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Karleen M. Edwards, M.A., 1990, New York University, (Student Personnel and Administrative Services), serves the School of Education, Health and Human Services as Associate Dean of Educational Support Services. Her role at Hofstra University consists of many diverse responsibilities and duties. Dean Edwards is the Federal Title II Coordinator for program completers and research data collection, and serves as the school’s liaison with the State Education Department regarding certification changes, and student related issues.

It is her responsibility to implement institutional responses to New York State’s mandated requirements, such as Fingerprinting, and certification seminars regarding Child Abuse and Maltreatment, Substance Abuse and Project SAVE (Safe Schools Against Violence in Education) Paramount in her undertakings is to ensuring that students completing teacher, administrative, and pupil service preparation programs are properly recommended for state certification.  Dean Edwards is a member of the New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NYACTE).

In her role as administrative advisor for the school, Dean Edwards is responsible for the accuracy of program completion and assisting faculty advisors with student related issues. Many of her endeavors in this area includes the development of the Student Advisement System which is a school wide advisement database and the creation of “From Campus to Classroom: A Student’s Guide Through the Certification/Licensure Process”, a publication which received the Certificate of Merit Award from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Dean Edwards has been a member of NACADA for the past 16 years. She has served as chairperson for the Interest Group for Advising Education Majors, 2002-2004, and under her leadership the group obtained Commission status.  Dean Edwards served as chairperson for the Commission on  Advising Education Majors 2004-2005.

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Stacy Zalewski, MSED, 1998 Dowling College (Special Education) is the Director of Certification and Licensure in the School of Education, Health and Human Services.  Stacy is responsible for coordinating the on campus certification process and works with the Assistant Dean to implement procedures and resolve issues related to Hofstra’s candidates for teacher certification.  Certification Seminars are offered each semester for students who will be applying for New York State Certification.  Stacy reviews all certification recommendations and processes state applications on the TEACH system.  If you have any questions or need information regarding New York State Certification, please feel free to contact Stacy at (516) 463-4216 E-mail

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Marianne Torres, Senior Support Specialist, is the assistant to Karleen M. Edwards in the School of Education, Health and Human Services.  As Senior Support Specialist, it is Marianne’s responsibility to support the Assistant Dean working with registering new programs and changes to existing programs with the New York State Education Department.  Creating and revising plans of study.  Updating undergraduate DARS, and changes to the website.  Assist with the Title II program completers report, US News reports and in preparing the Federal Title II report.

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Diane Cecere, Executive Secretary, The Office of Educational Support Services depends on Diane to ensure that all activities within the office are efficient and orderly.  Diane acts as a liason for the office responding to student and faculty inquiries.  In addition, she attends and monitors all state mandated seminars.

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Liudmila Patokina is the Director of Program Support in the Office of Educational Support Services. She received her MSED in Administration of Education from Hofstra in 2001. She works in close coordination with faculty advisors to ensure Hofstra students fulfill all requirements for their major. It is her responsibility to check if candidates for graduation fulfill necessary requirements in Liberal Arts and Sciences, as well as Secondary Content requirements on the undergraduate level. Liudmila is also responsible for processing course evaluation request forms. Liudmila is also responsible for processing course evaluation request forms, administering the EIR and proctoring written examinations from other institutions.

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Virginia Sampino is the Assistant Director of Program Support in the Office of Educational Support Services. It is her responsibility to verify that Undergraduate and Graduate students fulfill all necessary requirements for graduation. Virginia monitors the attendance for all state mandated seminars. She prepares seminar confirmation forms for Hofstra students and community members. Virginia is also responsible for creating the admission tools for all programs in the School of Education, Health & Human Services.