New Staff Joins Manchester Community College

Manchester, CT – (July 8, 2008) . . . Manchester Community College is pleased to announce the following additions to its staff:

David Caldwell, of Glastonbury, has joined MCC as instructor of English in the Liberal Arts division. Caldwell will be responsible for teaching courses in English, assessing outcomes and curriculum development, advising students and participating on college committees.

Caldwell was formerly an adjunct lecturer in English at Asnuntuck Community College, Manchester Community College, Tunxis Community College and the University of Hartford. Previously, he taught at the City College of San Francisco. Caldwell holds a master of arts degree in English from Trinity College and a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Connecticut.

Patricia Carrigan, of East Granby, is the newest instructor in fine arts in the Liberal Arts division. Carrigan was formerly an adjunct lecturer in Fine Arts at MCC. Carrigan is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a master of fine arts degree. She also holds a bachelor of arts degree in painting, and art education from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York.

As an instructor of fine arts, Carrigan will be responsible for teaching courses in all areas of drawing, advising students and assessing student progress, revising and evaluating curricula, and participating on college committees.

Lois Coleman, of Willimantic, has joined MCC as instructor of English in the Liberal Arts division. Coleman will be responsible for teaching courses in English, assessing outcomes and curriculum development, advising students and participating on college committees.

Prior to joining MCC, Coleman taught English literature and English Composition at the University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University and Three Rivers Community College. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Ph.D. in English, a master of arts degree in English, and bachelor of arts degree in English.

Deborah Colucci, of Kensington, has joined MCC as the affirmative action and staff development coordinator. In this new role, Colucci will be responsible for annually developing and preparing MCC’s Affirmative Action Plan for the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities; providing development and training to management, faculty and staff on all issues of affirmative action; and contributing to the recruitment and outreach of diversified applicant pools.

Prior to joining MCC, Colucci was the assistant project director for A World of Difference® Institute of the Anti-Defamation League in Hamden, CT. Previously, she was an adjunct faculty member at Briarwood College in Southington, CT. Colucci holds a master of science degree in college student personnel from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois; and a bachelor of science degree in art from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Martin Hart, of Pomfret Center, has been hired as instructor of business and accounting in the Center for Business and Technologies division. Hart will be responsible for teaching courses in accounting and business, advising students and assessing student progress, revising and evaluating curricula, and participating on college committees.

Hart is the general manager and co-founder of CT Plays Sports in Pomfret and was formerly an adjunct lecturer in finance and marketing at Quinebaug Valley Community College. He holds a master of business administration from Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts and a bachelor of business administration from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

Kristine Kravontka, of Manchester, has joined MCC as the director of student activities in the Student Affairs division. Kravontka will be responsible for developing, designing and implementing a range of services to promote the social, cultural, fitness and recreational needs of students at MCC. Additional responsibilities include advising student government and other student organizations and developing co-curricular activities to enhance students’ practical and community service experience, as well as their leadership skills.

Kravontka is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a master of arts degree in education, with a concentration in recreation management. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in sports management from Springfield College. Kravontka was formerly the recreation supervisor for the Newington Parks and Recreation Department. Previously, she was the program director for Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness in Glastonbury.

Jeremiah Sawma, of Adams, NY, is the newest instructor in environmental science and sustainable energy studies in the Mathematics, Science and Health Careers division. Sawma will be responsible for teaching courses in environmental science, sustainable energy studies and related earth sciences, and providing leadership for a new Environmental Science associate degree program. In addition, he will participate in developing, implementing and revising curricula in light of current science education trends, advising students and participating on college-wide committees.

Prior to joining MCC, Sawma was an English teacher at ECC Best Career in Osaka, Japan and an English Instructor for NOVA group in Osaka, Japan. He was also an agroforestry extensionist in the Peace Corps in Vanuatu, SW Pacific.

Sawma holds a master of science degree in marine estuarine and environmental science from the University of Maryland and a bachelor of science degree in biology from Cornell University.

Rebecca Townsend, of Longmeadow, MA, has joined MCC as instructor of communications in the Liberal Arts division. Townsend was formerly a visiting assistant professor at the University of Hartford School of Communications and a business communication lecturer for the University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Management. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Ph.D. in communications and holds a master of arts degree in speech communication from Indiana University and a bachelor of science degree in communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Townsend will be responsible for teaching courses in communications, working with faculty and staff to develop curriculum, and involvement in the MCC internet radio station, student newspaper, film series and other department projects, and participating on college-wide committees.

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Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The College offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. MCC is situated on a park-like campus and is easily accessible from I-84.