Foundation Staff
The Corning Community College Development Foundation (CCCDF) staff would like to thank you, our friends and donors, for your continued support, and we’d like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves to you.
John Marchese serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation and has been on the team since
2021. In this capacity, he oversees the operations of the Foundation and serves as
the principal fundraiser and liaison to the College.
He has a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia,
a master's degree in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago, a master's degree
in Iberian and Latin American literatures and cultures and a Ph.D. in literature from
the University of Notre Dame.
In addition to a passion for cultivating support for the Foundation as it sustains
the College's mission, you might run into him at a library or bookstore, on a hiking
trail, or anywhere else in the world, since he enjoys traveling to visit old friends
and encounter new people and places.
Kesha Davis joined the Foundation staff in 2000 as an Administrative Assistant and in 2011 was
promoted to the Assistant Director of Advancement Support Services.
Kesha keeps our database clean and running smooth while also entering your gifts timely and accurately. She is a proud native of Steuben County who received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rochester.
When she’s not making sure we follow the database rules, she enjoys going for hikes with her dogs, traveling, riding dirt bikes, quilting, and baking.
Kristen Curreri ’08 has worked as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of the CCCDF since
the spring of 2014.
She supports the Executive Director and the Development Foundation to achieve its goals through various projects, events, and campaigns. After earning her associate’s degree from SUNY CCC Kristen earned her bachelor’s in communications from SUNY Geneseo.
When Kristen is not trying to keep all of us going in the right direction, you might find her curled up with a good book and her cats or enjoying time with her family.
Dante Acquavella (they/them) joined the CCCDF team in June of 2024 as Director of Development, having
spent the past decade working in Community and Economic Development at Alternatives
Federal Credit Union and Corning Incorporated.
A first generation college student, Dante received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from
Elmira College in 2006 and spent the next several years working with California Shakespeare
Theater, American Conservatory Theater, and Marin Theatre Company in the San Francisco
Bay Area prior to returning to the Southern Finger Lakes.
Dante is thrilled to be a part of the Foundation team and to serve the mission of
Corning Community College by supporting students from all walks of life in achieving
their dreams. When not at their desk, Dante can be found walking their dog around
Elmira, supporting the local arts scene, cooking, and traveling.