College Council
College Council members are appointed by the governor. They advise the college’s senior administration and provide valuable assistance for problem-solving and for identifying sources of expertise beyond the campus community. They also advocate for the college in a variety of ways. The ACT Handbook(PDF) outlines the obligations of an appointed Council member.
College Council meets twice in the fall semester, and twice in the spring semester. According to an executive order, these meetings are recorded.
If you require accommodations for equal access to this event, please contact the Office of Accessibility Services via email at access@geneseo.edu, or call 585-245-5112 at least one week prior to this event.
College Council Members
Chair Christian Valentino, Esq. ’95 P’29
Dr. A. Gidget Hopf ’72
Dr. Judith Hunter
Rachel Laber Pulvino ’10
Mr. Joe Leathersich ’14
Lucas Pastwik, Student Association President ’26
Ms. Holly Salatel ’87 ’88
Ms. Jill Yonkers, Esq. ’96
Upcoming Meetings
The College Council will meet on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (in-person) and Friday, December 4, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. (virtual). Each College Council meeting is open to all, and will be streamed live on the web (below). Check back on this page for the live stream.
Contact Christie Reed at reedc@geneseo.edu at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting to arrange use of the viewing location in Doty 302e.
Agendas
College Council Agenda: October 2, 2026
Milne Multipurpose Room A · October 2, 2026 · 1:00–4:00 p.m.
1:00 Call to Order
Approval of the minutes of April 17, 2026
1:05 Guest Presentation
Title IX: Building Culture through Compliance and Education
Sara Hebert, Title IX Coordinator
Abigail Ranieri ’23, RF First Year Project Director
Ashlee Brisson ’28
Olympia Frisoni ’27
1:50 Student Association (SA) Report
Lucas Pastwik ’27
2:00 College Senate Report
Harry Howe
2:10 President’s Report
Melinda Treadwell
2:55 Chair’s Report
Christian Valentino ’95 P’29
Adjournment
College Council Meeting Agenda: April 17, 2026
April 17, 2026, 1:00–4:00 p.m., Doty Hall, Tower Room 300
1:00 PM: Call to Order
Approval of the minutes of February 20, 2026
1:05 PM: Guest Presentation
Workforce Development
SUNY Geneseo
Melanie Blood, Dean for Workforce Development & Associate Provost for Curriculum
Jessie Stack Lombardo, Executive Director for Career Design
Livingston County
Ryan Snyder, Director of Workforce Development John Jaeger, Employment Counselor
1:50 PM: Student Association (SA) Report
Lucas Pastwik ’27
2:00 PM College Senate Report
Robert Doggett
2:10 PM: President’s Report
Melinda Treadwell
2:55 PM: Chair’s Report
Jill Emmons- convener
Executive Session
It is anticipated that the Council will call for a motion to convene an Executive Session under provisions of Section 105 of Article 7 of the Public Officers Law.
By 3:30 PM: Adjournment
College Council Meeting Agenda: December 5, 2025
Virtual with Public Viewing Location Available: Doty Hall, 302e
1:00 PM: Call to Order
Approval of the minutes of December 5, 2025
1:05 PM: Guest Presentation
GENESEO KNIGHTS: Representing the Best of NCAA Division III
Mike Taberski, Vice President for Student & Campus Life
Dani Drews, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation
Jessica Seren, Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation
1:50 PM: Student Association (SA) Report
Lucas Pastwik ’27
2:00 PM: College Senate Report
Robert Doggett
2:10 PM: President’s Report
Melinda Treadwell
2:55 PM: Chair’s Report
Christian Valentino ’95 P’29
3:15 PM: New Business
Resolution
By 3:30 PM: Adjournment
College Council Meeting Agenda: December 5, 2025
Milne Multipurpose Room A, December 05, 2025, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
1:00 PM: Call to Order
Approval of the minutes of October 07, 2025
1:05 PM: Guest Presentation
Innovations and Updates from Campus Auxiliary Services
Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Mathew Felthousen, Executive Director of Campus Auxiliary Services
1:50 PM: Student Association (SA) Report
Lucas Pastwik ’27
2:00 PM: College Senate Report
Robert Doggett
2:10 PM: President’s Report
Melinda Treadwell
2:55 PM: Chair’s Report
Christian Valentino ’95 P’29
By 3:15 PM: Adjournment
Meeting Minutes
Virtual
PRESENT:
- Melisza Campos
- Gidget Hopf
- Judith Hunter
- Joe Leathersich
- Lucas Pastwik
- Rachel Pulvino
- Christian Valentino, Chair
STAFF:
- Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Carolyn Campell, Interim Vice President for College Advancement
- Rob Doggett, College Senate Chair
- Rodmon King, Chief Diversity Officer
- Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff/ Interim Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
- Christie Reed, Administrative Assistant to the President
- Mike Taberski, Vice President for Student and Campus Life
- Mary Toale, Provost
Melinda Treadwell, President
GUESTS:
- Dani Drews, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation
- Jessica Seren, Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Valentino called the meeting to order at 1:03pm.
A quorum was present and the minutes of the December 5, 2025 meeting were approved.
Chair introduced new Council member Rachel Pulvino and invited Pulvino to introduce herself. Chair also invited Joe Leathersich, who joined the meeting in progress, to introduce himself.
GUEST PRESENTATION
GENESEO KNIGHTS: Representing the Best of NCAA Division III
Mike Taberski, Vice President for Student & Campus Life
Dani Drews, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation
Jessica Seren, Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation
Drews offered an overview of the vision for the Geneseo student-athlete experience. Seren shared statistics from 2024-25 and 2025-26 related to number of teams, athletes, and service hours, academic achievement and competitive success. Further, outcomes related to engagement, well-being, and belonging were discussed, as well as some of the current challenges and constraints that athletes and coaches face. The department remains focused on maintaining its distinctiveness.
The presenters entertained questions from the Council. The Council would be interested in a future discussion about club sports.
STUDENT ASSOCIATION REPORT
Pastwik offered an update on the events and activities of the Student Association. The SA is engaged in its annual budget allocation process. The SA is advocating for drop boxes for shipping packages, club sport usage of competition spaces, and workout center hours expansion. The SA is also advocating for SUNY support for addressing Geneseo’s deferred maintenance.
COLLEGE SENATE REPORT
Senate Chair Doggett provided an update on the activities of the College Senate. The governance committee continues to review bylaws for opportunities to streamline and clarify processes and expectations. There are new task forces for public art policy and emeritus status. Doggett reports that faculty appreciate greater understanding of the College’s strategy related to financial sustainability.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Treadwell queued up a video produced by the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges promoting the benefits of a liberal arts education. She shared key highlights from her first 100 days with a focus on national, state, and local engagement and initiatives.
The President entertained questions.
CHAIR’S REPORT
The Chair acknowledged that he has received positive feedback from Council members about recent meeting content, President’s reports, and other updates, and expressed appreciation for the efforts in sharing such news and information.
NEW BUSINESS
The Chair presented a resolution in recognition of Melisza Campos’ service to the College Council. Chair invited Campos to offer remarks. The Council approved by the resolution.
The meeting adjourned at 2:56pm
College Council Meeting Minutes for December 5, 2025
Virtual
Present:
- Gidget Hopf
- Judith Hunter
- Joe Leathersich
- Lucas Pastwik
- Rachel Pulvino
- Holly Salatel
- Christian Valentino, Chair
- Jill Yonkers
Staff:
- Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Carolyn Campell, Interim Vice President for College Advancement
- Rob Doggett, College Senate Chair
- Rodmon King, Chief Diversity Officer
- Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff/ Interim Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
- 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
- Melinda Treadwell, President
Guests:
- Mat Felthousen, Executive Director, Campus Auxiliary Services
Call to Order
Chair Valentino called the meeting to order at 1:03pm.
A quorum was present and the minutes of the October 7, 2025 meeting were approved.
Chair welcomed the Council and introduced President Melinda Treadwell to her first, in person meeting.
President expressed appreciation for the Council and the warm welcome.
Chair invited feedback on the format of these regular meetings and the future content.
Guest Presentation
Innovations and Updates from Campus Auxiliary Services
Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Mathew Felthousen, Executive Director of Campus Auxiliary Services
VP Buehler described Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS) as a separate auxiliary unit of the College. The relationship the College has with CAS enables Geneseo to innovate and reinvest in students and the institution. Matt Felthousen, the executive director of CAS presented on the services that CAS provides to the College. Some of the areas that CAS has oversight for are student meal plans, property rentals, catering, vending, and bookstore. He highlighted responsive and innovative approaches the organization takes to creating a wide variety of retail and dining options for students.
There was a discussion. A recommendation was made to encourage CAS to further promote the admirable percentage of the food/ingredients that are sourced locally.
Student Association Report
Pastwik offered an update on the events and activities of the Student Association. The SA has been advocating for the student body to address parking concerns. The body is working with Julie Buehler on seeking solutions for students who need assistance with transportation to student teaching placements. The SA has also heard concerns about a decline in adjunct faculty positions. SA is also looking at increasing information and awareness of off-campus student services and local policies and ordinances. The SA has funded Livingston CARES for student scholarships and GCAB for student programming. An SA employee is retiring and the SA will be searching for a replacement.
President Treadwell thanks Lucas for his service as SA President.
College Senate Report
Senate Chair Doggett provided an update on the activities of the College Senate. The faculty at large have concerns about the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the academy and concerns with data accuracy, academic dishonesty, promulgation of bias, and environmental impact, as well as the circumvention of metacognition and the process of meaning making. Alternatively, there is optimism and enthusiasm for the College and a warm reception of the new president.
There was a discussion.
President’s Report
Dr. Treadwell reviewed the ’25-26 institutional priorities and the efforts and strategies associated with them.
Financial Stability
Components of our financial stability plan include stabilizing enrollment; continued academic excellence; focus on student outcomes; marketing and growth in new markets.
Leadership transition and institutional culture
Presidential transition and onboarding are well underway to ensure a successful start. There are a few interim cabinet leaders and work is underway to stabilize these roles.
Advocacy, positioning, and external relations
The President has already been active in advocacy work with state and federal legislative individuals. Identifying partnerships and ecosystems will help increase funding and opportunities for Geneseo students. An area of success has been in securing funding for enhancement to the campus physical plant.
The President entertained questions.
Chair’s Report
The Chair expressed interest in continuing to hear about the topics of interest the Council would like to hear about and learn about. Please pass along suggestions to him or Wendi.
The Chair encouraged the Council to consider making an annual contribution of any size to the Geneseo Foundation with a goal of achieving 100% participation.
The meeting adjourned at 3:01pm
College Council Meeting Minutes: October 7, 2025
Virtual
Present:
- Judith Hunter
- Holly Salatel
- Lucas Pastwik
- Christian Valentino
- Joe Leathersich
- Jill Yonkers
Staff:
- 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
Guests:
- Sam Canter, Student
- Rowan Considine, Student
- Mackenzie Gerringer, Associate Professor of Biology
- Emily McMahon, Alumna
- Melinda Treadwell, Incoming President
Call to Order
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.
Executive Session
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