Office and People Directory

Brianna Newman

Biography

Brianna Newman is a Champlain College alumna, having received her BS in Communications in 2021. As a believer in the power of stories and community, she is passionate about sharing and celebrating the Champlain experience to further the college’s mission. She loves being able to create connections and engage with parents, alumni, and friends in the Champlain community.

What are your hobbies?

Musical theatre, dancing, crafting

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

Painting by the waterfront

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Mira Niagolova

Biography

Mira Niagolova is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Since her first documentary Trafficking Cinderella (1999), she has been committed to telling stories of global concern, portrayed with sensitivity and compassion. Mira has received numerous fellowships and awards, including the Sundance Documentary Grant. Her films have been screened in more than 30 countries around the world.

She has also worked nationally and internationally as a producer, programmer, distribution and festival manager with nonprofit film organizations and industry institutions, including The National Film Board of Canada.

In 2017, Mira received a Fulbright Scholarship to film and teach at the National Theater and Film School Sofia, Bulgaria, her original hometown. In 2020 in recognition for her valuable experience as a documentary filmmaker and educator, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Institute of International Education’s Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) added Mira to its roster of Fulbright Specialists.

Mira is passionate about teaching filmmaking and making learning a meaningful endeavor. She believes in creating an environment for her students that is inspiring and challenging, encouraging them to generate new ideas and develop their own voices that can be heard and trusted.

Distinctions & Awards

Numerous awards in filmmaking and at various festivals around the world. Most recent – Fulbright Scholarship Recipient in 2017 and 2022

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Jennifer Nicholls

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Aimee Nolan

Biography

Aimee is a native Vermonter, and career law enforcement officer from 1995-2023. She specialized in crime scene investigation and death investigation for the last 16 years of her career. She holds her Master of Forensic Science, a Bachelor of Art in Sociology/Criminal Justice and Psychology, as well as an Associate of Science in Business Administration. In retirement, Aimee is a career Advanced-EMT, and a Medicolegal Death Investigator with the Vermont Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. She enjoys being outdoors hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Favorite Quote

“I see no more than you, but I have trained myself to notice what I see.”

—Sherlock Holmes

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Kerry Noonan

Biography

Kerry Noonan holds a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. in Folklore & Mythology from UCLA, and her research focuses primarily on new religious movements, and women’s roles in various religions; she has published articles on Catholic Charismatic women, online religious communities, feminist witchcraft, Goddess spirituality, and New Age religious folk art, and is also a specialist in Celtic folklore, and Chinese vernacular religions. Kerry often incorporates these topics into her Core classes, and twice led a travel course about Harry Potter. She also co-teaches the FLM capstone. Kerry was a professional actor in theater, TV, & film in Los Angeles, appearing in Friday the 13th Part VI, The New Twilight Zone, China Beach, Knot’s Landing, Mr. Belvedere, Family Ties, and Taxi, plus on stage with the Los Angles Theater Center, South Coast Rep, Arizona Rep, the Grove Shakespeare Festival, and co-founded City Stage. She was part of the Irish traditional band The McGuffins. For Champlain Theatre, Kerry directed Rough Magic: A Shakespeare Compilation, Sweeney Todd, The Lion in Winter, and Blue Stockings, as well as appearing as Gertrude in Hamlet, and is now the adviser for The Champlayers. She has been a contestant on Jeopardy! and Win Ben Stein’s Money.

Distinctions & Awards

Champlain College Diversity Award: International 2013; Faculty Internationalization Initiative Grant (Champlain College) 2009

Publications & Abstracts

Publications & Abstracts

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

• American Folklore Society
• American Academy of Religion

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

One of my favorite books is The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin. I’m also a Tolkien nerd, and a Jane Austen fanatic. I could go on and on …
A movie that I love is Fanny & Alexander, directed by Ingmar Bergman.

Favorite Quote

“The idea is like grass. It craves light, likes crowds, thrives on crossbreeding, grows better for being stepped on.”

—Ursula LeGuin, The Dispossessed

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Samone Norsworthy

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Chris North

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Corinne Novetti

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Kelsey O’Connor

Biography

Kelsey O’Connor currently serves as the Director of Residential Life & Student Engagement at Champlain College. A 2014 Champlain graduate with a BS in Event Management, Kelsey has dedicated her career to enhancing the student experience at her alma mater, where she has worked since 2015. Throughout her time at Champlain, she has held multiple roles, from Associate Director of Student Engagement to Area Coordinator, gaining a broad perspective on student activities and residential life. She also holds a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from Champlain College Online.

Originally from Bedford, Massachusetts, Kelsey moved to Vermont to attend Champlain and fell in love with the state’s vibrant community. Outside of work, she enjoys kayaking and spending time with her two golden retrievers, Maple and Frankie.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

April O’Dell

Biography

April O’Dell, CPA, is the Chief Financial and Business Officer at Champlain College, bringing over 12 years of experience in financial leadership within complex operational environments. With expertise spanning financial reporting, budgeting, internal control frameworks, and federal compliance, April has a proven ability to strengthen organizational productivity through transparent communication, collaboration, and holistic problem-solving.

During her time with Champlain, April has overseen initiatives such as an initial public rating with Standard & Poor’s and the issuance of bonds in public markets, reflecting her commitment to innovative financial stewardship. Additionally, her leadership has driven multiple system integrations to enhance efficiency and transparency across financial operations.

April began her career in public accounting at KPMG, LLP, advancing to Audit Manager, where she developed expertise in risk assessment, compliance, and client relationship management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Vermont, graduating cum laude with recognition in accounting.

April is committed to fostering financial resilience in higher education and is known for her holistic thinking, collaborative leadership, and dedication to strengthening institutional outcomes.

Hobbies

Traveling, reading and watching my children play sports

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Arthur Omran

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Kaitlyn Opperman

Biography

Kaitlyn graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in Computer Engineering and has recently transitioned into an instructor role, taking on adjunct work for the first time in Spring 2023. Prior to this, she worked in the aerospace industry as an embedded software engineer.

Favorite Quote

“Be kind.”

—Anyone

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Albert Orbinati

Biography

Dr. Albert Orbinati is an Associate Professor of Business Administration and Department Chair of Business for Champlain College Online. He is also the owner of North Madison Publishing, LLC. Prior to Champlain, Dr. Orbinati was the Vice President of Continuing Education at Medaille University, Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Education at Russell Sage College, and Director of Online and Non-Traditional Programs at Utica University. In addition to his career in higher education and publishing, Albert is a commissioned officer in the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) where he directs marketing efforts for the VTANG recruiting and retention team. Dr. Orbinati holds a BA in Urban Planning from Binghamton University, an MBA from Champlain College, an MA in Adult Education from Central Michigan University, and a PhD in Adult Education from Capella University. Albert is a lifelong musician and has performed on the stages of Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. He enjoys live theater and the performing arts.

Publications & Abstracts

Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Cookbook: Over 100 Science-Based, Superfood Meals for Improved Gut Health, Stress Reduction and Detoxification

Anti-Inflammation Starter Guide: A 5-Step Path to Improve Immune Function, Calm Your Gut, Reduce Stress, and Feel Great!

Spirituality and learning: An exploration into the understanding of spirituality in adult education 

Professional/Scholastic Affiliations

Society for Human Resource Management

Project Management Institute 

Military Officers Association of America 

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Douglas Orr

Biography

Douglas A. Orr is a 30-year law enforcement veteran who has served as a commissioned law enforcement officer in South Carolina, Idaho, and Washington. He is a native of Philadelphia, PA. Over the years, Dr. Orr has assumed various roles such as Collision Reconstructionist, Street Crimes, Truancy, Sexual Assault and Polygraph. He recently retired as a Detective in the Major Crimes Unit of the Spokane Police Department (SPD) in Spokane, Washington. During the last ten years of his tenure at SPD, Dr. Orr specialized in digital forensics, cybercrime, child exploitation, and sexual assault. He was also an adjunct professor for Gonzaga University teaching crime scene investigation.

Dr. Orr also holds membership in various organizations to include High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA), Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), the American Society of Criminologists (ASC), and the Homicide Research Working Group (HRWG). He is certified as an EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE) computer forensic examiner; a Certified Cellebrite Mobile Examiner (CCME), and CompTIA Security+. He is proficient with SPSS.

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Washington State University.
M.S. in Cybersecurity, Saint Leo University.
MBA in Human Resource, Saint Leo University.
M.A. in Organizational Leadership, Gonzaga University.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Nathaniel Orvis

Biography

Nathaniel Orvis was born in Lincoln, VT. He grew up in Middlebury, VT, and attended Middlebury Union High School. Nathaniel currently lives in Middlebury with his beautiful 2 dogs and 3 cats. His favorite season in VT is Fall. Fall is a sign of change; the seasons are changing, children are starting school, but most importantly there are a lot of fall festivals. Nathaniel enjoys festivals and concerts, but Country music is his choice although he listens to a little bit of everything. In March of 2022, he came to Champlain to work and loves his job. When he’s not busy working, he enjoys traveling the United States and is particularly fond of California.

What are your hobbies?

Walking and Geocaching

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Fire and Ice

Walking the Robert Frost Trail

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page