Affiliate Faculty at SUNY Buffalo and Founding Director of The Mindfulness Alliance

About Lisa

Lisa Napora is a leadership development and organizational learning professional at SUNY Buffalo (University at Buffalo) whose work integrates leadership development, organizational development, systems thinking, and contemplative practice. She is passionate about cultivating the relational capacities and conditions that support meaningful change, collaboration, and collective wellbeing. Through her teaching, Lisa helps participants develop greater awareness, presence, and intentionality in how they lead and engage with others.

Courses Taught

Mindful Leadership

Why Take This Course?

Leadership today requires navigating complexity, change, and relationships across differences. This course helps participants strengthen the awareness and relational capacities that support effective leadership in dynamic environments.

Through the practice of mindfulness, participants learn to become more aware of their own patterns and responses, listen more deeply, and respond rather than react. The course fosters greater clarity, intentional communication, and more conscious choices about how individuals lead, collaborate, and contribute within their organizations.

Participants leave with practical tools that support personal growth, stronger workplace relationships, and more thoughtful approaches to leadership and decision-making.

What to Expect

Designed as an experiential and reflective learning experience, the program goes beyond simply discussing mindful leadership and invites participants to actively practice it. Through guided reflection, mindfulness exercises, mindful communication activities, and collaborative learning with colleagues from across SUNY, participants explore new ways of bringing awareness, presence, and intention into their daily work.

The course encourages meaningful conversation, self-reflection, and the application of new insights to real-world leadership situations. Participants can expect a supportive learning environment where they have opportunities to learn from one another while strengthening their own leadership practice.

Instructor Reflection

One of the most meaningful lessons Lisa has learned through teaching is the power of seemingly small shifts in awareness and behavior. She has seen how pausing before responding, listening with greater attention, examining assumptions, and approaching conversations with curiosity and care can significantly improve the quality of interactions and relationships.

These practices often create ripple effects that extend beyond individual participants, influencing teams, workplace culture, and the broader communities in which people work and lead. Witnessing these transformations continues to reinforce the value of mindful leadership in professional settings.

Why She Teaches for SUNY CPD

Through her work with SUNY CPD, Lisa values the opportunity to co-create learning communities with colleagues from across the SUNY system. She enjoys connecting with professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences while exploring practices that support leadership, collaboration, and organizational wellbeing.

For Lisa, one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is knowing that what participants learn and practice together can extend far beyond the classroom. By helping individuals cultivate greater awareness, presence, and intentionality, she contributes to positive change that can ripple outward across relationships, teams, campuses, and the SUNY community as a whole.

Her commitment to fostering meaningful learning experiences and supporting the growth of others makes her a valued instructor and contributor to the SUNY CPD community.

After completing the Distance Learning Leader Certificate Program, Sharon Jacobson, a longtime SUNY Brockport adjunct faculty member, transformed ideas developed through her coursework into meaningful action on campus. Her exploration of the challenges adjunct faculty face began in the Online Student Support Services course and was further developed through the Distance Learning Leader program.

Inspired by these experiences, Sharon is partnering with Brockport’s Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) to launch a year-long discussion centered on adjunct faculty voices. Participants will explore “Adjunct faculty voices: Cultivating professional development and community at the front lines of higher education,” meeting twice each semester to discuss topics related to adjunct faculty experiences, professional development, and institutional support. The initiative aims not only to foster connection among adjunct faculty, but also to engage department chairs and campus leaders in conversations about strengthening adjunct orientation, support, and professional development opportunities.

Sharon is also planning to propose an Adjunct Faculty Learning Community (FLC) to further advance these efforts. The initiative is made possible through the support of CELT and the Drake Memorial Library, which has acquired an e-book version for participants, while CELT is providing complimentary copies of the book to the first five SUNY Brockport adjunct faculty members who register.

Sharon credits much of this work to the support and advocacy of Catie Lalonde at CELT, as well as colleagues and mentors including Susan Warner, Michelle Forte, Danyelle O’Brien, Maureen Kinney, Milo Obourn and others who have encouraged her leadership and championed the value adjunct faculty bring to higher education. We are proud to see how Sharon has turned her learning into action and look forward to the positive impact of her efforts on the Brockport community.

*Business Intelligence/Finance | Binghamton University*

About Jeanne

Jeanne Ball is a financial and business intelligence professional at Binghamton University with expertise in financial reporting, data analysis, and SUNY Business Intelligence tools. She is passionate about helping colleagues better understand the data and reporting resources available across the SUNY system and empowering them to use those tools effectively in their work.

Courses Taught

SUNY Business Intelligence Introductory Analysis Training Using Financial Data

Why Take This Course?

This course provides participants with a practical introduction to SUNY financial dashboards, business intelligence reporting, and the data warehouse that supports financial reporting across the SUNY system. It is ideal for professionals looking to deepen their understanding of financial data, learn how reports are built, and gain the skills needed to create meaningful reports for their institutions.

Participants leave with greater confidence in navigating financial reporting tools and using data to support decision-making and collaboration.

What to Expect

Designed as a hands-on learning experience, the course allows participants to build reports alongside the instructor in real time. Through guided exercises and interactive problem-solving, students gain practical experience using SUNY Business Intelligence tools while learning how financial data is organized and reported.

Participants are encouraged to ask questions throughout the course, collaborate with peers, and apply what they learn to real-world reporting needs. By the end of the session, they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to create, customize, and share reports with colleagues.

Instructor Reflection

One of the things Jeanne enjoys most about teaching is the opportunity to learn from participants across SUNY. Although she has taught only a few sessions so far, she has already discovered that every class brings unique perspectives, experiences, and challenges.

From navigating the occasional unpredictability of BI systems to hearing how different campuses approach financial reporting and analysis, Jeanne values the insights students contribute during each session. These interactions make every course a rewarding learning experience for both participants and instructor.

Why She Teaches for SUNY CPD

Through her work with SUNY CPD, Jeanne appreciates the opportunity to connect with financial professionals from across the SUNY system and share her knowledge with others. She enjoys building relationships with colleagues she may not otherwise meet and values being part of a broader community of learning and collaboration.

By teaching for SUNY CPD, Jeanne is able to support the professional growth of her peers while continuing to learn from the diverse experiences and perspectives of SUNY employees across the state. Her dedication to helping others strengthen their business intelligence skills makes her a valued instructor and contributor to the SUNY CPD community.

Grant Writing/Education | SUNY Fredonia

About Kathleen

Kathleen Gradel is an educator and grantwriting professional at SUNY Fredonia with expertise in education and proposal development. She is passionate about helping faculty and staff turn innovative ideas into competitive grant applications while fostering connections among colleagues across the SUNY system.

Courses Taught

Grants and Proposals: If You Write It, They Will Fund!

Why Take This Course?

This course provides participants with an opportunity to step back from their daily responsibilities and focus intentionally on their own future grantwriting efforts. It is valuable for faculty, staff, and professionals who are planning to pursue grant funding and are looking for practical strategies to strengthen their proposals.

Participants gain focused planning time while connecting with others across SUNY who share similar goals and interests, creating a supportive environment for learning and collaboration.

What to Expect

Designed as a “tip-of-the-iceberg dive into grantwriting,” the course features a friendly text and practical exercises that help participants develop focused plans for future grant applications.

Throughout the course, participants have the opportunity to engage with colleagues from across the SUNY system, exchange ideas, and build connections with others interested in research, services, and program development. The experience is practical, collaborative, and designed to help participants move their grantwriting goals forward.

Instructor Reflection

One of the things Kathleen enjoys most about teaching this course is gaining insight into the interests and priorities of faculty and staff from across SUNY. She is continually inspired by participants’ commitment to excellent research, services, and program development.

Kathleen appreciates that every cohort brings a unique mix of perspectives and experiences, creating valuable opportunities for discussion, learning, and collaboration. These interactions make each course a rewarding experience for both participants and instructor alike.

Why She Teaches for SUNY CPD

Through her work with SUNY CPD, Kathleen values the opportunity to step outside her campus “silo” and connect with colleagues from across the SUNY system. She enjoys collaborating with the supportive CPD team and contributing to a broader community of learning and professional growth.

Over the years, Kathleen has built strong relationships throughout SUNY CPD, and her expertise, dedication, and collaborative spirit have made her a highly valued instructor and colleague.

Career Development/Adult Learning | SUNY Schenectady

About Dawn

Dawn DeLeury Jones is a career development professional at SUNY Schenectady with expertise in career readiness and adult learning. She is passionate about helping individuals intentionally build career readiness competencies and connect their experiences—whether curricular or co-curricular—to meaningful career outcomes.

Courses Taught

Career Readiness Champion Certificate Program: Introduction to the Career Development Process

Why Take This Course?

This course helps participants understand how career readiness develops and how to be more intentional in fostering these competencies among the individuals they serve. It is valuable for those working in career services, advising, or within curricular and co-curricular programming, as well as anyone seeking a clearer understanding of institutional resources and referral pathways.

Participants gain practical insight into supporting career readiness across diverse contexts, making the course especially timely as institutions continue to prioritize workforce preparation and student success.

What to Expect

Participants can expect to strengthen connections within their institutions related to career readiness. Through the course, they will identify actionable steps to help the students they serve build essential career readiness competencies.

The experience is collaborative and applied, allowing participants to translate new knowledge into practical strategies they can immediately use in their roles.

Instructor Reflection

Dawn finds that she learns something new each time she teaches this course. Participants often bring significant experience in career development and experiential learning, contributing valuable insights and perspectives.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the course is the shared learning that takes place—whether through brainstorming programming ideas or exchanging new resources. Dawn describes her role as a learning guide, helping to facilitate meaningful conversations and collaborative growth among participants.

Why She Teaches for SUNY CPD

Dawn chose to teach for SUNY CPD after helping to develop the concept and framework for the Career Readiness Champions Certificate Program and creating the curriculum for the introductory course. Teaching allows her to blend her extensive career development expertise with her background in adult learning while continuing to grow professionally.

She values the opportunity to expand her own skills while supporting others in their development, fostering a community of learning across the SUNY system.

Instructional Design | SUNY Canton

About Tonka

Tonka Jokelova is an instructional designer and online education specialist at SUNY Canton with expertise in instructional design, online teaching, and accessibility. She is passionate about helping educators create engaging, effective online learning experiences that support both student success and instructor satisfaction.

Courses Taught

Online Teaching Certificate

Why Take This Course?

The Online Teaching Certificate program provides participants with the opportunity to design and develop courses they can immediately use on their campuses. Throughout the process, participants receive interactive feedback from the instructor and engage in meaningful discussions with peers, creating a collaborative learning environment focused on practical application.

As one participant shared, “I really appreciated how practical and applicable this course was. Each assignment directly contributed to building a real course, which made the experience feel meaningful and relevant. I also found the discussions valuable, as they allowed me to learn from peers with different perspectives and approaches to course design.”

What to Expect

Participants can expect a flexible and supportive experience that allows them to tailor their work to their own teaching styles and campus needs. Whether building a few modules or developing an entire course, participants have the freedom to shape their projects in meaningful ways.

Those who choose to develop a full course during the program benefit from more extensive feedback from both the instructor and fellow participants, helping them refine and strengthen their course design.

Instructor Reflection

Teaching this program has reinforced for Tonka the importance of remaining flexible and responsive to learners’ needs. Participant questions often reveal opportunities to clarify concepts and improve the learning experience.

One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching the program is seeing participants’ completed courses at the end. Each course reflects the ongoing conversations, design principles, and personal teaching styles that participants bring to the experience. Tonka also values watching participants support one another, build professional connections, and learn from shared experiences. These interactions help her continue to grow as both an instructor and a learner.

Why She Teaches for SUNY CPD

Education—and especially high-quality online education—is Tonka’s passion, profession, and mission. She enjoys sharing resources, fostering conversations about effective online teaching, and helping instructors create courses that are rewarding for both students and educators. Through SUNY CPD, she values the opportunity to collaborate with faculty across the SUNY system and contribute to meaningful professional growth.