New Faculty: School of Communication and the Arts
Chris Riviezzo, Interim Director of the Center for Sports Communication
Now leading Marist’s Center for Sports Communication, Chris Riviezzo has been a highly regarded studio producer at ESPN for more than two decades, working on productions of some of the biggest events in sports, including studio productions for the network’s National Football League coverage, the FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cup, College Football, the NCAA Women’s Final Four, and Major League Soccer. Riviezzo graduated from Spackenkill High School in Poughkeepsie and as a student at Marist (Class of ’96), was a Communications major and a member of the Men’s Soccer team.
Why Marist?
“I have been fortunate enough to work on some of the highest stakes productions in sports during my career, and I look forward to the opportunity to take much of what I’ve learned over these many years to enhance the experience of Marist students in the Center for Sports Communication.”
Jeffrey Basinger, Assistant Professor of Communication
Originally from San Diego, Jeffrey Basinger is a 31-time Emmy-winning multimedia producer who now calls the Hudson Valley his home. As a digital and visual producer, photographer, video editor, interviewer and narrative storyteller, Basinger has embedded in Covid-ravaged hospitals, produced videos for a massive undercover real-estate investigation, interviewed whistleblowers, chefs, elite athletes, struggling entrepreneurs, and more.
Why Marist?
“Being able to teach the next generation of storytellers and journalists at Marist was an opportunity too good to pass up. My goal is to give students skills so we can ultimately work alongside one another.”
“This dynamic group brings with it a real-world skillset to the School of Communication and the Arts that deepens an already tremendous faculty team. From experience in top level television and multi-media production to the arts, Marist students continue to have access to a uniquely talented and experienced faculty that further diversifies its reach each academic year..”
- Dr. Jacqueline Reich
Dean, School of Communication and the Arts
Malcolm Jones, Professional Lecturer of Music and Director of Bands
Originally from Akron, Ohio, Malcolm Jones spent the last two years as Director of Bands at Casteel High School in Queen Creek, Arizona. Prior to that, he finished a two-year residency at Arizona State University where he was a graduate teaching assistant with the Wind and Athletic Bands. Before moving to Arizona, he was the Interim Director of Bands at Malone University and an Adjunct Professor at Kent State University. He has also served as the Director of Bands at a school district in Ohio. In addition to his Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting from ASU, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Akron and a Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting from Kent State University.
Why Marist?
“The opportunity to begin working at Marist is special to me because I think the band program is ready to take their “next step”. Marist is a NCAA Division I athletic school and I want the band program to reflect that. The Hudson Valley has a ton of culture and with that culture comes opportunities for community building through the fine arts. I’m looking forward most to fully immersing myself in the Marist and Hudson Valley community and build a band program that fosters musicianship, community, and excitement.”
Patrick Boylan, Professional of Lecturer of Fashion
A Brooklyn native, Patrick has been a design educator since 2008, teaching at FIT, Parsons, and several international universities before coming to Marist first as an adjust professor and now as a full-time professional lecturer. His design experience includes time in the designer dress, sportswear, and maternity markets, as well as in retail. He is the founder of Grace Vestments, an ecclesiastical-design business. Long before the MET’s 2018 Heavenly Bodies exhibit, the New York Times dubbed him, “Couturier to the Heavens and Above.” It’s a moniker he wears proudly and is thrilled to take this next step.
Why Marist?
“For quite some time, I have viewed the fashion program at Marist as the little jewel on the Hudson. I’m delighted to now be a part of Marist Fashion and look forward to becoming further immersed in the broader Marist community. I had such a positive experience teaching for three semesters before accepting this full-time position. I’ve likened it to a lovely courtship before walking down the aisle. I have a fabulous husband, who is a speech and language pathologist. We are the proud parents of twins.”
Steven Dana, Associate Professor of Art and Digital Media:
Steven Dana is a New York based artist working in Painting, Illustration and Graphic Design. For more than 30 years his work has consistently been published in the pages of The New Yorker, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Harper’s and hundreds of other national and international publications. His portfolio of CD and Book cover art includes a cover for the iconic rock group YES and the cover of President Obama's book Dreams from My Father. Steven has been teaching Art & Design since 1999 at various institutions in New York, Indiana and in Korea.
Why Marist?
“I'm excited at the opportunity to share unique ways of seeing, thinking and creating with the Marist students. The creative approaches students will experience in my classes have been developed throughout my professional art practice and years of teaching and will inspire students to do their most thoughtful and powerful work. Their ideas, their visual messaging, will lead the way as they become agents of positive social impact.”
Series Installments:
