Associate Professor of Biology, Sharon Lynch, Ph.D., chair of the event noted, “I am excited that three of the four presenters began their education at community college, and two of the speakers are NVCC graduates. Presenters this year have inspiring life-stories and successful careers in STEM-related disciplines.”  

Charria Campbell grew up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 2005. After graduating, Campbell worked as a Minority Programs Coordinator for the College of Sciences and Mathematics and the Office of Multicultural Affairs (now Office of Inclusions and Diversity) and as the Diversity Initiatives Coordinator for the Samuel Ginne College of Engineering at Auburn. She completed a MA Ed. in Secondary Mathematics Education at the University of Alabama in 2008. In 2017, Campbell moved on to Southern Union State Community College in Opelika, Alabama, where she worked as an Advisor/Recruiter, and Adjunct Math Instructor. She took on the role of Director of Multicultural Affairs and the Black Cultural Center in January 2019.  

Ursula Mobilio, MSN, RN, worked for twenty years while raising a family, as a French Pastry Chef, all the while wanting to follow her dream of becoming a nurse.  As an adult student and mother of three, Ursula graduated from NVCC’s nursing program. She continued her education earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Western Connecticut State University and at the University of Hartford earning a Master of Science Degree in Nursing Education. Ursula worked in various roles at both Waterbury and Saint Mary’s Hospital, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Nursing at NVCC.  

Mari-jean Morelli, RN, BS, a 2006 graduate of NVCC’s nursing program and former ER nurse at St. Mary’s hospital is currently a Senior Case Manager at Alexion Pharmaceuticals where she provides patient, family and medical team support to those with ultra-rare diseases. Morelli also trains and mentors team members as a senior leader. Morelli earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership with a focus on Healthcare administration from Charter Oak State College. In 2018, Morelli donated $10,000 to create an endowment to support scholarships for single mothers in NVCC’s Nursing program. In 2019, Morelli provided 2 additional scholarships to a general nursing student, and a student enrolled in a criminal justice, cyber security or fire safety program. Morelli feels strongly the need to give back to the community in order to support the success of other students. Morelli joined the NVCC Board of Directors in September of 2018.  

Dr. Rochelle Nelson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Geology at Queensborough Community College.  Her research focuses on identifying genes that lead to gender disparities in cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Nelson began her academic career at Westchester Community College. She earned her BA degree in Biology at SUNY Binghamton University, and received her Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from SUNY Stony Brook. Her passion for student mentoring drives Dr. Nelson. During her time at Queensborough Community College, she has mentored several students in research techniques through the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program. She also serves as a mentor for the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs. Currently, Dr. Nelson aims to publish the Undergraduate Research Journal's first volume at Queensborough Community College, and she is training to be a certified Academic Life Coach.