If you have any questions please contact us directly at studentconductinstitute@suny.edu
Kerianne Silver is the Director of the SUNY Student Conduct Institute where she provides compliance and best practice training and consultations to member institutions. Kerianne has worked in higher education for over 18 years with experience in student affairs including roles as an academic advisor, graduate program administrator, conduct officer, and academic appeal adjudicator. She most recently served as the Director of Student Advocacy and Community Standards/Title IX Coordinator at SUNY Empire State College where she also oversaw the office of student life, accessibility resources, career services and health and wellness. Her areas of interest are academic misconduct, online misconduct, free speech, and due process. Kerianne received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Russell Sage College and her Master of Science in Professional School Counseling from Sage Graduate School.
Alexander Wheeler is the Assistant Director of the SUNY Student Conduct Institute, where he assists with the development of legally compliant and best practice training for college administrators involved in all aspects of the investigation and adjudication of violations of law and policy. Prior to joining the SCI team Alex worked at private institutions in upstate NY – Wells College and The College of Saint Rose, his alma mater (B.A. ’16, M.S.Ed ’19). Alex’s joint experiences at Wells and Saint Rose, over the span of five plus years, allowed him to develop expertise in student affairs practices – particularly in the Residence Life and Student Conduct areas. Alex most recently served as the inaugural Assistant Director of Student Conduct at The College of Saint Rose where he developed and coordinated the College’s Student Conduct process and integrated restorative ideologies into the conduct process’ framework. Alex’s areas of interest include general student conduct processes, restorative justice practices, and intentional interactions with students.
Ryan Ribeiro is the Assistant Director for Student Conduct Practice for the SUNY Student Conduct Institute, where he assists with the creation of training materials and consultation for member institutions, providing college administrators with the tools necessary to ensure best practices and compliance at their respective institutions. Ryan has worked with students for over 10 years with experience in a variety of fields, including residential life and housing; student conduct administration; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and Title IX. Most recently he served as the Director of Community Standards & Accountability at Union College of New York in Schenectady, where he was responsible for the full breadth of student conduct processes and procedures. Ryan’s areas of interest include the intersection between equity and student accountability, due process, restorative practices in conflict resolution, and effective sanctioning development. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in creative writing from Bridgewater State University (B.A. ‘10), and his Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (M.A. ‘12).
Diane Auerbach Lerner is an Instructional Designer at the Student Conduct Institute where she provides high-level, focused academic instructional design consulting, guidance and support to developers.
Diane has worked in higher education for over 20 years with experience as an academic advisor, online course manager, and director of learner experience.
She most recently served as an instructional designer and educational technologist at SUNY Empire State College where she collaborated with faculty and subject matter experts to provide consistent delivery of exemplary courses.
Diane received her Bachelor of Arts in English, as well as her Master of Arts in Literature and Writing from the University at Buffalo.
Ian Nichols serves as Training Coordinator to the SUNY Student Conduct Institute. He is the coordinator of SCI’s virtual Live@Distance training program and focuses on developing an inclusive, supportive environment for our members and external trainers at a national level. Prior to joining the SCI, he served as Audio-Visual Technician and Events Assistant for SUNY Special Events, providing technical and logistical support for universities throughout New York State, Board of Trustees, and the Chancellor. Ian received his Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Music from SUNY Oneonta in 2002.
Jeannine DeMarco is the Member Relations Specialist for the SUNY Student Conduct Institute where she provides support for SCI platform users and recruits potential users. Jeannine got her start in higher education by studying and interning abroad in 2018 then becoming an advisor to study aboard students in 2021. Jeannine is a 2020 SUNY Oswego Graduate with a Bachelors in Public Relations.
Anouk Bourdeau is the Communications Coordinator for the SUNY Student Conduct Institute. They curate branding identity and materials for both members and the public, managing multiple digital communications outlets. Previously, they were Assistant Director and primary social media manager for non-profit art gallery, Athens Cultural Center. They have a drive to continue advancing alongside technology and media as it grows. Anouk is a SUNY alum, having graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Management and Programming in 2023.
Kelly Hendricken, J.D., joined the State University of New York Office of General Counsel in December 2018 as Assistant Counsel. She currently provides legal counsel to various SUNY campuses and the SUNY Student Conduct Institute, including legal and compliance-based training and module development. She is also leading the Student Affairs Practice Unit as Managing Counsel at System Administration. Prior to joining SUNY, Kelly served as Director and Counsel of the New York State Senate Higher Education Committee for Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, the Chairman of the committee. Her portfolio included matters relating to all colleges and universities in the public and private sectors of higher education, as well as all licensed professions under Title VIII of the Education Law. Prior to that, she was a legislative fellow in the New York State Senate Graduate Fellowship Program. Kelly also interned at the New York State Office of the Attorney General in the Litigation Bureau and the New York State Office of the Inspector General. Kelly is a SUNY alumnus, who received her undergraduate degree from SUNY College at Geneseo in 2011. She majored in English (Creative Writing track) and Psychology. Kelly completed her J.D. at Albany Law School in 2014 and was a member of the Albany Government Law Review. Kelly is admitted to practice in New York State.
Andrew Stammel, J.D., joined the State University of New York Office of General Counsel in March 2024 as Associate Counsel for Student Affairs. He currently provides legal counsel to various SUNY campuses and the SUNY Student Conduct Institute, including legal and compliance-based training and program development. Prior to joining SUNY, Andrew served for twelve years as the Title IX Coordinator/ Affirmative Action Officer/ Asst. to the Chief Diversity Officer for SUNY Oneonta. He served as a member of the Office of Equity and Inclusion and managed the university's response to a variety of civil rights related matters. Prior to that, he worked in a small but busy litigation-focused firm in Stamford, New York. Andrew has managed a solo law practice in the City of Oneonta since 2011 and has provided public service to the community as a member of the Oneonta Town Board for one term and an Otsego County Representative for three terms. Andrew received his undergraduate degree from Muhlenberg College in 2004, where he majored in Theatre and Political Science. Andrew completed his J.D. at Syracuse University College of Law in 2008. Andrew is admitted to practice in New York State.
Rebecca Novick is the Staff Attorney for Student Affairs at the State University of New York Office of General Counsel. Rebecca initially joined the SUNY Office of General Counsel (OGC) as an intern in 2022 and 2023, and joined as a Staff Attorney in 2024.
Prior to joining SUNY, Rebecca served as a Legislative Fellow in the New York State Senate Graduate Fellowship Program. As a law student, Rebecca served as a legal intern for NYS Senator James F. Gaughran, and law clerk at Salazar and Erikson, LLP. Before attending law school, Rebecca worked in the Office of Student Affairs at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine as the Program Coordinator for Student Engagement & Transition Programs.
Rebecca received her B.A. in Communication from the University at Buffalo (SUNY), M.S. in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University, and J.D. from Albany Law School.
Cassandra Carudo is a Staff Attorney in the Student Affairs Practice Group at the State University of New York Office of General Counsel. Cassandra initially joined the SUNY Office of General Counsel (OGC) as a Law Fellow in August of 2023 after she graduated from Albany Law School and took the New York bar exam. Cassandra was previously an intern with SUNY OGC prior to graduating law school.
Cassandra was an intern with the New York State Division of Human Rights on two different occasions. Cassandra additionally was a Mediation Apprentice, where she learned how to engage in alternative dispute resolution. Prior to law school, Cassandra graduated from SUNY Oswego with a dual degree in Economics and Marketing.
Cassandra is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.
Rebecca Leitman Veidlinger is an attorney in private practice specializing in Title IX and the institutional response to complaints of gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. Rebecca conducts external Title IX investigations and hearings for colleges, universities, and K-12 schools across the country. She also conducts comprehensive Title IX compliance and systems reviews for educational communities, examining past responses to complaints of sexual misconduct and providing recommendations for best practices in the field.
Rebecca teaches and trains on school-related sexual misconduct nationwide. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan School of Law, where she teaches a seminar on Title IX. She serves as an instructor for the State University of New York's (SUNY) Student Conduct Institute, leading online modules on effective investigative interviewing and on collecting and understanding specialized evidence. Rebecca is also a contributing author to SUNY’s Joint Guidance on Federal Title IX Regulations, a free comprehensive online resource geared to providing high-quality Title IX interpretation, insights, and practice tips for institutions of higher education. She also regularly provides sexual misconduct prevention and response training to higher education administrators, K-12 personnel, coaches, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers.
In April 2022, Rebecca was selected to serve as the external co-chair of the University of Michigan’s Coordinated Community Response Team, an entity tasked with collecting information from the University community about sexual misconduct, developing that information into community-based initiatives, and communicating directly with the University’s president regarding those iniatiatives.
Before entering private practice, Rebecca worked at the University of Michigan as a Title IX investigator, where she investigated complaints of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and stalking involving students, staff, and faculty. She also served as Michigan State University’s interim deputy Title IX coordinator, overseeing MSU’s creation of a free-standing civil rights investigation unit in 2015. Rebecca is the former sex crimes prosecutor in Monroe County, Indiana (home of Indiana University), where she prosecuted hundreds of cases of domestic and sexual violence involving children and adults. Rebecca began her legal career as a federal judicial clerk for The Hon. Harold H. Greene of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She received a JD, cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center, a master's degree in public policy and women's studies from The George Washington University, and a BA from McGill University.
Dr. Gentry McCreary is the CEO and managing partner of Dyad Strategies LLC, a consulting firm working with college campuses and fraternal organizations on issues related to research, assessment and strategic planning. Over the last seven years, Dyad Strategies has been engaged in a longitudinal research project aiming to better understand the culture of fraternity and sorority chapters and trends within the fraternal community. The surveys that they have developed in that research have been completed by over 100,000 fraternity and sorority members across North America.
Prior to his work at Dyad Strategies, Dr. McCreary worked for over 12 years in higher education, including nearly five years as Director of Greek Life at the University of Alabama. His award-winning research examines the psychology of hazing, the moral development of college students, and the roots of fraternal brotherhood and sisterhood. He is a widely sought-after expert on Greek Life and hazing prevention, and has appeared on the Today Show, NBC Nightly News and CNN Headline News.
Dr. James Hopper is an independent consultant and Teaching Associate in Psychology at Harvard Medical School. For over 25 years Dr. Hopper’s research, clinical and consulting work has focused on the psychological and biological effects of child abuse, sexual assault and other traumatic experiences. As a clinician Dr. Hopper works with adults who have experienced abuse as children and assault as adults. In his forensic work, both criminal and civil, he testifies on short- and long-term impacts of child abuse and sexual assault. Dr. Hopper was a founding board member and longtime advisor to 1in6, a nonprofit serving men sexually abused as children, and served on the Peace Corps Sexual Assault Advisory Council. He consults and teaches nationally and internationally to military and civilian investigators, prosecutors, victim advocates, commanders and higher education administrators.
Prior to co-founding Justice 3D, Mike was involved in law enforcement for over 34 years, most recently retiring as Police Chief of Altavista, Virginia. Over the years he has worked in various positions which include Interim Sheriff, Director of Public Safety, Coordinator of an FBI/Virginia State Police multi-jurisdictional task force, Senior Supervisory Investigator, uniformed Deputy Sheriff and Polygraph Examiner.
In addition to being involved in thousands of investigations, Mike has also done an extensive amount of teaching in criminal justice with an emphasis in the areas of sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and domestic violence. He has been a Professor of Criminal Justice at Liberty University, as well as lecturing across both Virginia and the United States. In 2016, Mike was selected to the core faculty of the National Center for Campus Public Safety. This position allowed him the opportunity to instruct at colleges and universities across the country in the areas of sexual assault investigation, Title IX and Cleary Act compliance, and campus violence. Mike also co-authored Virginia’s Model Law Enforcement Protocol in the areas of Domestic Violence, Stalking and Child Homicide Investigation.
Mike is married, has two grown children and three exceptional grandkids.
Professional Experience
Education & Specialized Training
As a career prosecutor for over 25 years, Nancy has handled thousands of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse and sexual assault cases. In addition, she has trained allied professionals nationwide including prosecutors, law enforcement officers, advocates, medical professionals and forensic interviewers on the issues surrounding these types of crimes. She has had the opportunity to be appointed to state committees and task forces in these areas by four Virginia Governors. She also co-authored Virginia’s Model Law Enforcement Protocol in the areas of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking and Child Homicide Investigation.
Nancy has been recognized as the Virginia S. Duvall Distinguished Juvenile and Domestic Court Prosecutor, the YWCA Outstanding Woman of the Year in the area of Law and Government, and the Lecturer of Merit Award in honor of her leadership and commitment to the training of Virginia Prosecutors.
Professional Experience:
SAFE Campuses, LLC is a social entrepreneurship led by S. Daniel Carter, a campus safety advocate and consultant with over 30 years of experience. Carter worked with Security On Campus, Inc. (founded by Jeanne Clery's parents Connie and Howard, now the Clery Center) for two decades helping to develop national campus safety policies, and train more than 2,000 college and university professionals on the Jeanne Clery Act and other campus safety matters.
Carter also worked with the Virginia Tech Victims Family Outreach Foundation to develop the 32 National Campus Safety Initiative self-assessment, currently housed at NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. He has conducted campus safety assessments and directly consulted with institutions since 2009.
Carter leads a team of multidisciplinary experts from the fields of campus public safety, student affairs, gender-based violence, alcohol and other drug abuse, and compliance with government campus safety related regulations: the Jeanne Clery Act (including the 2013 VAWA amendments), FERPA, and Title IX. Personnel are located across the United States and England. In addition to work in the United States, SAFE Campuses, LLC has engaged with clients in the Republic of South Africa since its inception in 2017.
Our multidisciplinary team is uniquely positioned to consult and assess best and promising practices across departments on campus. This approach empowers us to encourage our clients to take a comprehensive and collaborative approach to campus safety across diverse stakeholder groups.
For More Information, contact:
Student Conduct Institute
The State University of New York
H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
Albany , NY 12246 518.445.4006
studentconductinstitute@suny.edu