Rhonda Pitoniak ’01, M ’16 Directs Parks Family Outdoor Center

08/29/2017 

Rhonda Pitoniak ’01, M ’16, who has spent the last 14 years in environmental and outdoor education as the assistant director of the William H. Parks Family Center for Environmental and Outdoor Education, was appointed director of outdoor education on July 1.

She replaces Robert Rubendall, who recently retired after serving the College since 2010. Reporting to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mark Prus, Pitoniak oversees an operation that includes Camp Huntington and Antlers, both located 155 miles northeast of the main campus in the Adirondack Park at Raquette Lake, N.Y.; Brauer Field Station near Albany, N.Y.; and Hoxie Gorge, just south of the main campus in Cortland County.

Residing at Camp Huntington, Pitoniak will make periodic visits to the other facilities. She is responsible for scheduling facilities usage, overseeing lodging operations, managing five budgets, supervising staff members, marketing and promoting the facilities, engaging in fundraising activities and arranging for various maintenance tasks. She will work with the New York State Parks and Recreation and Historical Preservation Offices and the National Parks Service to ensure that the upkeep, maintenance and renovation of the Camp Huntington facility is consistent with its historical designation.

A native of McLean, N.Y., Pitoniak has a Bachelor of Science in Education, Recreation and a Master of Science in Education, Childhood Education, from SUNY Cortland. She is a member of the New York State Outdoor Education Association and the New York State Recreation and Park Society.