This is an archived copy of the 2020-21 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.fitnyc.edu/.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Robin Burns-McNeill - Chair
Jaqui Lividini - Vice Chair
Mona Aboelnaga Kanaan
Richard A. Anderman
Judith I. Byrdy
Gabrielle Fialkoff
Yaz Hernandez
Joan B. Hornig
Beverly S. Mack
Elizabeth T. Peek
Deirdre Quinn
Robert Savage
Sally Singer
Sallie Haas, Student Trustee

FIT Trustees Emeriti

Peter G. Scotese, Chairman Emeritus
John J. Pomerantz, Trustee Emeritus

ADMINISTRATION

Joyce F. Brown, President
BA, Marymount College at Tarrytown, MA, PhD, New York University, Certificate, Institute for Educational Management, Harvard University

Office of the President

Jennifer LoTurco, Deputy to the President
BS, State University of New York at Albany

Joanne Arbuckle, Deputy to the President for Industry Partnerships and Collaborative Programs; Acting Dean, School of Graduate Studies
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, BS, Empire State College, State University of New York, MA, New York University, 2002–3 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

Ronald A. Milon, Chief Diversity Officer
BS, State University of New York, College at Brockport, MA, University at Buffalo, MA, The New School, PhD, Capella University, Certificate, Academic Leadership Academy, Penn State

Jacqueline M. Jenkins, Acting Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
BA, Spelman College, MBA, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Deliwe Kekana, Affirmative Action Officer and Title IX Coordinator

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Giacomo M. Oliva, Vice President for Academic Affairs
BA, MA, Montclair State University, EdD, New York University

Sidney Alfonso Grimes Jr., Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Operations
AA, BA, MSEd, Baruch College, City University of New York

Yasemin Jones, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
BA, University of California–Irvine, MA, PhD, Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York

Deirdre C. Sato, Dean for International Education
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, BA, Cornell, MA, PhD, New York University

Helen Gaudette, Assistant Dean for International Education
BA, Boston College, MA, Hunter College, City University of New York, PhD, The Graduate Center, City University of New York

Tardis Johnson, Associate Dean, Student Support Services
BA, State University of New York at Albany, MSEd, Baruch College, City University of New York

Deborah Klesenski-Rispoli, Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Associate Professor, Photography
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, BS, Empire State College, State University of New York, MSEd, Baruch College, City University of New York, EdD, Northeastern University

Darrell E. Glenn, Assistant Dean, Institutional Research and Effectiveness
BA, Baylor University, PhD, University of Kentucky
Carolyn Comiskey, Executive Director for Assessment

BA, Swarthmore College, PhD, University of Michigan

Academic Deans

School of Art and Design

Troy Richards, Dean, School of Art and Design
BFA, University of the Arts, MFA, Cranbrook Academy of Art

Melanie Reim, Acting Associate Dean, School of Art and Design and Professor, Illustration
BS, State University of New York College at Buffalo, MFA, Syracuse University, 2010–11 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service

Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology

Shannon Maher, Interim Dean, Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology
BA, Marymount University, MA, Marist College

Vacant, Assistant Dean, Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology

School of Graduate Studies

Joanne Arbuckle, Deputy to the President for Industry Partnerships and Collaborative Programs; Acting Dean, School of Graduate Studies
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, BS, Empire State College, State University of New York, MA, New York University, 2002-03 State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching

School of Liberal Arts

Patrick Knisley, Dean, School of Liberal Arts
AB, Harvard College, MA, PhD, University of Colorado

Directors and Coordinators

Frantz L. Alcindor, Director, Career and Internship Services
BA, Wheeling Jesuit University, MS, University of Scranton

NJ Bradeen, Professor; Librarian and Director, Gladys Marcus Library
BS, Kutztown University, MS, Drexel University

Tamara Cupples, Executive Director, Online Learning and Academic Technologies
BA, Pace University, MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Lucia DeRespinis, Executive Director for Grants Administration
BA, Sarah Lawrence College, MS, The New School for Social Research

Greta K. Earnest, Associate Professor; Librarian and Associate Director
BA, Bard College, MLS, State University of New York at Albany

Brian Fallon, Professor; Director, Writing and Speaking Studio, 2016–17 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service
BA, University of Kansas, MA, Colorado State University, PhD, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Michael Ferraro, Executive Director, FIT/Infor Design and Tech Lab
BFA, Syracuse University, MFA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Lisa Feuerherm, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Fashion Design–Art, and Resident Director, FIT Programs, Milan
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

Daniel Gerger, Executive Director, Center for Continuing and Professional Studies
BA, Montclair State University, MPA, New York University, Wagner School of Public Service

Christine Helm, Coordinator, Enterprise Center
BS, Bowling Green State University, MA, MEd, Teachers College, Columbia University

Madeleine Kaplan, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Fashion Business Management, and Resident Director, FIT Programs, Polimoda
BA, Duke University, MBA, University of Cincinnati

Deborah Levine, Coordinator, Academic Skills Center
BS, Montclair State College, MA, New York University

Yasemin Celik Levine, Coordinator, Presidential Scholars Program, Associate Professor, Social Sciences
BA, Franklin and Marshall College, MA, Boston University, PhD, The Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York, 2005–6 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching 

Elaine Maldonado, Professor; Director, Faculty Development and the Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET)
BFA, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, MS, Hunter College, City University of New York

Michele Nagel, Director, Precollege Programs
BFA, Parsons The New School for Design, MSEd, Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York, 2015–16 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service

Esther Oliveras, Coordinator, Faculty Services
BA, Lehman College, City University of New York, 2013–14 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service

Marjorie Silverman, Chair for Internship Studies and Associate Professor
BS, Boston University, MA, Columbia University

Deborah Stein, Grants Coordinator
BA, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, MA, University of Arizona, MPA, New York University

Devon Vidal, Assistant Professor, Director for Academic Advisement
BA, MS, State University of New York at Albany

Academic Advisement Center Non-Classroom Faculty

Regan Christie, Associate Professor; Counselor
BS, University of Vermont, MA, New York University

Benita Pratt, Assistant Professor; Counselor
BA, State University of New York at Old Westbury, MPA, Metropolitan College of New York

Career and Internship Center Non-Classroom Faculty

Stratton Bouloukos, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor
BA, Sarah Lawrence College

Elizabeth Field, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor
BFA, Parsons School of Design, MA, University of Adelaide

Susanne Galvin, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor
BA, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, MFA, College at New Paltz, State University of New York

Jeanne Golly, Associate Professor; Counselor
BS, University of Texas at Austin, MA, Michigan State University

Adrian Jones, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor
AAS, Grahm Junior College, BS, Boston University, MA, New York University

Amy Mato, Assistant Professor; Counselor
AAS, BS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

Jessica Mooney, Assistant Professor; Counselor
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, BS, Cornell University, MS, Stony Brook, State University of New York

Connie Passarella, Associate Professor; Counselor
BA, MSEd, St. John's University

Bonnie Recca, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor
BA, Stony Brook University, State University of New York

Jill Roberts, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor
BA, Hunter College, City University of New York

Nancy Ross, Adjunct Associate Professor; Counselor
BA, Hamilton/Kirkland College, MEd, Goucher College

Linda Turner, Adjunct Assistant Professor
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, MPS, Pratt Institute

Helene Verin, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor
BS, University of Wisconsin

Myrna Weiss, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor 

Pam Zuckerman, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor
BA, University of Pennsylvania, MA, MEd, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1996–97 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service

Gladys Marcus Library Non-Classroom Faculty

Joseph Anderson, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, Columbia College, MLIS, Dominican University

Amy Ballmer, Associate Professor and Head of Research and Instructional Services
BA, Eastern Michigan University, MA, Pratt Institute

Karl Baranoff, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Librarian
BM, Indiana University School of Music, MM, Temple University College of Music, MLS, University of Illinois

Lana Bittman, Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, Washington University, MS, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey

Jennifer B. Blum, Adjunct Associate Professor; Librarian
BA, New York University, MA, Brandeis University, MS, Simmons College

Naomi Schwer Bricker, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, The City College, City University of New York, MS, Columbia University

Alicia Estes, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, Hampton Institute, MLS, Columbia University, MS, New York University

Helen Taylor Lane, Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, Earlham College, MLIS, Pratt Institute

Rosanne LaPaglia, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, St. Peter's College, MLS, Catholic University, MA, Trinity College

Leslie Lowe Preston, Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, University of Georgia, MS, University of Tennessee

Beryl Rentof, Professor; Librarian
BS, New York University, MPA, Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York, MLS, Queens College, City University of New York

Maria Rothenberg, Adjunct Instructor; Librarian
BA, Carnegie Mellon University, MFA, MLS, Queens College, City University of New York

Carli Spina, Head of Research, Library
AB, Harvard University, MLIS, Simmons College, EdM, Harvard Graduate School of Education, JD, University of Chicago Law School

Karen Trivette, Associate Professor; Librarian
BA, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, MLS, State University of New York at Albany, 2012–13 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship

Lorraine Catherine Weberg, Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, Hunter College, City University of New York, MS, Pratt Institute

Marian Weston, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, State University of New York at Binghamton, MLS, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Judith Wood, Adjunct Instructor; Librarian
BA, The City College, City University of New York, AMLS, University of Michigan, MA, New York University

Writing and Speaking Studio Non-Classroom Faculty

Sarah M. H. Blazer, Assistant Professor, Writing Studio
BA, South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina, MA, Long Island University, PhD, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Stephen Keating, Counselor, Writing and Speaking Studio
BA, Keystone College, MA, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Loretta Lawrence Keane, Vice President for Communications and External Relations
AAS, BA, St. Francis College, Certificate, Institute for Educational Management, Harvard University

Carol Leven, Assistant Vice President for Communications
BS, University of Wisconsin

Beth Mitchell, Executive Director, Media Relations
BA, Manhattanville College

Mary Oleniczak, Director of Event Productions and Facilities Licensing
BA, Michigan State University

Lisa Wager, Director, Government and Community Relations
BA, Vassar College

DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

Philips McCarty, Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director, FIT Foundation
BA, University of Mississippi, MS, Mississippi College

Vacant, Director of Special Events

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT AND STUDENT SUCCESS

Catherine O'Rourke, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success
BA, Marymount Manhattan College

Terence Peavy, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success
BA, York College, MEd, Fordham University

Shadia Sachedina, Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success
BA, State University of New York, Stony Brook, MS, Baruch College, City University of New York, EdD, New York University

Suzanne McGillicuddy, Assistant Dean of Students, Student Engagement
BA, University of Vermont, MS, University of Rhode Island

Directors and Coordinators

Susan Breton, Associate Professor; Director, Counseling Center
BA, Bennington College, MA, Wesleyan University, PhD, Clark University

Rita Cammarata, Associate Professor; Director, Registration and Records
BA, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, MSEd, Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York, 2018–19 FIT Faculty Excellence Award

Chris Diggs, Director, Residential Life
BA, MEd, Lehigh University

Christie Graziano, Associate Director of Leadership and Civic Engagement, Student Life
BA, Loyola University Maryland, MSEd, Baruch College

Devendra Dindyal, Director of Financial Aid Service
BS, St John's University, MA, Columbia University

Keith Heron, Director, Athletics and Recreation
AA, Nassau Community College, BA, Queens College, City University of New York, MSEd, CW Post

Anne Miller, Director, Health Services
BSN, MSN, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Taur D. Orange, Assistant Professor; Director, Educational Opportunity Programs
BA, Wesleyan University, MPS, New York Institute of Technology, 2003–4 State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service

Joseph Plutz, Assistant Professor; Director, Disability Services
BA, North Central College, MA, City University of New York School of Professional Studies

Erika Rohrbach, Professor; Director International Student Services
BA, Ursinus College, MA, Columbia University, 2017–18 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service

Richard Sunday, Associate Professor; Director, Admissions and Strategic Recruitment
BA, Fordham University, MA, Long Island University, Brooklyn

Vernon Goodman-Keating, Assistant Director of Admissions and Strategic Recruitment
BFA, New York University, MBA, Kaplan University

Michelle Van-Ess, Associate Professor; Director, Student Life
BA, Fairleigh Dickinson, MA, New York University

Non-Classroom Faculty

Amber Carpenter-Lagattuta, Associate Professor; Assistant Director, Registration and Records
BA, State University of New York at Albany, EdM, EdD, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Mercedes Cepeda, Instructor; Admissions Counselor
BA, Binghamton, MSEd, Brooklyn College, City University of New York

Barry R. Fischer, Professor, Financial Aid
BA, State University of New York at Stony Brook, MA, Eastern Michigan University, 2008–9 State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service

Helena Diamant Glass, Associate Professor; Registrar
BA, MA, New York University, Certificate, University of Toronto

Terry Ginder, Assistant Professor, Counseling Center
BA, East Stroudsburg University, MSW, Marywood University

Patrice Goumba, Associate Professor; Financial Aid Counselor
BS, MS, Adelphi University, MPM, Keller Graduate School of Management

Elizabeth S. Grubic, Assistant Professor; Admissions Counselor
BFA, Indiana University, MFA, Queens College, City University of New York

Percess H. Jonas-Atteloney, Assistant Professor, Registration and Records
BS, York College, City University of New York, MSEd, Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York

Fran Kalish, Assistant Professor; Financial Aid Counselor
BS, MS, Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York

Catherine Lavelle, Assistant Professor; Admissions Counselor
BS, Virginia Commonwealth University, MA, Lesley University

Frank Mitchell, Assistant Professor; Admissions Counselor
BA, Wilkes University, MSEd, Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York

Ellen Simpao, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor to Students
BS, Loyola University, MA, EdM, Teachers College, Columbia University, PhD, Long Island University

Ilona Tykotski, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Financial Aid Counselor
BA, Montclair State University, JD, New York Law School

Rajasekhar R. Vangapaty, Assistant Professor; Registrar
B Engg, Osmania University, India, MTech, Institute of Technology, India, Diplôme d'Ingénieur Expert, Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine, France, MS, Lehman College, City University of New York

Arnaldo Vidal, Assistant Professor; International Student Advisor
BA, University of Puerto Rico, MA, Teachers College, Columbia University

Sally White, Professor; Registrar
BA, St. Thomas Aquinas College, MBA, Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York

Liza Wolsky, Assistant Professor; Counselor to Students
BSW, MSW, New York University, Certificate, Gestalt Association for Psychotherapy Institute

Jen-Mai Wong, Assistant Professor-Counselor
BA, University of Alberta, PsyD, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey

Residential Life

Jeffrey Manning, Associate Director, Residential Life
BA, Bucknell University, MS, Miami University

Gabrielle Arthurton-Crumb, Assistant Director, Outreach and Judicial Affairs
BA, MSW, Fordham University

Angela Brown, Resident Counselor
BS, MS, University of Buffalo

Jocelin Engle, Resident Counselor
BS, MPS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York 

Mark Fabbi, Resident Counselor
BA, Temple University, MS, Drexel University

Matthew Krein, Resident Counselor
BA, State University of New York at New Paltz, MA, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Tara Pieratti, Resident Counselor
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, MA, Teachers College, Columbia University

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Sherry Brabham, Treasurer and Vice President for Finance and Administration
BA, University of North Carolina, MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary

Bayard King, Acting Associate Vice President, Finance
BA, Harvard University, MBA, Columbia Business School

Mario Cabrera, Director, Public Safety
BA, John Jay College, City University of New York

Paul Debiase, Director of Environmental Health and Safety

BS, State University of New York at Stony Brook, MS, Long Island University/CW Post

Margaret Lindo-DeFranco, Acting Bursar
BS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

George Jefremow, Executive Director, Facilities
BS, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Shelci Graham, Acting Controller
BA, Howard University

June Ng, Director, Space Management and Planning
BA, State University of New York at Geneseo

Anthony Lugo, Director of Contracted Services
BA, Queens College, City University of New York, MPS, Baruch College, City University of New York

Angela Palumbo, Director, Payroll
CEP, BS, College of Saint Elizabeth

Nancy Su, Director, Budget
BA, Harvard-Radcliffe College, MPPM, Yale University

GENERAL COUNSEL

Stephen P. Tuttle, General Counsel and Secretary of the College
BA, Franklin and Marshall College, JD, Syracuse University

Rina Grassotti, Associate General Counsel
BA, University of Massachusetts, JD, Seton Hall

Tejuana Roberts, Assistant General Counsel
BS, State University of New York at Binghamton, JD, Cornell Law School

Brittany Schoepp-Wong, Assistant General Counsel
BS, University of Wisconsin–Madison, JD, Columbia University School of Law

Eric Odin, Assistant General Counsel
BA, Northwestern University, MA, George Mason University, JD, George Washington University

Joseph Iannini, Executive Director for Internal Controls and Management Analysis
BS, MBA, Seton Hall University

Harold Lederman, Internal Auditor
BS, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, MBA, Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, IT Auditing Certificate, New York University

Griselda Gonzalez, Director of Policy and Compliance
BS, State University of New York, Empire State College

HUMAN RESOURCES

Cynthia M. Glass, Vice President for Human Resource Management and Labor Relations
BA, MA, Michigan State University, EdD, Nova Southeastern University

Debra Annibell, Acting Associate Director, HR Operations
BA, Long Island University 

Richard Bennardo, Interim Director, Labor Relations
MA, SUNY Empire State College, BA, Saint Thomas Aquinas College

Erika Coble, Acting Associate Director, HR & Employee Relations   
MS, NYU/Polytechnic University, BA, Hofstra University

Monica Lemkowitz, Director of Benefits
BA, State University of New York at Oneonta  

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Laurence Baach, Acting Vice President for Information Technology and CIO
BS, Georgetown University

Walter Kerner, Chief Information Security Officer
BA, Binghamton University, State University of New York, MBA, New York University

Doris Berger, Assistant Vice President for Software Services and Information Access
BS, State University of New York College at Buffalo

Richard Hoar, Acting Executive Director of Media Services
BA, University of North Texas

THE MUSEUM AT FIT

Valerie Steele, Director, The Museum at FIT
BA, Dartmouth College, MA, PhD, Yale University, 2018 State University of New York Honorary Medallion of Distinction

Patricia Mears, Deputy Director, The Museum at FIT
BA, MBA, The George Washington University, MA, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

Emeriti Associates

Irene Buchman, Professor Emeritus of Presidential Scholars and Educational Skills 1973–2015
BA, MA, EdD

Alan Fishman, Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts 1968–1991
BFA

Barry S. Ginsburg, Professor Emeritus of Science and Mathematics 1956–1992
BA, MA, EdD

Hilde W. Jaffe, Professor Emeritus of Fashion Design 1959–1992
AAS, BA

Arthur H. Kopelman, Professor Emeritus of Science, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor
BA, MPhil, PhD

Richard J. Meagher, Dean Emeritus for Continuing Education 1965–1994
BA, MA, EdD

Arthur A. Winters, Professor Emeritus of Advertising and Marketing Communications, 1959–1992
BA, MBA, EdD­­