Batavia, NY (10/23/2024) — Genesee Community College is pleased to announce the GCC Business and Employee Skills Training (BEST) Center recently welcomed three new staff members to its team with the addition of Christa Palmer, Corinne Saluste, and Maria Velazquez de Machado in the roles of assistant director, coordinator of community education, and coordinator of technical programs, respectively. Palmer began her new role on July 1, 2024. Saluste and Velazquez de Machado began their new roles with the College in September 2024.
“The BEST Center is extremely pleased to welcome Christa, Corinne and Maria,” Jennifer Wakefield, executive director of workforce development and The BEST Center said. “All three individuals bring outstanding professional credentials to our team, including new program development and training design experiences, and creative and innovative ideas to further expand our presence in the GLOW area.”
Palmer, a Batavia native, is the assistant director of workforce development. Christa has over 26 years’ experience in education and in her former role at GCC, developed programming for the new technical programs in HVAC, Refrigeration, Industrial Electric and Computer Numerical Controls (CNC). In her new role as assistant director, she will oversee corporate training contracts for The BEST Center. Christa holds a bachelor’s degree in communications, master’s degree in elementary education and educational administrative certification from SUNY Brockport.
Saluste, also from Batavia, is the coordinator of community education, specializing in courses designed for personal and professional growth. Corinne collaborates closely with the GLOW community to provide courses that promote both personal and professional advancement to strengthen the workforce. Her programs cater to a wide range of learners, offering everything from driving courses for new drivers to leadership, healthcare, and public safety courses for emerging professionals. Corinne, also a GCC alumna, has an associate degree in Business Administration.
Velazquez de Machado, originally from Venezuela, is the coordinator of technical programs. Maria oversees the development and management of various technical courses and training programs. Her role includes increasing non-credit enrollment and expanding program offerings to meet the needs of the regional economy. She brings extensive experience in program management, strategic communications and content creation. Maria holds Social Communications and Business Administration degrees and is bilingual in Spanish and English. Her commitment to serving underrepresented communities and proficiency in digital tools makes her an asset to The BEST Center.
The BEST Center at GCC is the recognized regional leader in developing the skilled workforce that powers local economic growth. The Center serves individual employees as well as businesses large and small with seminars, workshops and trainings designed to improve the performance of people and processes.
For more information contact Vice President, Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at (585) 345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@jdzruiran.com.
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