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Meet the Staff

A passionate staff dedicated to your inclusion.

AnnaMaria Omilanowicz headshotAnnaMaria Omilanowicz,
Director of Multicultural Life and Diversity

AnnaMaria was born in Queens, NY and moved to the Central NY area in the year 2000. She attended Utica College and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics in 2010. After working at Utica College for three years, first as an Assistant Director of Admissions, covering travel in the NYC, DC and MD areas and then as a counselor in Opportunity Programs, AnnaMaria decided that she wanted to further her career in Student Affairs and go back to school for her master’s.

In May 2015, she graduated with her Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Syracuse University while she worked as one of the Graduate Assistants in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. AnnaMaria is Greek as well and is an hermana of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. While pursuing her master’s, she also served as a practicum student in the Days-Massolo Cultural Education Center at Hamilton College and the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services at Syracuse University. AnnaMaria was a 2021 fellow of the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute and a recipient of the 2022 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. AnnaMaria’s goal is to continue to promote equitable educational experiences for all students regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religion, documentation status and all other aspects of human differences.

River Hunter Vooris, Assistant Director of Multicultural Life and Diversity

River Hunter VoorisRiver was born in Baltimore, MD and spent their childhood on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and across the Atlantic Ocean in England. When they were 16, they lived in Mexico for a semester and learned Spanish. They then went to Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and majored in English and Women's Studies, studying abroad their junior year in England (ASE) and Spain (Bucknell en España). After graduating from Bucknell, River went on to complete a PhD in Women's Studies at the University of Maryland.

They have now worked in higher education for over 15 years, teaching Women's and Gender Studies at places like Amherst College, Dickinson College, and DePauw University. Most recently, they were the chair of the Women's, Transgender, and Queer Studies program at Wells College. They have also been a student club advisor, K-12 diversity consultant, and a summer camp counselor at several LGBTQ summer camps in the Northeast. Over the years they have learned that teaching and mentoring comes in many forms, and they are excited to work with students, staff, and faculty at SUNY Cortland on matters related to diversity and equity. 

Outside of work, they love foraging for mushrooms and edible plants, reading science-fiction (especially Octavia Butler, NK Jemison, and Becky Chambers), and exploring local Fingerlake trails with their partner, Indigo, and dog, Pippin.  

Kyrstin White, Program Coordinator 

Kyrstin White

Kyrstin White (she, her) is our new Program Coordinator. Kyrstin is a graduate from SUNY Cortland with her B.S. in Exercise Science along with a minor in Psychology of Individuals with Disabilities. She is an advocate with strong experience in student leadership, programming, and community engagement. As a student, she organized impactful multicultural events, facilitated dialogues on inclusion and equity, and supported underrepresented student populations. This has given her a strong passion and drive to promote diversity. Kyrstin held executive board positions for the Black Student Union, NAACP Caribbean Student Association, and Women of Color, and worked as a Resident Assistant for three years. She is committed to fostering an inclusive campus where all identities are celebrated and empowered through intentional programming and advocacy. 

Melissa Greene, Administrative Assistant

Melissa GreeneMelissa was born and raised in Cortland, NY. She attended classes in early childhood development at Tompkins Cortland Community College, while also working as an in-home Health Aide for 5 years. Then, having found interest in caretaking, Melissa worked as a childcare teacher for 5 years at the Cornell Child Care Center, a Fortune 500 Company. From there, she moved on to the role of Office Manager for the childcare center. With over 11 years of experience, Melissa is a highly skilled Administrative Assistant dedicated to enhancing organizational efficiency. Melissa's meticulous attention to detail and proficiency in office management have been evident throughout her career. Her expertise extends to managing calendars, coordinating meetings, and handling various administrative responsibilities with precision. Armed with skills in office software and excellent communication abilities, Melissa consistently ensures seamless operations and fosters a productive work environment.

In her previous role at the Cornell Child Care Center, Melissa successfully implemented streamlined filing systems that significantly reduced retrieval time and enhanced overall workflow. Her proactive approach and ability to handle multiple tasks in high-pressure situations have made her an indispensable part of the team. With a proven track record of success, Melissa Greene is poised to continue contributing to organizational success and efficiency as a dedicated Administrative Assistant. Transitioning into a role within higher education, Melissa hopes to continue her learning outside the administrative role and grow in learning on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion so she can best support the students she works with.

Student Employees

  • Maleny_SilvaTellez.jpg Maleny Silva Tellez, Work Study Student

Maleny was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She is currently attending SUNY Cortland where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Inclusive Childhood Education with a concentration in Urban Studies. Now in her second year, she is an Educational Opportunity Program (E.O.P.) student as well as a C.U.R.E. scholar, two programs that provide tremendous support, mentorship, and opportunities. In addition to her studies, she is also involved in campus life. As of Spring 2026, she serves as a Residential Assistant. She is also a member of the Spanish Club. Outside of the office, you can usually find her in the library and or at Student Life Center, or taking part in campus activities.  Maleny chose to commit to SUNY Cortland because of its strong reputation in teacher education and the deep sense of support she felt from the campus community. Looking towards the future, she sees herself becoming an educator in an urban school setting, where she hopes to make a meaningful and lasting impact in children’s lives. She is passionate about promoting inclusive practices and advocating on behalf of students, families, colleagues, and communities. Her goal is to create classroom environments where every child feels seen, valued, and capable of success.

Jake_Niederbuhl_photo.jpgJake Niederbuhl, Diversity Conference Intern 

Jake (He/Him) was born and raised in Saranac Lake, New York. This fall, he began his first semester at SUNY Cortland, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Adolescent Education. This fall, Jake has made his presence on campus warm and known. A proud C.U.R.E (Cortland Urban Recruitment of Educators) scholar and Programming Chair of SUNY Cortland’s Pride Club, he’s dedicated his time to trying to make our campus community feel a little warmer every day.
               As a first-year student, Jake thanks the Multicultural Life and Diversity office and the C.U.R.E program for giving him a home at SUNY Cortland. To him, SUNY Cortland was a great choice to help him build community organizing skills and work on his social advocacy. Planning the 14th Annual Diversity Conference showed him that it doesn’t matter who you are, or what you think you’re capable of, sometimes all you need to do is be present and willing to take the first step towards who you want to be. Going into education, he hopes to create a culture of belonging that empowers his future students and gives them the opportunity to pull off projects larger than he could dream of executing himself. 

NASPA Undergraduate Fellow Program (NUFP)

  • New NUFP Fellows

  • Please contact our office if you are interested in this program.

 

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