Press release:
The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees approved two new academic concentrations in the Fashion Business program on Monday night – E-Commerce and Event Planning.
The new concentrations will permit students to focus their study in the rapidly growing fields of online retailing and retail/business event management. The plan for the new concentrations will now be forwarded to the State University of New York and the New York State Education Department for approval.
An academic concentration is a cluster of courses focusing on a specialized topic. Students pursuing either of the new concentrations will still receive a degree in Fashion Business, but they will participate in extensive coursework in their areas of special interest.
The E-Commerce field is experiencing explosive growth, according to Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael S. Stoll. In the early years of the Internet, only a few retailers sold goods and services online. A lot has changed.
"Virtually all major retailers have an online presence and most small- and mid-sized businesses are discovering they need to sell online in order to build their customer base," Stoll told trustees.
Board Chair Maureen T. Marshall recounted a conversation she had with a senior officer of one of the nation's leading retailers who told her that the company was struggling to improve its online presence and needed qualified employees in the e-commerce area. Students pursing the E-Commerce concentration will be prepared to help manage retail Web sites and online processing centers, and plan and implement online retail campaigns.
The Event Planning concentration focuses on the growing number and variety of business-oriented special events, especially retailing events. Retailers based in traditional stores are discovering they often need to stage special promotions and events to attract customers or introduce new product lines, Stoll said.
These include freestanding events in highly trafficked stores, malls and other public locations. Students completing the concentration will be prepared to implement complex event project plans that can include promotion, logistics, food and beverages, security, and a wide variety of other elements that comprise a successful event. Students will also be prepared to plan and implement activities at trade shows and conventions.
The two new concentrations will not require new faculty or staff, Stoll said. Courses involved in the concentrations, such as Customer Relationship Management, Principles of Event Management, Meeting and Convention Planning, Introduction to Project Management, Computer Graphics, Introduction to Web Development, and Web Publishing are already offered as part of other academic programs at Genesee.
Student Trustee Samantha Macey Vogt said that the new Event Management concentration will enrich the experience of many Fashion Business students involved with the college's April Fashion Show. The show is produced entirely by students, who must plan and arrange for thousands of details, Vogt said. The Genesee Community College Fashion Show has earned a reputation for excellence, and is now one of the largest fashion shows in Western New York, attracting about 1,600 guests annually. This year's show is scheduled for April 27 at the Batavia campus.
The Fashion Business program prepares students for a wide variety of careers in the fashion and retailing fields. Graduates work in the design industry, marketing industry, manage wholesaling and distribution operations, and manage retail stores. The popular program attracts students locally and internationally, President James M. Sunser noted.
In other business, trustees approved continuing (four-year) appointments for 35 faculty and staff members, including 11 first-time continuing appointments.
Receiving their first continuing appointments were learning specialist Susan M. Chiddy, instructor/librarian Michelle A. Eichelberger, and the following instructors: Deborah A. Carrasquillo, Nursing; Amy V. Conley, Accounting; Gary W. Glaser, Biology; Jodi S. Harvey, Teacher Education; Roxanne M. Holthaus, Nursing; Eileen M. Mathis, Psychology and Human Services; Derek D. Maxfield, History; Tonya L. Passamonte, Nursing; and Teresa L. Sukiennicki, Biology.
These faculty and staff members were reappointed:
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James M. Bucki, director, Academic Computer Technology Programs;
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Professors Michael A. Crittenden -- Physics, Donna J. Ehrhart -- Business/Computer Information Systems, Kathleen A. Kimber -- Spanish, Frank L. Mayo -- Speech and Theater, and Jane A. Weston -- Biology;
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Associate professors Michelle D. Abdella -- Mathematics, Elise C. Banfield -- Psychology, Marina A. Cappellino -- Computer Systems and Network Technologies, Cheryl A. Corke -- Accounting, Julie A. Jackson-Coe -- Reading, Patricia J. Kendall-Cargill -- Nursing, Pamela E. Swarts -- Digital Art;
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Assistant professor/librarian Nichola J. Lerczak;
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Academic advisor Mary Jo Dumuhosky;
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Technical specialists Lisa E. Papke -- Office of Financial Assistance, Katie M. Brown -- Office of Financial Assistance, Amy L. Churchfield -- Dansville Campus Center, and Carrie E. Sputore -- Office of Admissions;
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Technical assistants Nina I. Mortellaro -- Human Communications and Behavior, and David W. Sink -- Arcade Campus Center;
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Academic support assistant Judith M. Littlejohn;
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Athletic assistant Ronald L. Spiotta;
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And Student Resource Center associate Jennifer L. Ross.
Trustees also:
• Heard Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Virginia M. Taylor report that the opening of classes Monday went smoothly. She said that some students waited until the last minute to register for classes. "The Records and Advisement offices were swamped today," she said. Taylor noted that the college's 12-week course session will begin Feb. 11, and prospective students who have not registered for the Spring 2013 semester but who still wish to pursue study this semester can register for 12-week session classes now.
• Heard Director of Development and External Affairs Richard G. Ensman Jr. report on the current activities of the Genesee Community College Foundation. He said that current priorities include alumni and community outreach, regional giving, additional student housing services, and growth of Trek the Trail, a springtime fundraising event for friends and alumni. Ensman also said that the foundation hopes to provide support for the college's Facilities Master Plan. "There's a lot of interest and excitement about what this Facilities Master Plan can mean to the college and the community," he said.
• Heard President Sunser report that Jamie L. Chappius has joined the college's staff as technical assistant at the Medina Campus Center. She is a resident of Albion, and most recently served as a graduate assistant at the School of Nursing at the University at Buffalo. She holds B.A. and Ed.M. degrees from the University at Buffalo.
