Staff

Jack Hastey

Staff Member	Office of Finance & Administration
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	Connecticut
Fun Fact About Me	I've hiked the Long Trail!
Contact	Miller Center at Lakeside

Biography

Jack has been skiing since he was 2 years old and his dad deemed it safe to start pushing him down off of mountaintops. He went to Bentley University and got a degree in Finance & Accounting and then worked as a consultant for nonprofit organizations in Boston. After that he moved to Vermont and had the immense pleasure of apprenticing as a production potter at Farmhouse Pottery. Over the course of 3 years he grew from an apprentice with precious little knowledge to a master with chronic shoulder pain. He has since moved to Burlington with his partner and two cats, and has been thoroughly enjoying his bike ride to work everyday.

Hobbies

Skiing, Hiking, Biking, Pottery

Favorite local eateries

Abracadabra Coffee in Pomfret

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Annika Hawkins-Hilke

Staff Member	Student Affairs, Diversity & Inclusion  Student Health Center
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Education	Johns Hopkins University, Master of Science in Nursing & Public Health; Wesleyan University, Bachelor of Arts; University of Vermont,
Home State	Vermont
Contact	Whiting Hall (Medical Center Portion)

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

Staff Member	Office of the President
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Areas of Expertise	Entrepreneurship Education Innovation
Contact	Freeman Hall, Room 300

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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Emma Hess

Staff Member	Office of Accessibility
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	New Hampshire
Contact	Miller Information Commons

Biography

Emma is enthusiastic about supporting all students on their unique academic journeys and is excited to be part of a college community that champions inclusion and equitable access. She graduated from Providence College with a B.A. in English. Emma has a long-held passion for disability education and advocacy both in and outside the classroom. She enjoys visiting family in New Hampshire, exploring local farms and indie businesses, and attempting to conquer a never-ending to-be-read list.

Hobbies

Reading, Painting, Baking

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont

Shelburne Farms

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Connor Holtkamp

Staff Member	Career Collaborative
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Contact	Perry Hall Schedule an Appointment

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Carrie Houlihan

Staff Member	Office of Marketing
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Connect Online	LinkedIn
Home State	Vermont
Contact	Remote

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

Staff Member	Office of Institutional Research & Assessment
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Education	Champlain College, Master of Business Administration; Champlain College, Bachelor of Science
Connect Online	LinkedIn
Home State	Peru
Fun Fact About Me	My secret dream is to have a homestead and raise alpacas, ducks, chickens, grow vegetables and wild flowers and just live off the land!
Contact	Joyce Hall

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

Faculty Member	Champlain College Online
Staff Member	Champlain College Online  Information Systems
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Education	Champlain College, Bachelor of Science; Champlain College, Associate in Science
Connect Online	Facebook X Personal Website
Contact	*Remote Email Me

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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Kristos (Stos) Iliopoulos

Staff Member	Office of Housing & Residential Life
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	Vermont
Fun Fact About Me	Once wore different pairs of SpongeBob themed socks for an entire semester of their undergrad.
Contact	Whiting Hall (Medical Center Portion)

Biography

Kristos (Stos) Iliopoulos is a ’26 Champlain alumni hailing from the beautiful area of south-east Vermont. He loves all things covered in peanut butter or dark chocolate, going for walks in nature, and creating media of all forms.

Hobbies

Learning, creating video games, talking to people

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Chikomborero Jeso

Staff Member	Student Accounts
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Education	Champlain College, Bachelor of Science Business Administration; University of Vermont,
Connect Online	LinkedIn YouTube
Contact	Perry Hall

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

Staff Member	Office of Marketing
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Education	Champlain College, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Connect Online	LinkedIn Personal Website
Home State	Pennsylvania
Fun Fact About Me	I'm writing a novel!
Contact	Remote

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

Staff Member	Office of Admissions
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Connect Online	LinkedIn
Home State	Vermont
Contact	Perry Hall Welcome Center

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

Staff Member	Office of Finance & Administration
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Contact	Miller Center at Lakeside

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Sage King

Staff Member	Information Systems
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Education	Champlain College, Bachelor of Science
Contact	Miller Center at Lakeside

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

Staff Member	Information Systems
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Education	Champlain College, Bachelor of Science
Contact	Rowell Annex

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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