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 the Director of Administration, please feel free to contact me to have a meeting arranged. Schedule a Meeting with Jeannette.

Alyssa Lopez
Assistant Director of Graduate Programs
al546@cornell.edu
607.255.8315

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.

Jennifer Orr
Finance Specialist
Hollister Hall, Room 220 
jo443@cornell.edu

As the Finance Specialist for the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, I provide critical financial administration support, to include post-award management of faculty grants and contracts, planning and budgeting, as well as developing analyses and forecasting.

Lisa Rose
Accounts Representative
Hollister Hall, Room 220
Lmr10@cornell.edu

I coordinate all the school’s student employment activities, including processing of graduate students and non-exempt student support staff.  I also provide transactional support for the school’s financial activities, including purchasing and travel.  I complete month end reconciliations and associated journal entries.  I also provide financial support to the Master of Engineering Management program and student organizations by coordinating travel logistics, purchasing equipment and supplies, processing payments, and risk management compliance activities.

Diana Peppin
Assistant Director, Engineering Management On-Campus
Hollister Hall, Room 215A 
607/255-3553
dlw259@cornell.edu

As Assistant Director for the Engineering Management On-Campus 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.

Chloe Snyder
Events and Main Office Coordinator
Hollister Hall, Room 220
607/255-2542
cs2487@cornell.edu

I oversee the day to day function of the main office and provide administrative support to faculty and staff. I also organize and oversee a variety of smaller events throughout the academic year.

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.

Edgar E. VanScoy
Sr. Pre-Award Specialist
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 Engineering Management Distance Learning Program
607-255-3963
aev45@cornell.edu

As the Assistant Director for the Engineering Management – Distance Learning program, I provide guidance and counseling to students regarding degree requirements, student status, and other matters affecting their studies. I partner closely with the program’s leadership and administration to devise strategic initiatives to grow and improve the program in alignment with institutional goals.

Schedule a meeting with Alexis.

Nick 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. 

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.