Dr. Fehmi Damkaci - Chair of the Board

Founder, Terra Science and Education

Dr. Damkaci is an experienced Professor with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. He is skilled in Grant Writing, STEM Retention programs, Program Development, Graduate Education Program Development and Management, Organic Chemistry, Research, Educational Leadership, and Teaching. He is a strong leadership professional with a Certificate focused in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from Harvard University Graduate School of Education and a Certificate focused in Public Diplomacy, Leadership, and Management from Syracuse University School of Maxwell. Dr. Damkaci has received several awards such as the Gold Medal for Scholarly Activities and Research, the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship, and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service.

Dr. Donna J. DeSiato - Board Member

Superintendent, East Syracuse Minoa Central School District

A respected leader in the field of public education, Dr. Donna DeSiato proudly serves as superintendent of the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District. Dr. DeSiato’s professional experiences include building, district, and state-level involvement in strategic planning, organizing and developing comprehensive programs, designing professional development and leading systemic reform. As the Superintendent of ESM since 2005, the District has realized significant gains in student achievement, a continual increase in the graduation rate and developed educational models with business partnerships. Dr. DeSiato serves on the University of the State of New York Technology Council and is a member of the New York State Council of School Superintendents Executive Committee. As a community and civic leader, Dr. DeSiato is a Trustee for Onondaga Community College, serves on the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, Syracuse University Study Council (President), Crouse Hospital School of Nursing Advisory Board, Partners for Education & Business Advisory Board, LeMoyne College Education Advisory Board and is a proud graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse, Class of 2005. Dr. DeSiato received an Associate of Arts degree from Onondaga Community College, a Bachelor’s of Education Degree from the University of Miami, a Master’s Degree from SUNY Cortland, a Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Oswego, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Syracuse University. She is highly regarded in education and in the business community for her leadership in innovative learning models and preparing graduates for our global society.

Dr. Lorrie Clemo - Board Member

President and CEO of D’Youville College

In collaboration with the senior leadership, faculty, staff, and students, Dr. Clemo helps to advance D’Youville’s time tested mission of providing academic, social, spiritual, and professional development in programs that emphasize leadership and service. Prior to her current appointment, Dr. Clemo was Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs (2010-2016) at the State University of New York at Oswego. She set the bar for educational excellence through holistic student development programs and instructional quality, with continual assessment of new enrollment and program opportunities, increased faculty collaboration and contribution, and focus on high- need areas including international and adult students. Dr. Clemo had oversight of over 120 University Instructional Programs. Dr. Clemo generated a 120% rise in international student enrollments since 2010— reaching #8 ranking within the Institute of International Education ranking for Master’s level organizations in the U.S. (among the highest in SUNY system) in 2012 for study-abroad program volume. She also spearheaded a 5-year enrollment plan including new benchmarks, goals, scholarship opportunities, and international partnerships, with a renewed focus on strategic recruitment areas. Additionally, she facilitated designation as an International Destination Campus by the Institute of International Education. Dr. Clemo also created innovative STEM research abroad opportunities generating a 145% increase in student research awards from 2009-2015, she secured $540K corporate and extramural funding to support international student research. Established collaborative partnerships with institutions in Taiwan, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Brazil, Italy, Sweden, China, Turkey, and Costa Rica.

Joanie Mahoney - Board Member

COO, SUNY ESF

Joanie Mahoney grew up in the Strathmore neighborhood in Syracuse, NY. She graduated from Corcoran High School, Syracuse University’s School of Management and S.U.’s College of Law where she received her Juris Doctor. After spending time in private practice, Joanie worked for five years as an Assistant District Attorney before being elected Councilor-at-Large in the City of Syracuse where she served a four-year term. In 2007 Joanie was elected Onondaga County’s first female County Executive where she served 11 years. Joanie was responsible for County Government operation, which served 460,000 residents of Central New York. She created and managed a billion-dollar budget with 3,500 employees in dozens of departments including Health, Children and Family Services, Procurement, Community Development, Finance, Law and Facilities Management. Joanie created an innovative development corporation to facilitate public/private partnerships, which was used to successfully finance construction projects for most of the colleges and hospitals in Syracuse including Saint Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, Upstate Medical Center and Crouse Hospital.

Joanie is currently working as Chief Operating Officer at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).

Dr. Richard Beal

Commissioner of Accreditation

Dr. Richard Beal is the Director of International Programs and Accreditation at Terra Science and Education and formerly worked at SUNY ESF from 1999 to 2018. He was also the Assistant Dean of K-12 STEM Education and Director of ESF in the High School and an Adjunct Associate Professor in Environmental and Forest Biology. Rick was the Director at Large of Environmental Science for the Science Teachers Association of New York. Rick received a B.S. degree in biochemistry from the University of Buffalo in 1991 and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the same institution in 1997. He was a Peace Corps teacher in Eritrea (East Africa) from 1997 to 1998 and a Fulbright Scholar in Cambodia Fall 2016. He specializes in University Teaching and Outreach, STEM Education, and University Partnerships and does extensive consulting in the Middle East on educational reform projects. Dr. Beal is a LEAD STEM Fellow for the National STEM Ecosystem Network.

Dr. Tolga Hayali

Dr. Tolga Hayali is superintendent of three Charter schools in the Central New York region called SANY–Science Academies of New York Charter Schools (Syracuse and Utica Academy of Science, Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter Schools). In this capacity, Dr. Hayali is responsible for the management and administration of three K-12 charter schools serving more than 2000 urban children in Central New York. In this role, he is also accountable for defining the vision, setting goals, strategic planning and leadership/management of all educational, administrative and operational functions of the Schools. An accomplished educator and administrator, Dr. Hayali received his Master and C.A.S in School Counseling from SUNY Oswego, executive Master in Public Administration from The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is Syracuse University and a Doctorate of Education, Leadership, Management and Policy in K-12 School Administration from Seton Hall University. He resides in Fayetteville, New York with his wife and four children.

Judy Wolfe

Judy has been engaged in public education at multiple levels since 1981. She is a New York State certified teacher in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and has classroom experience ranging from middle school science to the AP level. In addition, she has extensive experience in working with students with special needs as well as curriculum development in the Biological Sciences and Integrated Physical Sciences. In addition to her classroom experience, she has served as a teacher-mentor for AP Biology teachers in the Greece Central Schools (NY) as well as the Director of Curriculum Development at the Academy of Science in Loudoun County Schools (Va).

Kathy Southwell

Kathy Southwell is honored to have worked with students at the elementary, middle and high school levels as well as those at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has a strong background in systems leadership, strategic planning, and curriculum and assessment, with leadership experience at the district, regional and New York State levels. Kathy has a strong passion for science and has had numerous science leadership roles, including coordinating science curriculum and materials for 35 school districts; key roles in regional and New York State science education strategic planning and advisory groups; and regional representative of the nationwide STEM Ecosystem, including district recognition at the White House in 2015. She retired in October 2018 from East Syracuse Minoa Central School District as the Executive Director of Curriculum, Learning, and Assessment.

George Wolfe

George Wolfe comes to ACASU with 40+ years of teaching, curriculum writing, and leadership experience. His teaching career started in Zaire, Africa where he taught Biology, Chemistry, Political Economics and Physical Education in the Peace Corps. Since then, he has taught in the Western NY region, spending 20 years in the Rochester City School District. In 2005, George moved to Loudoun County, Virginia where he was the founder and director of the Loudoun County Academy of Science. His contributions to education have been extensive, serving on multiple advisory boards including the Cornell Institute of Physics Teachers, the Cornell Institute of Biology Teachers and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics SportSmarts curriculum project. He has received numerous awards throughout his teaching career including the NSTA Presidential Excellence Award, The National Association of Biology Teachers Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for New York State, The Shell Award for Outstanding Science Educator, and was inducted into the National Teaching Hall of Fame in 2005.

Dr. Matthew C. Williams

Experienced Principal with a demonstrated history of working in the secondary education industry. Skilled in English as a Second Language (ESL), Common Core State Standards, Secondary Education, Classroom Management, and Educational Consulting. Strong education professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused in Education: Leadership, Thought, and Policy from University of Rochester. Dr. William’s former school was chosen as an exemplar for school reform by the New York Department of Education.