Meet our staff

Campus Life Staff

David Karp, Ph.D.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs and
Director of Campus Life
518-580-5779
Case 310
dkarp@skidmore.edu
Curriculum Vita
CampusRJ.com

As Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Campus Life, David Karp oversees the offices of Leadership Activities, Student Diversity Programs, Religious and Spiritual Life, and Community Service. The Associate Dean assists students in making meaningful connections to campus life and fostering informed citizenship, leadership, and social responsibility. David Karp is also Professor of Sociology and previously Chair of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work and Director of the Program in Law and Society. His scholarship focuses on restorative justice in community and campus settings and on prison programs preparing inmates for return to the community. David has more than 100 academic papers and five books, including Restorative Justice on the College Campus and Wounds That Do Not Bind: Victim-Based Perspectives on the Death Penalty. David is currently the Principal Investigator of a multi-campus research project on student conduct practices called the STARR Project (STudent Accountability and Restorative Research Project). He is also a volunteer mediator and a restorative justice facilitator and trainer. David received a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Washington.

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Mary Ann Toia
Administrative Assistant for Campus Life &  
Coordinator for Pre-Orientation Programs
518-580-8338
Case 309
mtoia@skidmore.edu

Mary Ann graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications. After graduating, Mary Ann was a flight attendant and traveled the world extensively for two years. She has also worked in the financial services industry and at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs in many capacities, including Kindergarten Assistant, After Care Teacher and Summer Camp Director, before joining us at Skidmore. Mary Ann lives in Saratoga, she has three daughters and spends most of her free time in nature with her family! Please stop by Case 309 and say hello to her.

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Community Service Staff

Michelle Hubbs

Director of Community Service Programs
518-580-5784
Case 240
mhubbs@skidmore.edu

Michelle received her B.A. in American Studies from Grinnell College as has completed post-graduate work at SUNY Plattsburgh in the field of Higher Education Management and Administration. She has been at Skidmore for nine years. Michelle worked at The Doane Stuart School in Albany, New York, as Director of Administrative services, and as a Membership and Marketing Director at the Glens Falls Family YMCA before coming to Skidmore.

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Leadership Activities Staff

Robin Adams Interim Director of Leadership Activities 518-580-5777 Case 226B radams@skidmore.edu Robin received his B.A. in English literature from Skidmore College in 2000.  After a brief stint at Abbeville Press in Manhattan, he returned to Saratoga Springs and Skidmore College where he has worked since 2004.  As an advisor to many of Skidmore's clubs and organizations he helps ensure that their events run smoothly while also advising elected members of the Student Government Association. When not at work Robin can be found on the tennis courts (in the summer) or watching his beloved Philadelphia Flyers (in the winter). Theresa Polson Assistant Director of Leadership Activities 518-580-5778 Case 226A tpolson@skidmore.edu Theresa received her undergraduate degree in biology with minors in psychology and neuroscience from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 2007.  Although she loved science she was really passionate about her involvement in the many extracurricular activities that Wilkes offered.  She loved being president of the Wilkes University Programming Board, volunteering for alternative spring break to New Orleans after hurricane Katrina, being a part of biology club, Student Government Association, Emerging Leaders, and many others.  She then went on to work for Alvernia University in Reading, PA as the Student Activities Programming Assistant then as the Assistant Director of Student Activities for two years.  Theresa really enjoys working with students in the higher education setting and is currently working towards her Masters in College Student Service Administration.  In her free time Theresa likes to read, play board games, watch reality TV shows, and spend time with family and friends.  Please stop by Case Center 228 and say hello!
Kris Scully Financial Coordinator 518-580-5776 Case 222 kscully@skidmore.edu Kris received her Associates Degree in Accounting from Nassau Community College on Long Island, where she grew up. After moving to Saratoga Springs fifteen years ago with her family, Kris joined the Skidmore staff and is thrilled to be entering her tenth year as the financial advisor and coordinator for all student clubs and organizations on campus. Outside of Skidmore, her interests include running, skiing and newly discovered, hiking. Her favorite place to be...the beach. Stop by Case Center 222 to say hello!

Diversity Programs Staff

Mariel Martin

Director of Student Diversity Programs
518-580-8212
Case 224
mariel@skidmore.edu

Mariel received her B.A. in Sociology from Shippensburg University and her Master's Degree in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. She is excited to embark on her sixth year at Skidmore as Director of Student Diversity Programs. Over the past five years, Mariel has worked in Residential Life, taught classes about oppression in the U.S., and a First-Year Seminar Course about the history of diversity at Skidmore and within higher education. Mariel is a certified anti-gay bias trainer, trained mediator, and social justice advocate. Her research and academic background focuses on educational experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth and motherhood, role negotiation and kinship formation in lesbian-parented families. Most recently, Mariel's interests include anti-racism strategies, issues of whiteness and privilege, and the intersections of race, sexual orientation and gender identity. Stop by Case Center 224 and meet her!

Nate Richardson                                                                                  

Program Coordinator for Diversity Programs
518.580.8213
Case 225
Nate received his B.A. in English from DePauw University and his Master's Degree in English from UNC-Greensboro. He comes to us from Wake Forest University, where he served as an Academic Counselor in the Office of Academic Advising. His research and academic background was focused on critical race theory, LGBTQ studies and dispute and conflict resolution.

He is very passionate about supporting the needs of college students and is honored to be a part of the Skidmore College Student Diversity Programs team. Please feel free to stop by Case Center 335 and meet him in person!

Religious & Spiritual Life Staff

Rick Chrisman

Director of Religious and Spiritual Life
518-580-8340
Case 309
rchrisma@skidmore.edu

Rick Chrisman, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, is dedicated to building communities that are inclusive, diverse, and committed to social justice and actively supports Skidmore’s efforts to see and know itself more deeply as this kind of community. Rick has served as University Chaplain at Princeton and at Tufts universities.  He has taught in the ministry program at the University of Chicago Divinity School, his graduate alma mater where he earned a Ph.D. in Religion and Literature, and published articles on worship, preaching and religious architecture. He has held urban pastorates in Los Angeles and Boston where he was also involved in reproductive rights (as a volunteer for Planned Parenthood and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice) and in affordable housing (with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization). His emphasis at Skidmore is on creating a dialogue about religious life and faith among those of great faith, little faith and no faith. Rick is available to all students for conversation around faith and spiritual identity issues; for personal counseling due to crisis, grief, and vocational matters; and for prayer.

Rabbi Linda Motzkin Jewish Chaplain 518-580-5683 Case 309 lmotzkin@skidmore.edu Rabbi Linda Motzkin was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1986. She has a BA in Hebrew Language from the University of California at Berkeley and an MA in Hebrew Letters from HUC-JIR. Prior to her arrival at Skidmore in 1986, she taught in the Judaic Studies Department at the University of Cincinnati. She is the author of four Hebrew language textbooks published by UAHC press: Aleph Isn't Tough, Aleph Isn't Enough, Bet is for B'reishit and Tav is for Torah. She is also co-author of two other Hebrew language textbooks: The First Hebrew Primer and Prayerbook Hebrew: The Easy Way, from EKS Publishing. In addition to serving as Skidmore's Jewish Chaplain, she is co-rabbi, together with her husband Rabbi Jonathan Rubenstein, of Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, a Reform Jewish congregation. Rabbi Motzkin has a close relationship with all of the local Jewish congregations in Saratoga Springs and works to foster connections between Skidmore students and the local community.
Lollie Abramson Coordinator of Jewish Student Life and Interfaith Programming 518-580-5679 Case 309 This is Lollie’s first year with Campus Life at Skidmore College.  She previously worked for 32 years as a Public Educator for NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Lollie developed and implemented awareness presentations with the goal of increased understanding and acceptance of people who have disabilities.  She has taught people of all ages and is looking forward to working with Skidmore students. Lollie is excited to promote a message of mutual respect and positive interactions between people of different backgrounds & faiths and to help make an active Jewish campus life. Lollie lives locally and is a member of Temple Sinai in Saratoga Springs. She has been on the Schuylerville Planning Board, a Girl Scout Leader, worked as an admissions interviewer at Skidmore and is also an avid gardener. Lollie received a BS from University of Connecticut in Education and an MS in Recreation Therapy from Long Island University.

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Fr. Neil Draves-Arpaia

Coordinator of Catholic Student Life/Sacramental Minister
Case 309
cdravesa@skidmore.edu

Fr. Neil, a native of Saratoga Springs, has been linked to the Catholic Newman Club at Skidmore since 2005,  first serving as its Sacramental Minister.In 2010 he became Coordinator of Catholic Student Life in addition to continuing to celebrate Mass on campus each Sunday evening during the academic year.  Ordained  a diocesan priest in 1979, his priestly ministry has taken him nationwide.  He has served as a parish priest in Scottsdale, AZ and as Director of Campus Ministry at Xavier College Prep in Phoenix.  An internationally  known retreat master, he has also taught at Boston College  (School of Education) and in various adult spiritual enrichment programs. In addition to his ministry in the field of secondary, undergraduate and adult education he has served as a hospital chaplain, spiritual coordinator for a hospice program and sacramental minister in a Mexican parish in Phoenix.  A graduate of Marist College (BA, English), he completed his Masters of Divinity and preparation for priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary/University, Baltimore.  He holds a MA in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University, Omaha. His doctoral course work in psychology and theology was completed at Boston College.  He is currently a doctoral candidate in theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation, Mishawaka, IN.  He is Director of Whole Community Catechesis at St. Clement’s Parish, Saratoga Springs. Fr. Neil is the author of two popular collections of intercessory prayers published through Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, IN. His passion is for justice, non-violent living, and for extending the divine compassion to the poor, sick and needy of our times.