Geneva 2030 annual report 2023

2023 | Director’s letter | Connections | Timeline | Collective action | Organization | Budget | Support | Hula hoops | Feedback | pdf version

GENEVA 2030 ADVISORY BOARD

Advisory Board MemberAffiliation
* executive board member
Juanita AikensOntario County Justice Coalition
Drea BadgerFinger Lakes Workforce Investment Board
Dr. Betsy BihnCornell University, Department of Food Science
Dr. Phil Breitfeld*Breitfeld Group, LLC
Jerry Buckley*HWS Colleges, Advancement
Erica Collins*Geneva City Manager’s Office
Juan and Martha ColonGeneva Hispanic Church of God
Megan CorteseFamily Counseling Service
Dr. Karen FahyGCSD
Lynn FreidFinger Lakes Workforce Investment Board
Jane GerlingSuccess for Geneva’s Children
Jim GerlingSuccess for Geneva’s Children
Sage GerlingCornell AgriTech
Amie Hendrix*Geneva City Manager
Beth KeselFinger Lakes Times
Sarah Kirk*HWS Colleges Provost
Lorraine KniffleyGCSD Head Start
Chris LavinGeneva Community Center/Geneva Boys and Girls Club
Lucile MallardNAACP
Val MallardGeneva Housing Authority
Dr. Alejandra MolinaHWS Colleges, Intercultural Affairs
Kelley MonsonGCSD Board of Education
Dr. Susan PlinerHWS Colleges, Center for Teaching and Learning
Chris Smart *Cornell AgriTech
Frank SykesGeneva Public Library
Lara TurbideFinger Lakes Health
Dr. Carol Urbaitis*FLCC, Enrollment Management
Mark Venuti*Town of Geneva, and Heaton and Venuti, LLP
Cathy WilliamsHWS Colleges, Communications
Bo Wright*GCSD Superintendent
Backbone Staff
Heather MillsGeneva 2030 Director
Laurie BennettGeneva 2030 Data Manager
Peter Budmen HWS Colleges, CCESL, Geneva 2030 action team support
Katie Flowers*HWS Colleges, CCESL, Geneva Education Foundation
Action Team Leaders
Nadia Harvieux HWS Colleges, Finger Lakes Institute (STEAM Action Team Leader)
May Farnsworth HWS Colleges, Hispanic Studies (Bi-Lingual Education Success Action Team Leader)
Jeanine EckenrodeFLCC, Geneva Campus (College and Careeer Action Team Co-leader)
Greg BakerGCSD, Geneva High School (College and Career Action Team Co-leader)
Jen Morris Success for Geneva's Children (Birth to Kindergarten Action Team Co-Leader)
Shelle Basilio-Murray HWS Colleges, Campus Life (Birth to KindergartenAction Team Co-Leader)
Jackie AugustineBluePrint Geneva (Food Justice Action Team Leader)
Peter Budmen HWS Colleges, CCESL (Literacy Action Team Co-Leader)
Kirra GuardUniversity at Albany, OSE Technical Assistance Partnership for Academics (Literacy Action Team Co-Leader)
Shana TonerCommunity Parent (Parent and Community Connections Action Team Leader)

Geneva City Schools continues to demonstrate progress on our district priorities: safe, positive learning environments; equity and inclusion; and academic achievement.

…We are not where we need to be — behaviors continue to be a challenge, and our test scores will have to keep improving if we intend to follow through on our mission statement — but things are moving in the right direction, and we are committed to the work.

– Bo Wright, GCSD superintendent & Geneva 2030 executive board member




Although I have not lived in Geneva since 1971, a few years back I was inspired to look into ways I could help Geneva continue to thrive. Geneva 2030 caught my attention given its focus on Geneva’s youth.

I thought that if the community could focus its collective efforts improving the opportunities for Geneva’s youth, the whole community would thrive. And a vision for Geneva started to develop for me. I envisioned a connected community, knitting together the diverse folks that make up Geneva. Individuals and organizations, through Geneva 2030, would have a way to collaborate and work on something bigger than themselves or their organization.

I could see Geneva 2030 playing a key part in the Geneva community, responding to those in need with little opportunity and resources; and committed to the thriving of all youth, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or socioeconomic status.

– Dr. Phil Breitfeld, donor & Geneva 2030 executive board member




I am glad I got to stay in Geneva because after four years of exploring all that it has to offer and working with community organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva, having a student placement at Geneva High School, and getting to know Geneva community members, I grew love for the relationships that were built here.

…I got to discover the gem that Geneva is. I hope that all students get to share their passions and discover who they are meant to become whether they choose their avenue to be higher education or not.

– Jonathan Garcia, HWS graduate, AmeriCorps VISTA, and GCSD math teacher




I chose to stay and teach in Geneva City School District because of the Geneva community. I have been connected to the Geneva community since my first year on Hobart and William Smith’s campus, first through Girl Scouts and then through tutoring and teaching.

Furthermore, as someone who speaks Spanish as a second language, I love that there’s the chance to connect with such a strong latinx community in Geneva. I happily accepted a job as the 5th grade dual language teacher at North Street and plan to stick around. I hope to strengthen my connection with the community and continue to connect with my students as they discover all the incredible things that they’re capable of.

– Karina Connolly, dual-language. Spanish teacher, North Street Elementary School