EOP Staff Directory

Meet our Staff

Cassie Joseph

Director
Phone: 518-564-2293
Email: [email protected]
Schedule a Meeting with Cassie

Hometown: Canajoharie, N.Y.
Alma Mater: University at Buffalo master’s, SUNY Plattsburgh (undergrad)
You might be surprised to know: I was an EOP student too!
My favorite quote is: Mahatma Gandhi said: “the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”
My greatest influences are: Kyla Relaford (late EOP director) and Arthur O. Eve
My favorite season in the North Country: Fall (it's too short!)
The best part of working with EOP is: Seeing the growth and providing students with an opportunity!

Charlson Joseph

Assistant Director
Phone: 518-564-3262
Email: [email protected]
Schedule a Meeting with Charlson

Hometown: Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York
Alma Mater: University at Buffalo and Buffalo State
You might be surprised to know: I’ve traveled to 10 countries so far
My favorite quote is: “To whom much is given, much is required”
My greatest influences are: My parents
My favorite season in the North Country is: Spring
The best part of working with EOP is: Changing the trajectory of someone’s life

Jessica Santos

Senior Counselor
Phone: 518-564-3267
Email: [email protected]
Schedule a Meeting with Jessica

Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Alma Mater: SUNY Plattsburgh
You might be surprised to know: I used to direct a marching band with a non-profit military youth group.
My favorite quote is: André De Shields’s 3 rules — “1: Surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you coming. 2: Slowly is the fastest way to get to where you want to be. 3: The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next so keep climbing.”
My greatest influences are: The people in my life who love, push and support me.
My favorite season in the North Country is: Pumpkin spice season!
The best part of working with EOP is: The students!

Taj Ellis

Senior Counselor
Phone: 518-564-3273
Email: [email protected]
Schedule a Meeting with Taj

Hometown: Staten Island, NYC, N.Y.
Alma Mater: SUNY Plattsburgh
You might be surprised to know: I love TV and movies! I think they are the easiest ways to showcase human nature’s triumphs and woes artistically.
My favorite quotes are: “Life’s too short to even care at all” (Cough Syrup by Young the Giant) and “People aren’t thinking about you the way you’re thinking about you!” (Alexis Rose, Schitt's Creek).
My greatest influences are: Myself, my mom and my friends!
My favorite season in the North Country is: Between commencement and Independence Day. The days start cool and warm up, but it’s not too hot. It’s just perfect!
The best part of working with EOP is: Following the growth from a new first-year student from childhood to a fully capable adult ready to take on the world!

David Frydman

Senior Counselor
Phone: 518-564-2290
Email: [email protected]
Schedule a Meeting with David

Hometown: Fairlawn, N.J. (childhood) and Chazy, N.Y. (current)
Alma Mater: Harvard College, Harvard Law School
You might be surprised to know: I played pick-up hoop with Barack Obama.
My favorite quote is: “I seem to be a verb”
My greatest influences are: Pema Chondron
My favorite season in the North Country is: Summer
The best part of working with EOP is: The students!

Ashlee Goddeau

Senior Counselor & EOP English Adjunct Lecturer
Phone: 518-564-3272
Email: [email protected]
Schedule a Meeting with Ashlee

Hometown: Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Alma Mater: SUNY Plattsburgh B.S. childhood education 1-6 w/math concentration; M.S.Ed. curriculum and instruction
You might be surprised to know: My white hair is my real hair color.
My favorite quote is: “Sometimes I’ll start a sentence, and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope I find it along the way.”– Michael Scott, The Office
My greatest influences are: My mom and my dad!
My favorite season in the North Country is: Fall
The best part of working with EOP is: Building positive relationships with the students and seeing/helping them to discover their passions.

Nicole Castine

Administrative Assistant 1
Phone: 518-564-2263
Email: [email protected]

Hometown: Champlain/Plattsburgh, N.Y.
My favorite quote is: “Kids don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care.”
My greatest influences are: My mom
My favorite season in the North Country is: Close tie between summer and fall
You might be surprised to know: I have been working at SUNY for since 2010.
The best part of working with EOP is: Getting to know the students