Title/Position/Department at Marist College: Director of First Year Programs and Leadership Development/Adjunct Lecturer in Psychology/Student Affairs/School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Time at Marist College: September 1992, 17 Years.
College/University attended: Marist College; State University of New York College at Purchase
Degree(s)/Field of Study: Master of Arts Psychology, 1992 – 1995; Bachelor of Arts Literature, 1983 – 1987
Professional and Cultural Organizations/Affiliations:
- National Society of Leadership and Success, since 2008
- ACPA, American College Student Personnel Association, since 2003
- NASPA, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, since 2003
- NYSCA, New York State Counselors Association, since 2002
- NBCC, National Board for Certified Counselors, since 1999
- Jewish Congregation of New Paltz,Congregant; Leader, Junior Congregation; “Baalit Kriah” (Torah Follower), Bnai Mitzvah and Holiday Services
Hometown/Birthplace: East Village, New York City
Ethnic/Cultural Identity: Polish/Jewish
What does the word “diversity” mean to you? Diversity is the acknowledgement of a range and variety of approaches and perspectives in our everyday purposes of life.
How do you contribute to diversity at Marist College? I’m a 6 foot tall, “large and in charge,” middle aged, Jewish Girl with a Hispanic surname from the Lower East Side. This alone earns me “the lock” on a few diversity check-boxes. Since my arrival on campus, more and more people integrate words like Bubaleh, Mamaleh, Oy Vey and Tchatchke into a sentence with perfect conjugation, but on a more serious note, the Marist Community has always been so welcoming and embracing with regard to my cultural background. I am a Co-Advisor for the newly formed Marist Hillel, I am part of an Interfaith Committee led by Father LaMorte, and I had the honor of conducted the first Jewish Funeral Service in the Chapel for a Marist Colleague.
Do you have any diversity-related reading materials (books, articles, magazines, etc) that you would recommend to others? “Ethnicity & Family Therapy” by Monica McGoldrick. Dr. Canale recommended this text when I was a student in his class more than a decade ago. It is so important to recognize the role culture plays in shaping our outlook and approach, and I turned to that text when I feel a little stumped.
Please provide one interesting fact about yourself. I was one of the first 500 Mental Health Counselors to receive licensure in New York State.
Any other personal information you’d like to share (family, music, favorite food, hobbies, etc.)? I married my High School Sweetheart and we have three children, 10 year old twins and a College Freshman. I read Hebrew as well as I read English and am therefore able to follow Torah for my synagogue. This is a rare honor for a woman, and something that brings me great joy.
