Ilene H. Barshay, Esq.

B.S. Long Island University; M. Ed. Hofstra University; J.D. Touro College School of Law, Touro Law Review Editorial Staff; L.L.M. New York University School of Law.
Admitted to the bar of New York, the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the District of Columbia, and the United States Supreme Court.

Before attending law school, Professor Barshay worked as a teacher, magazine editor and principal of a speakers bureau. Dedicated to public interest law and teaching, she has served as chair of the Nassau-Suffolk Law Services Advisory Council; president of Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence; chair of the Bar Association of Nassau County's Arts and Letters Competition, member of the Community Relations, Family Law, and We Care Committees of the Nassau County Bar Association and participant in the Association's Lawyer in the Classroom program. She is a member of the Law Guardian Advisory Committee, Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department which appoints Law Guardians and sets standards for lawyers who represent children involved in Family Court proceedings. She is also Touro's liaison to the Theodore Roosevelt Chapter of the American Inn of Courts and a member of its executive committee, chair of Touro's Jewish Programs Committee and member of the law school's Academic Policy Committee. Professor Barshay was the recipient of the Paul Marks Public Interest Award in 1996 and 2004 and is the author of "The Implications of the Constitution's Religion Clauses on New York Family Law" which was published by the Howard Law Journal.

Dr. Howard I. Berrent

Howard I. Berrent received his doctorate in Reading from Hofstra University in 1976. He taught elementary school within the New York City schools and was a reading specialist for a Long Island, NY district. In 1979 Dr. Berrent became a professor in the Department of Special Education and Reading at CW Post College of Long Island University, where he chaired the Division of Reading for several years. He is also certified as a School Psychologist in New York State.

In 1971 Dr. Berrent started the Berrent Learning Center, Ltd. He and a staff of approximately fifteen educators assessed and instructed students with learning and reading disabilities. Dr. Berrent wrote materials to help students prepare for standardized and state tests, which evolved into Berrent Publications, Inc. His company was purchased by Steck-Vaughn in 1994 to become Steck-Vaughn/Berrent Publications with Dr. Berrent as president. In 1997 SV/Berrent became a Harcourt company. SV/Berrent published extensively in the area of assessment, standard-based instruction, and test preparation.

In 2001, when Harcourt, Inc. was acquired by Reed-Elsevier, Howard Berrent became President and CEO of Harcourt Interactive Technology, a company dedicated to instructional assessment to be delivered online. Harcourt Interactive Technology introduced a new Internet classroom assessment product, iloli: iLearning Online Interactive.

In 2003, Dr. Berrent began MainStreet Associates, LLC (MSA), an education consultating group, working with educational publishers, school districts, and financial groups. In addition MainStreet Associates, LLC addresses the marketing, product development, and technology needs of educational publishers. MSA has extensive experience in analyzing business opportunities and markets, creating innovative print and technology products, and launching marketing campaigns. In 2003, Dr. Berrent founded RALLY! Education, LLC, an educational publishing company, which addresses standards-based, classroom-focused assessment and instructional materials for schools, both in print and electronic forms.

Dr. Dolores M. Fernández

Dr. Dolores M. Fernández, a nationally recognized professional in bilingual education, teacher training, and curriculum development, was appointed President of Eugenio María de Hostos Community College of The City University of New York (CUNY) in 1999. She retired on June 30, 2009 and was named University Professor at the CUNY Graduate School's Doctoral Program in Urban Education.

Prior to becoming President of Hostos, Dr. Fernández was a Professor of Curriculum and Teaching at Hunter College/CUNY. At Hunter College, Dr. Fernández co-directed the Hunter Consortium Site – a partnership with Brown University and NY State Dept. of Education. She Also served as Co-Director of the New Urban Educators Program and Coordinator of the post-graduate Administration and Supervision Program in the Division of Programs in Education. Previous to her appointment at Hunter College, she served as Deputy Chancellor of Instruction and Development for the New York City Board of Education. At the state level she served as Deputy Director for Program Services and a Director of Education with the New York State Division for Youth.

After graduating cum laude from Nassau Community College, Dolores Fernández earned a B.S. in Education from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Old Westbury, and an M.S. in Education as well as a Professional Diploma in Educational Administration from Long Island University (LIU) - C. W. Post College. She then earned her Professional Diploma in Reading and her Ph.D. in Language and Cognition from Hofstra University. Dr. Fernández is affiliated with a number of organizations including: the American Council on Education’s Commission on Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equality ; Board of Directors, National Community College Hispanic Council, and New Visions for Public Schools’ National Advisory Committee for the New Day College and Career Readiness Campaign; Beth Abraham Health Services Board; American Council on Education’s Commission on Women in Higher Education ; Cultural Advisory Committee of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation

In March of 2009, Dr. Fernández will receive the Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr. Distinguished Leadership in Education Award from the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education.

Reynaldo R. Reyes, M.D., M.H.A., F.A.A.P.

After graduation from Hofstra University, Dr. Reyes continued his full-time practice of Pediatrics at 26 John Street, Babylon Village, New York. He continued his relationship with Hofstra University and served in the capacities of Treasurer, Vice- President for Events and Programming and President of the School of Education Health and Human Services Alumni Association until 2009. He continued to be affiliated with Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, New York and as Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is the Past President of the Association of Philippine Physicians in New York, Inc. and at present is President of the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association in New York State.

He continues to pursue his passion for visual arts. He is a self-taught artist and began to paint in oil in 1971. He later learned watercolor and pastel techniques at the Art League of Long Island in 1999. Three of his works are now on permanent display at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Museum in Manila, which holds the distinction of the oldest Catholic University in Southeast Asia and will be celebrating 400 years of existence in January 2011. Two of his oil paintings will be permanently displayed in the Department of Pediatrics at Good Samaritan Hospital and he has exhibited extensively within the United States. Some of his works were selected and published in two art books by the Society of Philippine American Artists.

He has received awards for his accomplishments and humanitarian services to the community from several organizations. Upon reaching his full retirement from the private practice of Pediatrics, he hopes to be able to continue in the field of health administration on a part-time basis, possibly in a hospital or clinic setting.

Maureen P. Shannon, RN, CPHQ, MHA, MBA

Maureen P. Shannon, Vice President for Quality Management, NuHealth-Nassau University Medical Center, is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing all processes related to organizational quality outcomes measurement, risk management, and patient safety, as well as compliance with all external oversight and/or regulatory agency requirements.

Ms. Shannon received both her MHA and MBA from Hofstra University.

Dr. Marjorie E. Toran

Dr. Marjorie E. Toran, the Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Special Services for the Westbury, NY, School District, is responsible for overseeing and developing a number of innovative educational programs and services for students with disabilities as well as providing pupil personnel services and programs for gifted students.

She began her professional career in the Westbury School District in 1981 with the Hofstra University/Westbury Teacher Corps Project. She has served as an elementary and secondary special education teacher in every one of Westbury’s six schools. Dr. Toran has extensive experience working with families, community leaders and local and state agencies to address the needs of students. She moderated a discussion forum entitled “Westbury Families in Crisis (June, 2009)” for administrators, faculty and community groups.

Dr. Toran holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, from New York Institute of Technology, a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Hofstra University and a Doctorate in Administration and Policy Studies from Columbia University.

She is affiliated with a number of organizations including: the Leadership Training Institute (2008), Long Island Council of Administration Women in Education (2008 -09), She received the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Leadership Award in 2002, she received the SCOPE: Instructional Leadership and Inspirational Award in 2005.

Dr. Toran is married with two adult children and five grandchildren.

Joan Waldman, M.Ed.

Joan has been involved in education for over 25 years in a variety of capacities. She has been the principal of the Floyd B. Watson Elementary School in Rockville Centre for the past 11 years. She is an advocate for excellence in teaching and takes pride in being the administrator of a school which is highly enriching and creative. Joan is actively involved in numerous professional organizations.

Over the years she has written curriculum and was awarded a large number of grants to provide her school with research materials, technological support, and materials for many exciting projects.

Joan has been an avid supporter of Hofstra’s education students, providing countless opportunities for student teachers for over 15 years. Her philosophy is to offer a solid, firm foundation for these new teachers. She holds high expectations and directs them so they can continue on to become life-long learners committed to excellence in education.

Joan has a Bachelor of Arts in Education from New York University and a Masters in Special Education from Hofstra University. In addition, she has a Professional Diploma in Education Administration.

Joan’s participation with the advisory board will give her opportunities to continue her work with Hofstra’s School of Education, Health and Human Services and at the same time promote Hofstra’s future educational endeavors within the community.