FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amy Kremenek, Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amy Kremenek, Public Affairs September 30, 2010 (315) 498-2988 or (315) 317-9580

Dr. Donna J. DeSiato Joins Onondaga Community College Board of Trustees

SYRACUSE, NY – Donna J. DeSiato, Ed.D., superintendent of schools at the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District and an alumna of Onondaga Community College, was sworn in on September 28, 2010, as a member of the Onondaga Community College Board of Trustees. Dr. DeSiato was appointed by Governor David Paterson. Dr. DeSiato, a resident of Syracuse, replaces former trustee Paul Solomon, whose term ended in 2010.

Dr. DeSiato is a 1969 graduate of Onondaga Community College. She served on the OCC Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2004 to 2008, serving as vice president from 2006 to 2008.

Dr. DeSiato’s experience in education includes teaching and serving as an administrator for nearly 40 years. She spent 31 years in the Syracuse City School District and served in a number of roles, including teacher, elementary principal, director of elementary education, and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instructional services. In 2005, Dr. DeSiato was named superintendent of schools at the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District, where she oversees 3,800 students and 800 staff members. She also serves as a member on the Crouse Hospital School of Nursing Advisory Board, the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Onondaga County Citizens’ League Advisory Board.

“Onondaga Community College is fortunate to have a highly talented group of trustees working on its behalf. As an alumna, a distinguished community leader and advocate for education, Dr. DeSiato brings enormous value to the board. Her resolve and visionary outlook will serve the College and its students very well,” said Onondaga Community College President Debbie L. Sydow, Ph.D.

Members of the Onondaga Board of Trustees are Chair Margaret M. O’Connell; Vice Chair Steven Aiello; Secretary Edward Heinrich; Connie Whitton; Dr. Gary Livent; Donald M. Mawhinney, Jr.; Melanie Littlejohn; and student trustee Mary Alice Brown. With more than 12,000 students, Onondaga Community College is the second-largest undergraduate institution in Central New York and one of the nation’s fastest-growing community colleges. Founded in 1961, it is a comprehensive two-year college operating under the State University of New York (SUNY) and is locally sponsored by Onondaga County. Onondaga offers nearly 50 programs of study, bachelor and master’s degrees available on campus through a Regional Higher Education Center, and more than 80 transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities. Home to four-time NJCAA national champion men’s lacrosse and 2009 NJCAA women’s lacrosse teams, Onondaga has fifteen intercollegiate men’s and women’s athletic teams.

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