
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].

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

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

Alex Attanasio
Resident Director
516-463-6935 | Email

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

Michelle M. Ferraino
Assistant Dean, Grad Recruit
516-463-4885 | Email

Darlene Johnson
Director of External Relations – Center for Career Design and Development
516-463-6060 | Email

Kristopher Lotier
Assistant Professor
Writing Studies & Rhetoric
516-463-6282 | Email

Taylor Maultz
Associate Director of Student Leadership and Engagement
Email

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sarah Turon
Senior Associate Director of Community Standards
516-463-0454
First Generation: Faculty & Staff
The following is a listing of some faculty and staff members at Hofstra who also were first in their family to go to college. Because of this, they are uniquely aware of the skills and assets first-generation students possess, as well as the challenges they face. Consider reaching out to someone on this list for advice or support, knowing they have been in the same place as you. All individuals listed here have volunteered to serve as a support to first-generation students.
If you would are a member of the faculty or staff who was also first in their family to go to college, and would like your name listed, please email [email protected]
Faculty
Name | Department | |
---|---|---|
Meshack Achore | Population Health | [email protected] |
Pepa Anastasio | Romance Languages and Literatures | [email protected] |
Vandana Bindra | Chemistry | [email protected] |
Kevin Bisceglia | Chemistry | [email protected] |
Joseph Cervia | School of Medicine | [email protected] |
Royston Coppenger | Drama and Dance | [email protected] |
Christopher Czerwonka | School of Law | [email protected] |
Vicki Dearing | LLM Health Law and Policy | [email protected] |
Lisa Filippi | Biology | [email protected] |
Paul Fritz | Political Science | [email protected] |
Esther Fusco | Teacher Education Preparation | [email protected] |
Sarah Gossan | Physics and Astronomy | [email protected] |
Marc Herbert | Physics and Astronomy | [email protected] |
Rodney F. Hill | Film | [email protected] |
Javier Izquierdo | Biology | [email protected] |
Gerda Kamberova | Computer Science | [email protected] |
Lori Ann Labalsamo | Writing Studies & Rhetoric | [email protected] |
Jaclyn Langella | Global Studies and Geography | [email protected] |
Kristopher Lotier | Writing Studies & Rhetoric | [email protected] |
Kelly McMasters | English | [email protected] |
Paul Meller | Psychology | [email protected] |
Brittany Miller | Assistant Professor of Biology | [email protected] |
Roseanna Perotti | Political Science | [email protected] |
Bradley Phillippi | Anthropology | [email protected] |
Stanislao Pugliese | History | [email protected] |
Gail Satler | Sociology | [email protected] |
Victoria Semple | Journalism, Media Studies, & Public Relations | [email protected] |
Katrina Sims | History | [email protected] |
Alan Singer | Teaching, Learning, & Technology | [email protected] |
John Teehan | Religion | [email protected] |
Mary Anne Trasciatti | Rhetoric and Public Advocacy | [email protected] |
John C. Vaccaro | Mechanical Engineering | [email protected] |
Jason Williams | Biology | [email protected] |
David Woolwine | University Library | [email protected] |
Administrators
Name | Title | |
---|---|---|
Lori Anderson-Turczyn | Administrative Assistant - School of Medicine | [email protected] |
Jennifer Boscarino-Green | Vice Dean and Director of Strategic Outreach and Retention Initiatives - Center for University Advising | [email protected] |
Christina Cacioppo Bertsch | Associate Dean, Center for University Advising | [email protected] |
Jenna Campolieta | External Relations Coordinator | [email protected] |
Stanley Cherian | Director of Orientation | [email protected] |
Anita Ellis | Director, Commuting Student Services | [email protected] |
Ashley Gray | Pre-Health Advisor, Center for University Advising | [email protected] |
Diane Herbert | Director of the Center for Academic Excellence | [email protected] |
Nikki Hancock-Nicholson | Coordinator for Student Success & Student Affairs Operations | [email protected] |
Darlene Johnson | Director of External Relations, The Career Center | [email protected] |
Branka Kristic | Director, Parent and Family Programs | [email protected] |
Sandy Mervius | Director of Financial Aid | [email protected] |
Ellen Miller | Associate Dean for STEM and Pre Health Advising, Center for University Advising | [email protected] |
Pat Montagano | Senior Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Campus Recreation | [email protected] |
Zaibis Muños Isme | Associate Vice President | [email protected] |
Francesca Olivo | Senior Assistant Dean of Advising | [email protected] |
Anthony Porcelli | Senior Assistant Dean for Operations and Strategy - Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies | [email protected] |
Novia Ramsay | Director of Residential Operations | [email protected] |
Bryan Rothstein | Director of External Admissions | [email protected] |
Gina Sandoval | Assistant Dean, Center for University Advising | [email protected] |
Kimberly Sloan-Montalvo | Assistant Dean, Center for University Advising | [email protected] |
Russ Smith | Director of First-Generation Support and Engagement | [email protected] |
Jackson Snellings | Dir. Information Technology Services for Hofstra Law | [email protected] |
Luke Waters | Staff Psychologist | [email protected] |
First Generation Alumni
We would love to connect with our Hofstra Alumni who are First-Gen grads! We would love to hear from you and there is plenty of opportunity to participate with current Hofstra First-Gen students in the form of program involvement or mentorship. Email us at [email protected], and please also consider following us on our social media below:
Join Hofstra's First-Gen Alumni group on LinkedIn – First Gen Hofstra:
