Picente Announces County Executive Appointments to MVCC Board of Trustees

Waters Named as New Member; Kahler & Calli Reappointed

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced his appointments to the Mohawk Valley Community College Board of Trustees.

Picente named Wendy Waters as a new member and reappointed current Board Chair Camille T. Kahler and Trustee William S. Calli Jr. The appointments are for seven-year terms.

“Wendy Waters will be a valuable addition to the MVCC Board of Trustees and I am happy to name her as one of my appointments,” Picente said. “Her long-time dedication to education and community service will prove to be great assets in this new role. I am equally pleased to reappoint Camille Kahler and Bill Calli as trustees so that they can continue the vital contributions they have made in taking MVCC to new heights.”

Under Article XX, Section 2004 of the Oneida County Charter and Section 6306 of the New York State Education Law, the County Executive is allotted five appointments to the 10-member Board of Trustees. Four trustees are appointed by the Governor and a student trustee is elected annually as part of student government elections to a one-year term.

A native of Rome, Waters recently retired as Principal of Gansevoort Elementary School in Rome. Prior to that, she was an English and journalism teacher at Rome Free Academy and a literacy/instructional coach for the Rome City School District. Earlier in her career, she worked in sports public relations and journalism, having spent time at newspapers in Syracuse and the Rome Daily Sentinel.

“I am honored to have been appointed by Mr. Picente to the Board of Trustees at MVCC - an institution that has played such a critical role in educating a diverse population for more than 70 years,” Waters said “It's also an exciting time to join the Board, as MVCC continues to evolve and position its students to meet the demands of the 21st century workforce in our community.”

Waters is a graduate of Utica College and received administrative certification from SUNY Cortland. In addition to supporting community literacy and educational initiatives, she has been involved in Rome Twigs, a volunteer organization at Rome Memorial Hospital, for more than 30 years, and has been a life-long member of Delta United Methodist Church. She has held leadership positions in both organizations.

Kahler was first appointed by Picente to the MVCC Board of Trustees in 2012. She was elected Chair in 2018. Calli was first appointed in 2003. The County Executive’s other appointments currently serving on the Board are David Mathis and Anthony J. Colon. They have served since 1977 and 2008 respectively.

"We are thrilled to have Wendy join the MVCC Board of Trustees,” said MVCC President Randall VanWagoner. “Her commitment to this region coupled with her distinguished career as a passionate educator will allow her to make meaningful contributions to the College in the future. Both Camille and Bill have provided critical leadership during important times here at the college and their greatly-appreciated commitment has gone a long way toward advancing our important mission in the region.”

“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve on the MVCC Board of Trustees and appreciate the confidence of the County Executive, Anthony Picente in re-appointing me to the Board of this most important community resource,” Kahler said.

“With the efforts of President Randy VanWagoner and the support of County Executive Anthony Picente and Oneida County, MVCC is poised to continue its significant contributions to so many exciting and productive community endeavors, both old and new,” Calli said. “I am thankful for my reappointment and look forward to working with the Board of Trustees and others towards such goals for many years to come.”

Mohawk Valley Community College, established in 1946, is New York State’s first community college with a mission to provide accessible, high-quality educational opportunities for everyone. As the community’s college, MVCC is committed to student success through partnerships, transfer and career pathways, and personal enrichment.

With campuses in Utica and Rome, MVCC is the region’s primary provider of college education, offering 90 degree and certificate options for its enrollment of 6,000 full- and part-time students. MVCC also serves an additional 6,000 people through its corporate and community education programs, and its campuses welcome more than 50,000 people annually for community events.