Campus Life & Student Affairs

Welcome to Campus Life

On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, it is our pleasure to welcome you. The Division is committed to helping our students achieve success both in and outside the classroom. We also take great pride in the programs, opportunities and services we provide.

Vision

The Division of Student Affairs fosters an academic environment that promotes the holistic growth and development of students.

Mission

The goal of Student Affairs is to promote and enhance a safe, healthy and welcoming environment for all students by encouraging community engagement, celebrating diversity and embracing the campus region.

Core Values

  • Student Engagement
  • Student Experience
  • Building Community
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Contact Us »

Division Head:
Courtney Bringley
Dean of Students
cbringley@paulsmiths.edu
(518) 327-6059

Location & Mailing:
7777 NY-30
Joan Weill Adirondack Library 205
Paul Smiths, NY 12970

Quick Reference:
Calendar & Events
Community Guide

The Apollos

An Evening Climb: Chapel Pond Slab

A week ago, my friend Sam asked me if I wanted to go out climbing soon and reluctantly I said yes. We made a plan and shook on it…»

A Community of C.A.R.E.

Sexual misconduct has become a national conversation, particularly regarding college campuses…»

A Quick Chat on Ethical Hunting

The leaves have turned in the North Country, which means that hunting season is open for business…»

The Apollos

Voices and views from the Paul Smith’s College community

Meet the Team

Jim Tucker
Athletic Director
(518) 327-6286
jtucker@paulsmiths.edu

Jim Tucker, known as the “Dean of Fun,” grew up on his family’s potato farm in nearby Gabriels. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in US History from SUNY Potsdam and Master’s in counseling from Virginia Tech. Jim has implanted a myriad of outdoors programs, developed the college’s marathon canoe team, and plays a very active role in snowshoe racing by serving as president of the Empire State Snowshoe Racing Association and helping Paul Smith’s Striders team to earning the International Snowshoe Champions title 14 times since 2000. Jim also began coaching the cross country team in 2010, which has since racked up a handful of conference titles. His course The Humble Spud is a student favorite!

Jill Susice
Student Activities Coordinator
(518) 327-6401
jsusice@paulsmiths.edu

Jill grew up in Northern New York and graduated with both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from St. Lawrence University. While completing her Master’s Degree, she was Residence Director in Residence Life and completed an internship in the Student Activities Office. Before Jill started at Paul Smith’s College in 2006, she was the Coordinator of Programming and Co-Sponsorships at Denison University in Ohio and the Director of Student Activities at Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she likes to read and bake cookies for the students.

Annabelle Abbadessa
Health Services Office Manager
(518) 327-6309
aabbadessa@paulsmiths.edu

Bella moved to the Adirondacks after graduating from SUNY Fredonia in 2016. She has a passion in health and well-being, after being a part of FredASSIST (Fredonia Association of Students for Safer Intimacy and STI Testing), during her time in college. In her spare time, Bella likes to hike, watch Netflix and spend time with her cat.

Holly Parker

Director of Campus Safety
(518) 327-6300
hparker@paulsmiths.edu

Holly started her career at Paul Smith’s College in 2007 as a Campus Safety Officer. In 2010, she was promoted to Lead Campus Safety Officer (Sergeant) and, in 2015, she was promoted to Assistant Director. In January 2016, she took on the role of Interim Director and was officially promoted to Director in July 2016. She is a Title IX investigator. She is also a New York State Security Guard Instructor, a R.A.D. (self-defense) instructor, and an American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) instructor. She has an Associate in Applied Science degree from North Country Community College and Bachelor in Technology, Law Enforcement Leadership degree from SUNY Canton.

Matthew Dougherty
Recreation Coordinator
(518) 327-6389
mdougherty@paulsmiths.edu

A 2001 Houghton College and 2003 St. Lawrence University graduate, Dougherty has been teaching and leading outdoor education programs for nearly twenty years in addition to coaching collegiate cross country and track and field teams.

Dougherty received his graduate degree in education from Saint Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. Following graduation from Houghton, Dougherty took on the head men’s and women’s cross country position at Paul Smiths College. During his second year at Paul Smith’s, Dougherty led the Bobcats to the USCAA National Meet where they finished third, and had nine runners place within the top-30 overall. Dougherty then returned to Houghton in the summer of 2005 where he has served as the director of service learning and a professor of recreation and physical education in addition to his duties as assistant coach.

Under Dougherty’s tutelage, over 60 athletes have reached the national qualifying level with at least 20 advancing to All-American status. Dougherty guided more than 50 athletes to qualify for the NAIA National Championships over the past six seasons with three athletes being recognized as a conference Most Valuable Player, several individual conference champions, and two national champions. With only one year in the NCCAA behind him, Dougherty has coached three national champions and one Most Outstanding Performer at the national meet. His athletes have set over 30 school records.

Matt has been teaching and leading students in the outdoors for nearly two decades and is committed to helping students in their academic endeavors.

Rikelmy Williams
Coordinator of New Student Orientation and Student Conduct
(518) 327-6128
rwilliams2@paulsmiths.edu

Rikelmy (Ricky) Williams was born in the Dominican Republic moved to New York City at the age of eight. After graduating from Paul Smith’s College in 1995 with an AAS in Hotel Restaurant Management, I married my college boyfriend who joined the Army. We lived in Tennessee and Hawaii throughout his career. After 10 years in the military and three children, we decided to come back to the Adirondacks to raise our family because this was home to us. I always wanted to end up at Paul Smith’s again, and when the opportunity came, I took it. I’m very happy to now be working at my alma mater. In my spare time I love spending time with my children, enjoying the beautiful lakes in the Adirondacks, traveling and reading.

Abigail Fontaine
Director of Health Services – College Nurse
(518) 327-6349
afontaine@paulsmiths.edu

As an alumnus of Paul Smith’s College, it is an honor to be back on campus. After receiving a bachelor’s of science in biology, I took a job in Alaska working for NOAA as a fisheries biologist on commercial fishing boats. In 2012, it was time to stop living out of a duffel bag, and to pursue my true passion for nursing. After graduating from the University of Alaska, I moved back to the east coast and spent several years traveling and gaining experience in the nursing field.

My off time is spent working on my home, a true fixer upper. I am proud to say that I have become a wiz with a skill saw. I also enjoy trail running with my dog Francis, making bread and quilting.

Please feel free to stop by the office for any of your health needs. My door is always open.

Zachary Luzzi
Assistant Coordinator of Recreation + Intramurals/Head Soccer Coach
(518) 327-6848
zluzzi@paulsmiths.edu

My Name is Zack Luzzi and I am from Scranton, PA ( yes, that city from “The Office” actually exists). I graduated from Paul Smith’s in 2010 and I liked it so much I came back to work here!

Shakirra Jones
Director of Counseling Center
(518) 327-6225
sjones3@paulsmiths.edu

Shakirra Jones is a native of Mobile, AL. She is a graduate of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) with a M.A. in Counseling Psychology and Tuskegee University where her interests in psychology, diversity and social justice began. After graduation from Tuskegee, Shakirra moved to Chicago and worked in various roles in colleges and Non-profit organizations serving under-privileged and under-represented populations. She is a firm believer that every person deserves to be heard and welcomed, regardless of culture or background. This belief is the cornerstone for her passion for counseling and cultural competence. This her ultimate goal is to increase inclusion and understanding across cultures. Her counseling interests include microaggressions, psychological well-being and coping among persons of color, cultural competence, LGBTQ topics, gender, and community organizing.