Staff Directory

Joe Rowe
Director of Administration
Hollister Hall, Room 220 
607/255-0549 
jnr3@cornell.edu

As Director of Administration, I am responsible for the administrative and operational functions for the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. My role is to provide leadership and comprehensive administrative support to develop and enhance resources, activities, programs, and facilities. I enjoy all aspects of program development because of the emphasis on planning, fiscal and space management. It is rewarding to use my administrative expertise in the College of Engineering, an organization that is oriented towards education and research.

We have an excellent team, one that continues to focus on improving the delivery of administrative and technical support services. Thanks for visiting our web site. Let us know how we might be able to assist you.

Timothy Brock
Equipment Technician
Hollister Hall, Room B56 
607/255-4201 
teb4@cornell.edu
As the manager of the Hollister Hall Machine Shop, my primary responsibility is to assist both faculty and students in the design, construction and implementation of class and research equipment in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Included in my duties is the training and supervision of users of the facility.

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

Megan Covey
Accounts Representative V
Hollister Hall, Room 220
607/255-6192
mck64@cornell.edu
As Accounts Representative for CEE, I serve as the primary contact for undergraduate and graduate student appointments.  I assist CEE members with their procurement needs for all lab supplies and equipment as well as assisting in reimbursement for travel and other out of pocket costs.  I also support the Civil and Environmental student teams through financial accounting and coordination. 

Lisa Gerber
Program Manager, Engineering Management
Hollister Hall, Room 215
607/255-8315
lmg297@cornell.edu
As the Program Manager for Engineering Management, I provide overall project management and operations support for the on campus and distance learning programs. I also advise and mentor Engineering Management students to help them prepare for career success. I am responsible for developing and maintaining effective partnerships with alumni and corporations.

Charissa King-O'Brien
Communication Specialist II
Hollister Hall, Room 220 
607/255-6956 
cek93@cornell.edu
As Communication Specialist, I produce short videos for the website, social media, and events. In addition to writing content and taking photos for the website, our social media sites and the newsletter; I design publications, posters, infographics for printed and online materials. Some other tasks include managing and creating marketing campaigns for the M.Eng. program as well as maintaining and creating content for CEE's website, the website for Engineering Management and the Center for Transportation, Environment, and Community Health (CTECH) website. 

Beth Korson
Events Coordinator/ Main Office Assistant
Hollister Hall, Room 220
607/255-2542 
elk78@cornell.edu
As Events Coordinator, I provide administrative support for a variety of events and activities for CEE and the Engineering Management Program. I also oversee and manage the daily operations of the CEE Main Office and supervise our student assistants.

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, take Faculty minutes, 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.

Laura Ricciuti
Undergraduate Coordinator
Hollister Hall, Room 221 
607/255-3412 
lr482@cornell.edu
As Undergraduate Field Coordinator, I provide administrative support to the Associate Director of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering working cooperatively to help ensure quality educational experiences for our diverse undergraduate student population. In this capacity, I advise students, schedule courses, maintain student records, maintain and develop statistical databases, participate in the admissions selection committee, and serve as an ex-officio member of curriculum committee, and other committees as requested.

Tania Sharpsteen
Program Coordinator, Engineering Management
Hollister Hall, Room 215A 
607/255-3553 
tms235@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 perspective applicants to current students for both on-campus and distance learning programs, and ensuring all program policies and procedures are implemented.

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.

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.

Celia Szczepura-McLean
Center Manager
Hollister Hall, Room 203 
607/255-7846 
cs249@cornell.edu
As Center Manager, I work with the Director of the Center for Transportation, Environment, and Community Health (CTECH), a U.S. Department of Transportation Tier 1 University Transportation Center, to facilitate the movement forward on strategic initiatives across four partner institutions, while overseeing the day-to-day operational management of the Center. This includes administering the research; managing financial and human resources; overseeing project selection, budgets, and deliverables; assisting with technology transfer; facilitating outreach and educational programs; and ensuring compliance with sponsor data and activity reporting requirements. Also, I assist with the proposal process for CEE center grant proposals, and would subsequently support them administratively if awarded.

Melissa L. Totman
Assistant Director of Graduate Programs
Hollister Hall, Room 219 
607/255-7560 
mlt39@cornell.edu
As the Graduate Program Coordinator, I work with CEE's Director of Graduate Studies. I coordinate all aspects of the graduate program, from prospective applicants to current students in residence to graduation. I also monitor all graduate students in residence to ensure that they follow Graduate School and CEE policies and procedures with respect to their programs; prepare promotional materials and handbooks; help organize orientations and work with graduate student organizations; and act as liaison between the graduate students and faculty, Cornell's Graduate School, and the Office of Research and Graduate Studies within the College of Engineering. I also work with the Engineering Career Services Office to ensure that our students are aware of all opportunities available to them in finding employment after they earn their degree. This includes information sessions, job fairs, and on-campus interviews.

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.