Staff Directory

Vernetta Kinchen
Director of Administration
Hollister Hall, Room 220 
607/255-0549 
vlk1@cornell.edu

As Director of Administration, I am responsible for the administrative and operational functions for the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Engineering Management Program. My role is to provide leadership and comprehensive administrative support to develop and enhance resources, activities, programs, and facilities. 

Paul Charles
Technical Services Support Supervisor
Hollister Hall, Room B56 
607/351-6210 
pjc32@cornell.edu
I support all research and instructional activities in CEE Infrastructure and Environmental Laboratories. I provide technical support to faculty, visiting scientists, students, and nonacademic clients in the fields of Environmental, Geotechnical, Hydraulic, and Structural Engineering.   

Jeannette Little
Executive Assistant to CEE Director and Director of Administration
Hollister Hall, Room 220 
607/255-3690 
jdl7@cornell.edu
As Executive Assistant, I arrange and implement large events, schedule meetings, handle confidential materials related to faculty promotions and searches, manage the production of the CEE Update and design displays. I truly enjoy the diversity of the tasks in my position. I interact with all staff and faculty daily, and communicate with alumni and corporate contacts. If you are planning to visit the School to meet with Professor and Director, Linda Nozick or Director of Administration, Joe N. Rowe, please feel free to contact me to have a meeting arranged. Schedule a Meeting with Jeannette here.

Jennifer Orr
Accounts Representative
Hollister Hall, Room 220 
jo443@cornell.edu
As Accounts Representative, I am the primary contact for student appointments, procurement, and reimbursements. I also assist with reporting, compliance, and financial management.

Diana Peppin
Program Coordinator, Engineering Management
Hollister Hall, Room 215A 
607/255-3553
dlw259@cornell.edu
As Program Coordinator for the Engineering Management Program, I am responsible for the planning and coordination of all program activities, tracking and approving all student program plans, providing student services support from prospective applicants to current students for the on-campus program. I provide insight into the creation and implementation of strategic initiatives in order to maximize operational effectiveness, supporting an environment of community among students, faculty, and staff. Schedule a meeting with Diana here.

Stacey Shirk
Finance Specialist III
Hollister Hall, Room 220 
607/255-3684 
sbs27@cornell.edu
As CEE’s Finance Specialist, I am responsible for sponsored and gift fund management, planning and budgeting, analysis and reporting, financial accounting, compliance, and stewardship of the School’s resources.  I coordinate the annual budget process and develop financial analyses and forecasts in support of the School’s operational and strategic objectives.  I also serve as a local resource for faculty, staff, and researchers on financial matters including university and sponsor policies. Schedule a Meeting with Stacey here.

James Strait
Manager of Technical Services for the Bovay Laboratory Complex
Thurston Hall, Room B02 
607/255-4078 
jes583@cornell.edu
As the Lab Manager, I am responsible for the safety, scheduling and management of the day to day operations of the Harry E. Bovay Jr. Civil Infrastructure Laboratory Complex, providing technical and managerial support for lab users and projects being performed within the lab. The CI Lab Complex includes facilities for Cornell's NEES Lifelines System Research Facility, soil/structure interaction testing, geotechnical, structural and earthquake engineering research and concrete materials research. The Bovay Complex provides support for geotechnical and structural engineering course laboratory components during both spring and fall semesters. Student community service and competitive projects are supported in the Bovay Complex. The American Society of Civil Engineers Student Chapter concrete canoe and steel bridge teams work in the lab along with several student projects.

Emily E. VanScoy
Grant Coordinator
Pre-Award Research Operations Staff
Hollister Hall, Room 220
eev28@cornell.edu
As a member of the PRO (Pre-Award Operations) team, I aim to reduce the administrative burden of proposal preparation so that researchers can focus on the technical or scientific components of their proposals, thereby increasing the chances of success. Among other tasks, I prepare proposal packages and complete electronic applications while maintaining RASS (Research Administration Support System) records.

Alexis Vargas
Assistant Director of Graduate Programs
Hollister Hall, Room 219
aev45@cornell.edu
As the Assistant Director of Graduate Programs, I partner with the Director of Graduate Studies & the Director of Administration to create and implement strategic initiatives as the CEE Graduate Programs continue to evolve, improve and grow.  I am the primary administrative contact for graduate students in Civil & Environmental Engineering; my role involves recruitment of prospective students, admissions, coordinating events & overall Graduate Student development. I monitor the students' progress & ensure they are following all Graduate School & CEE policies and procedures as they pertain to their programs. Schedule a meeting with Alexis here.

Nicholas Wagner
Undergraduate Coordinator
Hollister Hall, Room 221
607/255-3412 
nw346@cornell.edu

As Undergraduate Coordinator, I provide support to the Associate Director of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering to help ensure quality educational experiences for our diverse undergraduate student population. In this capacity I act as a primary contact for undergraduate student needs, advise students, assign rooms, track academic progress, coordinate course schedules with faculty, manage class enrollments, maintain records, develop databases, and participate in admissions and affiliations selection. Schedule a meeting with Nicholas here. 

Cameron Willkens
IT Operations Manager
Hollister Hall, Room 325 
607/254-5415 
cw17@cornell.edu
As IT Operations Manager, I provide Civil and Environmental Engineering with IT support for labs, faculty, staff and grad students including desktops, servers file storage, access permissions, software licensing, and networking.