Our Staff
Melinda Slawson
Interim Director of Global Education and Initiatives
I originally joined the Office of Global Initiatives in 2008, where I coordinated a grant program through CCID. Because I had an eclectic background that included F-1 and J-1 international student and scholar advising, study abroad counseling, teaching ESL and coordinating language courses, I was able to stay on and help in a variety of capacities before leaving in 2017. After several years working in admissions at a different college as a transfer, first year and international student counselor, I added additional experience to my portfolio until I returned in 2023. I now serve as Interim Director of Global Education and Initiatives. TC3 is unique in that everyone is fully dedicated to making it the best community college it can be for our wonderful students. I hold a BA from the University of Kansas and an MA in French from the University of Oregon. I have worked at all kinds of institutions 鈥 from NYU to Columbia University and Wells College to TC3. If you know French, come and speak with me because I need the practice! I love to travel, and my motto is 鈥淎BL鈥 鈥 always be learning.
Merryn Clay
Coordinator of Global Partnerships & Programs
I joined the Office of Global Initiatives in 2016 after teaching ESL and English at 快播视频 Cortland for many years prior. I coordinate 快播视频 Cortland鈥檚 Academic Exchange at the Walt Disney World Resort, in which students from international partner universities earn academic credit while gaining work experience in Orlando, Florida. I really enjoy helping students develop professionally and personally in this unique program. I also work closely with our dual-degree programs, support our team in furthering the internationalization of the College, assist with our Study Abroad programs, and currently serve as the PDSO on campus. I hold a B.A. in History and Spanish from Rutgers University and an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to moving back to the New York area, I lived in Ecuador and Chile for a number of years, where I taught EFL and attempted to become fluent in Spanish.
Contact Merryn for inquiries about the Academic Exchange program, the Disney College program, and other partnership opportunities.
Maria Barrero
Global Services Specialist
I am the Global Services Specialist of the Global Initiatives Office. I hold an Associate鈥檚 degree from 快播视频 Cortland Community College and a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Cortland. I am from Spain and have been lucky to grow up in different countries like Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. I am a DSO and ARO and I work with partnership student鈥檚 admissions and handle the majority of clerical duties associated with this process and in the office. I advise F-1 International Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors on visa status maintenance, cultural and academic adjustment, work authorization, and a variety of other matters. I have been working in international education since 2010 and it has become a passion. I love working with international students and working at 快播视频 Cortland Community College, which has become like a second home.
Contact Maria for inquiries about student visas (work authorization, status, etc.), billing, and registration.
Angela Palumbo
Associate Professor of English as a Second Language; SUNY COIL Coordinator; Study Abroad trip leader
Bonjour! I am an Associate Professor at TC3, and I teach ESL, French, and Intercultural Communication. I also teach in our Walt Disney World Academic Exchange Program, where we welcome students from the Caribbean and Latin America. During the winter session, I co-lead our study abroad trip to Cambodia. I have been at TC3 since 2010 and have had the pleasure to meet and work with the most amazing students from all around the world. In addition to teaching, I work very closely with our Global Initiatives staff to support our international and non-native speaking students. I also serve as our SUNY COIL Campus Coordinator, in which I assist faculty in finding overseas partners to create cross-cultural experience for students. I hold a B.A. in French from Stetson University and an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts.
Contact Angela for inquiries about our ESL offerings and our SUNY COIL partnerships.