Providing Your Business a Competitive Edge
The Business & Community Partnerships Office is an employer’s “one-stop shop” to access anything that they may need from SUNY FMCC related to workforce-development initiatives.
Our services are designed to mutually benefit our local businesses, community, students and the college by providing resources for internships, apprenticeships, Individual Studies certificate and degree programs, and customized employee training. We additionally offer a unique spot for our premier local business partners to post job vacancies that will reach a population of skilled, local applicants – our students and alumni.
SUNY FMCC hosts the HR Consortium each Fall and Spring with featured speakers from local and regional industries and businesses. When businesses and education partner together to build the local talent pipeline, everybody wins! Learn how partnering with education at the K-12, community college, and university levels all the way through employment pays off for all stakeholders. Targeted programs that address different pathways are key to building a rich and diverse talent pipeline.
We would also love to provide space for your next meeting, training, or event on our campus! We can provide you with all the support that a conference center would with minimal cost to you. We can also enhance your visit with a presentation by our faculty on a related and relevant topic to your business. Adding food service is extra.
Christie Davis
Director of External Partnerships and Applied Learning
Christie Davis is the Director of External Partnerships and Applied Learning at SUNY Fulton-Montgomery Community College. She has been an academic advisor since 2007. Christie has worked with students from all backgrounds, including high school early admission Seniors and adult evening and online students. Beginning in 2021, she began focus working with employed workers who are upgrading their skill set through education and coursework as well as On-the-Job Training with local employers and agencies. Christie is also the Internship Coordinator and the Individual Studies Site Coordinator, securing hands-on learning opportunities for students in all majors. She leads the Business & Community Partnerships Team at FM and assists companies with workforce development initiatives.
Charlene Dybas
Assistant Professor
A graduate of Fulton Montgomery Community College with an AA degree; Skidmore College, BS; and received her MS from Russel Sage College. Charlene has taught various courses while at FMCC including Quantitative Business Applications, Business Communications, Principles of Business, Word Processing Applications, Office Software Applications for Business Professionals, Computer Applications, Human Resource Management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Introduction to Sport Management, Career Search, and Career Success.
Charlene is the recipient of the 2021 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Prior to coming to FMCC Charlene worked as a Vice President for a local bank and then a teacher in the Johnstown City School District. She taught courses such as Business Law, Career and Financial Management, Keyboarding, and Sports and Entertainment Marketing.
In addition to teaching, she is the Advisor for the Individual Learning, Collaborative Learning (COCAL) Program through the Business and Community Partnerships Office. As Advisor for the Individual Learning Program, Charlene will meet with students who are looking for a program that is focused on career training that combines off-campus “hands-on” experience with on campus related instruction. Charlene and the students will work together to create the perfect strategy and learning plan to ensure that they will acquire the skills they need to fulfill the job requirements in their chosen field.
Finally, Charlene is the Lead Trainer and coach for the Money Smart Program Grant which provides FMCC students with FREE financial coaching tailored to their specific needs in budgeting, establishing a relationship with banks, starting good savings habits, establishing credit and how to manage it.
Carlie Krzys
Outreach & Program Engagement Specialist
Carlie Krzys started at FMCC in November 2023 as our new Outreach and Program Engagement Specialist. For the last 2 1/2 years, Carlie was an Assistant Program Director with the Mental Health Association. Previously, she worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady as a Career and Support Specialist and with Saint Jude Retreats as a Director of Family Services for 6 years. Carlie loves volleyball and plays on a co-ed league in Guilderland and loves spending time with her family.
Gwendolyn Ossenkop
P: (518) 736-FMCC (3622)
Gwendolyn Ossenkop
Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Specialist
Andrea Scribner
Director of Academic Advising
Andrea has a bachelor's degree in sociology from SUNY Cortland and a master’s of education in College Student Services Administration from The College of Saint Rose. She has spent the majority of her career working in higher education and especially enjoys assisting students with their career planning and preparation. In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoys long distance running, spending time outdoors, and reading.
Ryoko Sekiguchi
Academic Advisor, Articulation & Career Specialist
Ryoko serves as the Academic Advisor - Articulation & Career Specialist and is part of the Business and Community Partnership (BCP) team at SUNY FMCC. She is an academic advisor for general and designated populations and is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and assessing articulation agreements with secondary schools and four-year institutions. She also coordinates career and transfer services, programming, and special events for students.
Prior to transitioning into her current role, Ryoko worked with the TRIO Student Support Services for 6 ½ years and as an Academic Advisor for international students for 2 years prior to that. Before becoming part of the FMCC community, she was an Academic Advisor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the Academic and Life Skills Coordinator for the Department of Athletics at SUNY Oswego.
Ryoko has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Geneseo, where she was a student-athlete on the intercollegiate volleyball team. She also has a master's degree in Counseling and Psychological Services with a focus in Athletic Counseling from Springfield College in Massachusetts.Ryoko truly enjoys working in higher education and is passionate about supporting students!