Fashion Institute of Technology

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Robin Burns-McNeill, Chair
Jaqui Lividini, Vice Chair
Richard A. Anderman
Judith I. Byrd
Gabrielle Fialkoff
Yaz Hernández
Joan B. Hornig
Mona Aboelnaga Kanaan
Beverly S. Mack
Elizabeth T. Peek
Deirdre Quinn
Sally Singer
Saumya Joshi, Student Trustee, 2023–24

FIT Trustees Emeriti

Peter G. Scotese, Chair 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 

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

Nicole Finigan Ndzibah, Executive Director of the Social Justice Center 
BS, Johnson and Wales University, MBA Suffolk University

Deliwe Kekana, Affirmative Action Director and Title IX Coordinator

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

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

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

Deborah Klesenski-Rispoli, Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, 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

Devon Vidal, Interim Assistant Dean for Curriculum
BA, MS, State University of New York at Albany

Gwendolyn Ferguson-Pugh, Executive Director for Academic Personnel Administration, Academic Affairs
BA, Hunter College, City University of New York, MSEd, Baruch College, 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

Nedean Wilson, Acting Director; Assistant Professor, Academic Advisement Center
BA, Boston College, MSEd, University of Pennsylvania

Carolyn Comiskey, Interim Assistant Dean, Institutional Research and Effectiveness and 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

Mary Wilson, Associate Dean, School of Art and Design
BFA, Parsons School of Design

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

Brooke Laurin Carlson, Interim Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Associate Professor, Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management
BS, MBA, Sacred Heart University, PhD, University of New Haven

School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Patrick Knisley, Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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

Sarah M. H. Blazer, Associate Professor; Interim Director, Writing and Speaking Studio,
BA, South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina, MA, Long Island University, PhD, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

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 

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

Rose Diaz, Faculty Services Manager
BA, New York University, MA, Binghamton, State University of New York, PhD, The New School for Social Research

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

Brian Fallon, Professor; Interim Director, Faculty Development and the Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET)
BA, University of Kansas, MA, Colorado State University, PhD, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2016–17 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service

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

Jacqueline M. Jenkins, Executive Director of the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies
BA, Spelman College, MBA, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

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

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

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

Academic Advisement Center Non-Classroom Faculty

Jared Ciborowski, Counselor Associate
BA, Long Island University Post, MA, Stony Brook University, State University of New York

Aisha Cornelius, Counselor Associate
BA, Temple University, MA, Fordham University

Tracy Gambles, Counselor Associate
BS, Rochester Institute of Technology, MA, New York University

Heather Gates-McGee, Counselor Associate
BS, State University of New York at Oneonta, MS, Canisius College  

William Hanauer, Counselor Associate
BA, St. Francis College, MA, Brooklyn College, City University of New York

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

Marcia Lezama, Counselor Associate
BS, John Jay College of Criminal Justice 

Nicky Mar, Counselor Associate
AAS, BS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

Lisa Mulligan, Counselor Associate
BA, St. John’s University, MSEd, Metropolitan College of New York

Giselle Puello, Counselor Associate
AAS, BS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

Scott Schwartz, Counselor Associate
AA, Kingsborough Community College, BS, Brooklyn College, City University of New York

Israel Tavares, Counselor Associate
BS, Buffalo, State University of New York, MA, Teachers College, Columbia University

Career and Internship Center Non-Classroom Faculty

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

Marsha Brenner, Counselor Associate
AAS, BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

Debora Diaz, Counselor Associate
AAS, BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

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

Jennifer Peters, Associate Professor; Counselor
BA, MBA, State University of New York, Binghamton, MSEd, Hunter College, City University of New York

Nadia Peters-Marulaz, Assistant Professor; Associate Coordinator of Employer and Sponsor Relations
BA, MA, Manhattan College

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

Suzanne Steffe, Counselor Associate
BS, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

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

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

Myrna Weiss, Adjunct Assistant Professor; Counselor
BA, Barnard College, MPA, New York University 

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, Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, Columbia College, MLIS, Dominican University

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

Lana Bittman, Head of Periodicals and Electronic Resource Services; Associate Professor; Librarian
BA, Washington University, MS, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey

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

Gabriella Bucciarelli, Continuations Librarian
BA, MLIS, St. John’s University

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

Leslie Lowe Preston, Head of Acquisitions and Metadata Services; Assistant Professor; Librarian
BA, University of Georgia, MS, University of Tennessee

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

Miyo Sandlin, Assistant Professor, Instructional Services and Student Engagement; Librarian
BA, Vassar College, MLS, University of Maryland

Carli Spina, Head of Research and Instructional Services; Librarian
AB, Harvard University, MLIS, Simmons College, EdM, Harvard Graduate School of Education, JD, University of Chicago Law School

Karen Trivette, Head of Special Collections and FIT Archive; 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

Yiwen Wang, Assistant Professor, Continuation and Metadata; Librarian 
BA, Shanghai University, MA, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Writing and Speaking Studio Non-Classroom Faculty

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 and External Relations
BS, University of Wisconsin

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

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

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

Heather McCarron, Project Manager

DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

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

Melanie Copple, Director, Strategic Philanthropy, FIT Foundation

Elizabeth Manalio, Director of Alumni Relations
BS, Boston University

Sujatha Vempaty, Director of Advancement
BA, MPA, New York University

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT AND STUDENT SUCCESS

Tardis Johnson, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, Associate Dean, Student Support Services
BA, State University of New York at Albany, MSEd, Baruch College, City University of New York, EdD, Northeastern University

Corie McCallum, Associate Dean of Students for Community Standards and Student Wellbeing
BS, M.Ed, Ohio University, PhD, The Graduate Center, City University of New York

Directors and Coordinators

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

Rita Cammarata, 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

Devendra Dindyal, Director of Financial Aid Services; Associate Professor
BS, St John’s University, MA, Columbia University

Christie Graziano, Director, Student Life
BA, Loyola University, MSEd, Baruch College, City University of New York

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

Marie Mekari, Acting Director; Assistant Professor, International Student Services
BA, Madonna University, MS, Central Connecticut State University

Anne Miller, Director of 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, Accommodative Services
BA, North Central College, MA, City University of New York School of Professional Studies

Richard Sunday, Associate Professor; Director, Admissions and Strategic Recruitment
BA, Fordham University, MA, Long Island University, Brooklyn, 2020–21 FIT Faculty Excellence Award

Vernon Goodman-Keating, Associate Professor; Assistant Director, Admissions and Strategic Recruitment;
BFA, New York University, MBA, Kaplan 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-Williamson, Assistant Professor; Admissions Counselor
BA, Binghamton, MSEd, Brooklyn College, City University of New York

Jayoung Choi, Assistant Professor; Counselor
MS, Case Western Reserve University, PhD, The University of Akron

Barry R. Fischer, Professor; Assistant Director of Financial Aid Services
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

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

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

Gloria Jetter, Assistant Professor; Counselor to Students
MSW, University of Tennessee Knoxville 

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

Julia Romano, Assistant Professor, Orientation and New Student Programs; Counselor
BA, MA, Sacred Heart University

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

Jennifer Stachacz, Assistant Professor; Counselor to Students
BSW, University of Southern Indiana, MSW, New York University

Ilona Tykotski, 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

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

Residential Life

Vacant, Director of Residential Life

Angela Brown, Associate Director, Residential Life
BS, MS, University of Buffalo

Cody Kirkpatrick, Assistant Director of Residential Life, 31st Street

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

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

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

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

Maria Camilo-Almanzar, Acting Deputy Payroll Director
BA, City Herbert H. Lehman College, University of New York, MA, Baruch 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

William Ansong, Executive Director of Operational Services
BBA Lehman College, City University of New York

Albert Place, Director of Financial Analysis and Systems
BS, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Pablo Salinas, Director of Capital Budget

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

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

Shelci Graham, Controller
BA, Howard University

Jin Heo, Deputy Controller
BA, Korea University, BS, College of Staten Island, MS, Baruch, City College of New York

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

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

Diki Bhutia, Associate Director, Budget
BA Hunter College, MPA, Baruch, City College of New York

Walter Winter, Director of Procurement Services
BA, Baruch College, City University of New York

Allen King, Executive Director, Facilities and Construction Management, Facilities
BE, Pratt Institute

Sam Li, Deputy Director or Procurement Services
BS, Stony Brook University, State University of New York, MBA, Mercy College

GENERAL COUNSEL

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

Eric Odin, Associate 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

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

Randi Miller, Human Resources Director
​BA, Stony Brook University

Esther Oliveras, Director of Employee and Labor Relations
BA, Lehman College, MSEd, Baruch College, City University of New York, 2013–14 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service

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

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

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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

Steven Willner, Assistant Vice President, Education and Enterprise Technology

BS, Brooklyn College

Francine Post, Director, Information Technology Administration, Finance and Planning

Vacant, Director, Educational Technology and Desktop Services

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

Michelle Manning, Deputy Director, Information Technology
BA, Brooklyn College, City University of New York

Lionel Torres, Executive Director, Enterprise Infrastructure Services

Dimitri Cohen, Executive Director, Infrastructure Services, IT Operations and Systems

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

Gilbert Schaye, Professor Emeritus of English and Communication Studies, 1960–2020
BS, MA

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