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Virtual

• Judith Hunter
• Holly Salatel
• Lucas Pastwik
• Christian Valentino
• Joe Leathersich
• Jill Yonkers

• Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
• Rob Doggett, College Senate Chair
• Kerri Howell, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
• Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff
• Christie Reed, Administrative Assistant to the President
• Amy Sheldon, Interim Provost
• Mary Toale, Officer-in-Charge

• Sam Canter, Student
• Rowan Considine, Student
• Mackenzie Gerringer, Associate Professor of Biology
• Emily McMahon, Alumna
• Melinda Treadwell, Incoming President

Convener Valentino called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. Incoming president, Melinda Treadwell, and new council member, Joe Leathersich, were introduced and welcomed. Valentino thanked Toale and Sheldon for their service in their interim roles in support of the presidential transition. The minutes of the April 11, 2025 meeting were approved. The minutes of the July 22, 2025 were approved as amended.

The executive session concluded and Chair Wayland-Smith reported that the executive session was held to discuss the names of candidates under consideration to become the next president of Geneseo. No action was taken.

There was no further business. Chair Wayland-Smith called for a motion to adjourn.

The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.

Wendi Kinney, Recording Secretary

Virtual

• Judith Hunter
• Holly Mullin
• Lucas Pastwik
• Christian Valentino
• Robert Wayland-Smith
• Jill Yonkers

• Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff

• Greg Duyck, WittKieffer
• Zulaika Rodriguez, SUNY
• Melody Rose, WittKieffer

Mary C. Toale – Office in Charge

Wendi Kinney – Recording Secretary

Milne Library Multipurpose Room

• Orquidia Geraldino
• Gidget Hopf (remote)
• Judith Hunter
• Christian Valentino
• Robert Wayland-Smith
• Jill Yonkers

• Denise Battles, President
• Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
• Carolyn Campbell, Interim Vice President for College Advancement (virtual)
• Rob Doggett, College Senate Chair
• Kerri Howell, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
• Rodmon King, Chief Diversity Officer
• Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff
• Christie Reed, Administrative Assistant to the President
• Costas Solomou, Vice President for Enrollment Management
• Mike Taberski, Vice President for Student and Campus Life
• Mary Toale, Provost

• Makayla French, student
• Abigail Miller, student
• Rachel Ntor, student
• Alexis Ochs, student
• Lucas Pastwik, student

Chair Wayland-Smith called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.

The minutes of the February 28, 2025 meeting were approved.

• Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff

Kinney offered an overview of the presidential search process. The college’s and council’s roles within the system-level search was reviewed. Council members can expect to be invited to participate in the committee’s final deliberations, to receive an unranked list of acceptable candidates, and to be convened in a special session to select those candidates to be advanced to the System from which the next president will be selected.

• Kerri Howell, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer
• Rodmon King, Chief Diversity Officer

Howell and King reminded the council of the institution’s mission, vision, and values. The council was engaged in a discussion about what is meaningful to them about these values, as well as how these values can be central principles even as they may be challenged by external forces. As we seek the next president, some questions to be considered were proposed.

• Mary Toale, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Makayla French ’25
• Abigail Miller ’25
• Rachel Ntor ’25
• Alexis Ochs ’25

Toale facilitated a question and answer session with four of the college’s Presidential Scholars on the various ways the college’s mission, vision, and values have impacted their Geneseo experience. The students also shared what characteristics they would like the next president to possess.

The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.

Geraldino was joined by incoming SA president Pastwik in sharing the Student Association’s spring updates. The referendum passed, as well as the fee increase proposal, with a record level of student participation. The SA is seeking to advocate at the system-level for an increase in the student activity fee cap, which has remain unchanged for eight years. The SA election results were shared and upcoming coming events were highlighted.

Doggett shared that the Senate has continued work on revisions to the promotion and tenure policies and procedures to simplify and clarify the process and recognize the full range of faculty work. There are constitutional amendments under consideration to clean up inconsistencies and incorporate the addition of the dean of arts and sciences structure. Doggett and Toale are exploring ways to increase participation in shared governance roles. Doggett thanked Valentino for his efforts with the presidential search and the positive response to the listening sessions. Further, he shared that a task force is drafting guidelines regarding the responsible and critical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.

President Battles shared a variety of institutional updates.

President Battles announced that Dr. Agya Boakye-Boaten has been named the inaugural Dean of Arts and Sciences.

President Battles updated Council members on recent developments that advance the strategic plan. Enrollment and student success data was reviewed. Updates related to various campus construction projects were also shared. The Milne Library ribbon cutting is scheduled for April 25, 2025 and the Sturges Hall project has entered phase II with a target completion of AY2026-27. The comprehensive campaign now sits at 95% of goal. We will celebrate our Campaign Close Event as part of Reunion Weekend.

KnightNet and branding initiatives related to the honors college designation were highlighted.

Battles highlighted a few of the many recent faculty, staff, student, and college achievements, awards, and recognitions.

The President offered final thoughts and words of appreciation as she concludes her final meeting with the College Council.

The President entertained Q&A from College Council.

Chair Wayland-Smith offered remarks on the accomplishments of President Battles during her 10-year tenure at Geneseo.

Chair Wayland-Smith presented a resolution recognizing the service of President Battles. The Chair moved that the Council adopt the resolution as presented. The motion was moved and seconded. The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 3:14 p.m.

Denise A. Battles, President

Wendi Kinney, Recording Secretary

Virtually via Zoom

• Orquidia Geraldino
• Gidget Hopf
• Judith Hunter
• Holly Salatel
• Christian Valentino
• Robert Wayland-Smith
• Jill Yonkers

• Denise Battles, President
• Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
• Carolyn Campbell, Interim Vice President for College Advancement
• Rob Doggett, College Senate Chair
• Kerri Howell, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
• Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff
• Christie Reed, Administrative Assistant to the President
• Costas Solomou, Vice President for Enrollment Management
• Mary Toale, Provost

• Julie Briggs, Vice President for Finance & Administration
• Pamela Connor, Associate Executive Director & Business Officer, Campus Auxiliary Services
• Destiny Pichardo, student

Chair Wayland-Smith called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m.

The minutes of the December 6, 2024 meeting were approved.

Chair Wayland-Smith motioned to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter related to the presidential search. The motion was seconded and approved. The Council entered executive session at 1:03 p.m.

The executive session concluded at 2:00 p.m. No action was taken.

• Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance & Administration
• Julie Briggs, Associate Vice President for Human Resources
• Pam Connor, Associate Executive Director & Business Officer, Campus Auxiliary Services

A few years ago, Council viewed a presentation about the pilot program for the Leadership Journey. Today’s presentation offers an update on the evolution of this professional development program. Briggs reviewed the framework used to guide the program content. There are four, one-year phases to the cohort program. Phase 4 is currently under development.

Connor presented the project work completed by one cohort to establish a functional organizational chart as an example of the project component of the Leadership Journey.

This program has been presented at the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA). Keys to success such as program champions and cabinet-level support were highlighted. It is anticipated that the program will continue to evolve and explore new pathways for professional development.

The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.

• Destiny Pichardo ’25
• Orquidia Geraldino ’25

Presenters provided an overview of the work carried out by the Title IX Office and their experience as interns in the office. Internship experiences enable students to utilize existing skillsets; acquiring new skills; gain experience working with real-life situations; prepare for post-graduate work; and promote creativity and critical thinking skills. Other skills developed include public speaking, collaboration, and listening.

The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.

Geraldino shared the Student Association’s efforts in spreading the word about the referendum through classroom visits and a variety of activities. They have launched a scavenger duck hunt activity in collaboration with WGSU radio and held a club competition using social media. As a result of the SA Public Relations Chair’s efforts, the SA’s social media engagement has increased dramatically. The SA is hopeful that voting will result in a passed referendum and approval for the proposed $16 student activity fee increase.

Doggett shared that the Senate has been working on a revision of the faculty constitution due to the addition of the Dean of Arts and Sciences position, necessary editorial clean up needs, and to ensure alignment between the document and practices. Senate is also updating the forms used for faculty tenure and promotion. Doggett reports positive student morale and that employees have expressed support for our student well-being, especially during this time of great change at the national level. Doggett shared that the tradition of the open forum during search processes is strong at Geneseo and urges the Council and presidential search committee to ensure campus involvement as much as possible within the guidelines of the representational search model.

There was further discussion with Council members regarding the representational search model.

President Battles shared a variety of institutional updates.

Dr. Carolyn Campbell began her service on February 13, 2025.

President Battles updated Council members on recent developments that advance the strategic plan. Progress highlights include the International Baccalaureate initiative; expansion of summer programming and events; planning for athletics upgrades; and continued momentum related to campus construction. Our comprehensive campaign is now at 92.7% of goal.

Battles highlighted a few of the many recent faculty, staff, student, and college achievements, awards, and recognitions.

The President entertained Q&A from College Council.

Chair Wayland-Smith thanked Dr. Battles for her College report. The Chair acknowledged the importance of the presidential search and expressed appreciation for Battles’ service to Geneseo.

The next meeting will be on April 11, 2025 from 1:00-4:00pm in Milne Multipurpose Room.

The meeting adjourned at 3:46 p.m.

Denise A. Battles, President

Wendi Kinney, Recording Secretary