SUNY Canton One Hop Shop Celebrates New Administrative Assistant

Melissa A. Mussen has become an example of the career mobility available for promising employees at SUNY Canton.

She began working for the College Association in 2012 as a maintenance staff and delivery person. She’s also been a food service employee at Roos Court in MacArthur Hall, and a cleaner for the Physical Plant. She became a provisional Office Assistant in the One Hop Shop Student Service Center in 2016, earning permanent status and a promotion within the following year. Now, Mussen has just advanced again to Administrative Assistant in the same office she calls her home.

“My memorable successes here at the college include transitioning from where I started to where I am today,” she said. “I’m also returning as a student to complete my degree.”

Most One Hop Shop employees have a story of how they’ve helped a student overcome odds and achieve an education. Mussen is no exception. She once helped link a nursing student with outside funding to help purchase textbooks. She also convinced another student to commute to campus when they couldn’t afford to live in the residence halls. She said it makes her heart happy to see them not give up on their education

“It means such a great deal when you make a connection with a student and they can come to you in a time of need for help or support,” Mussen said.

Mussen is enrolled in the Business Administration program and expects to graduate in fall 2021. She is a 1998 graduate of Canton’s Hugh C. Williams High School. She resides in Rensselaer Falls with her husband, children and pets.