Committee
Angela Baker serves as the manager of Adjunct Services at the Western Campus. She has more than 20 years of experience in employee management and human resources, working in the profit and nonprofit sectors. She started her career at Tri-C as a human resources coordinator in 2014. Baker holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management and Services from Franklin University.
Radiah Blanton joined Tri-C in 2012 and has served in various roles throughout the College, from External and Government Relations to her current position as chief of staff in the Office of the President. In this role, Blanton works with the College president and Executive Leadership team to lead institutional strategies and the execution of key initiatives that align with the goals and mission of the College. Blanton most recently served as the executive director of Strategic Initiatives, where she collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to lead the implementation of College projects. She provided administrative leadership as the associate dean of Liberal Arts and encouraged academic innovation. Blanton was also the director of Tri-C’s Brunswick University Center (BUC), where she worked to find synergies between the local labor market and BUC programming and direct initiatives that serve students and the community.
Krista Cicogna serves as the student advisor at the Westshore Campus for the Women in Transition (WIT) program, which empowers women to move their lives forward as they build personalized academic and professional development plans. Before joining WIT, she worked in TRIO’s Educational Talent Search program at the Metropolitan Campus. Cicogna also spent 20 years as a high school English teacher and holds a Master of Science in Education from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences from West Liberty University. She also volunteers as a mentor with College Now Greater Cleveland.
Nanci Coleman is the Collegewide director of Employer Outreach in Career Services at the Western Campus. She has more than 25 years of experience with a variety of public, private and nonprofit organizations. Coleman has expertise in career development and job placement and a deep knowledge of local growth industries and hiring practices. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University.
Ann Conrad serves as the associate dean for math and business at Tri-C's Eastern campus. Prior to coming the Tri-C, she worked at Baldwin Wallace University for 21 years. At BW, she held numerous roles including bookstore cashier, office coordinator, MBA recruitment and admissions, adjunct professor, student advisor and director of the undergraduate business programs. Conrad earned her B.A. in Business and an MBA during her time at BW. In Fall 2022, she completed her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University.
Paige Crawford is the program coordinator for Tri-C's Student Basic Needs Grant, which supports the mission of Project Go! Prior to joining Tri-C, Crawford served in various roles across Cuyahoga County, including eligibility specialist at Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services, child protection specialist at the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services and specialized dockets coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. With a background in social services, Crawford has a passion for working with low-income youth and families in Cuyahoga County to alleviate barriers to education, jobs and self-sufficiency. Crawford holds an MPA from Ohio University, an M.S. in criminal justice and a B.S. in journalism from Bowling Green State University. She plans to pursue an Ed.D. in leadership in the next five years.
Michael Culp has cultivated meaningful, lifelong connections between Tri-C and its alumni for the past seven years. He fosters Tri-C pride by connecting alumni with the College and one another, as well as with faculty and current students. Culp is a U.S. Air Force veteran who graduated from Tri-C with an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services and an Associate of Arts. He served as the Board Student Scholar for the 2015-2016 academic year and later transferred to the University of Akron, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work.
Sonja Elekhtaby serves as the manager of Adjunct Services at the Eastern Campus. With a diverse background spanning finance, human resources, performing arts and the retail automotive industry, Elekhtaby brings a wealth of experience to her role. A graduate of Tri-C’s Mandel Leadership Development Program, she has leveraged this foundation to make significant contributions to the community, including serving on the board of the East End Neighborhood House. She is also a mentor for students in the College Now program and Tri-C’s Mandel Scholars Academy, supporting their academic and professional growth.
Chareeka Evans is an alumna of Tri-C, where she advanced from an administrative assistant to the supervisor of Testing and Tutoring Services at the Metropolitan Campus. She leveraged her diverse expertise to enhance the Academic Professional Development, Instructional Design and Learning Excellence, and Online Learning and Academic Technology teams. Evans also serves as a co-lead on the Women’s Summit committee and recently served as a panelist for the fourth annual summit, “Catch the Fire: Women as Agents of Change in the Workplace.” She also volunteers for the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon and advises the Convocation Committee. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, demonstrating her commitment to ongoing growth and excellence.
Janika Garner-Davis serves as the unit operations specialist III in Adjunct Services at the Eastern Campus. Garner-Davis has been with the College since 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. With over 25 years of experience in program administration, program management, volunteer management, grant management, budget management and database management, she brings a wealth of knowledge along with a deep passion for education to her position.
Magda Gómez serves as the executive director of Diversity and Inclusion, working on multiple initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusivity awareness and education. Her work focuses on valuing students and employees by encouraging mutual respect and honoring the unique perspectives each person brings to the table. Gómez is a board member of the Hispanic Roundtable of Cleveland, serves on the Greater Cleveland Food Bank board of directors and the Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital board of trustees, and is a member of the Equity Leadership Council for the United Way of Greater Cleveland. Gómez holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from the National American University, a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from John Carroll University. She is a proud alumna of Tri-C, where she earned an Associate of Arts.
Alanna Gordon serves as the administrative coordinator for Academic Success at the Westshore Campus, where she has worked since September 2022. Before joining Tri-C, Gordon held the position of registrar at both Bryant & Stratton College and ITT Technical Institute. She has also enjoyed adjunct teaching roles at several colleges and universities. Gordon holds a Master of Science from Tiffin University and a Bachelor of Arts from David N. Myers University, bringing extensive experience in academic administration, student services and teaching to her current role.
Robyn Henry is one of two workforce liaison recruiters for the Advanced Technology Academy. She has held this position since March 2022. Henry has a B.A. in psychology from Kent State University. Prior to coming to Tri-C, she worked as an early childhood educator for many years in Cleveland and Atlanta. She has also worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland and the Cleveland Job Corps Center.
Christine Hickey has worked for Tri-C for over 24 years, working her way up from a production assistant in the Television Production department to the executive director of Television and Video Services. While producing videos for Tri-C, she received a Regional Emmy for her work on “Your Health & Wellness.” Hickey serves on the Cleveland International Film Festival board of trustees. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Television, Film and New Media from San Diego State University.
Sheila Howard is the coordinator in the Student Affairs office. She provides administrative support to the dean and assistant dean. Prior to coming to Tri-C, she was executive director of the JD Breast Cancer Foundation and has worked in health care as an IRB manager regulating clinical research and as a data manager scheduling and reporting flu season data for a local hospital. Howard began her journey as a temporary employee in 2016.
Kate Lamb started at Tri-C as an adjunct faculty member for Visual Communication and Design (VC&D) in 2010. She became program manager of VC&D and the Film and Media Arts program in 2015. Currently, she is the program manager of the Student Production Office. Prior to coming to Tri-C, she worked in marketing and creative departments in the building and automotive industries. Lamb holds a B.A. in communication from Bowling Green State University. She is currently finishing her master’s degree at Tiffin University, focusing on arts and visual media. Her community involvement includes the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, the Cleveland International Film Festival, Americans in Graphic Arts and the Director’s Circle at the Kent State University Museum of Fashion.
Kyle Malmberg serves as the director of Instructional Design and Learning Excellence at Tri-C. He holds an Ed.D. and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction with a specialty in educational technology. His education, experience and strengths combine to further adult education and find ways to make it more efficient — particularly in online learning. He has a passion for identifying others’ strengths and how they can apply those strengths to further their learning. With experience in customer service, technology, management and training, Malmberg is driven to help students, staff and teachers create the best educational environment possible.
Nikki Matala joined Tri-C in May 2022. She spent 12 years as executive director of the Willoughby Area Chamber of Commerce before exploring opportunities at Hospice of the Western Reserve and the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. Nikki’s volunteer experience includes membership on various nonprofit boards and six years as an emergency department ambassador at Hillcrest Hospital.
Jennifer McCall is the contract training program coordinator with Corporate College. She thrives when managing relationships and processes, coordinating training and events, contributing to collaborative team efforts and actively engaging in organizational initiatives. Her experience has afforded her exposure to many facets of program planning and implementation, including managing relationships and processes, end-to-end training and event execution, and program and process development.
McCall has worked in a variety of industries including health care, engineering/manufacturing, hospitality, and print and promotional advertising. She loves to motivate women to become the best versions of themselves.
Jessica McLaughlin is an associate professor of psychology at Tri-C. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Wayne State University and currently teaches General Psychology, Child Growth and Development, and Psychopathology. McLaughlin is passionate about incorporating social justice issues into her classroom, with an emphasis on mental health stigma. She can be found at the Metro Campus, advising the Active Minds club and serving as a faculty ambassador for the Office of Online Learning and Academic Technology (OLAT).
Maria Mitchell is the project manager of Academic Affairs. An alumna of Tri-C, Mitchell has been with the College since 2007, also working in the areas of Institutional Research and Corporate College®. Prior to joining Tri-C, Mitchell worked at KeyBank for 10 years as a training coordinator and sourcing analyst.
Emily Moore has been working at the College for over 15 years. She is currently the manager of Campus Scheduling at the Eastern Campus. During her tenure at Tri-C, she has had the opportunity to work at Corporate College® East and the Western and Metropolitan campuses in various roles in the Enrollment Center, Fire Academy, Campus Scheduling and Academics. Moore is a Tri-C alumna, serving on several committees within the College and actively participating in community engagement opportunities. She is pursuing a degree in organizational leadership online at the Columbia College of Business.
Dr. Delia (Dee Dee) Pfister has served at Cuyahoga Community College for over 11 years in various dean roles and is currently the Associate Vice President, Academic Professional Development, Online Learning, and Transfer. Previously, she served at Ursuline College, Lake Erie College, Fifth Third Bank, and Axelband and Brown Advertising. Dr. Pfister holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Kent State University, a master’s in interpersonal communication, a graduate certificate in women’s studies, a bachelor’s in organizational communication, and a minor in studio art from Ohio University. She earned the Dissertation of the Year Award (2017), National Council on Student Development with her research entitled, Singled Out for Success: A Narrative Inquiry of Single Mothers in the Community College. In her spare time, she enjoys leadership coaching, gourmet and vegan/plant-based cooking, church marriage ministry, volunteering, musical theater, and traveling with her family.
Robin Pijor serves as the program manager for Career Exploration within the Career Center at the Eastern Campus. In this role, she focuses on connecting students with various initiatives that allow them to explore their career interests, such as job shadowing, employer panels, internships, networking events and more. Pijor has worked in higher education for over 20 years, with the last 15 dedicated to career services. She has leadership, teaching and coaching experience and has worked with a diverse population of students, alumni and community members. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Education in Health Education and Promotion from Kent State University.
Katie Ponsart currently serves as the Student Success Specialist at the Westshore Campus. She has worked at Tri-C for three years. Ponsart enjoys getting to meet students and walking alongside them on their academic journey. Prior to becoming the Student Success Specialist, she was the Student Life advisor for the Westshore Campus, where she enjoyed creating fun and welcoming events for students. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Mershayde Powell is the Admissions and Enrollment Services representative at the Metropolitan Campus, where she primarily helps students with enrollment. After joining Tri-C in 2018, she furthered her education and obtained two degrees in information technology from Tri-C in 2020. Powell holds a Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Homeland Security from Tiffin University. She is currently working on her Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Tiffin University.
Erica Sabo serves as the benefits specialist for human resources. Sabo has worked in a variety of industries, including insurance, manufacturing, human resources consulting, health care and accounting. With more than eight years of human resources experience, she is committed to growing in higher education human resources and helping others realize their potential.
HerBrina Shepherd is an accomplished author, educator and community leader who is passionate about empowering Black girls and women through storytelling. As the founder of Just Bloom LLC, she self-publishes children’s books that celebrate Black girl magic, including Amara, The Brave Mermaid, Maya’s Sunflower Magic and HerBrina, The Amazing! Currently a transfer specialist at Tri-C, she also advocates for literacy and student success. Shepherd serves on the Maple Heights City Schools Board of Education and volunteers with organizations that foster educational growth.
Janet Spitzig, DBA, has worked in higher education for over 15 years in academic affairs, student affairs and enrollment management. She has backgrounds in marketing, program planning and student success initiatives. With a passion for helping students achieve their goals, she has focused on first-year student retention, developmental math completion, gateway English completion and enhancing the student experience. She serves as the dean of Academic Success at the Western Campus. Spitzig holds a Doctor of Business Administration from Franklin University, a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Development and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Cleveland State University.
Candice Storey is Program Director of Tri-C's Paralegal Studies Program. She earned her bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and her law degree from Cleveland State University. After practicing law for just a couple of years, Candice jumped into a career in higher education where she worked in several administrative capacities at Case Western Reserve University School of Law before coming to Tri-C.
Amanda Van Wormer has helped attract top talent to the College in the Office of Human Resources since 2015. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from the University of Mount Union and has worked in recruiting in many industries since 2010. She is thrilled that her path led her to Tri-C, where she has been able to combine her passion for recruitment and higher education.
Robin Williams assistant dean of academic affairs at Tri-C’s Westshore Campus. She formerly served as collegewide program manager of Tri-C's seven Business Administration academic programs.
She has more than a decade of experience in higher education, which includes business faculty, a regional and international faculty recruiter for Indiana Wesleyan University, and an assistant director of academic operations for Ursuline College’s Adult program. She has also served in executive management roles in corporate and nonprofit sectors. Williams holds a master’s in strategic management from Indiana Wesleyan and a B.A. from Ursuline. She is currently pursuing a doctorate of education in leadership and higher education administration American College of Education in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Director for Student Engagement at West and Westshore, Chava brings 15+ years of student affairs experience and a passion for creating space for students to belong. Outside Tri-C, you can find Chava exploring the Metro Parks with her dogs and being the Best Auntie Ever.
Terrii Zernechel is the scheduling specialist for the Eastern Campus. This is her third year on the Women’s Summit Committee and her second year as the co-chair. Zernechel is a published author and is currently working toward her master’s degree at Tiffin University.