Staff Bios and Contacts

 

Pamela G Matt, Esq.

Executive Director
(315) 792-3237
White Hall 121A, Utica University
pgmatt@utica.edu

Pam joined Young Scholars LPP in June, 2015 as the Program’s Executive Director. In this position she oversees the Young Scholars Program as well as the Program’s funding, activities, staffing, public relations, and collaborative efforts with other organizations. Her previous experience includes three years as the Executive Director of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, as well as Advancement positions held at Colgate University and SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Pam is a 2014 YWCA Salute to Outstanding Women honoree in the category of Professions. In Spring 2018, Pam Matt, Amber Recio, and Ben Atwood were the lead organizers of the 14th Annual Empire Promise Youth Summit, which brings all 47 New York State Liberty Partnerships Programs together for a three day, two night program where LPP students, parents, directors and staff from across NYS participate in workshops, tours, and other enriching activities. The April 2019 will be held in Utica, NY as YSLPP reprises their role as lead organizers. Pam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Trinity College and a JD from Duquesne University. 

 

Mary Hayes Gordon '82, G'13

Director of Program Operations
(315) 792-3208
White Hall 121A, Utica University
mahayesg@utica.edu

Mary Hayes Gordon started with Young Scholars as a part-time Mentor Coordinator in 2007. In 2008, she worked for a short time as the Financial Literacy Coordinator before assuming the position of Assistant Director. During her time as Assistant Director, Young Scholars steadily increased programming and partnerships, including working with Zonta International, the Mohawk Valley Latino Association and the Steven Swan Humane Society. Notable program expansions include Colgate University High School Seminar, a 10-week SAT Preparation course and Mary’s particular favorite, the three-week Summer STEAM Scholars program. Mary is a 2017 YWCA Salute to Outstanding Women honoree in the category of STEAM. In early 2018, Mary was honored as a Woman of the Year by the Mohawk Valley Chapter of New York State Women Inc. Mary holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Utica University and a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Utica University with a concentration in the history of under-represented people.

 

Dorentina Binaku

Assistant Director
(315) 792-3237
White Hall 121A, Utica University
dobinaku@utica.edu
 
Dorentina Binaku is a 2022 graduate of Utica University with a Bachelor’s degree in Management, a concentration in Human Resources, and a minor in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Business Administration at Utica University. Dorentina is a 2018 YSLPP Alum and is passionate about improving the educational opportunities for students in our community. She joined our team as a Site Assistant at Proctor High School in May of 2022.

 

Cara Patterson

Administrative Assistant
(315) 792-3237
White Hall 121A, Utica University
cjpatter@utica.edu

Cara joined the Young Scholars team in May 2023. They are a 2018 graduate of Proctor High School, and a 2022 graduate of Utica University with a B.S. in Psychology, a B.A. in Psychology, and a minor in Gender Studies. They are planning to pursue a Masters in Social Work at Utica in alignment with their passion for mental health and their aspiration to serve the local community.

 

Emily Mixon

Mentoring and Family Engagement Coordinator
(315) 792-3237
White Hall 121A, Utica University
eamixon@utica.edu

Emily Mixon started as the new Mentor & Family Engagement Coordinator at Young Scholars LPP in May of 2023. She previously worked in Academic Support Services & TRIO at her alma mater in Vermont, where she earned her master's degree in Foundations of Education. In this role, Emily coordinates the Young Scholars mentoring program by sourcing, training, and pairing volunteer mentors with Young Scholars students, in addition to finding fun ways to engage students' families in the community. Emily is excited to immerse herself in the larger Utica area through events and relationship building.

 

Jacquelyn Starsiak

Site Supervisor, JFK 
jstarsiak@uticaschools.org

Jacquelyn is the Young Scholars Site Supervisor at John F. Kennedy Middle School. She joined YSLPP in September, 2009. Jacquelyn has been a School Counselor in the Utica City School District since 1997. Jacquelyn received a BS in Sociology/Psychology from the State University of New York @ Potsdam in 1987 and a MA in School Counseling from SUNY Oneonta in 1997.

Jacquelyn is dedicated to the youth of today, and works to empower them to be our leaders of tomorrow
 

 

Mark Mullen

Site Supervisor, Donovan
mmullen@uticaschools.org

Mark joined The Young Scholars team in 2020. He is a lifelong central New Yorker. Mark attended school in the Utica City School District, K-12. He went on to attend colleges in New York. Upon receiving his Master’s in Education from the College of Saint Rose, Mark began his career as a School Counselor at Proctor High School. Mark has been employed by the Utica City School District for the past 20 years, and he has worked in all three secondary buildings. In the Fall of 2020, Mark returned to the middle school level at Donovan Middle School. Mark enjoys spending time with his daughters, his wife, and their dog. He also enjoys fishing, hiking, playing tennis, and he is an avid Green Bay Packers fan.
 

 

Nay Chi Hlaing

Site Assistant, JFK
(315) 368-6676
nahlaing@utica.edu

Nay Chi joined the Young Scholars team as a Site Assistant for JFK Middle School in September 2023. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Healthcare Administration here at Utica University as a foundation for her future legal career. As a former Young Scholars student herself, Nay Chi is excited to be working with this great program to help students succeed and dream big. More than anything, she hopes to be a great resource for her community..

 

Shannon Dailey

Site Assistant, Donovan
(315) 368-6590
sddailey@utica.edu

Shannon joined Young Scholars LPP in September of 2023 as a Site Assistant at Donovan Middle School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a minor concentration in Biology, from SUNY Polytechnic Institute. She has three and a half years experience in teaching English as a second language to foreign born Chinese students ages 4 to 15. She now hopes to become a NYS secondary English school teacher, though she likewise enjoys tutoring in all core subjects at the elementary and junior high school levels. In the spring semester of 2024, she plans to enroll in Utica University’s Master of Science in Adolescence Education, with a concentration in English.

 

Mikelle Deck

Student Support Coordinator, Donovan
mpdeck1@utica.edu

Mikelle started her journey with the Young Scholars program in 2019 as a Site Assistant at JFK Middle School soon moving her way up to Proctor High School as their Site Supervisor from 2020-2021. Presently, she has made her way back to the program as a Student Support Coordinator at Donovan Middle School. Graduating in 2021 with her Master’s in Education she knew that there was more to education journey and wanted to incorporate her love for mindfulness to connect deeper with her students. Following her passion for mindfulness in education she moved to Costa Rica for three months and left with a Mindfulness Instructor Certification. She now uses her passion and knowledge for Mindfulness and Mental Health to support her students at Donovan Middle School.

 

Coralinn Owens

Site Supervisor, Proctor
(315) 368-6179
coowens@utica.edu

Coralinn joined the Young Scholars team in September 2021 as a Site Assistant at Proctor High School. She graduated from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. With her background in Sociology and her recent experiences working for New Hartford Central School District, she has discovered her passion for helping students succeed. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Education. Coralinn is passionate about being a valuable team player, as well as helping people discover their true potential and pursuing their choice of path in life.

 

Alyssa Freeman

Proctor Social Worker 
anfreema@utica.edu

Alyssa joined YSLPP in October 2017 as a Counselor at Proctor High School. After graduating from Mohawk Valley Community College in 2012 she continued her education at SUNY Polytechnic Institute and in 2014 earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Alyssa then earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire in 2017 and she is a Licensed Master Social Worker. Alyssa has experience counseling in a school setting and is passionate about working with youth.
  

 

David Butler

Site Assistant, Proctor
(315) 368-6179

David joined the Young Scholars team as a Site Assistant in February 2023. He is a graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High School (class of 2009). David earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a minor in Art History from Colgate University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education here at Utica University and looks forward to becoming a secondary teacher!

 

Zachary Nordstrom

Site Assistant, Proctor
(315) 368-6179

Zac joined the YS team in September of 2022! He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and a Minor in Coaching from SUNY Brockport. He will pursue a Master’s Degree here at Utica University and one day hopes to earn his doctorate and use his education to teach and research with the goal of bettering society.