Timothy Haines is the Pathway Coach for the Education and Human Services communities. This community consists of students pursuing their education in Architectural Technology, Computer Networking, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Engineering Science, Liberal Arts: Mathematics & Natural Science and Web Development.

Timothy is a SUNY Orange alum, having received his A.S. in computer science before transferring to SUNY New Paltz to receive his B.S., also in computer science. As a former student at SUNY Orange, Timothy uses his first hand experience and knowledge to support students. Timothy also is a former tutor and former lifeguard here as well.

Timothy’s favorite thing about SUNY Orange is how friendly everyone is.

Two fun facts about Timothy is that he is a Belgian citizen and he enjoys listening to and (attempting to) play metal music.

Trishon Watts is the Pathway Coach for the Culture, Society, and the Mind Community. This community consists of students pursuing their education in International Studies, Liberal Arts:Humanities and Social Science, and Liberal Arts: Individual Studies.

Trishon earned his B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Literature with a focus study in Linguistics at CUNY Hunter College in 2019. He particularly enjoyed studying Spanish Golden Age sonnets and theater and 20th-century Latin American poetry and short stories.

Trishon also worked at CUNY Hunter College for several years as the assistant to the Romance Languages department Coordinator, helping with various aspects of student advising like registration, placement exams and study abroad programs. Later, he worked as a tutor for CUNY, SUNY and private college students in the foster care system where he learned more about higher education support programs, student advocacy and social work.

Trishon’s favorite part of SUNY Orange is the view of the Hudson River from the Kaplan Building.

Two fun facts about Trishon: He loves cooking (he started learning at age 10) and he is trilingual (he speaks English, Spanish and Albanian).

Mariela (Ella) Murguia is the Pathway Coach for the Education and Human Services communities. This community consists of students pursuing their education in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Development and Care, Human Services, Jointly Registered Teacher Education Program (A.A. & A.S.) w/New Paltz, Teaching Assistant and CASAC.

Ella was raised in Texas and graduated from the United States Institute of Language and Clerical Studies in Florida in 2019. Her B.A. is in Education with a focus on Teaching English as a Second Language.  Ella has experience tutoring and mentoring middle school students while completing her degree and has worked with autistic students throughout the years. Ella also lived in Taiwan for 2 years and China for 3 years, where she was able to teach English to students aged 3 to 13 in a classroom setting. She was able to gain experience on different teaching styles and the importance that culture plays into education.

Ella’s favorite part about SUNY is the community-like atmosphere among the faculty. Two fun facts about Ella is that she enjoys language learning and can speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin Chinese. She enjoys writing poetry and music in her free time.

Kimberly is the Pathway Coach for the Business community. This community consists of students pursuing their education in Accounting (A.S.), Accounting (A.A.S), Accounting Procedures, Business Administration, Business Management and Healthcare Administration.

Kimberly holds a Master of Science in School Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from SUNY New Paltz. With a strong background in case management and student support, she has worked closely with first-generation and underserved youth, helping them navigate complex transitions. As a Unification Coordinator, she collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to connect youth with essential resources, reinforcing her commitment to advocacy and student success.

Kimberly’s passion lies in empowering students to recognize their strengths, break through barriers, and carve out pathways that align with their goals. She takes a holistic approach to guidance, ensuring students feel supported academically, personally, and professionally.

Kimberly’s favorite part about SUNY Orange is the sense of community and the opportunity to help students embrace their unlimited potential.

Two fun facts about Kimberly is that she has a deep love for travelling and cultural exchange—she’s taught English in Brazil and has studied abroad in Morocco. She also enjoys exploring how mindset, resilience, and adaptability shape personal growth and its generational impact. 

Scott Cooper is the Pathway Coach for the Health Sciences & Wellness Community. This community consists of students pursuing their education in the following: Dental Hygiene, Exercise Studies, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technician, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, Public Health, Radiologic Technology.

Scott brings over 20 years of experience in education, including presenting health and wellness workshops throughout New York. He holds an A.A. from Suffolk Community College, a B.S. from SUNY Binghamton, an M.S. in Health Education from Adelphi University, and an M.S. in School Leadership from SUNY New Paltz.

Scott is passionate about student success, with a strong background in academic counseling, and developing personalized strategies to support diverse learners. He also has experience coaching athletics, organizing professional development workshops, and promoting inclusion through culturally relevant health education.

Outside of work, Scott loves outdoor activities and is an avid runner. He has competed in mountain bike races, triathlons, Spartan races and running races. Most recently, he and his son completed hiking all the highest peaks in the Adirondacks!

Fun facts about Scott: He enjoys cooking, he grew up on a farm on Long Island and is currently training to run a marathon.

Peer Orientation Leaders are passionate student leaders who lend support to PROSPERAR programming to create a sense of community amongst peers, give a platform to student voices, & increase awareness to our team.

Peer Orientation Leaders:

• Lead small group discussions with new students 
• Create focus groups to highlight student voices & advocate for change
• Facilitate campus tours with Pathway Coaches for new students & families to familiarize them with campus resources & locations
• Encourage student engagement & involvement through clubs.

Interested in becoming a Peer Orientation Leader? Give our team a call at (845)-341-9060 or email us at pathwaycoach@sunyorange.edu.