First-Gen Family

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-generation 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 (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 [email protected].

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Russ Smith – Committee Chair
Director of First-Generation Support and Engagement
516-463-6931 | Email

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Sharmeen Ahmed
Associate Dean of Students
516-463-5415 | Email

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Alex Attanasio
Resident Director
516-463-6935 | Email

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Jennifer Boscarino-Green
Vice Dean and Director of Strategic Outreach and Retention Initiatives – Center for University Advising
516-463-6770 | Email

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Michelle M. Ferraino
Assistant Dean, Grad Recruit
516-463-4885 | 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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Kristopher Lotier
Assistant Professor
Writing Studies & Rhetoric
516-463-6282 | Email

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Taylor Maultz
Associate Director of Student Leadership and Engagement
Email

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Anthony J. Porcelli
Senior Assistant Dean for Operations and Strategy – Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies
516-463-6770 | Email

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Novia Ramsay
Director of Residential Operations
516-463-6928 | Email

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David Renz
Student Success Advisor – Center for Academic Excellence
516-463-2000 | Email

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Brittany Rhoden
Coordinator of Title IX for Student Issues & Director of Student Wellness Education
516-463-5841 | Email

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Bryan Rothstein
Director of External Admissions
516-463-7465 | Email

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Kimberly Sloan-Montalvo
Senior Assistant Dean – Center for University Advising: Communications & HCLAS
516-463-6770 | Email

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Sarah Turon
Senior Associate Director of Community Standards
516-463-0454