Medical Staff
Sara Vennard, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Assistant Director of Wellness Center
Pronouns: She/Her
Vennarsj@cobleskill.edu
John Sapovits, ACNP-BC Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
Pronouns: He/Him
Counseling Staff
Wiley Breault
Canine Good Citizen
Certified Therapy Dog
The Wellness Center’s 4-legged therapist, Wiley, has 6 years of therapy dog experience, making visits on campus and in the community. He is an alum of the Cobleskill Canine program and loves returning to his Alma Mater. He works with his handler, Shannan Breault, a Senior Counselor at the Wellness Center, and meets with students during counseling sessions. He also hosts his own program called: “Unwind With Wiley the Wellness Dog” where students are invited to come in, unwind, destress, and leave with some self-care techniques.
Support Staff
Shannon KellyDirector of Wellness Center
Education:
Master of Science in Counseling and Human Relations Villanova University
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice Elmira College
Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor
Lynn has worked at the SUNY Cobleskill Beard Wellness Center since 2000, serving in the positions of a Senior Counselor, Assistant Director of Counseling, Co-Director of the Wellness Center and currently now as Interim Director of the Wellness Center. Before coming to SUNY Cobleskill, Lynn was employed at Keystone College, Hartwick College, and A.O. Fox Hospital. She is passionate about helping college students face life challenges, overcome adversity, and develop intentional self-care plans that ultimately lead to self-acceptance and personal growth. She is committed to providing leadership for the Wellness Center team for the provision of high-quality comprehensive services while increasing access to care and resources for our students.
Counseling Staff:
Senior Counselor
Education:
Master of Science Degree Health Counseling University at Albany SUNY
Bachelor of Science Degree Psychology High Point University
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Coming from a community mental health clinic, Danielle has worked at SUNY Cobleskill since 2013. She believes in a multi-modal approach, tailoring treatment to the needs of each unique client. Outside of counseling services, Danielle serves on campus and community coalitions related to substance education, prevention, and harm reduction. She enjoys partnering with other offices on campus to offer unique programs and learning opportunities for students, such as the Wellness Center’s Nationally Award winning Substance-Education Escape Room.
Senior Counselor
Education:
MSEd – Counseling SUNY Oneonta
MSIS – Information Studies University at Albany
Bachelor of Science English SUNY Fredonia
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Professional history and/or interests: Throughout my professional life, I have worked with all ages from birth to elderly. After college, I worked in an Adult Residential Care Facility with an elderly population whose average age was 86. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had because I feel we can gain so much from our interactions with our elders. Next, I started my path to the mental health field while working with children and families as a Caseworker with DSS. This position helped me realize that I wanted to do something proactive rather than reactive and help others make positive changes in their lives. I went back to pursue a graduate degree in School Counseling with the intention of becoming a K-12 Guidance Counselor. Instead, I discovered the position I have held for the last 20+ years, working with college students at SUNY Cobleskill. I love working with college students because this age group is at a crossroads in their lives. They are leaving their childhood and adolescence behind and moving forward toward their future. There is so much potential at this time in our lives and I feel blessed to be a part of so many students’ lives over the years. My special interest areas include Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), exploring gender identity and sexual orientation with students, and partnering with students in the Canine Department and Therapy Dogs International to provide therapy dog visits on campus.
Senior Counselor
Education:
Master of Science in Community Mental Health Counseling University of Rochester
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology SUNY Oswego
Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor
Kristyn is joining the Wellness Center team with several years’ experience in community mental health. She is dedicated to encouraging a safe environment for all clients while assisting them in identifying treatment goals. Kristyn enjoys working with clients to improve their stress management skills and self-care, and help them overcome life challenges.
Dorothea VanValkenburgh, LMHC-D
Senior Counselor
Education:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at SUNY Plattsburgh
Bachelors of Art in Psychology at Mount Saint Mary College
Dorothea has spent 10+ years working within the community mental health realm. She is excited to return to the college setting and help support students throughout their academic journey. Dorothea has been able to work within the college field since attending undergraduate school. In addition to being involved in many campus activities and clubs, Dorothea held multiple positions in SGA as well as being a RA and Chapter Advisor for Alpha Phi: Theta Psi Chapter. Dorothea practices through a strength-based, person-centered model. She has worked with individuals with a variety of mental health symptoms and barriers. From her internship at SUNY Plattsburgh Ward Counseling Center as well as previously being the contracted mental health counselor at Fulton-Montgomery
Medical Staff:
Physician Assistant, Assistant Director of Wellness Center
Education:
Bachelor of Science Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University at Albany
Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies Upstate Medical University
Licensed Physician Assistant and National Commission of Physician Assistant Board Certified
Professional history and/or interests: Family Medicine and Primary Care, Treatment of Mental Health Disorders, Treatment of Chronic Medical Conditions, and Preventative Medicine
Education:
Registered Nurse
Ellis Hospital School of Nursing – Class of 2006
Prior to coming to SUNY Cobleskill in April of 2021, Linda worked in Public Health for 5 years and the hospital setting for many years prior to that. She has a professional interest in Communicable Disease.
Education:
Licensed Practical Nurse
Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing-Class of 2009
Stephanie Leavitt has worked at the Wellness Center since 2013. Prior to that she worked with the Visiting Nurses of Northeastern New York and Planned Parenthood. She has a professional interest in Women’s Health.
John Sapovits, ACNP-BC
Support Staff:
Administrative Assistant
Shannon joined the Wellness Center team as Administrative Assistant June 2025. Shannon is a SUNY Cobleskill alum with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood, and a strong background in administrative support, leadership experience in supervisory roles, and a foundation in providing mental health services.