Young Scholars LPP Staff
Utica University Staff
Jordan Peters, M.S.
Executive Director(315) 792-3237
White Hall 121A, Utica University
jopeters1@utica.edu
Jordan joined Young Scholars LPP in May 2024 as Executive Director. In this role, he oversees the Program’s funding, activities, staffing, public relations, and collaborative efforts with other organizations. Prior to this position, Jordan served as a Senior Account Executive with Paige Marketing Communications Group, Sponsorship and Marketing Director with the Boilermaker Road Race, and Assistant Director with Syracuse University Recreation Services. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Syracuse University.
Mary Hayes Gordon '82, G'13
Director of Program Operations(315) 792-3208
White Hall 121A, Utica University
mahayesg@utica.edu
Mary Hayes Gordon started with Young Scholars as a part-time Mentor Coordinator in 2007. In 2008, she worked for a short time as the Financial Literacy Coordinator before assuming the position of Assistant Director. During her time as Assistant Director, Young Scholars steadily increased programming and partnerships, including working with Zonta International, the Mohawk Valley Latino Association and the Steven Swan Humane Society. Notable program expansions include Colgate University High School Seminar, a 10-week SAT Preparation course and Mary’s particular favorite, the three-week Summer STEAM Scholars program. Mary is a 2017 YWCA Salute to Outstanding Women honoree in the category of STEAM. In early 2018, Mary was honored as a Woman of the Year by the Mohawk Valley Chapter of New York State Women Inc. Mary holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Utica University and a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Utica University with a concentration in the history of under-represented people.
Dorentina Binaku
Assistant Director(315) 792-3237
White Hall 121A, Utica University
dobinaku@utica.edu
Dorentina Binaku is a 2022 graduate of Utica University with a Bachelor’s degree in Management, a concentration in Human Resources, and a minor in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Business Administration at Utica University. Dorentina is a 2018 YSLPP Alum and is passionate about improving the educational opportunities for students in our community. She joined our team as a Site Assistant at Proctor High School in May of 2022.
Cara Patterson
Administrative Assistant(315) 792-3237
White Hall 121A, Utica University
cjpatter@utica.edu
Cara (they/she) joined the Young Scholars team in May 2023. They are a 2018 graduate of Proctor High School, and a 2022 graduate of Utica University with a B.S. in Psychology, a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology, and a minor in Gender Studies. They are currently pursuing a Masters in Social Work at Utica in alignment with their passion for mental health and their aspiration to serve the local community.
JFK & Donovan Staff
Jacquelyn Starsiak
Site Supervisor, JFK(315) 792-3237
jstarsiak@uticaschools.org
Jacquelyn is the Young Scholars Site Supervisor at John F. Kennedy Middle School. She joined YSLPP in September, 2009. Jacquelyn has been a School Counselor in the Utica City School District since 1997. Jacquelyn received a BS in Sociology/Psychology from the State University of New York @ Potsdam in 1987 and a MA in School Counseling from SUNY Oneonta in 1997.
Jacquelyn is dedicated to the youth of today, and works to empower them to be our leaders of tomorrow
Mark Mullen
Site Supervisor, Donovan(315) 792-3237
mmullen@uticaschools.org
Mark joined The Young Scholars team in 2020. He is a lifelong central New Yorker. Mark attended school in the Utica City School District, K-12. He went on to attend colleges in New York. Upon receiving his Master’s in Education from the College of Saint Rose, Mark began his career as a School Counselor at Proctor High School. Mark has been employed by the Utica City School District for the past 20 years, and he has worked in all three secondary buildings. In the Fall of 2020, Mark returned to the middle school level at Donovan Middle School. Mark enjoys spending time with his daughters, his wife, and their dog. He also enjoys fishing, hiking, playing tennis, and he is an avid Green Bay Packers fan.
Ya Ta Na Oo
Site Assistant, JFK(315) 792-3237
yaoo@utica.edu
Ya Ta Na is a 2024 graduate of Utica University with a B.A. in Mathematics and Adolescence Education. She is a former Young Scholars student, who joined the Young Scholars LPP staff as a Summer Program Teacher’s Assistant for 2023. Since then, she has stayed connected with the team by working as a STEAM Tutor at Proctor High School in Fall of 2023 and currently working as a Site Assistant at JFK Middle School. In Fall of 2024, she hopes to begin pursuing a Master’s degree in Inclusive Education at Utica University to better meet the needs of increasingly diverse student populations.
Thaw Lay
Site Assistant, Donovan(315) 792-3237
thlay@utica.edu
Thaw joined the Young Scholars team as a Site Assistant for Donovan Middle School in January 2024. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work here at Utica University as a foundation for her future career. She majored in psychology in undergraduate studies and graduated in December 2023. As a former Young Scholar, she is excited to work with the students and help them succeed in their dreams. She hopes that she can become a resource for children and adults alike in the future as a social worker.
Mikelle Deck
Student Support Coordinator, Donovan(315) 792-3237
mpdeck1@utica.edu
Mikelle started her journey with the Young Scholars program in 2019 as a Site Assistant at JFK Middle School soon moving her way up to Proctor High School as their Site Supervisor from 2020-2021. Presently, she has made her way back to the program as a Student Support Coordinator at Donovan Middle School. Graduating in 2021 with her Master’s in Education she knew that there was more to education journey and wanted to incorporate her love for mindfulness to connect deeper with her students. Following her passion for mindfulness in education she moved to Costa Rica for three months and left with a Mindfulness Instructor Certification. She now uses her passion and knowledge for Mindfulness and Mental Health to support her students at Donovan Middle School.
Proctor Staff
Coralinn Owens
Site Supervisor, Proctor(315) 792-3237
coowens@utica.edu
Coralinn joined the Young Scholars team in September 2021 as a Site Assistant at Proctor High School. She graduated from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. With her background in Sociology and her recent experiences working for New Hartford Central School District, she has discovered her passion for helping students succeed. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Education. Coralinn is passionate about being a valuable team player, as well as helping people discover their true potential and pursuing their choice of path in life.
Alyssa Freeman
Proctor Social Worker(315) 792-3237
anfreema@utica.edu
Alyssa joined YSLPP in October 2017 as a Counselor at Proctor High School. After graduating from Mohawk Valley Community College in 2012 she continued her education at SUNY Polytechnic Institute and in 2014 earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Alyssa then earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire in 2017 and she is a Licensed Master Social Worker. Alyssa has experience counseling in a school setting and is passionate about working with youth.
David Butler
Site Assistant, Proctor(315) 792-3237
David joined the Young Scholars team as a Site Assistant in February 2023. He is a graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High School (class of 2009). David earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a minor in Art History from Colgate University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education here at Utica University and looks forward to becoming a secondary teacher!