Samantha Kassel

Adnane Adossama

Biography

Adnane was a first-generation college student, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science from Vermont State Universities Castleton Campus in 2019. He went on to work for their TRIO Upward Bound and McNair Scholars Program. As an Admissions Counselors, he enjoys working with students and families throughout the admissions process, helping them realize the amazing endless possibilities at Champlain.

Adnane is enjoying his return to Burlington Vermont, reliving some of his favorite childhood memories down by the waterfront.

Territory

Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire), Michigan, Ohio, Vermont (Addison, Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor), New York (Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagra, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Rensselaer, St Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates), Wisconsin

Favorite local eateries

Pho Dang Vietnamese Cafe

Hobbies

Basketball, Snowboarding, Hiking and Road Trips

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Gabriel Affonso-Wagner

Biography

Gabriel joined Champlain College in the winter of 2025. As a New York City resident, he brings the personalized admission experience Champlain is known for to High Schoolers, their families, and School Counselors of the Five Boroughs, Long Island, Westchester and Northern New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with a concentration in Theology from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. At his Alma Mater, Gabriel earned experience in college admissions through student ambassadorship, internships and student employment in the office of admissions. As a college admissions professional with over a decade’s worth of experience, he’s worked for many colleges and universities in his career helping countless amounts of talented young people find their best-fit college to become future professionals and achieve meaningful success. Always happy to have a conversation about what makes Champlain so special (especially over coffee or a meal!), Gabriel’s here for your student every step of the way in their college search and discernment.

Territories

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York (Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester), North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Hobbies

Spending time with family, traveling, camping, going to the beach, swimming, fishing, eating.

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Brittany Beck

Biography

Brittany graduated from a small liberal arts college in upstate New York, St. Lawrence University, with a B.A. in Sociology and German Studies. While at St. Lawrence University, she played field hockey and studied abroad in Vienna, Austria. After graduating, she spent the next thirteen years working in the international education field sending students to study abroad at various universities overseas and working in the international travel field sending clients to travel around the world on customized luxury trips. Though travel is still a passion of hers, she’s excited to be back in the higher education field and sharing her love for Burlington, Vermont with students! When she’s not speaking with students, she can often be found skiing, riding her bike, or catching the newest must-see film.

Territories

Arizona, International Students, Maine, Massachusetts (Barnstable, Bristol, Duke, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth counties), Nevada, New Hampshire, Utah  

Hobbies

Skiing, Traveling, Biking, Hiking, Walking my Dog, Watching Movies, Decorating

Favorite Local Eateries and Things to do in Vermont

Favorite local eateries: Poco, a Single Pebble, BKK in the Alley, Myer’s Bagels

Favorite things to do in Vermont: biking along Lake Champlain on the Burlington bike path, enjoying an outdoor concert at Shelburne Museum, strolling through the Burlington Farmers Market, skiing at Bolton Valley

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Morgan De Caro

Biography

Morgan De Caro graduated from the University of North Florida in August of 2023 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution. After working as an Admissions Counselor in Florida post-grad, Morgan decided to relocate to Vermont. Wanting to continue to pursue a career in higher education and admissions, she found Champlain College to be exactly what she was looking for.

New to the area, Morgan enjoys exploring Burlington and its surrounding areas with her fiancée, finding new hiking trails, restaurants, and shops.

Territory

Transfer Students

What are your hobbies?

Hiking, Reading, Cooking

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont

Palmer Lane Maple, Farmers Markets, Bingham Falls Hike

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Catherine Durkee

Biography

Catherine is the reporting analyst for the Office of Admissions, where she plays a key role driving data-driven marketing strategies. With a background in data analysis and reporting, Catherine will collect data, analyze and identify trends, and assess the effectiveness of our recruitment campaigns. By collaborating with other teams and utilizing advanced analytical tools, Catherine helps to optimize the Office of Admissions recruitment efforts.

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Kathleen Ehlers

Biography

Kathleen A. Ehlers is a high-impact, results-driven senior college management professional with over 20 years of experience in higher education. Renowned for her innovative thinking and commitment to enhancing educational opportunities, Kathleen excels in identifying and leveraging untapped opportunities to improve services, streamline operations, and reduce costs without compromising academic quality. She combines business acumen with a deep devotion to education, ensuring responsible budget management, effective policy establishment, and compliance with legal mandates.

Kathleen has a proven track record of driving significant improvements in key performance metrics. Under her leadership, admissions applications increased by 169%, and total traffic grew by 141% over one academic year. She developed and implemented a highly effective admissions team, introduced cutting-edge lead management tools, and launched successful digital advertising campaigns, achieving click-through rates of 15.75% and conversion rates of 6.32%. Her strategic initiatives have consistently exceeded enrollment and registration goals, securing substantial grants and deepening community partnerships.

Throughout her career, Kathleen has demonstrated exceptional strategic leadership in traditional, online, graduate, and professional studies, resulting in notable enrollment growth. She successfully reduced operational expenses by $500K through strategic evaluations and implemented new intake sessions to expand enrollment opportunities. Kathleen’s efforts have consistently led to increased retention rates, higher student satisfaction, and remarkable revenue growth.

Kathleen’s relentless dedication to education and strategic leadership have driven consistent success in her career. She remains a transformative force in higher education, championing diversity and inclusion while improving processes and outcomes for students and institutions alike.

What are your hobbies?

Travel, read, spend time with family, Rotary member and community advocate.

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Jorge Erazo

Biography

Jorge Erazo graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mathematics. He began his career in Undergraduate Admissions that following year and remained there until moving into the hospitality industry in Northeast Pennsylvania. He then decided to pursue a move back into Higher Education and Admissions with Champlain College where he is excited to engage with new and inquisitive minds as they embark on their college journey.

Territories

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, Campden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem), New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

Hobbies

Gaming, Reading, Scale Model Building and Walking Dogs

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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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Melissa Rosenberg

Biography

Melissa was a first-generation college student, graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Agricultural Business and Economics from SUNY Cobleskill in 1992. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Rural Economics from the University of Vermont in 1995. After spending several years in Maine, Melissa found her way back to Vermont and is thrilled to be part of the Champlain College community. As the Senior Director of Admissions, she finds it incredibly rewarding to work with students and their families throughout the admissions process, helping to make a difference in their lives.

Melissa is enjoying her return to the beautiful state of Vermont, discovering new hiking trails and spending quality time with her family.

Territory

California, Oregon, Washington

Hobbies

Hiking, Biking, Cooking

Favorite Local Eateries & Things to do in Vermont

Healthy Living Cafe, August First, and The Gryphon

Bike the Causeway, Peruse the local Farmers Markets, Explore the Intervale.

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Brendan Smith

Biography

Brendan began his career in Admissions at Champlain College in July 2023 after graduating from Champlain with a B.S. in Game Production Management only a few months prior. He still finds himself very active in the Game Studio community today, and loves to offer advice to any incoming or current students! He is excited to speak to prospective students and encourage them to follow their passions while in college and beyond.

Brendan can be found at any of the local bookstores, on the bike trail, or at Muddy Waters Cafe when not working in the Admissions office. If you see him out and about, be sure to say hello!

Territory

Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts (Hampden), Rhode Island

Favorite things to do in Vermont

Martone’s Market, Papa Frank’s, Pingala Cafe

Biking, skiing, and checking out local eateries

Hobbies

Biking, cooking, hiking, swimming, gaming

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Jay Thor

Biography

The past several years for Jay have been a whirlwind of seasonal work, travel, and education. Their journey has been driven by a desire to build community, connect with others, and explore. Jay’s path in the field of education has taken them from being a camp counselor to an outdoor educator and now to Champlain College! Jay got a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Oregon, completing classes online while living in Oregon, France, Sweden, India, and South Korea. New to Burlington, Jay enjoys taking yoga classes, visiting friend’s homesteads and farms, and exploring all the awesomeness that Burlington has to offer.

Hobbies

Hiking, farm work, yoga, dancing, kayak/canoeing, fishkeeping, traveling, and backpacking.

Favorite Local Eateries and Things to do in Vermont

So far my favorite places to go have been the to-go section of the City Market Onion River Co-op, Scout Bakery, Little Gordo Creemee Stand, and The Grey Jay.

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Kerry Zuccareno

Biography

Kerry leads the College’s efforts to bring high school students from across the country to Champlain to explore their academic passions, and experience life and learning on a college campus through Dual Enrollment and Pre-College Summer Programs, while still in high school. She works with students, families, High Schools, and Career Technical Education Centers to connect students with academic programs that will explore their interests, enhance their education, and help them define their academic path.

Prior to this, Kerry served as a Senior Brand Manager in the college’s Marketing department working on both undergraduate and graduate marketing efforts. Her career in marketing and advertising evolved through several advertising agencies in Vermont and New York after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Marketing from St. Bonaventure University.

Hobbies

Outside of work, Kerry enjoys painting, traveling, baking, and spending time outside with her family – preferably near water.

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont

Starry Night Cafe, Spot on the Dock, August First. Hiking, sailing, beach days, farmer’s markets, Art Hop.

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Emily Rudolph

Biography

Emily Rudolph has been a member of the Champlain College community for eight years. In 2010, she arrived on campus as a first year student and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in 2014. After several years working in the hospitality industry, Emily returned to Champlain College in 2019 as a member of the admissions team. Emily has also been an active member for Staff Council and is the current Co-Chair of the Communications and Engagement Committee. When not on campus, Emily can be found at a local bookstore, hiking the Vermont trails, and skiing at as many mountains as she can.

Territory

Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts (Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Worcester), Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont (Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Washington), Wyoming

What are your hobbies?

Reading, hiking, skiing, and walking dogs.

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont

My favorite place to eat is either Bluebird BBQ or Folino’s Pizza

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