MCC Announces Appointments to Faculty Positions

Manchester Community College is pleased to announce the following full-time faculty appointments:

Linsey Bareisa has been named instructor of English. She holds a master of arts degree from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and a bachelor of arts degree from Eastern Connecticut State University. Prior to joining MCC full-time, Bareisa was an adjunct faculty at the college since 2007. She was co-director of the CCSU Writing Center from 2013 and has also taught at CCSU and as part of the Connecticut Collegiate Awareness Preparation Program.

Kevin Bechard was named instructor of business. He has nine years of experience teaching business courses to a diverse range of students at the community-college level. He has also served as interim director of the Executive MBA program at the University of Hartford and has field experience as a marketing and branding consultant at Loft & Chambers in Bristol, Conn. He holds an MBA and a bachelor of science degree, both from University of Hartford.

Robert Brandt was named instructor of communication. He holds an MFA in screenwriting from Hollins University and master of arts and bachelor of arts degrees in media and film studies, both from Rhode Island College. He is also an alumnus of MCC. Prior to joining the college faculty full time, Brandt was an adjunct faculty member here and has also served as chair and assistant professor of communication arts and humanities at Mitchell College. Brandt also owns and operates a freelance videography business.

Stacey Bottone was appointed instructor of business office technology (BOT), medical. She is an experienced healthcare/business professional and educator with more than 18 years of experience and is a certified medical reimbursement specialist (CMRS) and certified professional coder (CPC). She has served as adjunct faculty at Everest University, Quinebaug Valley Community College, Kaplan University and others. Bottone holds an MBA from Salve Regina University and earned a bachelor of science degree from Charter Oak State College. Bottone is currently completing a Ph.D. in applied management and decision sciences from Walden University.

Alina Ciscel was appointed assistant professor/program coordinator of the college’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program. She holds a master’s degree in linguistics and teaching ESL from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor of arts in philology/teaching ESL from Moldova State University. Prior to joining MCC, she was ESL program director at Goodwin College since 2002. She served as adjunct faculty at Central Connecticut State University for four years and was director of studies at the International Language Training Center in Chisinau, Moldova.

Dr. Meghan Finely was appointed instructor of sociology. Finely earned her Ph.D. from Northeastern University and holds a master of arts degree from the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. She joins MCC from Albertus Magnus College, where she served as institutional research and assessment analyst and was on the adjunct faculty there. She alsoworked at the Consultation Center at the Yale University School of Medicine as an evaluation coordinator in the Psychology department, and she is widely published in her field.

Jennifer Gutterman was appointed instructor of graphic arts. Gutterman previously developed and taught new media content at Middlesex Community College. She holds an MFA from the Academy of Art University and a BFA from Syracuse University, and she has extensive professional experience in game design, 3D animation and digital media. She is technically proficient in a broad range of graphic software and hardware, including 3D printing. Gutterman is also the owner and principal designer of magpieArt Studio, a freelance graphic design firm with a national client base.

Kathryn Kleis Carbone was appointed instructor of criminal justice. Prior to joining MCC, she was assistant professor, criminal justice and homeland security, at Goodwin College since 2012. She is also adjunct faculty at the University of New Haven and Naugatuck Valley Community College, and has researched and published widely in the field of criminal justice. She holds bachelor’s degrees from the University of Connecticut and Western Connecticut State University and a master of arts degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She expects to complete a Ph.D. from the University of New Haven this fall.

Claudia LaRocque was appointed instructor of accounting and finance. She is a certified financial planner (CFP) and holds a master of science degree in taxation from the University of Hartford and a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Eastern Connecticut State University. She has taught accounting, financial, investment and insurance topics to students of all levels at community colleges and four-year institutions throughout the state and has also served as an investment associate at Wells Fargo Advisors in Glastonbury, Conn.

Donna Ness has been named assistant professor/program coordinator, therapeutic recreation. Prior to joining MCC, Ness was an adjunct faculty member in the school of health, physical education and recreation at Springfield College. She earned a master of science degree in interdisciplinary movement sciences and a bachelor’s degree, both from Springfield College. She is a certified American College of Sports Medicine health fitness specialist, a National Strength and Conditioning Association certified specialist, and is also certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator.

Dr. Eileen Roark was appointed instructor of biology. She earned her Ph.D. from Thomas Jefferson University and holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Connecticut. She joins MCC after serving as associate professor and academic program director of biological sciences at Lincoln College of New England. She was also adjunct faculty at Central Connecticut State University, Tunxis Community College, Sacred Heart University and other two- and four-year institutions around the state. She is widely published and is the recipient of numerous awards and grants in her field.

Lisa Sandoval was appointed instructor of English. Sandoval was previously professor of English at Joliet Junior College, where she also served as Writing Center coordinator, Phi Theta Kappa advisor and member of the Honors Program Advisory committee. She earned a master of arts degree from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University. She has been a blogger on a children’s and young adult literature review site and a literacy program coordinator, and has presented at numerous academic workshops.

Nora Uricchio was named assistant professor/Radiologic Science program coordinator. She brings extensive field experience to the college’s new program. She was most recently program director of radiation therapy at Hartford Hospital since 1996 and also served as clinical coordinator there. She also chairs or is a member of numerous trade organizations and is widely published. She holds a master of education degree from Cambridge College in Massachusetts, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine and associate degrees from Southern Maine Technical College and Eastern Maine Technical College.

William Williams was appointed assistant professor, hotel/tourism. Williams holds a master’s degree in industrial relations and a bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management, both from the University of New Haven. He is certified by the Connecticut Culinary Institute and also by the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation. He joins MCC from the faculty of the College of Southern Maryland, where he was professor and program coordinator in hospitality.