Meet the EOP Staff

Phyllis Breland

Phyllis A.H. Breland

Interim EOP Director
Campus Center 234A
315-386-7115
brelandp@canton.edu

Phyllis A. H. Breland, worked at Hamilton College from 2001 – 2020. During her tenure she served as the director of Opportunity Programs, Interim Director of Diversity & Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer. She is a1980 Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) graduate of Hamilton College, and received her Master of Education in Instructional Design in 2003. Her work experience includes program development, marketing, empowerment/assertiveness training, volunteer recruitment, health education, quality assurance, motivational speaking, facilitating difficult conversations, and policy development.

Phyllis is currently an Alumni Trustee of Hamilton College, President of the Tri-State Opportunity Programs Consortium, and former president of New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization (HEOPPO). Her affiliations include the YWCA, Mohawk Valley Junior Frontiers, Boys and Girls Club of Mohawk Valley, Upward Bound, Young Scholars, Liberty Partnerships and United Way. She works closely with junior high schools, high schools, churches, community groups and organizations throughout the State of New York that support access to academic and personal enrichment.

Active in her community, she has served on several committees, and facilitated workshops in support of increasing ethnic diversity, developing sustainable inclusion programs, that validate and enhance personal experience.

Anne Drake

Anne Drake

Counselor
Campus Center 234C
315-386-7116
drakea@canton.edu

Anne Drake’s heart is in higher education. She started working at SUNY Canton in the fall of 2004 in the Office of Admissions, and later worked in the EOP Office and served as the Assistant Registrar. Anne earned her Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, from SUNY Geneseo. Anne also earned a Master’s Degree in Education: Counseling, from Alfred University as well as a Master’s of Science: Health, Fitness and Wellness from Plattsburgh State. All of her educational pursuits have increased her passion for helping students achieve success in their own journeys. She has always loved traveling places and meeting people from all walks of life. She said, “I love the North Country, SUNY Canton’s students, faculty and staff. The Educational Opportunity Program has been around since the late 1960s and has helped thousands of students all over the state. It is great to be part of this program again!

Keith Mitchell

Keith Mitchell

Counselor
Campus Center 234D
315-386-7113
mitchellk@canton.edu

Keith Mitchell grew up on a farm in northern New York. He ventured to New York City upon graduation and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts as an HEOP student himself. He then explored Western New York by earning a Master of Social Work from University at Buffalo, SUNY. The capstone of which took him much further west to an internship in San Francisco. Prior to becoming an EOP Counselor, Keith worked within various social work roles including the coordination of the Akwesasne Food Pantry. Keith prides himself on being open-minded and understanding and looks forward to helping students find their best path within SUNY Canton and beyond.

Scott Quinell

Counselor
Campus Center 234B
315-386-7114
quinells@canton.edu

Scott Quinell has been at SUNY Canton for over 26 years and has been with the EOP office for 16 years. Prior to coming to EOP, he was the Director of Student Activities and Supervisor of the Miller Campus Center. He is a 1994 graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh and earned his master's in education from SUNY Potsdam in 2008. Scott and his wife Susan are kept busy with their daughter Emily and their son Robert. He has been honored both on-campus and off- for his service to others. He had the 2003 edition of the college yearbook dedicated to him. He was the 2004 recipient of the 2004 Northstar Award which is presented by the student body and was awarded the 2015 Distinguished Chapter Key by the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity.

Scott Quinell with family

An Eagle Scout, Scott has been a member of BSA for 45 years and has been presented with numerous district and national honors. He also is the Faculty Athletic Mentor for the SUNY Canton Men's Baseball team and is the Advisor to the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society. Scott was selected to be a part of the Olympic Torch relay team for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and carried the Olympic Flame in Lake Placid, NY. Chances are if you are not in Engineering programs or Life Sciences, he will be your counselor. In his spare time, Scott is a big sports fan, loves talking about just about anything, and collects too much sports memorabilia (according to his wife).

JoEllen Oshier

Administrative Assistant 1
Campus Center 234
315-386-7226
oshierj@canton.edu

JoEllen Oshier is the secretary for the office of EOP. She started her career at SUNY Canton in the Student Accounts Office, working with students, faculty and staff; and brings that knowledge and experience with her, enhancing the support EOP provides to students.

She lives on a small farm in Canton where her family currently raise beef cows. She is the mother of a blended family of seven children and grandmother to four. She enjoys Canton and the surrounding area and loves promoting SUNY Canton and the support, services and the dynamic educational programs our school has to offer.

 

SUNY Canton EOP
34 Cornell Drive
Miller Campus Center 234
Canton, NY 13617-1037
315-386-7226