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College Relations

The Office of College Relations is a highly-integrated group of professionals who leads the college in championing its story to all audiences for the purposes of cultivating friends, building support, and generating resources to enable Medaille to achieve its mission and vision.

Our primary responsibilities include alumni and donor relations, corporate and foundation relations, marketing/communications and public relations, and web site development.

College Relations Staff

Paula ValentePaula R. Valente
Vice President for College Relations

Paula R. Valente leads Medaille's fund raising and communications operations.

Paula brings to this role a strong background in community relations and public policy. Most recently, she served as associate vice president for development at Canisius College, an institution from which she is also a graduate. Prior to that position, Valente held leadership positions as the executive director of the YWCA of Greater Portland (Maine), president of the Institute for a Strong Maine Economy, president and CEO of the Maine Health Care Association, and city manager of Auburn, Maine.

Gwyn Beyer
Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for College Relations
(716) 880-2475

Gwyn BeyerGwyn Beyer (gwyn.a.beyer@medaille.edu) has worked in the College Relations office since 2004. She provides administrative support to Paula R. Valente, vice president for college relations, and the Medaille College board of trustees. She also manages office operations, and helps coordinate alumni and donor events.

Gwyn is a member of IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals) and AEAP (Association of Executive and Administrative Professionals). She is very active in the Cheektowaga Historical Association as the Association’s treasurer and chair of the membership committee.

Joe Flateau
Webmaster

Joe FlateauJoe Flateau (jef26@medaille.edu) joined Medaille's Information Technology Office in 2007. He maintains major areas of Medaille's web presence, and develops web applications and tools for internal and external audiences. He also provides support for photography, graphic design projects and publications.

 

 

 

Summer Gemmati Handzlik '08 MC
Staff Associate
(716) 880-2315

Summer HandzlikSummer Gemmati Handzlik (summer.l.handzlik@medaille.edu) graduated from Medaille in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in communications. She joined the College Relations Office in 2009, having previously worked in the marketing department at Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP. She assists with alumni relations, communications, and donor relations projects.

While at Medaille, Summer served as editor-in-chief of the Perspective student newspaper and INcite magazine, and earned a first-place award in feature writing by the New York Press Association.

 

 

Sara Mobilia Fluskey
Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving
(716) 880-2259

Sara FluskeySara Mobilia Fluskey (sbf29@medaille.edu) has worked in the College Relations Office since January 2007. She focuses on major gifts, planned giving, and donor relations. Sara’s role is to build new and to strengthen existing relationships that will grow Medaille’s endowment. She has over ten years of experience working in event planning and fundraising. Sara earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in women’s studies from SUNY Oswego.

 

Kara Kane
Director of Communications
(716) 880-2884

Kara KaneKara Kane (kara.m.kane@medaille.edu) joined Medaille's staff in 2005, and manages the College's communications efforts across print, web, and broadcast outlets. She supports admissions and development efforts, and leads the college's public and media relations and social media outreach.

Kara earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Le Moyne College and a master's in communication from the University at Buffalo, focusing on technology and mass media. She belongs to the Public Relations Society of America and has served on panel sessions for PRSA and the Association of Fundraising Professionals WNY on the topic of social media.

 


Vicki Ward
Director of Advancement Services
(716) 880-2209

Vicki WardVicki Ward (vicki.l.ward@medaille.edu) has worked for Medaille's College Relations Office since 2004. As Director of Operations and Prospect Research, Vicki maintains and manages Medaille's information on individuals and donations. She supports Medaille's projects for direct mail, fundraising, and communications. In addition she works and volunteers part-time for the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation. Vicki has ten years of experience in database management and is currently pursuing a degree through Medaille's Accelerated Learning Program in Amherst.