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.

 

Lizaida Fargas

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

Lizaida joined the YSLPP team in July of 2021. She is a Proctor High School graduate, Class of 2016. She received an Associate’s in Business Administration from Mohawk Valley Community College. She then went on to Stony Brook University and received her Bachelor's in Arts and Sciences with a minor in health, medicine and society. Lizaida's goal is to become a Health Administrator for a children's hospital and that is why she will be starting her Master's program here at Utica University in Fall 2021.

 

Linda Stewart

Mentoring Coordinator
(315) 792-3237
White Hall 121A, Utica University
lbstewart@utica.edu

Linda joined YSLPP in February, 2008 as Administrative Assistant and retired from that position in March, 2016. She was appointed as the part-time Mentoring Coordinator in March, 2016. In this newly created position, Linda focuses her efforts on recruiting individuals in the community to be mentors for YSLPP’s 350+ students. She works with the Executive Director in developing a marketing strategy and timeline for recruitment efforts. Other duties include implementing special events and participating in grant writing to expand mentor funding. Linda is very passionate about the mentoring program and has been mentoring students since 2008.

 

Eva S. Mroczek '08

Graduate Leadership Development Program Coordinator
evmrocze@utica.edu
 
Eva S. Mroczek is a 2004 alum of YSLPP and a 2008 Utica University graduate. In January 2018 Eva became the Young Scholars Graduate Leadership Development Program Coordinator. She aides and facilitates our meetings, mentors students, coordinates events and assesses program progress. Eva also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Utica University and an instructor for the YS STEAM Scholars Summer Program, a position she first held in Summer 2015. She earned her Ph.D in Microbiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2014.

 

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.
 

 

Marangely Delgado '21

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

Marangely Delgado is a 2021 graduate of Utica University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology Child-Life & Early Childhood/Childhood Education and is a 2017 YSLPP alum. Currently, she is pursuing her Master's in Leadership and Instruction for Inclusive Classrooms at Utica University. She has worked as a Summer Program Teacher's Assistant and YSLPP Site Tutor. She also taught Young Scholars in the Young Scholars Summer Program for the 7th and 8th graders. She is passionate in community involvement and helping others while empowering youth to make huge differences in the world as future leaders.

 

Danielle Beach

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

Danielle joined the Young Scholar team in September of 2021. She graduated in 2020 from Cazenovia College with her Bachelor’s Degree in Inclusive Childhood Elementary Education with a dual certificate in General and Special Education. She hopes to one day have her own classroom where she can apply all the skills and strategies she has learned. She is currently working on obtaining her Masters Degree in the Childhood Education program for Literacy grades birth through 6th at SUNY Oneonta. Danielle is passionate about working with students and helping them strive for success. She has had a dream since she was in Elementary School to work with children. She is hoping to incorporate everything she has learned and implement them into a classroom of her own.

 

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.
  

Vanessa Daniels

Social Worker
vrdaniel@utica.edu

Vanessa Daniels officially joined the YSLPP team in March of 2022 as a Social Worker. She is a Thomas R. Proctor High School graduate and YSLPP alumni. She received an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Human Services. She continued her education at Keuka College and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Vanessa then completed the online accelerated Social Work Program at Fordham University and obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work. Vanessa has various work experiences within the healthcare setting to mental and behavioral settings to school setting. She is invested in today’s children because they are the future. She is very passionate about changing the lives of children and making a difference in their lives.

Zanya Ramos Rivera

Social Worker & Family Engagement Assistant
zmramosr@utica.edu

Zanya joined Young Scholars LPP in January 2022 as the Social worker and Family Engagement Assistant. In this position Zanya works with YSLPP students and their families; developing service plans with students by establishing casework service goals and determining the appropriate treatment modality. Zanya also works along with the students’ families identifying and addressing unmet needs and facilitating parenting skills and education as needed. Her previous experience includes working as a clinical social worker for a community -based clinic in Puerto Rico, and as a primary therapist for the Foster Care setting in Utica, New York. Zanya holds a master degree in clinical social work from the Universidad del Este in San Juan, Puerto Rico and is a certified Spanish interpreter for healthcare and social services settings. Zanya is passionate about helping vulnerable populations and helping students under high risk factors to thrive.