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Faculty Profiles

Dr. Erica Schacht
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Ed.D, Walden University • MA, Iona College • BA, Salve Regina University

"Teaching is not something that can be developed over night. It is an art that must be mastered through time, diligence, and patience. I became a teacher because of all of my female professors who inspired me to be where I am today. Every moment, every day, and every year I teach I learn something new, something greater.

As Aristotle said, "Teaching is the highest form of understanding" and I truly believe this."

Dr. Ashley Babcock
Dean of Online, Continuing, and Professional Education
Ed.D, Argosy University • MA, Rutgers University • BA, Widener University

“Teaching students is pure joy to me. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, "Intelligence plus character–that is the true goal of education." I believe providing our students with education and the ability to think critically and speak persuasively gives them the tools to make an impact. I love watching students learn, grow, and begin to change the world for the better.”

Anne Bikofsky
Professor, School of Business
MBA, BBA, Bernard Baruch College
Certification: Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

"I love teaching at CW because every day I make my classroom interesting and fun by challenging students with new and exciting information."

 

Grace Bonanno
Chairperson and Professor, School of Information Technology
Ph. D., Nova Southeastern University • MS, Iona College • BS, Pace University
Certifications: MCSE, CCNA, CCAI, Network+, MCSA, Security+

"Technology impacts every area of our lives. Understanding the uses of technology and becoming an expert in the field of Information Technology (IT) provides an individual with a cutting edge career opportunity. It's my goal to share with my students the knowledge and skills necessary to become an IT expert. It's my desire that through interactive class sessions, hands-on and virtual labs, and individual and team-based assignments students will take hold of my respect and love for technology, apply their knowledge and skills, and succeed with a career in Information Technology."

Paula Cancro
Assistant Dean of Instructional Design and Delivery, and Professor, School of Business
MBA, Iona College • BA, SUNY Purchase • Certificate in English Language Teaching
Maryland Online Quality Matters Master Reviewer and Online & Face-to-Face Facilitator / Project Management Professional (PMP) / Microsoft Office 2007 Master Instructor Microsoft Office Certified Specialist in Word & Excel 2010

"I love what I do. I walk into class looking to challenge my students and have them challenge me. Most days, we are both successful - and that's a great thing."

LAVADA CARRUTHERS
Academic Affairs Coordinator and Adjunct Professor, School of Business
MBA, University of the West Indies (UWI) • Dip Business Administration, UWI • Cert in Marketing, UWI • Business Studies, College of Arts, Science & Technology
Certification: Comprehensive Reading, Mico University College

“As a lifelong learner with deep interest in leadership and coaching, I see my classroom as a forum where we can all learn from each other, so I am always eager to hear from the students as they share their experiences. Everyone is unique and each person has something special to bring to their own education, so I enter each session with only the highest expectations for each student.  I pride myself on the connection and energy established between my students and me and see it as a powerful teaching technique that I utilize in creating an optimal learning experience.”

 Trae Cooper
Chairperson and Professor, School of Business
MBA, MA, BS • Empire State College
Recipient of the Marine Corps Medal of Expeditionary, Marine Corps Medal of Conduct, and Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Commendation.

"Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today".... Malcolm X

ASHANTI DAWSON
Assistant Professor of General Education, Student Learning Outcomes Coordinator
MS in Computer Science, NYU • BS in Electrical Engineering, Cornell
"Repetition is the mother of learning; and the application of what you learn promotes insight..."

 

Associate Chairperson and Associate Professor, General Education and Writing Lab Coordinator
MFA, Columbia University • BA, College of Mount St. Vincent

"Words - knowing them, understanding them, being able to put them together and be heard, understood and agreed with - are the ultimate power and the consummate tools of success. My job is to activate this power in my students so they can go forth and change the world for the better. I can think of no better job to have."

Assistant Professor, General Education
MA, Manhattanville College • BA, SUNY Purchase

"Words have always been my passion, and success in today's workplace demands the best communication skills. That's why I am happy to teach writing and communication at The College of Westchester."

 

Raymond Giles III
Associate Professor, School of Business
MS, Polytechnic University • BA, University of Massachusetts
Certifications: Macromedia Flash, Microsoft Excel

"I love working at The College of Westchester because my students success is my success. Helping students to obtain the skills necessary to compete in an ever growing competitive market is what CW is all about. I believe the price of success must be paid in advance, and paid in full, there are no discounts at the door of success."

AJAH HAWLEY-ALEXANDER
Associate Professor, General Education
MA, BA, Fairleigh Dickinson University

“Vast inequities exist and ignoring systemic biases, whether at a micro or macro level, can prohibit success. Having a hand to be intentional with students at The College of Westchester as they build and/or repair the foundation for their future is important. I am appreciative of the opportunity to back the College's efforts and help foster students' foresight, curiosity, and knowledge to position them for withstanding achievement.”

Daisha Howard
Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Health Professions
D.C, New York Chiropractic College • B.S. Monroe College • A.A.S Monroe College
Certifications: Basic Life Support, CPR, and AED Instructor

“Teaching here at The College of Westchester is a great privilege, watching our student succeed is a great victory.”

DR. JODI JACOBS
Assistant Professor, School of Health Professions
Doctor of Chiropractic, Life University; College of Chiropractic • BS, Boston University; Pre-Medical Biology
Jacobs Healthcare Group - Clinic Owner/Operator • New York State Society of Medical Massage Therapists- Clinical Board Director

“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” ― Maya Angelou

Terence Keyes
Assistant Professor, General Education
MS, Capella University • BS, Boston University

My 20 years of teaching and facilitating have repeatedly demonstrated that higher education is an important journey of transformation and empowerment. Each class at CW becomes a community of learners who actively collaborate toward an achievement of knowledge, skills, and development. In the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, "A mind stretched to a new idea never regains its original dimension."

Amanda Nugent
First Year Experience Coordinator • Assistant Professor, General Education
Ph.D. in Education, Capella University • MA in Special Education, Purdue University Global • BA in Elementary Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

"I believe that the teaching profession is a true calling. It requires patience, dedication, and the ability to assess and adjust one’s own practices. Teachers have the amazing ability to provide students with a framework of encouragement and guidance that will assist them in finding the passion to be lifelong learners. My mission as a teacher is to promote this passion for learning by igniting a spark in students to continue to develop their goals, skills, and talents."

“Education is not the learning of facts but the training of the mind to think” – Albert Einstein.

Dr. Chris Nwosisi
Associate Chairperson and Professor, School of Information Technology
DPS, Pace University • MS, Polytechnic University • BA, Hunter College
Certifications: CNA, CNE, Network+, A+, MCSA, CCNA, CCAI

"Our classes are comprised of students with diverse work experiences. For those of them with "zero" IT knowledge and those of them who want to change career, our department will give them the hands-on experience that they need. Our small class size encourages team work and one-on-one interaction. Project development is an integral part of our program, and real life projects are used to stimulate and inspire our students."

"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand." - Chinese Proverb

Dr. Ann Rodier
Chairperson and Professor, Human Services
Ph.D. Fordham University • MS Fordham University • BA SUNY Albany

“Teaching at The College of Westchester in the expanding field of Human Services is a great honor. Human Services is a part of all of our lives. As a teacher, I have an opportunity to share my knowledge and experience as a Human Services professional. Students bring relevant life experience to the classroom and combined with the new knowledge of this field they learn at CW, they will develop successful Human Services careers.”

Dr. Warren Rosenberg
Adjunct Professor, School of Health Professions
Ph.D., MS, New York University • BA, Lehman College

"My value to the College and our students is to challenge them with new material, ideas and concepts and to ensure that I make this relevant to both their past experiences and future career goals. I also remain conscious of the fact that I work for them, that my success is measured by their growth, and that I accept a measure of responsibility if they don’t succeed."

DR. NANCY SAMWELL
Assistant Professor, School of Health Professions
MD, in Medicine Ain Shams University • MA, in Counseling Manhattan College
Certifications: CCMA, EKG, and Phlebotomy Technology from NHA
"Teaching and training are my passion. I believe that students have the potential to excel and I work towards equipping them with the best skills and qualifications for a successful career in the medical field. My daily goal is to help students grow and learn through one-on-one mentoring and implementing effective work strategies. I am highly motivated to see my students graduate with strong critical thinking skills and a diverse set of problem-solving techniques."
JACQUELINE ANDREA SHAW
Assistant Professor, School of Information Technology
Doctor in Information Technology, Walden University • MS Information Technology, Walden University • MS Computer Science, City College, CUNY • BA Computer Science, CUNY • AAS Computer Science, Medgar Evers College, CUNY
Certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network +, CCENT, MCP, MCT, MOS (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access)

"Teaching and working in the technology field for over twenty five years has been an evolving and interesting experience. Keeping on the forefront of new technology here at CW and sharing the changes within the IT industry with students has been rewarding.  My students come into the classroom motivated to develop their skills and become the next tech inventor and succeed. I always stress that education is a key to opening doors to wonderful opportunities and CW is the way.”

Joann Sondey
Director of Career Services and Assistant Professor, General Education
MS, University of Bridgeport • BS, Mercy College

"The College of Westchester Career Services staff carefully guides you through the entire process of planning and preparing you for your actual job search.

We offer private career counseling, assistance in resume writing, writing of introduction and follow up letters, researching companies, securing job interviews, conducting interviews, job interview follow-up.

Because of the focused courses and programs, a CW degree can give you a competitive advantage in the marketplace and provide you the skills and knowledge valued by employers in business, government and organizations."

Justin Stone
Professor Emeritus, School of Business
MBA, Iona College • BBA, Hofstra University • AA, Nassau Community College

"In reviewing my business career it became obvious to me that much of my success was due to the efforts of several outstanding instructors. In forecasting the balance of my time on this side of the earth, I decided to pay back to others the good that had been done to me. Teaching became my late- in-life ministry. The College of Westchester was the first school to let me bring my abilities to those whose careers might benefit as had my own. The College also introduced me to many like-minded individuals who were already engaged in full-time teaching."

Maximino Torres Jr.
Associate Chairperson and Assistant Professor, School of Business
ABD Manhattanville • MBA, Long Island University • M.S.Ed., Lehman College • BS, St. Francis College

"Each day, my students come into the classroom eager to learn which makes teaching at CW a real treat! Their desire to achieve their goals motivates them to succeed which is very inspirational for me as a business person. Being around this kind of enthusiasm motivates me to support them any way I can and I applaud them for working so diligently."

NEAL WASSERMAN
Professor, School of Health Professions
MPH, NY Medical College School of Public Health • BS Lehman College

“My background in molecular biology, public health along with many years working in the pharmaceutical industry in medical affairs, developing research protocols for clinical investigation of drugs for FDA approval has given me a varied and interesting perspective to share with my students.  Our classroom culture is collaborative, energetic and encouraging when I see their enthusiasm.” 

Dr. Shamva Wright-Shingler
Program Director, School of Health Professions
DC, Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic • BS, Claflin University
Certifications: Certified Health Instructor (CHI), MarylandOnline • Quality Matters Peer Reviewer, Allied Health Instructor (AHI)

"My purpose is not to create students in my own image, but to develop students who can create their own image. I encourage them to set their goals high enough to inspire them and low enough to encourage them. I chose to be a part of the Health Professions field because I enjoy sharing my knowledge and enlightening the way for others to become successful medical professionals."