Staff, students, faculty, and administration gathered on Friday, Feb. 8, to honor Academic Advisor Christie Leone, who is leaving the Johnson State College Career and Advising Center after eight years to open up her own daycare center in North Hyde Park.

This will be Leone’s first step into the small business world. Although she has no experience in running a daycare, Leone is a mother of two children – a 16-month-old daughter and a 5-year-old son – and according to her, the new business will be a good fit for her family.

“There is a huge need in the area for good programs,” said Leone, adding that she understands the importance of good quality childcare and early education programs.

The leap from working in the JSC career center to opening up her own daycare hasn’t always been Leone’s plan, but it has been something she’s been thinking about doing since the birth of her daughter. “The opportunity came up and it felt right,” Leone said. “I’ve been pulled towards this new opportunity.”

Leone will be missed by many members of the college community, including Academic Dean Dan Regan. “I’m sad to see her go,” he said, “but at the same time it’s a very brave move on her part to do something entirely new, but I know she’ll do it really well and it’s a service that’s very much needed. I think people are going to have tremendous confidence in Christine when they drop off their kids at her childcare center.”

For Advising and Career Specialist Sara Kinerson, Leone’s departure is going to leave a void that will be hard to fill. Citing Leone’s excellence in advising, she noted, “It is hard to imagine life at JSC without her, but Christie is following the advice that she has guided so many JSC students with during her time here: she is following her dreams, and I am so happy for her.”

Currently, no one is in line to fill Leone’s position, but she is confident that someone will be hired to do at least some of what she has been doing. “I think they are committed to posting a position in the next month or two, and, hopefully, we’ll have someone in here later this spring,” Leone said. “In the meantime, the other folks in the Career Center are stepping up and picking up a number of the things I do right now.”

The new daycare center is going through renovations, but Leone plans to be up and running by the first week of April. It is located right next door to her house and will be open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “I expect long hours, especially in the first year,” Leone said. “But I think it will definitely be worth it, and my family will be right there with me.”

Despite her excitement and plans for the future, Leone says she is going to miss her time spent at JSC, especially her work with colleagues and students.