Dean's Office

Evan W. Cornog
Dean

(Ph.D., history, Columbia University)

Dr. Cornog served as an associate dean at the Columbia University School of Journalism for more than a decade and handled a variety of responsibilities during his tenure there.  He led fundraising efforts, coordinated the development of a new curriculum, directed the school's new Master of Arts program in Journalism and served as publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review.  Dr Cornog is also the author of several books on politics and the press - expertise he honed as press secretary to New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch and as a freelance writer and editor whose stories have appeared in publications such as The New Yorker, the Los Angeles Times, Slate and the Boston Globe.  He also served as director of external relations at Bennington College in Vermont and as special assistant to the President of the New School in Manhattan.  Dr. Cornog earned his bachelor's degree in history and literature from Harvard University, and his master's and doctorate degrees in history from Columbia.

Cliff Jernigan
Vice Dean

(Ph.D. media studies, Pennsylvania State University)

Dr. Cliff 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. Early in his career he taught New York City intermediate school teachers working in Harlem how to use media in the classroom. His professional background includes 18 years experience in television news as a reporter, cinematographer, videographer, and special assignments producer. He was named Associated Press Photographer of the Year in 1983 (Pennsylvania region) and is a four time Pennsylvania Press Club Golden Quill winner (investigative reporting, enterprise reporting mini-documentary, sports coverage). In addition to his ten year stint covering local news for WTAE-TV (ABC affiliate) in Pittsburgh, PA, he also covered local news for WCMH-TV (NBC affiliate) in Columbus, OH and WOWK-TV (ABC affiliate) in Huntington, WV. His research interests include media education for Black and Latino teenagers, media literacy, and British cultural studies. He developed pilot media education programs for minorities in Pittsburgh, PA and State College, PA. He served as an Associate Professor at The Pennsylvania State University College of Communication where for seven years he taught video production and television programming. He also worked as an Associate Professor at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania where he developed and taught the University’s first media literacy course. At Claflin University, the oldest historically Black college in South Carolina, he taught courses in media research techniques, television and video production, and Black media in America. During his time at Claflin he served as the Chair of the Department of Mass Communication.

Marc Oppenheim
Associate Dean for Student Affairs

(M.A., Speech Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Hofstra University) | Email

Dean Oppenheim oversees all matters of academic advisement within the School of Communication and 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. With more than ten years as a Hofstra administrator, his goal is to insure that new students experience a smooth transition into the Hofstra community. Dean Oppenheim's commitment to the academic advisement of Hofstra students has been recognized by the Hofstra chapters of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and Golden Key International Honour Society.

Laurie Felix
Administrative Assistant to the Dean and Administrative Coordinator for Planning and Budget

E-mail

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 Arnone
Senior Assistant to Deans Cliff Jernigan and Marc Oppenheim

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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.