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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-gen 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 (the 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.
Russ Smith – Committee Chair
Director of Residential Education
516-463-6931 | Email
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Alex Attanasio
Resident Director
516-463-6935 | Email
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Gabriela Baez
Academic Advisor
516-463-4092 | Email
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Jennifer Boscarino-Green
Senior Associate Dean – Center for University Advising
516-463-6770 | Email
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Mechellé Grayson
Assistant Director Equity, Inclusion, and Campus Partnerships – Center for Career Design and Development
Email
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Darlene Johnson
Director of External Relations – Center for Career Design and Development
516-463-6060 | Email
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Adrienne Kravitz
Associate Director – Campus Recreation
516-463-6926 | Email
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Kristopher Lotier
Assistant Professor
Writing Studies & Rhetoric
516-463-6282 | Email
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Beth McGuire
Director – Residence Life
516-463-6930 | Email
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Angela Monahan
Career Advisor – Center for Career Design and Development
Email
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Anthony J. Porcelli
Assistant Dean - Communication, Advancement, and Engagement - School of Health Professions
516-463-6770 | Email
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David Renz
Student Success Advisor – Center for Academic Excellence
516-463-2000 | Email
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Bryan Rothstein
Senior Associate Dean of Admission
516-463-7465 | Email
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Kimberly Sloan-Montalvo
Assistant Dean – Center for University Advising: Communications & HCLAS
516-463-6770 | Email
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Sarah Vetri
Resident Director
Residence Life
516-463-7990 | Email
First Generation: 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pepa Anastasio | Romance Languages and Literatures | Maria.J.Anastasio@hofstra.edu |
| James Battaglia | Occupational Therapy | James.Battaglia@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 |
| Andrea Efthymiou | Writing Studies & Rhetoric | Andrea.R.Efthymiou@hofstra.edu |
| Paul Fritz | Political Science | Paul.Fritz@hofstra.edu |
| Esther Fusco | Teacher Education Preparation | Esther.Fusco@hofstra.edu |
| Marc Herbert | Physics and Astronomy | Marc.L.Herbert@hofstra.edu |
| Rodney F. Hill | Film | Rodney.F.Hill@hofstra.edu |
| Rina Hirsch | Accounting, Taxation, and Legal Studies in Business | Rina.Hirsch@hofstra.edu |
| Donna Iucolano | Marketing and International Business | Donna.M.Iucolano@hofstra.edu |
| Gerda Kamberova | Computer Science | Gerda.L.Kamberova@hofstra.edu |
| Lori Ann Labalsamo | Writing Studies & Rhetoric | LoriAnn.T.Labalsamo@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 |
| 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 |
| Robert Seagull | Biology | Robert.W.Seagull@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 |
| Jason Williams | Biology | Jason.D.Williams@hofstra.edu |
| David Woolwine | University Library | David.Woolwine@hofstra.edu |
Administrators
| Name | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Lori Anderson-Turczyn | Administrative Assistant - School of Medicine | Lori.AndersonTurczyn@hofstra.edu |
| Gillian Atkinson | Director of Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion | Gillian.Atkinson@Hofstra.edu |
| Jennifer Boscarino-Green | Senior Associate Dean and Director for Strategic Outreach and Retention Iniatives | 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 Orientation | orientation@hofstra.edu |
| Anita Ellis | Director, Commuting Student Services | Anita.Ellis@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 |
| Darlene Johnson | Director of External Relations, The Career Center | Darlene.Johnson@hofstra.edu |
| Branka Kristic | Director, Parent and Family Programs | Branka.Kristic@hofstra.edu |
| Beth McGuire | Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life | Margaret.B.McGuireFredericks@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 |
| Pat Montagano | Senior Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Campus Recreation | Patricia.a.montagano@hofstra.edu |
| Zaibis Muños Isme | Associate Vice President | Zaibis.Munoz@hofstra.edu |
| Anthony Porcelli | Assistant Dean of Communication, Advancement, and Engagement, School of Health Professions | Anthony.J.Porcelli@hofstra.edu |
| Novia Ramsay | Director of Residential Operations | Novia.P.Ramsay@Hofstra.edu |
| Bryan Rothstein | Senior Associate Dean of Admission | 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 | Director of Residential Education & Director of First-Generation Success Initiatives | Russ.D.Smith@hofstra.edu |
| Jackson Snellings | Dir. Information Technology Services for Hofstra Law | Jackson.T.Snellings@hofstra.edu |
| Sarah Vetri | Resident Director, Residence Life | Sarah.M.Vetri@hofstra.edu |
| Louise M. Waters | Staff Psychologist | Louise.M.Waters@hofstra.edu |
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 below:
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