Office and People Directory

Zachary Harrison

Biography

Zach Harrison currently serves as the Associate Director for Housing Operations at Champlain College. He has a Bachelors Degree from East Carolina and a Masters Degree from Eastern Michigan University. In his role as Associate Director, Zach oversees all housing systems and processes. Some of these processes include housing selection, room changes, damage billing, housing transition, new student housing assignments, etc.

Hobbies

Working out at the Champlain College Fitness Center, playing video games, and cooking

Favorite Local Eateries

Al’s French Fry, Kru Coffee Collective, and Casa Grande

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Annika Hawkins-Hilke

Biography

Annika Hawkins-Hilke is a per diem Nurse Practitioner at the Student Health Center. Prior to this role, she served as the Assistant Vice President of Student Health & Wellbeing and Medical Director. Annika is a trained Family Nurse Practitioner and her background includes additional training and years of experience in mental health and psychiatry. Annika is passionate about building community and supporting our students as they explore the relationship between their personal wellbeing, academic success, and life goals. Annika finds joy in exploring the mountains and lakes of Vermont with her family in all seasons, gardening in her backyard, and sourdough bread toasted with butter.

What are your hobbies?

Skiing, camping, boating! Reading, cooking, gardening!

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

I love to go for runs in the Intervale, swim in Lake Champlain and swimming holes in rivers around the state, and ski our mountains in the winter. Vermont honey crisp apples and maple syrup make my heart sing!

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Alex Hernandez

Biography

Alejandro (“Alex”) Hernandez was born to a family of public educators in Stockton, CA. His parents journeyed from Mexico and the Philippines, and, at each step of the way, education brought opportunity-through skilled trades, nursing certificates, education credentials and degrees. These experiences shaped Alex’s belief that career-focused education can change lives and help communities thrive.

Hernandez comes to Champlain College from the University of Virginia, where he served as the Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) and Vice Provost of Online Learning. At UVA, Hernandez championed access, affordability, and opportunity through its bachelor’s completion, professional certificate, and graduate programs. Alex helped SCPS enroll its largest undergraduate class in school history, launch its first master’s degree, and pursue a strategy that combined in-demand digital skills with the human skills needed for long-term career success. He also taught undergraduate courses in entrepreneurship (SCPS) and education innovation (School of Education and Human Development).

Before joining UVA, Hernandez worked for the Charter School Growth Fund, a national education foundation, where he built the nonprofit’s Innovative Schools practice, one of the largest efforts in the country focused on personalized learning and career readiness. Hernandez began his education career teaching high school mathematics in South Los Angeles. He later became an administrator for Portland Public Schools in Oregon and then an area superintendent for Aspire Public Schools in California. Prior to entering the field of education, he worked at Steamboat Ventures, Disney’s venture capital arm, and at J.P. Morgan. Hernandez has an MBA and MA in Education from Stanford University and a BA from Claremont McKenna College. He is a moderator for the Aspen Global Leadership Network and a Pahara Institute fellow.

Alex is married to Michelle Moore Hernandez and is the proud father of twin boys, Akari and Mekhi.

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Connor Holtkamp

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Carrie Houlihan

Biography

Carrie brings over a decade of experience managing graphic design teams and projects for print, events, and online products. Carrie’s background includes everything from brand identity to large-scale production.

Hobbies

Anything art-related!

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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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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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