Maria Huntington is the Adult Services Administrator for Champlain Valley Education Services (CVES) BOCES in Plattsburgh, NY and started this role in October 2022.  For years, Maria has been an advocate for adult education. She started her journey in adult education in 2011 as a Literacy Volunteer Director and then worked for Capital Region BOCES as the Literacy Zone Coordinator in the South End of Albany in 2015. In 2017, Maria became the Supervisor of Adult Education and continued supporting adult learners in HSE, ESL, and adult training programs like Electrical, HVAC/R, and Welding.  Maria continues to collaborate with multiple community partners to provide the best education possible for adult learners. 

Maria earned her BA from Niagara University in Elementary and Special Education. After graduating she volunteered in Egypt and Sudan with VOICA, a Catholic organization associated with the Canossian Daughters of Charity. Upon returning home, she enrolled in the School of International Training (SIT) in Brattleboro, VT and received her MA in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management.  She is very passionate about serving others and helping them reach their full potential. 

Nell Eckersley is the Director of Digital Equity Projects at the Literacy Assistance Center. Nell has been working on ways to integrate digital literacy skills into adult education ever since she developed a project on how to teach basic computer skills in a classroom without computers in 2001. Nell’s current work on digital literacy and adult education includes being a member of the US Adult Digital Learning Advisory Group for the Ed Tech Center at World Ed, a Subject Matter Expert for the DRAW project, a technology advisor for the CILIA-T project, and a resource developer for the LINCS. Her particular areas of interest are strengthening digital literacy skills for adult education practitioners and students, integrating technology into the adult education classroom via mobile devices, and digital inclusion for all.

For several years, Tarin Bready assisted adult students in achieving their educational and career goals. While she has moved to a different facet of education, she recognizes the importance of community access to adult education and high school equivalency programs. To combine multiple famous quotes and produce an overall paraphrase, Tarin believes in endeavoring to leave every space she enters better than how she found it. Therefore, Tarin is appreciative to work with incredible NYACCE members and continue to learn from a specialized group of intelligent, energized people who add value to their respective programs and their communities.

As the Director of Adult and Continuing Education for Schenectady City School District, Jesse Roylance oversees programs enrolling over 2,500 students in HSE, ESL, Career training, incarcerated education, alternative K-12 education, and a rich continuing education program in an inner city environment struggling with poverty and creating successful pathways for its residents. In addition, his office oversees one of the largest High School Equivalency testing facilities in New York State and has created several new training programs working with colleges, employers, community agencies, city agencies, as well as community advocacy groups. Jesse has served on the NYS "TASC" taskforce on the implementation of the new HSE assessment, the Schenectady County College and Career Counseling Center's advisory board, the municipal housing Family Self-Sufficiency board, and is an active member of the New York State Association of Incarcerated Educational Professionals (NYSAIEP), New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP), and ASCD. Jesse has received citations and awards from the Schenectady City Council and the Human Rights Commission for his service to the community. Jesse is a Past-President of NYACCE.

Karen Dispo-De Boos is a long-time North Country resident who lived in Australia for ten years but returned to the North Country when her husband retired from the Royal Australian Navy in 2013. Karen has an extensive background in the nonprofit sector but has also worked for many years in marketing, advertising, and public relations. Before Karen joined LVCEF, she was the Deputy Director at the Strand Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh, NY. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Art History from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Master in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. In 2023, she was selected as the Coalition on Adult Basic Education's (COABE) State Advocate for Adult Education Fellowship (SAAEF) for New York. She is currently serving as a mentor for the SAAEF program. Karen wholeheartedly advocates for adult learners and their families to build fully literate communities and the unmistakable importance of volunteerism in Adult Education.

CHRISTINE THOMAS

Coordinator, Hudson Valley

Adult Education Literacy Coordinator

Dutchess BOCES

LIA FESTENSTEIN

Coordinator, Finger Lakes

Executive Director

Office of Adult and Career Education Services (OACES)

Division of Rochester School District

Rebecca Horowitz is the Assistant Director of the Center for Workforce Development, Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES department for adult education, where she started in 2020 overseeing their high school equivalency and English language programs. BOCES 2 CWD is just outside of Rochester, NY and serves over 500 students a year, with day and evening programming in literacy and career training. Prior to joining the world of adult education, Rebecca served as a high school English teacher and department coordinator. Education is her second career; she worked in publishing, communications, and business before going back to school to become a teacher. All of these experiences have informed her leadership in support of adult learners to help them identify and achieve their goals. Rebecca completed her education with a Bachelor's in English and a Master's in Secondary English Education, as well as an Advanced Certificate in School and District Leadership.

STEVE WARNER

Coordinator, Finger Lakes

Regional Program Director

Literacy West NY, Inc./CORE The Learning Center

Chantal Michaux, a dedicated Case Manager at Buffalo Public Schools-Adult Education since 2001, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. Specializing in various aspects of Adult Education, including CTE programs, HSE, ESL, and program and professional development, Chantal has played a pivotal role in supporting students and families throughout the Western New York area.

With a background as a counselor in both K-12 and post-secondary education, Chantal has consistently provided crucial support services. Her commitment to the well-being of individuals extends beyond traditional education, as exemplified during the peak of the pandemic. Serving as a Community Support Specialist for the New York State Department of Health, Chantal passionately delivered educational, community, and mental health services to individuals in five counties across NYS.

Chantal holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and community mental health from the University of Buffalo, coupled with a master's degree in counselor education from Canisius University. Currently on the path to becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Chantal remains a lifelong advocate for adults, youth, and families. Her unwavering dedication ensures that individuals receive the necessary support to attain their educational and personal goals.

Elaine Roberts is the Director of Programs for the International Center, the ESOL department of Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS). As part of CCCS’ Division of Immigrant and Refugee Services, the International Center provides ESOL and Citizenship Preparation programming in Manhattan and the Bronx and in Westchester, Orange, and Dutchess Counties. The Center’s goal is to provide the language skills and confidence necessary for all English language learners to communicate effectively in their personal, professional, and academic lives in New York. Prior to joining Catholic Charities, Elaine worked with adult learners throughout NYC at several community-based organizations. She has been a steering committee of the New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy (NYCCAL) since 2011.

NIKEISHA SMOTHERS

Coordinator, New York City

Manager of Operations, Adult Learning Centers

Brooklyn Public Library

Barbara Egloff has dedicated over 25 years to providing educational services to Eastern Suffolk BOCES secondary and adult students. She is currently the Divisional Administrator for the Career, Technical and Adult Education Department and oversees adult programming at six campuses and numerous satellite locations. Barbara has served on various boards, committees and task forces at the local, regional and state level. Currently she serves on Suffolk County’s Welfare to Work Commission, Workforce Development Board, Reentry Task Force, Regional Justice Task Force, Carol Pufahl Literacy Foundation and she participates on many advisory boards for Eastern Suffolk BOCES business, industry and community partners. Barbara enjoys working with students and her administrative team. She is often found working with colleagues and partners on community service projects. Barbara strives to create a learning community where teachers and staff work collaboratively to “transform lives” for all students.

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVES

Laurie Bargstedt is the Coordinator of Adult Literacy and Corrections Education at Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES. She manages four adult learning centers: Amsterdam Literacy Zone; Gloversville Literacy Zone; and the Fulton and Montgomery Academies inside the County Correctional Facilities. In a career spanning more than 25 years in adult education she has taught basic education, GED preparation, English as a Second Language and workforce readiness in classroom settings and through distance learning programs. She holds a BS in Adult & Community Education, Master’s in Education Administration and is a certified School Administrator and Supervisor. She is a Certified Manager in Program Improvement and a recipient of the Lawrence Levin Award.

Elizabeth Jackson

STAC Liaison - Downstate

Director of NYC STAC

Literacy Assistance Center