Student Affairs Leadership Team

Courtney Battista Bish

Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

Priscilla Leggette Collins

Executive Director of Student Engagement & Leadership

Priscilla Leggette Collins has been employed at SUNY Canton for 12+ years. She currently works as the Executive Director of Student Engagement & Leadership. Among the many committees she serves on while working at SUNY Canton, she also serves on the Canton College Foundation Board of Directors, the College Association, Inc. Board of Directors, and a co-advisor to the Student Government Association, College Activities Board, and Greek Life.

Priscilla graduated from SUNY Canton in 2001 & 2004 with an associate’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in financial services, respectively. Before returning to SUNY Canton as a professional instead of a student, she worked in cardiovascular administration at the Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City for seven years. In 2011, she received her master’s degree in urban affairs & policies and an advanced certificate in health care administration, management, & policy from CUNY Queens College.

Priscilla’s personal interests are spending time with family, singing, and volunteering, with her true passion always being to support and advocate for others in all that she does.

» Student Activities Involvement & Leadership Webpage

Lashawanda Ingram

Director of Diversity & Orientation/Co-Chief Diversity Officer

Ms. Ingram completed her studies at Buffalo State College earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology as well as a Master’s degree in the Student Personnel Administration Program. She began her career at SUNY Canton College over 19 years ago. Her first role at SUNY Canton began in Residence Life as a Residence Hall Director, which then led to her taking on the role of Director of Diversity Affairs & New Student Orientation. She now currently has an expanded role as one of the two appointed Co-Chief Diversity Officers and serves as one of the administrators over the Center for Diversities & Inclusion while continuing oversight of the new student orientation program.

Ms. Ingram has an unwavering commitment to help aid in fostering a community that is welcoming, inclusive, just, and equitable. Throughout the years she has used various pathways to help provide access to programming, workshops and trainings that is thought provoking, transformative and brings awareness to Faculty, Staff, Students, and the greater community. Ms. Ingram has been heavily involved in insuring that appropriate support and services are provided for students through such things as the Student Affairs Emergency Student Fund, buses to NYC and she advises numerous clubs and organizations on campus. She also serves on a wide array of committees which helps facilitate this, to name a few the Affirmative Action Committee, CARES (Character, Acts of Kindness, Respect, Environment & Spirituality), and the Behavioral Intervention Team.

Last but not least Ms. Ingram has a clear understanding that there is yet more work to be done and many gaps to be filled and is more than willing to continue working with faculty, staff, students and the greater community to identify ways to address the many ever changing needs

» Orientation Webpage
» Diversity Webpage

John Kennedy

Director of Residence Life

John Kennedy is the Director of Residence Life, Mohawk Hall Residence Hall Director, and Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Coach at SUNY Canton.  

John holds an Associate’s degree from SUNY Canton, a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo, and a Master’s degree from St. Lawrence University.  

He started working at SUNY Canton in the Office of Admissions in 2006, he transitioned into Residence Life in 2008, and began coaching in 2009. Kennedy currently lives in Canton with his wife, Katie and daughter, Maggie.

» Residence Life Webpage

Farren Lobdell

Director of Wellbeing Programs & Initiatives 

Farren joined the SUNY Canton community in 2007 as an Academic Counselor and then Educational Specialist for TRiO SSS. In 2012, she joined the Student Affairs division as Health Educator/Wellness Coordinator and was promoted to Director of Wellbeing Programs & Initiatives.

Farren has a B.A. in Psychology and Speech Communication from SUNY Potsdam. She is also a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh earning a MS in College and Agency Counseling, Student Affairs Professional Practice and CAS in Mental Health Counseling.

In addition, Farren is a YFI 200-hour Certified Yoga Instructor, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. She has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and has completed additional training in trauma-informed yoga, yoga nidra, mindfulness and teaching size-inclusive classes.

» Wellbeing Programs & Initiatives Webpage

Melinda Miller

Director of Counseling

Melinda Miller has been a dedicated member of the SUNY Canton community since Fall 1996, with 28 years of service and the past 17 years as Director of Counseling. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Development and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Counseling from St. Lawrence University, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Education from SUNY Potsdam.

Throughout her career at SUNY Canton, Melinda has remained committed to the Counseling Department, where she has played a pivotal role in its growth, including the addition of new counselors. Her leadership has also been instrumental in transforming the Renzi Food Pantry, a project she is particularly proud of.

Melinda's dedication to student well-being and excellence in service has earned her numerous accolades, including a Year Book Dedication and the Excellence in College Service Award.

» Counseling Webpage

Kristen Roberts

Assistant Dean of Students

Kristen joined SUNY Canton in 2007 and is currently the Assistant Dean of Students. In this role, she is a student advocate who works with the entire campus community to address concerns, conflicts, and violations of college policies through timely and fair resolution processes.

Kristen has prior professional experience in student conduct, serving as the Director of Student Conduct and the Student Conduct Officer. In addition to her conduct experience, Kristen has an extensive residence life background. She served as the Associate Director of Residence Life, the Assistant Director of Residence Life, an Area Coordinator, and a Residence Hall Director. She also served as an Assistant Basketball Coach for the SUNY Canton's women's team for three years.

She received a bachelor of arts in Human Services with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a minor in Biology from Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, NY, and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from St. Lawrence University.

Kristen's professional accomplishments include being a 2022 President's Meritorious Service Award winner, a 2017 Associated Colleges Rising Star Graduate, and the 2012 SUNY Canton NORTHSTAR Award recipient. Kristen has been a member of the SUNY Student Conduct Association since 2012. In addition to her service on campus, Kristen serves on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Northern New York (Secretary) and on the Board of Directors for Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

In her free time, Kristen enjoys weightlifting and watching sports

» Student Conduct Webpage

Tammy Rotonde

Director of Health Center

Tammy Rotonde, MSPAS, PA-C, is the Director of Student Health at the SUNY Canton Davis Health Center. She began her career at SUNY Canton in 2024 after having previously worked as a physician assistant in college health for over 3 years. Rotonde earned a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Clarkson University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Lawrence University. She has proudly called the North Country her home ever since.

Tammy is versed in treating a variety of medical conditions and has experience working in several medical subspecialties including primary care, women’s health, college health, and psychiatry. Tammy has found her calling working with students and young people. She prioritizes wholistic health as a main facet of her patient care approach, and actively works to incorporate healthy lifestyle initiatives in her students’ patient care plans. These include factors like proper sleep hygiene, self-care, community wellness, proper exercise, and a well-balanced diet. Tammy is also a fierce advocate of Animal-Assisted Therapy (Therapy Dog) program and works to provide access to this life-altering therapy to local nursing homes, facilities, schools, and colleges, including here at SUNY Canton.

In her spare time, Tammy enjoys spending time with her dogs, hiking, and cooking. She also owns and operates her own small business, Studley Hill Goldens LLC., where she ethically breeds and raises Golden Retrievers. She is an American Kennel Club breeder with the prestigious H.E.A.R.T. distinction. Tammy’s unique canine program focuses on raising puppies for future service-dog work and therapy work; she has created a custom puppy curriculum to help prepare her puppies physically, emotionally, and socially – a heartfelt passion that she carries over into her work with students. You may see Tammy out and about in the campus community training other dogs in canine obedience, or, accompanied by her beloved service dog, Sven.

» Student Health Webpage

Randy Sieminski

Director of Athletics, Recreation & Intramurals

Former NHL Vice President Randy Sieminski began his tenure as SUNY Canton athletic director in August 2010 and has been employed at SUNY Canton since October 2005.

Sieminski has overseen the dramatic growth of the athletics department from nine sports to 15 and from 126 student-athletes to nearly 300. He guided the department through its transition to the NCAA and joining the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) and now the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). The Roos have won four conference championships resulting in NCAA Division III Tournament berths, including three by the women's lacrosse team and one in men’s basketball.

Sieminski has led the college’s efforts in adding varsity Esports, cheerleading and Club Hockey to the athletic department. Since becoming athletic director, Sieminski has won the SUNY Canton President’s Meritorious Award, the college’s SAAC Appreciation Award and was honored when the college’s yearbook was recently dedicated to him.

Prior to joining the athletic department, Sieminski was the Director of Public Relations at SUNY Canton. He has also served as Asst. Vice President for Advancement and Interim Director of Admissions (2009-10). Before returning to the North Country, Sieminski was the Vice President of Communications for the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Sunrise Sports and Entertainment. Sieminski graduated from Potsdam High School and St. Lawrence University.

» Athletics Webpage

Richard (R.J.) Thayer

Director of Student Affairs Technology

Richard (R.J.) Thayer is the Director of Student Affairs Technology at SUNY Canton, where he has worked since 2012. With more than 17 years of experience in higher education, R.J. has most recently worked to drive technological innovation within the Student Affairs division. His efforts have centered around implementing solutions that streamline operations, reduce manual workloads, and enhance overall efficiency. By freeing up staff time through these innovations, R.J. has allowed the division to concentrate more on delivering exceptional student support and fostering a more engaged campus community.

Beyond his technical experience, R.J. is very involved in campus life. As the Director of the SUNY Canton EMS squad, he oversees the training and management of EMTs and first responders, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff. Additionally, his role as Advisor for the National Society for Leadership and Success reflects his commitment to student development and leadership. R.J. is passionate about guiding students to reach their full potential, both academically and personally.

Outside of his professional life, R.J. is an avid outdoor enthusiast and has set a goal of visiting all 63 National Parks by the time he turns 63.

» Student Affairs Technology Webpage