VWHE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Shaylea Scribner - Past Chair
Advancement Project Manager,
Office of Institutional Advancement
Champlain College
Shaylea Scribner joined Champlain College in October 2013, working first in the President's Office and recently moving to the Office of Institutional Advancement. Her job responsibilities include managing the Advancement Principal and Major Gifts System, playing a significant role in the donor relations program and managing key projects, volunteer groups and events. Shaylea earned both her Bachelor's Degree in Business and MBA from Champlain College. She joined the VWHE Executive Board in 2016 and served as Chair from 2019-2020.
D. Sydney Rybicki - Vice Chair
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, CESS & RSENR
The University of Vermont Foundation
Sydney is an alumni engagement professional working for the University of Vermont Foundation. As Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, she works primarily with both the UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) and the College of Education and Social Services (CESS). Her passion for serving in higher education was ignited at Saint Michael’s College, where she earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees and dedicated her time as a student and as an employee to pursuits in Student Activities, Residence Life, and Institutional Advancement. Her two favorite times of year on campus are New Student Orientation and Commencement. She enjoys good puns, bad television, making soup, and her two cats, Ernie & Lola. Sydney joined VWHE in December 2022.
Denise Brault - Treasurer
Executive Assistant to the VPAA
Executive Assistant to the Dean of the Faculty
Saint Michael’s College
Denise joined Saint Michael’s College in 2003 as a faculty secretary. Since 2017 she has managed the Office of Academic Affairs and supports the VPAA and Dean of the faculty. A life-long Burlingtonian, Denise lives with her husband and has two grown children. She enjoys reading, organizing, and teaches contemporary line dancing throughout New England. Denise joined VWHE in September 2022.
Cheryl Casey - Secretary
Associate Professor
Communication & Creative Media
Champlain College
Cheryl came to Champlain College in 2013. She teaches introductory courses in communication, media technology, and culture, as well as supervises senior capstone projects. On the other side of life, Cheryl loves running, reading dark crime thrillers, hiking, camping, learning to knit (still), and hanging out with her canine sidekick, Daisy. Cheryl joined VHWE in 2021.
Pelin Kohn, PhD
Leadership Program Coordinator, Psychology & Education Faculty
Norwich University
Dr. Pelin Kohn works at Norwich University as a Leadership Program Coordinator. She also teaches leadership courses at Norwich University. Before moving to Montpelier, VT she used to own a consulting company and taught at the college level in Turkey.
Dr. Julia Bernard, Ph.D. LMFT, CFLE, CCTP
Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Norwich University
Dr. Julia Bernard oversees the development, implementation and monitoring of programs that promote diversity within the University in compliance with University policies and federal and state regulations.