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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Joshua J. Nelson, M.Ed.                                                                    
Director of Leadership Activities | Skidmore College
815 N. Broadway | Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518-580-5778
Office: Case Center 228
http://www.skidmore.edu/campuslife
http://www.facebook.com/SkidmoreLeadership

 

Joshua Nelson joined Skidmore College in 2012, and provides guidance and assistance to support the efforts and activities of individual students, approximately 90 diverse registered student clubs, and the entire campus community in realizing a vibrant co-curricular and socially-just student life. Joshua has extensive experience advising and mentoring Student Government Associations (SGAs), including the financial operations of all student organizations, and the dissemination of the student activities fees. He is available to assist students in developing skills around group dynamics, self-advocacy, conflict resolution, event-planning, communication,and ethical leadership. A graduate of St. Lawrence University, majoring in Anthropology and African Studies, Joshua traveled extensively as an undergraduate and developed an appreciation for the skills of conflict resolution, effective communication and social justice advocacy. In 2008, Joshua completed his M.Ed in Educational Policy, Research and Administration at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, focusing on Higher Education and Social Justice Education. Joshua currently serves as a directorate body member of Commission for Social Justice Educators, College Educators Intentional (ACPA), with a mission to provide a collaborative home for college student educators working in the areas of diversity and social justice education. He has participated in extensive work around understanding and breaking down systems of oppression and privilege, including the SocialJustice Training Institute (SJTI), and serving as a facilitator for the Intergroup Dialog Projects at various institutions throughout the Northeast.

 

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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 college at Oneonta in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications. After graduating, became 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 and doing spa birthday parties for little girls!

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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 Associate 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).
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!

Victoria Malaney                                                                             

Student Diversity Programs Fellow                                                                 
518.580.8213
Case 225
vmalaney@skidmore.edu

Victoria Malaney received her B.A. cum laude in English-Spanish and minored in Dance & Latin American Studies from Skidmore College. At Skidmore, Victoria was peer-facilitator in the Intergroup Relations Program. After college, Victoria enrolled in the national community service program, AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) in Albany, NY. During her first year as an AmeriCorps*VISTA, she worked a Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany and developed a re-entry mentoring program for women coming out of incarceration in Rensselaer County, NY. Additionally, she wrote several local and federal grants for their basic needs programs. Victoria committed to a second year of national service fighting poverty as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader at Siena College in the Office of Academic Community Engagement where she served as the Coordinator for Training and Enrichment. Victoria is passionate about social justice and is thrilled to be back at Skidmore as a Fellow in the Office of Student Diversity Programs. In her spare time she loves to dance ballet, travel, and spend time with family.

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  second year with Campus Life at Skidmore College.  Last year she worked to make a more active Jewish Student life on campus.  Hillel offered a weekly discussion, a monthly speaker series at Shabbat Dinner, holiday events, and for the first time a group of Skidmore students participated in a Birthright trip to Israel.  She previously was a Public Educator for NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, implementing 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 this coming year. She is hoping to promote a message of mutual respect and positive interactions between people of different backgrounds & faiths. 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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Joanne Smith

Coordinator of Catholic Student Life/Sacramental Minister

518-580-8385
Case 309
jsmith3@skidmore.edu

 Joanne has spent most of her career life as an educator.  She enjoys working with young people and is delighted to be a member of the Skidmore community.  She is especially joyful to be a resource for Catholic students at Skidmore.  Joanne has supported several youth groups among them: Odyssey of the Mind, Channel Z Theater, and the SUNY Adirondack Anime Club.  Joanne’s academic interests include:  rhetoric and composition theory, American and World Literature, and autism spectrum education and research.  Joanne received her MA from the College of Saint Rose.  She is a former bank Vice President, Professor of English at The College of a Saint Rose and at SUNY Adirondack.  She is currently a Professional Writing/Reading Tutor for the Center for Reading and Writing at SUNY Adirondack.  Joanne is a member of the Church of Saint Peter in Saratoga Springs, NY where she is a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Bereavement Committee.