Alumni Updates for 2021

Alumni may submit Class Notes for future publication to alumni@mvcc.edu with "Class Notes" in the subject line. Please include your name, graduation year, and your major, as well as some information about your accomplishments.

1950s

Elaine Jessup Owen ’58 has been a retail merchandiser for Hallmark over 16 years after retiring from the University of South Florida. Elaine has three adult children, four granddaughters, two great-granddaughters, and one great-grandson. “I still have great memories of MVTI/MVCC — some of the best years of my life.”

1970s

David Mathis ’70, MVCC Trustee, Immediate Past Chair of the Association of Community College Trustees, and current ACCT Board of Directors Executive Committee Chair, presided over the first all-virtual Community College National Legislative Summit of the ACCT and personally introduced Dr. Jill Biden as a speaker.

Clifford Costello ’75 is still working with no retirement plans in sight. He is a software development and cybersecurity project manager, working at General Dynamics Information Technology (division of General Dynamics) in Albany, N.Y., supporting the New York State Medicaid systems. He spent 26 years with CSC as a business architect and project and program management consultant, traveling and living all around the country, enjoying life, playing with his collector cars and boating on Lake George. “Life is good, and MVCC was the best thing ever for me in terms of education.”

1980s

Darlene Mack-Brown ’88, MVCC Alumni Association Vice President, has been named the new community engagement director at Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc. Mack-Brown has been active with the anti-poverty agency for many years, serving as the board chair from 2010-13.

1990s

Dr. Shannon Babbie ’93 has been appointed superintendent of schools at Morris Central School. His new role began on July 1, 2021.

2000s

Officer Jimmy Dongsavanh ’07, Criminal Justice, was featured earlier this year in the Utica Observer-Dispatch as a member of the City’s Community Outreach Team. The Police Department’s Outreach Team is dedicated to fostering community relations and understanding. This role, he states, is built on cooperation, trust, and forming relationships.

2010s

Don Simpson ’13 shares messages of hope and faith in his first book, “Show and Tell; Sharing Christ Always and Everywhere.”

David Clayton ’14 has been selected as the new head coach for the Fulton-Montgomery Community College men’s and women’s soccer programs.

Inesha Briggs ’19 was recruited to the position of community, equity, and inclusion engagement coordinator for the HomeOwnership Center - UNHS. In this position, Briggs will be responsible for providing leadership in the creation, development, and performance of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the communities that HOC serves.

Victoria Ogrodnik ’19 has been hired by Masonic Medical Research Institute as a new accounts payable specialist.

2020s

Justin Medina ’20 is working full-time as a function test specialist for Kawasaki Rail Car after successfully completing MVCC’s Electrical Service Technician degree program.

Danni Thorn ’21, Nursing, has been hired by Nascentia Health in Syracuse as an RN case manager, providing in-home skilled nursing care for clients throughout Central New York. Thorn also holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Ashford University and is an Army veteran actively involved with the VFW auxiliary, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the American Legion. She previously worked as a home health aide with Nascentia for more than four years.

Caitlin Andrejova ’20, ’21, Holland Patent, received an honorable mention in the SUNY Exhibition Series this past June for her digital painting, “Man with Earring.” Andrejova earned an associate degree in Fine Arts in December 2020 and another associate degree in Graphic Communication: Illustration in May 2021 both from MVCC.