Fast Forward: The University of Rochester Advancement E-Newsletter

Linda Dirksen has been appointed assistant director of reunion giving programs. Previously, she was a member of the development team at Golisano Children’s Hospital, a position she held since 2004. Her primary responsibility in her new position is to work with the 25th, 30th and 35th College reunion classes to increase giving. Prior to joining the UR team, she worked for a computer software company in Pittsford. Other professional positions she has held in the Rochester area include office and operations manager for Penn Mutual Insurance Company and sales assistant for Engelson and Associates. Linda earned her bachelor’s degree in music from DePaul University in Chicago with a concentration in music business and performance arts management.

Amy Hogan has been promoted to associate director of alumni communications. Previously, she was assistant director of alumni relations. In her new role, she will manage special communications projects targeting alumni audiences. Amy has worked in Alumni Relations since 2002. Starting as a program manager, she was promoted to assistant director in 2004. Prior to returning to the University, she worked as an account executive for Roberts Communications in Rochester and at Paychex. Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a certificate in business management from the University and is an M.B.A. candidate at the Simon Graduate School of Business.

Lydia Kociuba became Tom Doupe’s administrative assistant in late June. Currently, she is also a Warner School student studying counseling. Her previous experiences include serving as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years in Samoa and teaching English in Japan for one year. Lydia received her B.A. in German and B.S. in business administration from Nazareth College.

Christine Long has joined the Major Gifts and Regional Programs Office as a secretary supporting the regional directors’ work. She recently retired from Xerox Corporation where she was a buyer and planner for color products. Her previous work experiences also include small office management, where she had many opportunities to develop her interpersonal and organizational skills. Christine pursues continuous learning by reading and taking classes and seminars on the development of leadership skills.

Melissa McGuire has also joined the Office of Major Gifts and Regional Programs as a secretary supporting the regional directors. Before joining the advancement team, she served for 15 years as a secretary with the Eastman Kodak Company. She attended Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts and earned her A.A.S. degree in their legal secretarial program. Melissa is a Notary Public for the County of Monroe, State of New York.

Aimee Phalen joined the team in early August as secretary supporting three regional directors: Catherine Valleroy, Tom Taylor, and Gary Whidbee. She comes to us from the University’s Clinical and Social Sciences Department in Psychology where she was a secretary for two years. Amy is a graduate of the Bryant and Stratton College where she received an associate’s degree from the administrative assistant program.

Brenda Shockley became a reunion giving secretary on August 6. Since 2002, she has held several positions at the Rochester Sports Group, having most recently served as a marketing/operations coordinator for all four professional teams. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Daemen College.

Mary Therese Sick has joined the Office of University Annual Funds as a Secretary IV working with the George Eastman Circle. Previously, she worked with members of the Warner School advancement team. During nearly a decade at Alfred University, she provided assistance to multiple local and regional development officers.

Maria Sommerville joined the advancement team in October as development assistant for the Warner School of Education. Teaming up with Associate Director Preston Faulkner, Maria will be managing much of the administrative functions of Warner development. Bringing with her many years of customer service, sales, administration, and project management experience, Maria most recently served as a buyer for Hickey-Freeman. She attended the University of Georgia and received her B.F.A. from Atlanta College of Art and Savannah College of Art and Design.

Kimberlee Staba has been appointed administrative assistant in the Parents Program Office. A veteran employee of the University for almost 16 years, she comes to the A-Team from the University’s Environmental Health and Safety Office, where she was an office manager and administrative assistant to the director. She gained other previous experience through jobs at Marchese Bells and working as a student assistant for the dean’s office at Bryant and Stratton, where she earned her associate’s degree.

Marilyn Thomas joins the division as senior research analyst and will conduct extensive research on prospective donors. Previously serving as director of school support services at IDEA Public Charter School in Washington, DC, Marilyn coordinated homeland-security and emergency preparedness training programs for the school and community outreach grant initiatives. She increased the school programs to over 30 including a GED preparation class. Marilyn also served as a consultant for MarWel Enterprises, Inc., providing management services to clients on a variety of projects. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Hartford and her master’s degree in general administration from the University of Maryland.

Alison Zwecker has been promoted to prospect information analyst in the Office of Research and Prospect Management. In this position, she will continue to ensure the quality of prospect data in OASIS, primarily by assisting all prospect users regarding proper data input and business policies. Alison joined the University of Rochester in January 2006 as a junior research analyst. Her next promotion was to research analyst and then to senior research analyst. She has also served as assistant director of prospect management on an interim basis. Alison earned her B.A. in English from the University of Rochester.