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 Morse ’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.
Mitchell H Smith is the most recent addition to the Foundation staff. Joining the team in January 2023 as the Director of Development, he has spent the past decade in Marketing and Development for not-for-profits.
Mitchell received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana State University as a returning adult. Prior to attending ISU, he recognized the value of completing a few prerequisites at Austin Community College in Austin, TX.
Mitchell is excited to be a part of the Foundation team and help promote the mission of Corning Community College. When not on the hill, he can be found on a trail with his two dogs and husband or at an area shop, restaurant, or bar with one of his guitars.