Jackson, Carpentier cap off their careers

BY ALEKSANDRA SIDOROVA News & Managing Editor

Cori Jackson and Michele Carpentier, both Enrollment and Student Success leaders, are retiring after more than 30 years of ardently supporting SUNY Plattsburgh students in a multitude of roles.

Jackson was hired in 1992, the same year that Dean of Students Steve Matthews started working at SUNY Plattsburgh. Both worked in Banks Hall — Matthews as its director and Jackson as a “live-on counselor.” At that time, Carpentier was the director of Student Support Services and worked in a space that is now half of Jackson’s current office. At some point, Jackson and Carpentier were equals, and eventually, Jackson became Carpentier’s senior.

As they “grew up professionally,” their paths not only crossed, but intertwined. They now work as a team, keeping in mind each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Matthews and Carpentier named organizing, budgeting, setting goals and problem solving as Jackson’s biggest strengths. Carpentier said Jackson is “one of the most talented administrators I’ve ever met in my entire career.”

“She is intuitive, she’s smart as a whip, she can evaluate situations faster than anybody I know. She’s just really, really gifted at managing people, more so than just about anybody I’ve met in my life,” Carpentier said. “If we had 20 Coris at this school, everything would be amazing.”

Jackson used to be the director of what is now known as the Center for Student Involvement. Jacob Avery, who holds this position now, sees Jackson as a “dear friend and mentor,” having known her since he was a student and working directly under her for seven years. He’s been close with her since he graduated, and she was a witness at his wedding.

Jackson and Avery often take walks across campus. When their colleagues text them about it, they say, “I see you out, contemplating how to take over the world.”

Avery said Jackson is a role model for him. Avery said she and Carpentier have not only been by his side as he thrives, but supported him when he failed, too.

Carpentier is the “bedrock that keeps this place going,” and the “soul of the institution,” Avery said. She and Cori are part of the list of people who are the reason Avery finds himself coming back to Plattsburgh, “this shining city.”

Jackson has been in her current role of interim vice president of ESS for more than a year. She is the third vice president of ESS whom Administrative Assistant for ESS Lyndsey Lafountain has worked with.

CAREER > 2 up around the lounge perimeter. Several students took the opportunity to showcase their work in sustainability with projects of varying complexities, but equal passion behind them.

Kaleb Pecoraro, an interdisciplinary junior studying theater and robotics, combined his two academic interests into a project about sustainability in the arts.

Pecoraro made a 3D-printed robot with ogling blue orbs for eyes and a moving mouth. He will use the robot as a prop for

“Talking Heads on the Television,” the play he wrote and is directing for the Climate Play Festival May 5. The materials the robot uses, including scraps, will be recycled into props for future productions.

Gabriel Thatcher showcased a project he worked on with three classmates as part of professor of environmental science Curt Gervich’s Environmental Management class.

April 19

A student in MacDonough Hall reported their credit card stolen. Investigation is still pending.