Office and People Directory

Tina Tenney

Biography

Tina is an experienced HR Business Partner with more than 25 years of diverse experience in human resources across a range of industries, including higher education, financial services, software development, and consumer goods.

As an HR Business Partner, Tina serves as a strategic advisor, aligning human resources strategies with overall business objectives in the areas of talent acquisition, professional development, performance management, employee relations and workplace best practice.

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Morgan Thibodeau

Biography

Morgan is a graphic designer and illustrator who thrives on creating meaningful, impactful designs. As an alum, they’re excited to contribute to the creative community that helped shape their journey.

With a BFA in Graphic Design & Visual Communication, Morgan has gained experience working on a variety of design projects, including branding, marketing materials, and educational content. They enjoy finding creative solutions that communicate ideas in ways that feel fresh and accessible, while staying true to the brand or message being conveyed.

In their role at Champlain College, Morgan looks forward to supporting the college’s visual identity, collaborating with colleagues across departments, and bringing their creative vision to a wide range of design projects. They are always excited to take on new challenges and continue growing as a designer in an environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

When not designing, Morgan enjoys being in nature—whether kayaking, hiking, or camping—and is always keeping an eye out for new ways to stay inspired, connect with others, and keep learning.

Hobbies

Printmaking, kayaking, hammocking, and reading!

Favorite Local Eateries

My favorite local eateries are Sneaker’s Bistro, Daily Planet, Bluebird Barbecue, and Leunig’s Petit Bijou (the truffle fries, specifically)!

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Edward Thorndike

Biography

Ted comes to Champlain College after over 12 years of experience in the mental health and education fields. Most recently he served in an operations and academic advising capacity at an online university. Ted is passionate about serving the non traditional student population and motivating them to reach their full potential. When not working Ted can be found skiing, hiking, gravel biking, or roaming the woods with his dog, Cody.

What are your hobbies?

Tennis, hiking, skiing, gravel biking, collecting deer and moose shed antlers, woodburning

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Pie Caso Pizzeria in Stowe followed by a local swimming hole

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Jason Trahan

Biography

Graphic Designer Jason Trahan holds a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Castleton University as well as an associate’s degree in Graphics Multimedia & Web Design from the New England Institute of Technology. Before getting hired by Champlain College, Jason had just finished his bachelor’s degree and was actively working to grow his creative portfolio, making this position a significant step towards his goal of being a professional graphic designer.

Jason lives and breathes design. Growing up, his lack of traditional artistic experience led him to express himself through simple drawings like symbols, icons, and logos that he’d either seen around or came up with himself. No school folder or homework assignment was safe from his doodles. Now, branding and logo design are his favorite kinds of design, constantly thinking about what his brand is and how he wants to be perceived by others. Some of his favorite brands from a design perspective are Boundary Supply, Starbucks, Polestar, and Zero Gravity.

Throughout his education, Jason was responsible for the completion of many multi-faceted graphic design projects. One of the most notable was leading a small group of other graphic design students in a rebranding project for the town of Poultney Vermont, as President of the Castleton Content Lab, Castleton University’s graphic design club. Since starting at Champlain, Jason has held a key role, assisting with the ongoing development of the college’s website, and producing promotional materials.

When he’s not building web pages or designing mailers, Jason likes to spend his time admiring the world around him. Camera in hand, Jason is always looking for the perfect weather and light to practice his photography skills. On particularly nasty days, you’ll find him in a cozy coffee shop watching sailing videos on youtube and editing photos. Jason also enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, listening to rock music, eating cider donuts, and exploring the lake on his family’s boat.

What are your hobbies?

Photography, Hiking, Camping, Listening to Music, Boating

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Eat: Cold Hollow Cider Mill, El Cortijo, Vivid Coffee.
Explore: Burlington Waterfront, Sterling Pond, Moss Glenn Falls.
Shop: Slate, Common Deer, Helly Hansen.

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Leslie Van Wagner

Biography

Prior to joining Champlain in 2019, Leslie was the Director of the Academic Support Center at Rivier College in Nashua, NH for 12 years, overseeing the Writing Center, Peer Tutoring Center, and Peer Mentoring Program. Leslie also taught many English Literature and Writing classes during her 25+ years at Rivier.

Leslie holds a MAT in Teaching from Rivier University and completed her undergraduate work at St. Lawrence University. She also holds a Certificate of Copyediting from University of San Diego online. Currently, Leslie is president of the Learning Assistance Association of New England.

Throughout her career, Leslie has drawn energy from helping students discover their potential and succeed in college and beyond. During her free time, Leslie enjoys reading, watching films, making trips to NYC to see plays, exploring Vermont, and playing with her grandson, Sam.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, watching films, going to live theater

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Timothy Van Woert

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Olivia Vittitow

Biography

Olivia Vittitow is a Champlain Professional Writing alum, who upon graduation, pursed a career in copywriting and non-profit fundraising. When she was offered the opportunity to return to the Champlain community alongside a team she had worked with as a student employee, she was overjoyed. Champlain has always felt like a home away from home for her, a transplant from Louisville, Kentucky.

Among her many hobbies are reading, traveling, fermenting, amateur film-buffing, and playing piano. Managing the InSight Program is her way of giving back to a program that she was a product of and champion for. Helping students find their confidence in key life skills, and graduate with competencies for personal and professional success is the most rewarding thing of all.

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Leandre Waldo

Biography

In her role as Chief Enrollment, Marketing and Partnerships Officer, Leandre leads the student journey from first inquiry through enrollment, providing executive oversight for the Admissions, Financial Aid, and Marketing teams.

Leandre previously served as Chief of Staff to the President at both Champlain College and St. Michael’s College, and in marketing and communications roles at Champlain College, University of Vermont Medical Center and Vermont Technical College. She holds an MBA from Brandeis University and a BA from Hamilton College.

Leandre has lived on both coasts and several states in between but is happy to call Burlington, VT her permanent home. Leandre spends as much time as possible outdoors. She lives with her partner and two college-aged children.

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John Ware

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Marianne Werner

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Laura Wingler

Biography

Laura has two master’s degrees, one in education and one in fine arts. She believes that the role of Instructional Designer is critical in the world of online education because this environment specifically requires clear learning paths for students that are aligned to the curriculum, accessible to all, engaging and current.

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Lynde Wright

Biography

Lynde Wright is a dynamic member of the Career Collaborative Team, making her mark in the field of Employer Relations. With a passion for connecting employers with top talent, Lynde brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her role. Armed with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a specialization in Marketing from Western Governors University, she possesses a solid foundation in business strategy and relationship building.

With over 5 years of dedicated work in Employer Relations, Lynde has honed her skills in fostering strong partnerships between organizations and job seekers. Her ability to understand the needs of both parties and effectively bridge the gap has resulted in numerous successful collaborations throughout her career.

Prior to her work in Employer Relations, Lynde spent 8 years in healthcare leadership, where she developed a deep understanding of the healthcare industry’s intricacies and challenges. This experience provided her with invaluable insights into managing teams, streamlining processes, and maintaining high-quality standards in a fast-paced and demanding environment.

While dedicating herself to her children’s upbringing, Lynde took an inspiring career break, during which she delved into the world of full-stack software development. Embracing her curiosity and love for learning, she acquired extensive knowledge and skills in this dynamic field. This experience not only broadened her technical expertise but also cultivated her problem-solving abilities and adaptability, making her a versatile professional.

Originally from the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, Lynde recently made the move to Savannah, Georgia. While working remotely, she enjoys the charm and vibrant culture of her new surroundings. As a mother of three, Lynde finds immense joy in witnessing her younger two children participate in soccer and theater. Their enthusiasm fuels her passion for supporting their growth and nurturing their talents.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Lynde embraces her adventurous spirit. She revels in the great outdoors and finds solace in camping trips and exploring new destinations. An avid traveler, she seeks inspiration from different cultures, immersing herself in diverse experiences that broaden her perspective.

Driven by a sense of purpose, Lynde volunteers her time to assist others in their career journeys. She dedicates her expertise to writing and reviewing resumes for women, single parents, and individuals with career gaps, empowering them to present their unique skills and experiences with confidence.

Lynde Wright is a true embodiment of resilience, adaptability, and empathy. Her multifaceted background, encompassing Employer Relations, healthcare leadership, and software development, allows her to approach challenges with a holistic perspective. With her unwavering commitment to excellence and her genuine desire to make a positive impact, Lynde continues to be an invaluable asset to the Career Collaborative Team, helping both employers and job seekers thrive in their respective domains

What are your hobbies?

Walking, Camping, Reading, Traveling, Swimming, Paddle Boarding

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Emily Wright

Biography

Emily Wright is a Communications Specialist with a background in content strategy, student outreach, and digital engagement. She brings over three years of experience crafting communications that inform, engage, and inspire. Before joining Champlain College, Emily led data-driven outreach initiatives at the University of Arizona, where she built automated workflows in Salesforce and presented nationally on student engagement and assessment.

She’s passionate about creating clear, thoughtful messages that help people feel connected, and she’s not afraid to wrestle with software to make that happen. With a foundation in creative and technical writing, Emily loves blending strategy with storytelling to make complex systems feel simple and communication feel personal.

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Kyra Yu

Biography

Kyra Yu joined the Student Engagement team in Fall 2024 after serving as Champlain’s Event Operations Coordinator for two years. In 2021, Kyra graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Minor in Coaching.

What are your hobbies?

Ice hockey, hiking, biking, snowboarding

Tell us about your favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

While biking on the Burlington Bike Path, I love making a pit stop at Burlington Bay to get a maple black raspberry creemee!

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Ellen Zeman

Biography

Ellen has been a member of the Office of the Provost at Champlain College since 2004 in a variety of roles. Her work includes program learning outcomes assessment, survey oversight and administration, curriculum design and support, institutional research, accreditation liaison and self-study, and program review. Before joining Champlain, Ellen worked as a science writer and editor. She has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Vermont and a PhD in Chemistry from Northwestern University, where she conducted research on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

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