FIRST-GENERATION SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT

FIRST-GEN FAMILY

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First-Gen Committee

A task force was created in the spring of 2015 to investigate how the University might better support its community of first-generation college students. One year later, this group produced an executive report outlining 12 steps the University could take. In the fall of 2016, committees were formed to begin work on these 12 recommendations. Today, there is one First-Generation Committee comprised of administrators, faculty, and graduate students that work to provide resources to first-generation Hofstra students, and to develop a community of pride for current and former first-generation students at Hofstra. The Committee plans social and educational programming, facilitates mentorship opportunities, pursues funding and scholarship opportunities, and works to educate the campus community about the talents first-generation college students bring to Hofstra.

In the spring of 2018, the Committee was very pleased to announce that they had worked to receive designation from The Center for First-Generation Students at NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators), making Hofstra a First-Gen Forward Institution. This designation was given to only 80 colleges and universities in the country leading the way in supporting first-generation college student success. Participation in this cohort further sets Hofstra apart as a leader in first-generation student support.

In May of 2018, the First Generation Committee was recognized by the Division of Student Affairs with the Teamwork Award at their yearly awards celebration.

All individuals on this committee are committed to the support of first-generation students, with many of them having been first-gen themselves. Feel free to reach out to any committee member listed to learn more about the work we do. If you are interested in joining the committee, please email russ.d.smith@hofstra.edu.

Dr. Russ Smith – Committee Chair
Senior Assistant Dean of Students & Director of First-Generation Support and Engagement
516-463-6931 | Email

Dr. Jennifer Boscarino-Green
Dean – Center for University Advising
516-463-6770 | Email

Michelle M. Ferraino
Associate Director of External Relations
516-463-4885 | Email

Dr. Kristopher Lotier
Associate Professor of Writing Studies & Rhetoric
516-463-6282 | Email

Taylor Maultz
Associate Director of Student Leadership and Engagement
Email

Dr. Anthony J. Porcelli
Senior Assistant Dean for Operations and Strategy – Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies
516-463-6770 | Email

Novia Ramsay
Executive Director – Residence Life
516-463-6928 | Email

David Renz
Assistant Director of Academic Success
516-463-2000 | Email

Brittany Rhoden
Coordinator of Title IX for Student Issues & Director of Student Wellness Education
516-463-5841 | Email

Bryan Rothstein
Director of External Admissions
516-463-7465 | Email

Kimberly Sloan-Montalvo
Senior Assistant Dean – Center for University Advising: Communications & HCLAS
516-463-6770 | Email

Sarah Turon
Director of Student Recruitment and Success Pathways
516-463-0454 | Email

Faculty & Staff

The following is a listing of some faculty and staff members at Hofstra who also were first in their family to go to college. Because of this, they are uniquely aware of the skills and assets first-generation students possess, as well as the challenges they face. Consider reaching out to someone on this list for advice or support, knowing they have been in the same place as you. All individuals listed here have volunteered to serve as a support to first-generation students.

If you would are a member of the faculty or staff who was also first in their family to go to college, and would like your name listed, please email Russ.d.Smith@Hofstra.edu

FACULTY

Name	Department	Email
Meshack Achore	Population Health	Meshack.Achore@hofstra.edu
Pepa Anastasio	Romance Languages and Literatures	Maria.J.Anastasio@hofstra.edu
Vandana Bindra	Chemistry	Vandana.Bindra@hofstra.edu
Kevin Bisceglia	Chemistry	Kevin.J.Bisceglia@hofstra.edu
Joseph Cervia	School of Medicine	Jcervia@northwell.edu
Royston Coppenger	Drama and Dance	Royston.P.Coppenger@hofstra.edu
Christopher Czerwonka	School of Law	Christopher.E.Czerwonka@hofstra.edu
Vicki Dearing	LLM Health Law and Policy	Vicki.M.Dearing@hofstra.edu
Sekiya Dorsett	Radio, Television, and Film	Sekiya.R.Dorsett@hofstra.edu
Lisa Filippi	Biology	Lisa.Z.Filippi@hofstra.edu
Paul Fritz	Political Science	Paul.Fritz@hofstra.edu
Esther Fusco	Teacher Education Preparation	Esther.Fusco@hofstra.edu
Sarah Gossan	Physics and Astronomy	Sarah.Gossan@hofstra.edu
Barbara Heinssen	English	Barbara.A.Heinssen@hofstra.edu
Marc Herbert	Physics and Astronomy	Marc.L.Herbert@hofstra.edu
Rodney F. Hill	Film	Rodney.F.Hill@hofstra.edu
Javier Izquierdo	Biology	Javier.A.Izquierdo@hofstra.edu
Gerda Kamberova	Computer Science	Gerda.L.Kamberova@hofstra.edu
Lori Ann Labalsamo	Writing Studies & Rhetoric	LoriAnn.T.Labalsamo@hofstra.edu
Jaclyn Langella	Global Studies and Geography	Jaclyn.M.Langella@hofstra.edu
Kristopher Lotier	Writing Studies & Rhetoric	Kristopher.M.Lotier@hofstra.edu
Kelly McMasters	English	Kelly.Mcmasters@hofstra.edu
Paul Meller	Psychology	Paul.Meller@hofstra.edu
Brittany Miller	Assistant Professor of Biology	Brittany.Miller@hofstra.edu
Roseanna Perotti	Political Science	Rosanna.Perotti@hofstra.edu
Bradley Phillippi	Anthropology	Bradley.Phillippi@hofstra.edu
Stanislao Pugliese	History	Stanislao.G.Pugliese@hofstra.edu
Gail Satler	Sociology	Gail.R.Satler@hofstra.edu
Victoria Semple	Journalism, Media Studies, & Public Relations	Victoria.Semple@hofstra.edu
Katrina Sims	History	Katrina.Sims@hofstra.edu
Alan Singer	Teaching, Learning, & Technology	Alan.J.Singer@hofstra.edu
John Teehan	Religion	John.P.Teehan@hofstra.edu
Mary Anne Trasciatti	Rhetoric and Public Advocacy	Mary.Anne.Trasciatti@hofstra.edu
John C. Vaccaro	Mechanical Engineering	John.C.Vaccaro@hofstra.edu
Keith Weiner	Nursing	Keith.r.weiner@hofstra.edu
Jason Williams	Biology	Jason.D.Williams@hofstra.edu

ADMINISTRATORS

Name	Title	Email
Lori Anderson-Turczyn	Administrative Assistant – School of Medicine	Lori.AndersonTurczyn@hofstra.edu
Isabella Andrade	Senior Academic Advisor, Center for University Advising	Isabella.G.Andrade@hofstra.edu
Lauren Ayala	Academic Advisor, Center for University Advising	Lauren.J.Ayala@hofstra.edu
Jennifer Boscarino-Green	Dean – Center for University Advising	JBG@hofstra.edu
Christina Cacioppo Bertsch	Associate Dean, Center for University Advising	Christina.Cacioppobertsch@hofstra.edu
Jenna Campolieta	External Relations Coordinator	jenna.campolieta@hofstra.edu
Stanley Cherian	Director of Campus Visit Programming and New Student Orientation	orientation@hofstra.edu
Anita Ellis	Director, Commuting Student Services	Anita.Ellis@hofstra.edu
Michelle M. Ferraino	Associate Director of External Relations	Mich.M.Ferraino@hofstra.edu
Ashley Gray	Pre-Health Advisor, Center for University Advising	Ashley.Gray@hofstra.edu
Diane Herbert	Director of the Center for Academic Excellence	Diane.Herbert@hofstra.edu
Nikki Hancock-Nicholson	Coordinator for Student Success & Student Affairs Operations	Nikki.HancockNicholson@hofstra.edu
Liliana Hinojos-Madrid	Associate Director of Resident Success	Liliana.HinojosMadrid@hofstra.edu
Daniel Howlin	Assistant Director of Career Engagement, Career Services	Daniel.J.Howlin@hofstra.edu
Branka Kristic	Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Parent and Family Programs	Branka.Kristic@hofstra.edu
Leticia Lynch	Assistant Director of Orientation and New Student Programs	Leticia.D.Lynch@hofstra.edu
Sandy Mervius	Director of Financial Aid	Sandra.A.Mervius@hofstra.edu
Ellen Miller	Associate Dean for STEM and Pre Health Advising, Center for University Advising	Ellen.C.Miller@hofstra.edu
Hugo Morales	Associate Director of Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion	Hugo.Morales@hofstra.edu
Andrea Nadler	Associate Dean of Admission	Andrea.H.Nadler@hofstra.edu
Francesca Olivo	Senior Assistant Dean of Advising	Francesca.Olivo@hofstra.edu
Liam Owens	Associate Director for Student Support, Student Access Services	Liam.P.Owens@hofstra.edu
Danielle Patey	Assistant Director, Student Accounts	Danielle.Patey@hofstra.edu
Mark Pelham	Director of Institutional Research	Mark.A.Pelham@hofstra.edu
Anthony Porcelli	Senior Assistant Dean for Operations and Strategy – Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies	Anthony.J.Porcelli@hofstra.edu
Novia Ramsay	Executive Director – Residence Life	Novia.P.Ramsay@Hofstra.edu
David Renz	Assistant Director of Academic Success	David.Renz@hofstra.edu
Bryan Rothstein	Director of External Admissions	Bryan.Rothstein@hofstra.edu
Gina Sandoval	Assistant Dean, Center for University Advising	Gina.M.Sandoval@hofstra.edu
Kimberly Sloan-Montalvo	Assistant Dean, Center for University Advising	Kimberly.Sloan@hofstra.edu
Russ Smith	Senior Assistant Dean of Students & Director of First-Generation Support and Engagement	Russ.D.Smith@hofstra.edu

Peer Mentors

First-Generation Peer Mentors are students in their sophomore year on up through graduate school who have signed up to volunteer to make connections with first-year students. Through texts, group messages, and in person chats and hang outs, these student leaders share their knowledge of campus activities, academics, and the general Hofstra culture to help you find your way and make your home here.

First-year students can apply to be a Peer Mentee from August 31-September 30 of each year, with matches being made on a rotating basis.

Students wishing to apply to be a Peer Mentor may do so from February 1-March 15 of each year, with a formal interview process to follow.

First Generation Alumni

We would love to connect with our Hofstra Alumni who are First-Gen grads! We would love to hear from you and there is plenty of opportunity to participate with current Hofstra First-Gen students in the form of program involvement or mentorship. Email us at FirstGen@hofstra.edu, and please also consider following us on our social media.

Alumni

First Generation Alumni Stories

Five students walk up a modern indoor staircase in a bright building, talking and smiling. Some carry backpacks and wear casual clothes, suggesting a school or university setting.

LET’S BUILD YOUR PATH FORWARD TOGETHER

Reach out to staff committed to helping you navigate challenges, discover opportunities, and achieve your fullest potential.

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Lillian Lu

My freshman year of college, “Proud FirstGen” t-shirts were being given away in the student center and I picked one up. For all 6 1/2 years I was at Hofstra, and now post-graduation, it has been the single most cherished article of clothing that I own. I wear that shirt everywhere- to go to sleep, to the gym, out with friends, etc. My friends often poke fun at me for practically living in it, and I know it seems odd for an adult to have an emotional attachment to a free shirt she got at 18 years old while rushing in-between lectures. That being said, it holds a far deeper meaning for me than that.

To me, being a first-generation student means stepping into unknown territory. For one of a multitude of examples, I filled out FAFSA on my own for six years in a row, and to this day I am still paranoid that I did something incorrectly. Being first generation consisted of a lot of that- just sitting down and figuring it out. Unfortunately that also came with immense pressure. I carried the weight of knowing that failure wasn’t an option- there was very little margin for error, and every decision I made had to be the right one or I would be risking everything my parents worked for. But that’s okay, because while navigating this un-pathed road, I was also clearing the way for those who will come after me.

As cliche as it may sound, my degrees are not just a result of my own efforts. They are built on the opportunities my parents never had and instead passed onto me, and the letters after my name mean nothing without them. At graduation, my mom asked if she could take a picture wearing my cap, and it was then that it occurred to me that that was the first time she had ever worn one. Being first-generation means honoring all the quiet sacrifices my parents made, because despite the all-nighters and cups of coffee, crying over exams and deadlines was a privilege. It meant I was living the dream my parents always wished for me.

So much in life is fleeting and every moment is temporary, but being a first-generation student is something that can never be stripped away from me. That’s why that silly t-shirt means so much to me, and I continue to wear it years after graduating even though it’s become stretched out and the vinyl letters have started to fade. Being first-generation has pushed me to become self-reliant, motivated, and most importantly, appreciative of just how much I have.

Lillian Lu
Physician Assistant