Meet the EOP Staff

Matt McCluskey

EOP Director
Campus Center 234A
315-386-7115
mccluskeym@canton.edu

Matt McCluskey first came to the North Country in 1995 and was immediately taken in by the region’s natural beauty and intriguing geography. He has since spent 20 of the last 29 years in Northern New York and is delighted to call Canton home. If you come by his office, you’ll see lots of maps of the region --- reflecting both his love for this place and his lifelong passion for cartography. When he’s not at work, you will generally find Matt outside. In the summer that usually means his yard, where he is particularly fond of his rock gardens, spring tulips, and summer roses. During quieter moments, he likes watching old movies and generally being a Cold War history buff. Aside from his time in the North Country, Matt has lived in North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, and New York’s Capital District and grew up near Poughkeepsie in the Hudson Valley. He is thrilled to be at SUNY Canton and is particularly excited by the college’s mission and purpose, impact on students’ lives, and positive connections to the community. He is proud to have worked in educational positions for nearly 25 years and treasures the relationships he has built with students over the years. In his varied career, he has served as an HEOP counselor and instructor, reading tutor, history teacher, legislative aide, public policy researcher, college lecturer, tutor program administrator, car detailer, academic advisor, accessibility services director, and high school soccer coach.

Anne Drake

Counselor
Campus Center 234C
315-386-7116
drakea@canton.edu

Anne Drake’s heart is in higher education. She started working at SUNY Canton in the fall of 2004 in the Office of Admissions, and later worked in the EOP Office and served as the Assistant Registrar. Anne earned her Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, from SUNY Geneseo. Anne also earned a Master’s Degree in Education: Counseling, from Alfred University as well as a Master’s of Science: Health, Fitness and Wellness from Plattsburgh State. All of her educational pursuits have increased her passion for helping students achieve success in their own journeys. She has always loved traveling places and meeting people from all walks of life. She said, “I love the North Country, SUNY Canton’s students, faculty and staff. The Educational Opportunity Program has been around since the late 1960s and has helped thousands of students all over the state. It is great to be part of this program again!

Keith Mitchell

Counselor
Campus Center 234D
315-386-7113
mitchellk@canton.edu

Keith Mitchell grew up on a farm in northern New York. He ventured to New York City upon graduation and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts as an HEOP student himself. He then explored Western New York by earning a Master of Social Work from University at Buffalo, SUNY. The capstone of which took him much further west to an internship in San Francisco. Prior to becoming an EOP Counselor, Keith worked within various social work roles including the coordination of the Akwesasne Food Pantry. Keith prides himself on being open-minded and understanding and looks forward to helping students find their best path within SUNY Canton and beyond.

Scott Quinell

Counselor
Campus Center 234B
315-386-7114
quinells@canton.edu

Scott Quinell has been at SUNY Canton for over 26 years and has been with the EOP office for 16 years. Prior to coming to EOP, he was the Director of Student Activities and Supervisor of the Miller Campus Center. He is a 1994 graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh and earned his master's in education from SUNY Potsdam in 2008. Scott and his wife Susan are kept busy with their daughter Emily and their son Robert. He has been honored both on-campus and off- for his service to others. He had the 2003 edition of the college yearbook dedicated to him. He was the 2004 recipient of the 2004 Northstar Award which is presented by the student body and was awarded the 2015 Distinguished Chapter Key by the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity.

An Eagle Scout, Scott has been a member of BSA for 45 years and has been presented with numerous district and national honors. He also is the Faculty Athletic Mentor for the SUNY Canton Men's Baseball team and is the Advisor to the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society. Scott was selected to be a part of the Olympic Torch relay team for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and carried the Olympic Flame in Lake Placid, NY. Chances are if you are not in Engineering programs or Life Sciences, he will be your counselor. In his spare time, Scott is a big sports fan, loves talking about just about anything, and collects too much sports memorabilia (according to his wife).

JoEllen Oshier

Administrative Assistant 1
Campus Center 234
315-386-7226
oshierj@canton.edu

JoEllen Oshier is the secretary for the office of EOP. She started her career at SUNY Canton in the Student Accounts Office, working with students, faculty and staff; and brings that knowledge and experience with her, enhancing the support EOP provides to students.

She lives on a small farm in Canton where her family currently raise beef cows. She is the mother of a blended family of seven children and grandmother to four. She enjoys Canton and the surrounding area and loves promoting SUNY Canton and the support, services and the dynamic educational programs our school has to offer.