On This Page
2026 Senate Election — Candidate Profiles
The following candidates have been nominated for a two-year term on the Administrative Faculty Senate. All SUOAF and Management/Confidential employees who are not members of the President’s Cabinet are eligible to vote.
Review the profiles below, then cast your vote during the electronic voting period. Results will be announced ahead of the AFS Annual Meeting on June 15, 2026.
Returning Senators
Omar Abid Incumbent
Omar has served as a Technical Support Analyst in the Computer Science Department at Southern Connecticut State University since 2016. He earned both his B.S. in Computer Science and B.A. in Economics from Southern. In his role, he supports academic and technical operations and collaborates with colleagues across STEM departments on shared initiatives. He values collaboration, problem-solving, and supporting the broader mission of the university. Having been elected and served multiple terms on the Administrative Faculty Senate, Omar has appreciated the opportunity to work with colleagues across campus and contribute to shared governance. Serving on AFS has given him a greater appreciation for the perspectives and concerns of administrators across campus, and he looks forward to continuing to support communication, collaboration, and inclusive decision-making across the university.
Alandre Alexis Incumbent
Alandre Alexis serves as a Student Affairs Case Coordinator, where he oversees the Support & Opportunity Center and is part of the Dean of Students Office team. In this role, he works with students and community members in need of critical resources addressing basic needs, financial hardship, and mental health, while working to remove barriers that impact overall success and persistence. With over six years of experience in higher education, Alandre brings a strong understanding of institutional systems, student development, and cross-functional collaboration. His background in Psychological Science and Specialized Counseling in Higher Education informs his ability to approach challenges through both individual and systemic lenses, aligning student support with broader institutional goals. Alandre is committed to shared governance, equity, and inclusive decision-making. He values the role of the Administrative Faculty Senate in shaping policies and practices that strengthen institutional effectiveness and enhance the campus community. Known for his advocacy and thoughtful perspective, he consistently seeks to elevate underrepresented voices and contribute to meaningful dialogue. Through his work and service, Alandre strives to support transparent communication, collaborative problem-solving, and initiatives that advance access, opportunity, and student-centered success.
Ebonee Brown Incumbent
Ebonee Brown is an experienced higher education administrator and current Associate Registrar for Curriculum Services, with a strong focus on curriculum management, degree auditing, and student success. She brings over a decade of experience in academic operations and is deeply committed to equity and inclusion. Ebonee is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Southern Connecticut State University. She also serves as a part-time lecturer, teaching INQ 101 to first-year students. In addition, Ebonee proudly serves on the Minority Recruitment and Mentoring Committee (MRMC), supporting efforts to increase diversity and foster mentorship across campus.
Phil Bryant Incumbent
Phil Bryant has over 15 years of experience in IT at Southern Connecticut State University, serving in a variety of roles. For the past 12 years, he has led the A/V department, overseeing classroom technology campus-wide and supporting the technology implementation in major projects such as the Science Building and the Health and Human Services Building. Throughout his tenure, he has mentored and supervised numerous student employees, many of whom have gone on to become full-time SCSU SUOAF staff or have built successful careers in the private sector. Phil holds two master’s degrees — one in Education and another in Sports Management — and is currently completing his first semester in a doctoral program in Instructional Leadership. He is committed to supporting the SCSU community and serving as a valuable resource in any way he can.
Marlene Cordero Incumbent
Marlene Cordero is a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 24 years of service with the State of Connecticut, including experience with CSCU, CT State, and 14 years at Southern Connecticut State University. She is a Management/Confidential employee and currently serves as one of the Senior HR Business Partners in the Office of Human Resources. Marlene brings deep expertise in contract interpretation, compensation, performance management, benefits administration, and labor relations, with extensive experience in a unionized public higher education environment. In her role, she serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, supporting strategic workforce needs and organizational effectiveness. Known for her collaborative approach and employee-centered philosophy, Marlene excels at building strong, positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders while promoting fair, consistent, and compliant HR practices.
Amy Feest Incumbent
Amy has been with SCSU since 2023 and with the CSCU system since 1998. She currently oversees the Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning, helping grow Southern’s noncredit professional development division. Amy has been a member of the Administrative Faculty Senate since Fall 2024. She currently holds the role of Treasurer for AFS, sits on both the Sabbatical and the Training & Professional Development Assessment committees, and is a former member of the ACT (Accessibility, Completion, Talent) KPI committee.
Amy Grotzke Incumbent
Amy Grotzke serves as the Assistant Director of External Relations for the School of Business. In this role, she partners with internal and external stakeholders to build meaningful relationships and create programming that supports student development and engagement. She has launched several initiatives, including the School of Business Women’s Leadership Program and the Life Design Academy. Amy advises the School of Business Social Media Committee, School of Business Student Ambassadors, and School of Business Student Advisory Board. She serves on the Administrative Policy Advisory Committee and the University Space Committee, and has served on multiple search committees. She currently represents AFS on the Vice President of Institutional Advancement search. Amy will earn her MBA this spring, and her daughter is a freshman nursing student living on campus. Amy is completely delighted to be attending college alongside her child, and loves the perspective that being both a student and a parent brings to her work.
Ben McNamee Incumbent
Ben McNamee serves as the Coordinator of First-Year Advising and has been an active member of the Administrative Faculty Senate since 2022. During his time on AFS, he has contributed to both the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and the Empowerment and Engagement Committee, gaining a deeper understanding of the structure, priorities, and impact of shared governance at SCSU. Over the past year, Ben has served as Chair of the Empowerment and Engagement Committee, where he has worked collaboratively with colleagues to strengthen community-building opportunities for staff. One of the committee’s key initiatives has been the effort to bring back Bring Your Child to Campus Day, an event that fosters connection, inclusion, and a sense of belonging across the university. Through this work, Ben has focused on listening to feedback, building consensus, and helping move ideas into action. In addition to his committee work, Ben serves as the AFS representative to the University Space Committee, where he contributes to conversations and decisions that impact how campus spaces are used and experienced by the university community. In his role as Coordinator of First-Year Advising, Ben works closely with faculty and staff across a wide range of departments. This cross-campus collaboration has given him a strong understanding of university policies, processes, and the student experience. He regularly navigates complex situations and enjoys finding creative, practical solutions that support both students and colleagues. Ben views his involvement in AFS as both rewarding and informative. He values the opportunity to learn from others, represent the perspectives of administrative faculty, and contribute to meaningful conversations that shape the university. He approaches this work with a collaborative mindset, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to thoughtful problem-solving. If elected, Ben looks forward to continuing to support the work of AFS by fostering open communication, encouraging engagement, and contributing to initiatives that strengthen the campus community.
Patti Moran Incumbent
Patti Moran is a seasoned higher education and student affairs professional with over 18 years of experience in student success, career development, and undergraduate admissions. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of External Relations in the Office of Career & Professional Development at Southern Connecticut State University, where she builds strategic partnerships that connect students with meaningful career opportunities. In addition to her primary role, Patti is a First-Year INQ Instructor, leads an ad hoc Employer Relations Committee, and serves as Chair of the Administrative Faculty Senate’s Training & Professional Development Assessment Committee. She previously served as Subcommittee Chair for Strategic Goal 5: Alumni and Community Engagement on the SGPS Strategic Planning Committee. Patti’s prior roles include Director of Career Programming & Experiential Learning, Interim Executive Director of Career Development, and Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Sacred Heart University. She has also held leadership roles within professional associations, including the Connecticut Career Consortium and the New England Association for College Admission Counseling. She holds an M.Ed. in Higher Education from Penn State University and a B.A. in Sociology from Merrimack College.
Elizabeth (Betsy) Roberts Incumbent
Elizabeth (Betsy) Lewis Roberts is the Associate Dean for STEM in the College of Arts and Sciences. In this role, she provides academic leadership for seven STEM departments and is an intentional and insightful academic administrator. Before transitioning to administration in 2023, Betsy chaired the Biology Department. Betsy has served one year on the Administrative Faculty Senate and is a member of the APAC subcommittee. She also co-chairs the Registration Working Group and is the Academic Affairs UCF alternate. Betsy’s academic expertise is in the field of microbial ecology, with an emphasis on plant-microbe interactions. She has published numerous studies on the impact of epiphytic bacteria and endophytic fungi on plant growth promotion and disease resistance.
Dyan Robinson Incumbent
This year marks Dyan Robinson’s 26th year at Southern Connecticut State University, a journey that includes a variety of roles in both faculty and staff capacities. Each position has provided meaningful opportunities for growth, learning, and service, making her time at SCSU both professionally rewarding and deeply fulfilling. She currently serves as the Associate Director of the First-Year Experience, a role that allows her to give back to an institution that has given so much to her. Throughout her career, Dyan remains committed to advocating for students, colleagues, and the university through purposeful leadership and active engagement. She is actively involved in shared governance, serving on the Undergraduate Curriculum Forum, the University Wide Impact Committee, and as the SUOAF Representative on the Faculty Advisory Committee for the CSCU System. She also serves as a member of the SUOAF Social Committee and as Chair of the Administrative Policy Advisory Committee within the Administrative Faculty Senate. Through these roles, she works collaboratively to promote inclusive decision-making, transparency, and meaningful participation across the university. Dyan firmly believes that shared governance and collaboration are essential to effective leadership, organizational efficiency, and institutional success. By fostering strong, interconnected relationships among colleagues, students, and administration, SCSU can continue to move forward in a thoughtful and unified way.
Robert Yanez Incumbent
Robert Yanez serves the Owl community as Associate Director on the CASAS team. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve as one of the AFS Senators and as a liaison to the Faculty Senate this academic year. He has learned a great deal throughout this year and hopes to continue representing his colleagues while contributing to AFS efforts. As a seasoned professional of color, his personal and professional experiences allow him to bring valuable perspectives and practical approaches that support and empower the organization during these challenging times. If re-elected, Robert is committed to consistently attending AFS monthly meetings and committee sessions, actively participating and raising timely concerns to the Senate, and collaborating with committees and leadership to support initiatives, policies, and projects aligned with the AFS mission.
New Nominees
Jaime Alexander New Nominee
Jaime Alexander is currently the Assistant Director of the Center for Pre-Professional Programs, where she works closely with students, faculty, and campus partners to support academic planning and professional development. With over 21 years at Southern, she has developed a deep understanding of the needs, strengths, and challenges faced by administrative faculty. She values collaboration, clear communication, and creating environments where colleagues feel connected and empowered. Jaime is seeking a role on the Administrative Faculty Senate to help strengthen community, strengthen administrative voices, and contribute to thoughtful, student-centered decision-making.
AJ Bilotta New Nominee
AJ Bilotta has spent over 30 years working in theater and event management, along with time as a Senior Data Analyst for an internet marketing company and as a sessional worker at the LOB before joining SCSU. For the past 15 years, he has been part of the Lyman Center team (now Conferencing & Events), helping run events and supporting a wide range of campus and community groups. Outside of work, he has volunteered with several local organizations, lending his event expertise to groups including Theater 4, Pilobolus, the Connecticut Folk Festival & Green Expo, and APNH.
Ebony Cole New Nominee
Ebony Cole serves as the Associate Director of Financial Aid at Southern Connecticut State University, bringing over twelve years of experience across both the private and public sectors of higher education. As a progressive thinker, she approaches her work with a forward-looking mindset, emphasizing innovative solutions, thoughtful policy alignment, and long-term strategies that strengthen student access, promote equity, and enhance institutional effectiveness. As a proud first-generation college graduate, she is deeply committed to the transformative power of education and passionate about breaking generational cycles through academic achievement. Ebony holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Business Administration from Albertus Magnus College, and a Doctorate from Northcentral University in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her academic training and professional journey continually shape her ability to think critically, lead strategically, and advocate meaningfully for student success.
Joshua Connor New Nominee
Joshua Connor brings over 20 years of experience in web marketing and software engineering. Having recently joined the Integrated Communication and Marketing team at Southern, he blends creativity with analytical thinking and holds an undergraduate degree in Graphic Design as well as a Master’s in Computer Science. His strengths include automating manual tasks, leveraging design to clarify complex information, building trust and collaboration, and using AI to make administrative work more effective and impactful for the campus community. His goal in joining AFS is to foster stronger collaboration with administrative colleagues and deeply understand both the opportunities and challenges they face. By listening to and learning from his peers, he hopes to identify ways to make web platforms more intuitive, accessible, and effective for everyone. As assistant webmaster, Joshua is committed to ensuring that digital experiences truly support the needs of the campus community and believes meaningful improvements come from understanding the real experiences of those being served. Though he has been at Southern for under a year, his focus extends beyond website updates to improving how administrative professionals and stakeholders access and manage information. Joshua also serves on the Accessibility Board at Southern, where he helps ensure public websites and digital documents meet accessibility goals set by the ADA, WCAG, and government guidelines, with expertise in both remediating existing content and creating new, accessible materials.
Tanya Henneghan New Nominee
Tanya M. Henneghan is an experienced technologist and adjunct professor with more than 25 years of experience in IT operations, data, governance, and strategy across higher education, healthcare, government, and industry. She has held senior leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, where she led multi-million-dollar initiatives that delivered cost savings, streamlined operations, and advanced mission-critical innovation. A recognized change agent, Tanya has received multiple honors and awards, including recognition from AnitaB.org, the Connecticut Technology Council, and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), as well as publication in the Society of Women Engineers magazine. Deeply committed to community and service, she is an active member of several professional organizations and is dedicated to mentoring and creating pathways into STEM for youth. Tanya holds advanced degrees in Business Administration and Public Health, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and is certified in AI Strategy.
Carol Jenkins New Nominee
Carol Jenkins first joined the SCSU community 20 years ago as an undergraduate student in the Physics program and went on to earn her Professional Science Master’s (PSM) degree in Applied Physics in 2017. After completing her studies, she served as a part-time Education Outreach Coordinator, then a full-time Program Coordinator within the CSU Center for Nanotechnology, before assuming the role of Associate Director for Post-Award Services within the Department of Sponsored Programs and Research, where she has worked for the last six years. Her experiences have helped give her deep insights into the university’s structures, strengths, and areas for potential growth. Carol takes great pride in working to develop collaborative solutions, enhancing the utilization of existing tools and resources, and continuously improving the ways in which the university successfully serves its mission.
Bernard Macklin New Nominee
Bernard Macklin is a native of Grand Rapids, MI and a first-generation scholar who graduated from Grambling State University with a B.A. in Psychology and a Minor in Spanish, and earned a Master of Theology and a Doctoral Degree in Christian Studies. His professional career began as a Surveillance Officer with the Juvenile Court in Grand Rapids, MI, followed by 13½ years as a Case Manager with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. After a career change, he moved to New Haven, CT in May 2010, where he worked at Cornell Scott Hill Health Center as a Practice Administrator for seven years before joining Southern Connecticut State University. He spent his first four years at SCSU in the College of Health and Human Services, later joining University Access Programs, where he is currently employed as an Assistant Director supporting Owl Flight to Excellence, PACE, and First Generations programs. Bernard has also been actively engaged in extracurricular activities from 1992 to the present as a coach in Junior High and High School Track and Field, Basketball, and Cross-Country, and as a certified official in multiple sports. He serves as the Director of Operations for a third-party delivery company and holds memberships on multiple boards and community initiatives throughout the United States.
Edward Mulvihill New Nominee
Ed Mulvihill brings over 20 years of experience within the CSU system and a deep understanding of faculty governance and advocacy. He served as a union steward for approximately 15 years at Western Connecticut State University and previously served as a member of the Faculty Senate at Eastern Connecticut State University. Ed’s background in both union stewardship and faculty governance gives him a distinctive perspective on shared governance structures and the importance of meaningful administrative representation.
Katie Santacroce New Nominee
Katie Santacroce has over 14 years of experience in higher education, with a background spanning Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, and Student Accounts. She currently serves as Assistant Bursar for Federal Programs at Southern, where she is the primary School Certifying Official (SCO) for Veteran Education benefits, ensuring compliance with federal regulations while supporting students through administrative processes. Prior to joining SCSU in May 2023, Katie began her career at the University of New Haven, advancing through multiple roles before transitioning to graduate recruitment. She later served as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Albertus Magnus College, where she gained experience in transfer admissions, and later joined the Registrar’s Office, evaluating transfer credits while taking on the SCO role. With experience across multiple functional areas and institutions, Katie values student service and cross-campus collaboration.
Cristalyn Vargas New Nominee
Cristalyn Vargas serves as a Student Engagement Specialist in the School of Nursing, where she has dedicated the past four years to providing comprehensive, student-centered support to nursing students. With over 14 years of experience in higher education, eight of which have been at SCSU, she brings a well-rounded background that spans residence life, admissions, and student support services. Her experience across multiple functional areas, at both private and public institutions, positions her to contribute meaningfully to the work of the Administrative Faculty Senate. Cristalyn is a strong advocate for students and approaches her work with intention and thoughtfulness, consistently offering valuable and informed contributions. SCSU has become a home for her and her family, and she is committed to its continued growth and success.