Office and People Directory

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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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 of Staff, Leandre is the orchestrator behind the scenes of the President’s office and the leader of the College’s institutional communications. As Secretary of the Corporation, she also helps ensure the Board of Trustees is supported, informed and engaged.

Leandre previously served as Chief of Staff to the President at St. Michael’s College and the Director of Client & Media Relations at Champlain. 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. When not herding cats, Leandre spends her time running, cycling, hiking, snowboarding and dreaming about her next SCUBA trip. She lives with her partner and two teen-aged children.

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John Ware

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Susan Waryck

Biography

Susan joined the Champlain College team in 2019. She’s worked in higher education and in Student Affairs for her entire 30+ year career. Her experiences range from small, private liberal arts colleges to mid-sized, public universities in the south and mid-west. Susan enjoys serving as the Dean of Students supporting students in their college experience. In her role, Susan supervises the Director of Housing and Residential Life, the Director of Community Standards, and the Director of the Office of International Student Services. Connecting students to these dedicated and committed team members is an important part of Susan’s role. She looks forward to supporting all students as they navigate Champlain College.

What are your hobbies?

I love to quilt (making t-shirt quilts, specifically); I enjoy riding my bike with my husband; I love to kayak

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Gary Washburn

Biography

Gary earned his Master’s in Professional School Counseling at Sage Graduate School in Troy, NY. Gary has been working in Higher Education for 15 years. Gary is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in enrollment management, academic affairs, student affairs, business development, and relationship building. He has demonstrated expertise in building highly efficient operations and teams, ensuring a seamless student experience. In his downtime, he enjoys being on the golf course as much as possible and spending time with his family and friends.

What are your hobbies?

Golf

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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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Dany Wyman

Biography

Dany started in Housing and Residential life as a Resident Advisor while attending Florida Guld Coast University in sunny South Florida, where she obtained her Bachelors degree in psychology. While pursing her education, Dany worked as a research assistant in a social psychology lab, and did commissioned paintings in her free time. After obtaining her bachelors degree, she moved into a professional staff role within the Housing and Residential Life department at her alma mater for the next 2 years, where she found her passion for working in student development. In August 2025, Dany brought her enthusiasm for students to Champlain College where she gets to work with 1st year students in starting their college journey.

Hobbies

Painting, playing guitar, hiking, & sewing.

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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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Peter Zahn

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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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