Dean's Office Staff
Cliff JerniganAssociate Dean
(Ph.D., media studies, Pennsylvania State University)
Dr. Jernigan was born and raised in Harlem, New York. He received his B.A. from The City College of New York in communication, his M.A. from Duquesne University in telecommunications management, and his Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University in media studies. Very early in his career, he taught New York City intermediate teachers how to use media in the classroom. He has 18 years of experience in television news as a reporter, cinematographer, videographer, and special assignments producer. He was the Associated Press Photographer of the Year 1983 (Pennsylvania region), and four-time Golden Quill winner (Investigative Reporting, Enterprise Reporting, Mini-Documentary, Sports Coverage). He worked in television news at WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh, PA), WCMH-TV (Columbus, OH), WOWK-TV (Huntington, W.VA). His research interests include media education, media literacy, and British cultural studies. He developed a pilot media education program for minorities in Pittsburgh, PA, and State College, PA. He was an Associate Professor at Penn State (College of Communication) for seven years teaching video production and television programming. He served as Associate Professor at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, where he developed and taught the university's first media literacy course. He also taught television and video production at the intermediate and advanced levels. He served as the Chair for the Department of Mass Communications at Claflin University (South Carolina's oldest historically Black university or college).
Marc OppenheimAssistant Dean
(B.A., Sociology, Hofstra University)
Marc Oppenheim is primarily responsible for advising new and transfer students, training new faculty on Hofstra curriculum and meeting with prospective students to discuss the programs of the School. Additionally, he works with students experiencing academic difficulty and serves on the Academic Records Committee representing the School of Communication. Dean Oppenheim joins the School of Communication with years of experience in academic advisement and administration. His goal is to insure that new students experience a smooth transition into the Hofstra community. Dean Oppenheim has also held the position of adviser to the Hofstra University chapter of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society since fall of 2000. Currently, he is completing an M.A. in Speech Communication and Rhetorical Studies.
Susan MurphyAssistant Dean
(B.S. Communications, Temple University)
Susan Murphy blended her professional career with teaching at Hofstra in 2000 and joined the Dean's Office in late 2004. She now oversees alumni and external relations, scholarships, special programs and fundraising. Skilled in both radio and television, Dean Murphy is particularly proud of the landmark role she had in establishing the Shadow Traffic Network, New York, as its first program director in 1979. Radio stints included KYW in Philadelphia, New York's WOR, WPLJ, WLTW, and the Unistar Radio Network. She spent nearly eight years as News Director and award-winning morning drive newscaster for WALK on Long Island. Her public television credits include local and national on-air work as well as producing. She has been the station announcer for WLIW21 since 1995, is well known as a voice-over artist for many corporate voice response systems, and keeps her hand in the news business as a writer for 1010 WINS. Dean Murphy teaches the History of Radio course at Hofstra, along with Sound and Image Aesthetics.
Laurie FelixAdministrative Assistant to the Dean and Administrative Coordinator for planning and budget
Laurie Felix will probably be the person who answers the phone when you call the Dean's Office. One of her primary responsibilities is to act as liaison between the Dean and students, parents, faculty, and other administrators in the School and the University. She also directs the flow of people and paper within the School of Communication and throughout the University. Her caring and capable manner is a key ingredient in the success of the School.
Elaine ArnoneSenior Assistant to Deans Cliff Jernigan, Marc Oppenheim and Susan Murphy
Elaine Arnone started working at Hofstra in 1994 as a part-time secretary in the English language program. In 1997 she joined the staff in the Dean's Office. Elaine loves working in the School of Communication because of the great flow of energy, support and care that filters through the School. She says, "Everyone is so friendly. It's great working with the faculty, staff and especially the students." Her main responsibilities include assisting the deans in updating and maintaining student and alumni databases, development activities, and donor and external relations, to mention a few. She also coordinates prospective student tours and serves as the School's principal liaison with the Office of Financial and Academic Records. Elaine also takes pride in her ability to create a welcoming environment in the Dean's Office.
The VIDEO MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT of the School of Communication brings to Hofstra and its students a commitment to quality and professionalism. We design, build, and maintain every audio and video system at the School. With a staff of three full-time engineers, a well-equipped maintenance shop, and an extensive inventory of spare parts in-stock, we ensure the equipment needed for classes is available and working properly. We also enjoy helping students learn and operate the many complex electronic systems at Dempster Hall.