Office and People Directory

Jimena Huaco

Biography

Jimena is a member of the Institutional Research team at Champlain under the Provost Office. Jimena provides analysis for institutional metrics and data reporting. She’s been part of the Champlain family since 2008 when she joined as an undergraduate student. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she later became a Financial Sophistication Specialist educating Champlain students on personal finance topics. Before joining the IR team, Jimena managed Champlain’s extracurricular career education program called InSight. During this time, she discovered her passion for data, and data-driven decision-making. She completed her MBA from Champlain College in 2018, and in 2024 she completed a graduate certificate in Data Science.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy mountain biking and gardening. In winter, I like to winter hike or to pick up a new craft.

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

My new favorite local spots are the Mini Factory in downtown Bristol, and lulu’s ice cream in Vergennes.

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Matt Huwiler

Biography

Matt Huwiler is a seasoned web developer with over two decades of experience at Champlain College, currently serving as a senior-level Web Developer in the Information Systems department. His work spans SSO management, custom reporting, cloud infrastructure, React Native development, and online payment forms.

Matt is also an Adjunct Professor for Champlain College Online, teaching courses in JavaScript, iOS development, web media, and animation. Passionate about online education, he enjoys empowering students with practical skills.

Based in Michigan, Matt remains closely connected to the Champlain community, with aspirations of returning to Vermont. In his free time, he explores emerging technologies like AI and DLTs and enjoys physical fitness, chess, and skiing.

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Susan Jacques

Biography

Susan is a Nurse Practitioner at the Student Health Center. She has worked at Champlain College for 7 years and has been a Nurse Practitioner for over 30 years with experience in primary care, women’s health and college health.

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Chikomborero Jeso

Biography

Chikomborero (Chiko) Jeso graduated from Champlain College in December of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration; Chiko continued his education at Champlain College, and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity in May of 2024. During his time at Champlain he has also worked as a Data Intern, Course Producer, and Senior Enrollment Operations Coordinator.

He really likes making processes more efficient and solving problems, and he also found joy in working with numbers in Excel and Google Sheets.

In his free time Chiko reads cybersecurity articles, watches videos about cybersecurity and computer hardware, and continues to learn about different business topics online. Chiko also loves making music, and he enjoys watching comedy and action movies. He may also watch a rom-com once in a while, don’t tell anyone.

Hobbies

Making music, cooking, fixing computer and network settings, thinking about cybersecurity, the economy, and the state of the world, making jokes that are definitely funny

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Danni Johnson

Biography

Danni is a creative writer, editor, and digital designer who graduated from Champlain College with a BFA in Creative Media as Summa Cum Laude. She was born in Honesdale Pennsylvania and grew up in a small town of 1800 people before moving to California with her husband Sam and two cats, Wonton and Nori.

Her journey in storytelling equipped her with a passion for crafting compelling and meaningful narratives worthy of remembering. She nurtured a keen understanding of the profound impact storytelling can have and is driven by a passion for creating stories that forge lasting connections and evoke emotions. While studying, Danni worked as a student worker for the Marketing Department at Champlain and the Miller Information Commons Library, and continued contracting for her alma mater after graduating before accepting a position as an Assistant Content Producer at Champlain. She specializes in CMS, web design, web administration, writing and editing, and digital content.

She enjoys crocheting, playing narrative-driven games, listening to music, and sipping the occasional hot cup of tea from her vast collection of teapots.

Distinctions & Awards

2022 Champlain College – “William J. Everts Jr. Wild and Outside Award”

2022 Champlain College – Division of Communication and Creative Media “Excel Award”

Publications & Abstracts

Darkfire Chronicles Podcast

Apples – 2019, Wingless Dreamer Poetry Anthology

Attack – 2021, Willard & Maple

Blackjack – 2021, Willard & Maple

Snowman – 2021, The Haunted Horrorstorian

Postage – 2021, The Haunted Horrorstorian

It’s Just an Actor – 2021, The Haunted Horrorstorian

What are your hobbies?

Reading & writing, listening to music, skiing, crocheting, playing video games, and 3D printing/painting.

Favorite Local Eateries

Dobra Tea, Gaku Ramen, and Three Needs on Church Street!

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Samantha Kassel

Biography

Sami joined Champlain College in the fall of 2022. She earned a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Boston University and spent many years traveling the world. A Vermont native, Sami has lived in Boston, Alaska, Hawaii, and San Diego, but is happy to be calling the Burlington area home once again. She enjoys spending her time skiing, hiking, reading, pet-sitting, and watching reality TV.

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Skinny Pancake, Cucina Antica in Shelburne, Barrio Bakery

Favorite Champlain tradition:

Apple Picking

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Jennifer Kennelly

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Sage King

Biography

Sage is a Burlington resident and Champlain College alum. He brings a multitude of experience with him to the Champlain team having worked in different fields from maintenance systems to microchip technology.

Sage enjoys sports and the outdoors and is also a part time firefighter for the City of Winooski.

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Lyle King

Biography

As the manager of Media Services within the Information Systems department, Lyle works closely with his team and campus partners to identify and implement multimedia and presentation technology solutions for campus spaces, events, and academic programs. One of the most rewarding aspects of his role is working with the many talented and committed student employees within his team and helping to foster and celebrate their professional growth and success.

Lyle is an alumnus of Champlain College with a BS in Mass Communication and over twenty-five years of professional experience in audio/visual (AV) technology support. He earned his AVIXA CTS® and Extron AVA certifications in 2013, was awarded the college’s John Lavallee Innovation Award in 2021 as a member of the Pivot Team, and received the Elizabeth A. Durick Staff Service Award in 2024 in recognition of his positive impact on the college community.

Outside of work Lyle enjoys spending quality time with his family, and is an avid musician and photographer.

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Christian Konczal

Biography

Christian Konczal, Director of Esports at Champlain College, is a passionate advocate for the integration of technology and education. A proud alumnus, Christian received his MFA in Emergent Media from Champlain in 2017 and has been steadfastly committed to the development of collegiate esports ever since.

As a graduate student, Christian served as a project management fellow for BREAKAWAY, an internationally recognized project partnered with the UNFPA, UNiTE, and Grassroot Soccer. BREAKAWAY aims to educate youth about Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), promote gender equality, and inculcate respect, values that Christian carries forward in his current role.

Christian is a strong proponent of gender equity within esports, striving to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all players. He believes in the transformative potential of esports to bridge gender gaps and is proactive in his efforts to ensure this in practice.

After graduation, Christian honed his skills in the field, consulting for multiple collegiate esports programs across the country. He then launched a successful program at a D2 State University, wherein he established varsity esports teams, oversaw program operations, supervised student coaches and players, and integrated esports into the academic experience. His fundraising efforts during this period helped support scholarships and program expenses, further validating his dedication to esports in the educational sphere.

Upon returning to Champlain, Christian pioneered the college’s esports program, fostering strong varsity teams and empowering the existing esports club. His leadership, combined with his unwavering belief in student potential, brought Champlain its first Varsity championships in over 20 years within the first year of the varsity esports program’s inception.

Christian is a fervent believer in preparing students for life post-college. His approach to esports extends beyond gameplay to encompass professional development, ensuring his students are equipped with practical skills and a strong foundation for their future careers.

Beyond his collegiate commitments, Christian has a heart for philanthropy. Working with his students he has been instrumental in raising over $20,000 for the Extra Life charity throughout his career, demonstrating his commitment to broader societal issues.

Christian Konczal’s multifaceted contributions at Champlain College exemplify the blend of passion, dedication, and vision needed to drive growth and success in collegiate esports. His unwavering commitment to gender equity and student development ensures that Champlain College’s esports program prepares students not just for competitive gaming, but for the wider world that awaits them after graduation.

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Christine Koogle

Biography

Christine is from Baltimore, Maryland where she first had her taste of beautiful events. After searching for schools that would provide her with an education that she could take and apply anywhere, she came up north to attend Champlain College. Here, she studied business administration and event management. Christine held many student leadership positions as an RA, Student Activity Programmer, Orientation Leader, CHAMP President, and more. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Christine stayed in Vermont to manage a luxury event catering company. After several years, she returned to Champlain and Student Engagement. Now, she gets to run the events she always participated in as a student!
When she’s not having fun with students, you can find her planning weddings for friends and family, kayaking in the beautiful state of Vermont, or trying out a new recipe to share.

What are your hobbies?

Cooking and Baking, kayaking, planning parties!

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

I love to eat and drink! And, of course, explore. Top places to eat: Honey Road, Poco, May Day, The Tillerman, and Philo Ridge Farm

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Angelika Koukoulas

Biography

Angela joined Champlain in June of 2023 as part of the innovative partnership between Champlain College and Hula (a co-working space on Lakeside Ave). In this role, Angela works with businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profits to bolster their teams with Champlain talent. Angela helps students land internships, work on client facing projects, and generally get connected to the Burlington business community. Angela also supports the development of Burlington’s Innovation District by forging intentional connections between students, academics, and industry.

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Erin Kwon

Biography

Erin is a National Certified Counselor and joined the Counseling Center in 2024 after her time as a Graduate Clinical Intern. She was born and raised in Northern Virginia but calls Southwest Virginia her home after studying at Virginia Tech. Erin made the trek up to Vermont in 2021 for her to earn her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Vermont. Lake Champlain and the lovely community of Burlington have kept her here since.

Erin’s clinical perspective is informed by her work in community-based programs of Appalachia. She is curious about the stories that shape people’s view of themselves and is interested in exploring where these narratives come from and how they serve them. Erin takes a collaborative and person-centered approach to counseling and believes that each of her clients hold the knowledge of what they need given their intersecting identities and lived experiences. She strives to create an affirming and compassionate space for her clients to gain personal insights, connect with their strengths/values, and access their agency in acceptance and change, all while leaning into the power of the therapeutic relationship.

In her free time, you can find Erin working with clay, never finishing a book, and taking long walks in the search of roaming cats.

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Danielle L’Esperance

Biography

Danielle has been with Champlain College since 2019. She has her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Vermont (2012). Danielle also has extensive experience in the Hospitality industry. She loves her job because it combines her knowledge of events and hosting guests with her passion for Higher Education.

Danielle is a native Vermonter and a first-generation college student. During her personal time, she can be found meandering along nature trails with Levi, her small but mighty four-legged companion. She also enjoys Fantasy and Science Fiction novels, baking treats for family and colleagues, & traveling to new and exciting places.

What are your hobbies?

Baking, Hiking, Reading & Traveling

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Summer outdoor concert series (Williston, South Hero, SoBu), Kountry Kart Deli, Folino’s, Cafe Dim Sum

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Benton Lane

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