Meet the Staff
The professional academic advisors in Engineering Advising follow an alphabetical cohort model of advising based on the last name of each student.
Liane Fitzgerald, Director
Affirming pronouns: she/her/hers
- Advising students with last names G - J
- Advising for the Independent Major
- Remote Mondays and Tuesdays - appointments via Zoom
Liane joined Engineering Advising and the Cornell community in 2016. She earned her B.S. in Professional and Technical Communication from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and her M.S. in Academic Advising from Kansas State University. Preceding Cornell Engineering, Liane spent five years as the Manager of Student Services, and seven years prior as a Senior Academic Advisor, both for the Computer Science Department at RIT.
Liane finds reward in teaching students decision‐making skills and empowering them to be comprehensively aware of their situations. She makes it her responsibility to provide information, options, and assistance so students are better able to make informed decisions consistent with their personal and professional values.
Liane has really enjoyed exploring Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region, taking advantage of what the area has to offer. In her free time, Liane enjoys spending time with friends and family, being a foodie, community gardening, yoga, traveling, movies, and music!
Ryan DeLany, Associate Director
Affirming pronouns: he/him/his
- Advising students with last names Q - Z
- Advising students interested in study abroad and exchange programs
- Advising students in the concurrent degree pipeline
- Remote Mondays - appointments via Zoom
Ryan joined the College of Engineering and Cornell University in August of 2016 after spending more than three years working in the Academic Advising Center at Ithaca College as both a Professional Academic Advisor and Academic Advising Manager. Before coming to Ithaca, Ryan worked as a Retention Counselor at Paul Smith’s College in Paul Smith’s, NY and an Academic Advisor at Bryant & Stratton College in Syracuse, NY. Ryan possesses a Bachelor of Arts in History degree from Le Moyne College, a Master of Science in Education degree from SUNY Oswego, and a Master of Science in Communications degree from Ithaca College.
Ryan’s passion and interest for working in academic advising and student services lies in his belief in holistic student development and in empowering students to make well-informed decisions regarding their academic and personal pursuits. He believes in an advising as teaching philosophy, individualized student support, and in utilizing the vast amount of knowledge and resources available at the University to assist students in navigating their educational careers as best as possible on a daily basis.
When not working with students and the greater Cornell University community, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife Kelsey, daughter Avery, and two dogs Paisley and Wilson. He is also an avid Buffalo Bills fan, loves golfing whenever he is able, and is a self-acclaimed “Seinfeld” trivia expert!
Benjamin Martin, Assistant Director
Affirming pronouns: he/him/his
- Advising students interested in pre-health tracks
- Advising students interested in internally transferring into Engineering
- Ben is fully remote and holding all advising appointments virtually via Zoom
Ben joined the College of Engineering and Cornell University in October of 2017 after spending more than three years as the Director of Field Experiences for the College of Education and Human Development (EDHD) at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Preceding the Director role, Ben served over six years as an academic advisor for EDHD. Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree, and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel degree from BGSU.
Ben particularly enjoys engaging students in various transitions as they pursue their Bachelor’s degree. He believes in providing support, strategies, and sound information in order to empower student decision making and affirm student dignity. Ensuring students are heard, connecting students to helpful resources, and seeing them make well-informed decisions is the goal for every meeting.
Personally, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife (Sara) and children (Asher and Amelia), trail running, playing strategy games (he is always available for Smash Up!) and reading. Tolkien is a particular passion of his and you may chance to hear the Elvish greeting, Mae govannen, when stopping by.
Alexandria Pizzola, Assistant Director
Affirming pronouns: she/her/hers
- Advising students with last names A - F
- Remote Mondays - appointments via Zoom
Alex joined the College of Engineering and Cornell University in January 2022. Most recently, she served as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Prior to that, Alex engaged in two years of National Community Service via AmeriCorps after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Siena College.
A passion for helping others navigate complex systems forms the foundation of Alex’s enthusiasm for working with students. She sees opportunities for growth in all situations, and knows that we grow best in welcoming and accepting environments. Alex works to facilitate growth through empowering students to take charge of their educational paths and future plans. Her practice heavily emphasizes identification and use of strengths, decision-making skill development, and mental health awareness.
Alex is an enthusiast for most things that fly (birds and airplanes alike) and has a reputation for pausing conversations to momentarily point at the sky. She loves any excuse to be outside (rain, snow, or shine), but when she’s not out braving the elements, she can be found with a cup of tea (jasmine green, ideally) and a good library book. Alex grew up near Ithaca and is thrilled to be back in this region of New York once again.
Alexandra (Allie) Peechatka, Assistant Director
Affirming Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Advising students with last names K - P
- Remote Mondays - appointments via Zoom
Allie joined the College of Engineering at Cornell University in June 2022. She received her Bachelor of Sciences degree in Psychology from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and her Master of Education degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from DeSales University. During both her undergraduate and graduate studies, Allie worked in various Residence Life roles where she found her passion for Student Growth and Development. Prior to joining Cornell Engineering Advising, Allie served as an Academic Advisor at Marian University in Wisconsin.
Allie’s Advising Philosophy stems from Sanford’s Challenge and Support theory. She believes that while there will be many challenges in a student’s collegiate journey, the support provided to them will ensure maximum growth and development. Allie is an avid believer that learning goes beyond the classroom and that developing into your full authentic self prepares you for lifelong learning. She enjoys working with student leaders and watching them succeed in meeting their goals.
In her free time, Allie enjoys spending time with her significant other, Connor, and their yellow Labrador Retriever, Bam. She enjoys decorating her home, puppy snuggles, and reading a book series. Her favorite show is The Office and can be found listening to the Office Ladies Podcast while getting work done. New to the area, Allie is enjoying getting out and exploring what New York has to offer with Connor and Bam.
Mary Glick, Program and Publications Coordinator
Affirming pronouns: she/her/hers
Mary has been with Engineering Advising since 2007. Acting as Program Coordinator, among her many duties is responsibility for coordinating the annual production of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook and Orientation, and oversight of office front desk operations. Mary received her Master's in Creative Writing from Syracuse, and in her free time enjoys cooking, jazz, old movies, friends, travel, and gardening.