{"id":2237,"date":"2026-05-20T10:08:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T14:08:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/?p=2237"},"modified":"2026-05-08T14:02:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T18:02:24","slug":"mcc-proud-meet-eric-wheeler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/20\/mcc-proud-meet-eric-wheeler\/","title":{"rendered":"MCC Proud: Meet Eric Wheeler"},"content":{"rendered":"

MCC Proud is spotlighting Eric Wheeler a week early in recognition of his role as emcee for the upcoming Employee Recognition Ceremony. Join us on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 2pm in the MCC Theater, located in the Robin and Tim Wentworth Arts Building, as we celebrate our retirees and honor staff for their years of service.<\/p>\n

Wheeler is the Associate Director of Veteran Services and an adjunct professor at Monroe Community College (MCC), where he has worked for almost 19 years. He is also a proud alumnus of MCC, having graduated with an A.S. in Liberal Arts in 2000. Wheeler went on to receive both undergraduate and graduate degrees at SUNY Brockport.<\/p>\n

As an adjunct professor, he has taught a wide range of courses, including history, speech communication, career development, and college orientation. His career at the College began with instructing military history courses. \u201cMany people view history as a list of dates, names, and events. To me, studying the past allows for a deeper understanding of the present and the ability to empathize with those around us,\u201d added Wheeler.<\/p>\n

In addition to teaching, Wheeler serves on a number of committees, including Commencement and Employee Recognition. He is also responsible for coordinating the College\u2019s Veterans Day Ceremony.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two greatest things about working at MCC are our students and our colleagues,\u201d said Wheeler. \u201cI have worked with so many students from the first time they walked on campus until they walked on stage and graduated, and to see them work so hard, overcome obstacles, and reach their goals is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cThere are so many faculty and staff members who go above and beyond for our students each and every day, and to celebrate them and highlight their hard work and effort at the Employee Recognition Ceremony is something I am passionate about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wheeler is a veteran of the United States Army and Navy, sharing that he wanted to serve his country since he was a young child. \u201cI always admired members of the Armed Forces and respected the sacrifices they made for our freedom,\u201d said Wheeler. \u201cMy father is a proud Navy veteran, and following in his footsteps meant a lot to me when I left for Navy boot camp as a 17-year-old right out of high school.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Wheeler served as an Operations Specialist and as a Navy Seabee.<\/p>\n

Wheeler transitioned to the Army because it offered an opportunity to learn new skills while continuing to serve. While in the U.S. Army Reserve, he served as a Sergeant in Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations. He deployed overseas to Bosnia for Operation Joint Forge in the late 90s, and later served on active duty as a senior instructor after 9\/11, training soldiers deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

\u201cServing in the military at a young age instilled a commitment to public service,\u201d said Wheeler. \u201cAfter serving in uniform, it is an honor to work with veterans and their family members on campus and assist with their transition from the military to higher education.\u201d<\/p>\n

His military service fostered a strong sense of responsibility to continue serving beyond the uniform, motivating his active involvement in numerous veteran organizations.<\/p>\n

Wheeler developed a deep understanding of the challenges veterans face during and after their service, as well as the importance of camaraderie and mutual support. These experiences inspired him to stay engaged with the veteran community, where he advocates for fellow service members, supports veteran-focused initiatives, and helps strengthen networks that promote professional development, wellness, and reintegration.<\/p>\n

Organizations he supports include the Monroe County Veteran Services Agency, Warrior Salute, Honor Flight Rochester, the Veterans Outreach Center, and the Gold Star Families Memorial of Greater Rochester.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe group that I feel needs the most support is our Gold Star Families, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost a family member while in service,\u201d said Wheeler. In fact, he was on the committee that built the local Gold Star Families Memorial in White Haven Memorial Park and helps plan various ceremonies to support Gold Star family members.<\/p>\n

Wheeler added, \u201cI have also volunteered for Honor Flight Rochester and helped escort local veterans to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect together at their memorials.\u201d MCC\u2019s Vet Club, which Wheeler advises, has attended the homecoming ceremony at the airport several times.<\/p>\n

In addition to community organizations, Wheeler serves on a number of veteran-related boards, including SUNY\u2019s Council for the Advancement of Military Students, Monroe County\u2019s Veterans Advisory Council, and the Veterans Upward Bound Advisory Board.<\/p>\n

In honor of his work with veterans and his dedication to public service, Wheeler has received a number of awards. However, he is most proud of his Golden Apple Teaching Award from WROC Rochester.<\/p>\n

\u201cI taught a section of the College Orientation course off campus for veterans in the Warrior Salute program,\u201d said Wheeler. \u201cThe award is about them, and our community partners, not me. I facilitated the class… they did the work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prior to joining MCC, Wheeler held a number of interesting roles, including curator at The Strong Museum, where he became the first curator of the International Center for the History of Electronic Games.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was an undergraduate history major at SUNY Brockport, I did an internship at the museum at the recommendation of my faculty advisor,\u201d said Wheeler. \u201cI was fascinated by how you could interpret history through artifacts and exhibitions.\u201d<\/p>\n

The museum later offered him a job as a curatorial assistant while he was in graduate school. That entry-level position led him to become a curator.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs curator for the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, I got to meet some of the icons of the industry and the people who made some of the games I played when I was a kid,\u201d added Wheeler. \u201cMy favorite memories are of traveling around the country with colleagues on trips to collect artifacts and collections for the museum.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also served as a Deputy Sheriff with Monroe County.<\/p>\n

Outside of MCC, Wheeler is a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.<\/p>\n

Fun Facts About Eric<\/strong><\/p>\n