vaughn Boler scores two of his team-high 19 points against Erie CC on Saturday afternoon)

The Kats upped their lead to 17 early in the second half before the Cougars clawed back. With 14 minutes remaining in the game, E.J. Blackwell got Genesee to within ten with a layup, and then Vaughn Boler converted a free throw after a basket to trim the Erie lead to 49-42.

Seven points was as close as GCC would get, as the Kats ended the afternoon on a 30-19 run.

Boler scored a team-high 19 points and Maurice Bailey added 18 points. Terryl Coombs grabbed 11 rebounds and Blackwell dished out nine assists.

The Cougars end the regular season with a 15-15 overall record and a 6-8 record in conference play. They will move on to the Region III tournament next week, which begins on Tuesday night.

The Genesee Community College women’s basketball team ended their regular season with a loss to Erie Community College on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Lady Kats 75-43.

Paige Hennings gave Genesee an early 4-2 lead with her first of two 3pt baskets of the half, but Erie responded with a 10-2 run to take the lead for good. The Lady Cougars went through a seven-minute scoring drought at the midway point of the opening period and trailed 38-16 at the break.

Erie’s lead ballooned to as many as 32 points in the second half after a 16-7 start to the final twenty-minutes and stayed there for the end result.

Dashawna Jenifer led the way for GCC with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Hennings ended the afternoon with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Genesee end the regular season with a 1-23 overall record. They will head to the Region III playoffs next week.

Maurice Bailey scored a team-high 17 points and Stanley Peacock delivered seven points and nine rebounds in the second half to help the Genesee Community College men’s basketball team overcome an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat Alfred State College on the road on Thursday night, 75-73.

Genesee grabbed an early 7-1 lead in the first half but saw it quickly slip away as the home team responded. The Pioneers cashed in nine first half 3pt baskets and had as much as an 18 point lead during the first twenty-minutes. GCC was able to cut the Alfred State lead down to 11 at the half, and trailed 41-30 at the intermission.

(Terryl Coombs (blue) jumps for the opening tip-off on Thursday night at Alfred State)

The Cougars stepped up defensively to begin the second half and got back to within three after a 10-2 run to start the final period. Donte Meredith helped spark the run, scoring six of the first eight GCC points. Alfred State would increase their lead to as many as nine with 11:30 to play, but Genesee kept battling and fought back behind Bailey and Peacock. Peacock converted on two three-point plays and a 3pt basket from both Bailey and E.J. Blackwell got the Cougars to within one at 58-57. Bailey then gave GCC their first lead since the early going with a layup after the Cougars came up with a defensive stop. After a Pioneer 3pt basket, Bailey answered with a three of his own to put Genesee in front, 62-61.

Trailing 66-64 with under seven-minutes to play, Bailey again came up big for GCC with his fourth 3pt basket of the night to regain the lead for Genesee. The Pioneers continued to answer, and took a 71-69 lead with five-minutes left. After tying the game at 71 with a layup, Joe Gray gave Genesee their largest second half lead with a 3pt basket of his own to put the Cougars in front 74-71. Alfred state scored the final field goal of the game with 2:20 remaining to get to within one at 74-73, and both teams produced defensive stops throughout the final minutes to keep the game close.

Still trailing 74-73, Alfred State had possession of the ball with less than ten-seconds to play. The Pioneers were unable to score, but did draw a foul and went to the free throw line for two shots. They were unsuccessful on both attempts and Terryl Coombs boarded the final miss with under a second to play. He was fouled and made one-of-two free throws, and the Cougars escaped with the two-point win.

Peacock finished with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Blackwell added 15 points and seven assists, Vaughn Boler chipped in 12 points and Meredith and Gray each finished with nine points.

The Cougars improve to 6-7 in conference play and are now 15-14 overall. They will end the regular season on Saturday afternoon when they host Erie Community College for a 3pm start.



The Genesee Community College women’s basketball team was unable to get past Alfred State College on Thursday night, falling on the road to the Lady Pioneers, 73-44.

Dashawna Jenifer again delivered a double-double for Genesee, posting 13 points and 11 rebounds. Dominique Davis scored a team-high 14 points on the night, which included four 3pt baskets.

Alfred State led the entire night and out-rebounded Genesee, 72-48. Genesee shot just 21% on the night and committed 16 turnovers.

The Lady Cougars fall to 0-11 in Western New York Athletic Conference play and are 1-22 on the year. They will conclude the regular season at home on Saturday afternoon when they host Erie Community College for a 1pm tip.

(Becky James (yellow) drives by an Alfred State defender)

Two straight conference wins have the Genesee Community College men’s basketball team in the hunt to host a Region III playoff game when the first round rolls around in a couple of weeks, but the Cougars hit a stumbling block on Thursday night, losing to visiting Niagara County Community College, 73-71.

Niagara grabbed an early first half lead but the Cougars put together a 12-0 run halfway through the opening period to take a 30-19 advantage. The Thunderwolves responded with three straight 3pt baskets and got back to within four later in the half. Genesee took a 36-31 lead into the break.

GCC opened up a double-digit lead early in the second half, but with ten minutes to play, NCCC regained the lead after getting hot from three-point range. Both teams went toe-to-toe during the final few minutes but Niagara took a five point, 73-68 lead with a minute to go. GCC had a chance to capitalize on two missed one-and-one NCCC free throws, but were only able to cash in a 3pt basket from Malik Brown with under a second to play. The Thunderwolves were able to run out the clock and held on for the victory.

(#2 E.J. Blackwell goes to the basket against Niagara defenders on Thursday night)

Vaughn Boler led the way for Genesee with 18 points and nine rebounds. E.J. Blackwell finished with 14 points and 13 assists, Donte Meredith added 13 points and Joe Gray chipped in 10 points.

The Cougars fall to 14-14 on the season and 5-7 in conference play. They will travel to Alfred State College next Thursday night for a 7:30pm start.



The Genesee Community College women’s basketball team fell to Niagara County Community College for the second time this season on Thursday night, by a final score of 65-37.

GCC lost at Niagara in January and fell to the visitors on Thursday night to drop their overall season record to 1-21.

Becky James helped an otherwise slow start for the Lady Cougars, scoring nine of GCC‘s 17 first half points.

Trailing by nine after the half, Genesee gave up a 20-3 run to start the final twenty-minutes and could not find a way back into the game.

James scored a game-high 13 points, Dashawna Jenifer added 10 points and 14 rebounds and Nanase Akagami chipped in 10 points.

Genesee is now 0-10 in conference play and will travel to Alfred State next Thursday for a 5:30pm start.

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Multicultural Communications Club, a Toastmasters International Club, is generating a lot of buzz for its significant accomplishments. Five members of the mostly student group have received Toastmasters International certification in communication and four of those five earned leadership certification as well.

Earning the communication certification is no small feat. Members must give 10 presentations from the Toastmasters International Competent Communication Manual. Each one focuses on a specific area. Among them:

*    Introducing oneself

*    Getting to the point

*    Organizing a speech

*    Using body language

*    Using visual aids

*    Giving a persuasive speech

*    Giving an inspirational speech

In addition, the Leadership Certification involves 10 projects completed at meetings. Members may act as Toastmaster, timer, grammarian or may bring someone new to the club. Serving in different club roles gives them practical leadership experience in using people skills, being decisive and authentic, and moving the club forward.

"Earning the certifications takes a high level of commitment from both the students and the faculty advisors," said Club Co-advisor Jacqueline Di Bella, adjunct professor of Humanities at GCC. "The students we have are so motivated and committed to the discipline of communication and leadership. We are happy to support their efforts."

Di Bella also serves as the club's vice president of education.

The Toastmasters Club started in March 2011 and currently has 22 members. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit education organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. At meetings, members act as evaluators, offering feedback on speeches to help other members improve.

"It's known as the 'feedback sandwich'," Di Bella said. "First you praise, then you recommend how the speaker can improve and you finish with praise. It's a very supportive environment that generates great results."

"To have these students achieve this designation so early in their academic and professional lives is amazing," Di Bella said. "It will open many doors for them in the future."

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).

A hot start to Thursday night's game against visiting Mercyhurst North East had the Genesee Community College men's basketball team out to a 26-9 lead early in the first half of a big, late-season Western New York Athletic Conference clash.

Terryl Coombs scored six of Genesee's first nine points during the fast start and the Cougars were on their way to avenging a January 26th loss at Mercyhurst. The Saints responded, however, and went on a 14-0 run of their own to inch back to within three with four minutes to play in the opening period. GCC held a 32-29 lead at the half.

In the second half, the Saints continued to battle and took a 45-44 lead, six minutes in. Both teams exchanged small runs and with six minutes left, the Cougars held a 60-59 advantage. The next five offensive possessions helped GCC to earn their fifth conference victory of the season, as the Cougars scored 15 points in those five possessions, including two Donte Meredith three-point baskets, a traditional three-point play from Vaughn Boler and E.J. Blackwell and a three-point basket from Joe Gray.

Up 74-64 with three minutes left, Genesee did allow Mercyhurst to get back to within three at 74-71 with under a minute to play, but the Cougars went a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line during the final seconds and held on for an 80-73 win.

Boler and Meredith each scored a game high 23 points. Meredith hit five 3pt baskets on the night. Boler also grabbed 14 rebounds. Coombs finished with 11 rebounds and six points, Gray added 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and Blackwell chipped in 15 points.

The win improves Genesee to 5-6 in conference play and 14-13 overall on the year. They will host Niagara County Community College on Thursday night for an 8pm start.

The Genesee Community College women’s basketball team dropped a Western New York Athletic Conference match up against Mercyhurst North East on Tuesday night, 66-48.

The Lady Cougars began the night on a 6-4 run to grab an early lead just three minutes into the contest. They then went through a nearly eight-minute scoreless drought, where Mercyhurst North East took advantage and went on a 13-0 run to take a 17-6 lead.

Genesee would fight back later in the half and cut into the Lady Saints lead after Becky James scored three straight baskets. Trailing by five, Dominique Davis inched GCC closer with a top of the key three-pointer, and Nanase Akagami tied the game after a defensive stop with a layup, completing a 9-0 run for Genesee and tying the game at 24-24.

Mercyhurst responded and went on a 6-0 run to take a 30-24 lead into halftime.

After the break, Davis hit her second of three, three-point basket on the night to get GCC to within three at 32-29. That was as close as the Lady Cougars would get the rest of the night, as Mercyhurst went on a mid-half run of 22-5 to put the game out of reach.

Davis finished the night with a team high 15 points, James added nine points, Paige Hennings and Sarah Scarborough each chipped in eight points and Dashawna Jenifer grabbed 10 rebounds.

Genesee falls to 1-20 on the year and 0-9 in conference play. They will host Niagara County Community College on Thursday night at 6pm.

After a slow start on Saturday afternoon, the Genesee Community College men's basketball team bounced back from Thursday night's loss to pick up a win over Jamestown Community College-Olean, 87-71.

The Jaguars started the afternoon on an 8-0 run to grab the lead. Genesee responded with a 14-3 run to take the lead, a lead they would hold on to for the rest of the game. The Cougars only committed one turnover in the first twenty-minutes and led 34-28 at the break.

Donte Meredith hit an early second half three-point basket for GCC to increase their lead to nine. The Cougars led by 15 with just over 13 minutes to play, but saw their lead dip to just seven with seven minutes remaining.

After a timeout, Genesee went on a 15-2 run in a three-minute span to take control of the game and earned their fourth Western New York Athletic Conference victory of the season.

(Joe Gray (white) skies for a dunk in the first half of GCC’s win over Jamestown CC-Olean on Saturday afternoon)

Vaughn Boler finished the afternoon with a team-high 22 points and also collected eight rebounds. E.J. Blackwell added 19 points and five assists, Denzel Thomas and Terryl Coombs each chipped in ten points and Coombs also added eight points. Maurice Bailey scored eight points and Meredith finished with seven points.

Genesee improves to 13-13 on the season and 4-6 in conference play. They will host Mercyhurst North East on Tuesday night at 8pm.