STAFF

Deans:

Dr. Jerrold Stein
Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Jerrold L. Stein, known popularly as Dean Stein, serves as the Associate VP of Student Affairs and Dean of Students and has been at Stony Brook for the past 32 years. Before becoming Dean of Students in 2002, Jerrold served as Dean and Director for Residential Education and Programs in the Division of Campus Residences. Dean Stein provides leadership for developing co-curricular activities facilitating student success and improving the campus climate. His favorite SBU tradition is Midnight Breakfast, and if he could eat that breakfast anywhere, he would take it to Roth Pond. His fondest Stony Brook memory is when the Seawolves ran back the opening kick for a touchdown at the grand opening of LaValle stadium in 2002.

Jerry Stein

Dr. Susan Dimonda
Associate Dean & Director of Student Life

Susan DiMonda is the Associate Dean and Director of Student Life. In this position she provides leadership for the Departments of Campus Recreation, Student Activities and Commuter Student Services. She spent the first 18 years of her career as the Director of Campus Recreation and as an Assistant Professor of Physical Education. Susan received a Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration from Dowling College. Her Dissertation Topic was "A Comparison of Undergraduate Student Behaviors in Six Dimensions of Wellness and their GPA." Susan will play an integral role in the planning and design of a $37.5 million dollar Campus Recreation Center at Stony Brook University. Susan advocates for students while fostering campus involvement, civic engagement, and student success. The departments within the Division of Student Life offer quality services and programs that provide social, cultural, recreational, academic, and leadership development.

Susan DiMonda

Cheryl Chambers
Associate Dean & Director of Multicultural Affairs

Cheryl has been at Stony Brook for almost 16 years. In her role at the Office of the Dean of Students, Cheryl focuses on fostering multiculturalism, multicultural competence, and diversity within the Stony Brook community. She serves as a personal coordinator, Human Resources liaison and budget management consultant for departmental areas. The annual Fall Opening of SBU is her favorite campus tradition, and she enjoys spending time at the fountain on the Academic Mall. Cheryl's most treasured memory of SBU is the Salute to Stony Brook, a campus-wide festival that took place in Fall 2002.

Cheryl Chambers

Dr. Jenny Hwang
Associate Dean & Director of Prevention and Outreach

Dr. Jenny Hwang is a New York State licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As part of her training, in 2003, she completed her year-long predoctoral internship at Stony Brook University's Counseling Center where she first came to fall in love with the Seawolf community. She has held a professional position at Stony Brook University since 2005. Prior to making her way back to Stony Brook, she worked at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as a research psychologist. Dr. Hwang's favorite Stony Brook tradition is the Roth Pond Regatta.

Jenny Hwang

Jeffrey A. Barnett
Assistant Dean of Students

Jeff Barnett is a long time member and proud alum of the Stony Brook community. After having completed his B.S. in psychology from Stony Brook University, Jeff went on to hold several positions at the university in Student Affairs, Enrollment & Retention Management and the Undergraduate Colleges. Jeff earned his graduate degree in Higher & Post-Secondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

His professional background reaches across both Student & Academic Affairs and includes experience with academic and organization advising, orientation, first year student issues, large scale programming, student learning outcomes assessment, learning communities programs, student success initiatives, building a sense of campus community. Jeff is committed to students and to building collaborative partnerships between student and academic affairs. He has published and presented at national & regional conferences on a variety of these topics and has received departmental Distinguished Service Awards in the areas of Student Development and Systems Innovations, Research & Assessment for his work.

Jeff Barnett

Ellen F. Driscoll LMSW, CASAC
Assistant Dean of Students

In 1995, Ellen joined the Student Health Service Staff as the first full time Substance Abuse Counselor at Stony Brook University. After fifteen years, she moved to the Dean of Students suite in 2011 and now in addition to her alcohol and other drug education and outreach, she advocates for and advises students in a variety of capacities, organizes campus-wide events and supervises student staff. Ellen can often be found in the crowd of many athletic contests cheering on the Seawolves. When asked what she likes most about her job, she talks about times spent with students - if it is training the new Red Watch Band Members, assisting a student with a personal struggle, working special events with peer educators or just chatting with students on campus to catch up on what's new. Too many great moments to count, yet a truly special time shared with students was when Ellen accompanied 50 students from the Alternative Spring Break Organization (ASBO) to Galveston, Texas to assist in community clean up after Hurricane Ike destroyed much of the town. Life at SBU is fast moving and ever-changing, yet Ellen tries to slow it down, freeze time with her camera and find gratitude one day at a time.

Ellen Driscoll

Directors:

Dr. Rachel Bergeson
Director of Student Health Services

Dr. Bergeson graduated from The University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1978. She completed a pediatric residency at Rhode Island Hospital and a Fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at Long Island Jewish Medical - Center / Schneider's Children's Hospital. Dr. Bergeson has been at Stony Brook University for 20 years. She is Board Certified by The American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Bergeson is active in the teaching and supervision of Medical Students, PA students, and Medicine, Family Practice and Pediatric Residents. Some of her personal interests include: swimming, skiing, and traveling.

Rachel Bergeson

Howard Gunston
Director of Facilities, Operations and Reservations

Howard Gunston is the Director of Facilities Operations for the Student Activities Center and Stony Brook Union. A New York native, he enjoyed a four-year stay in South Dakota where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English & Communications from Dakota Wesleyan University. After returning to New York, Howard worked in the private sector for four years before joining the Stony Brook campus in 2002.

Howard holds a Master of Arts in English from Stony Brook University, is a campus Safety Warden, volunteer Freshman Seminar Instructor, and holds American Heart Association certification as a Basic Life Support Instructor. While science fiction interests tend to dominate his spare time, Howard has been known to be a bit vocal about cheering on the Seawolves. His favorite Stony Brook tradition is the Strawberry Festival because strawberries are his favorite fruit and they're healthy even if they're covered in chocolate, right?

Howard Gunston

Anthony LaViscount
Director of Student Activities

Anthony LaViscount comes into the position of Interim Director of Student Activities after fourteen years as a member of the Stony Brook University community. Completing both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts at Stony Brook, Anthony has also served as a Resident Assistant, RSP member, Office Manager, Assistant Residence Hall Director, Quad Assistant, Residence Hall Director and, most recently, Mendelsohn Quad Director. In his most recent position, Anthony supervised the residence hall and Quad Office staff, was part of the Undergraduate College of Information and Technology Studies Leadership Team, chaired the Student Staff Recruitment and Selection Committee and was an Advisor for SAFE (Sexual Assault Facts & Education) Peer Education. Anthony’s favorite Stony Brook traditions are Homecoming (being a former Stony Brook Homecoming King) and the Roth Pond Regatta. He is looking forward to a great year, working with the extremely talented students and staff in Student Activities!

Anthony LaViscount

John Leddy
Director of Athletic Bands

John Leddy taught music in the Connetquot school district for 33 years prior to his arrival at Stony Brook University. During those years he instructed concert band, jazz ensemble, and marching band at all levels. Mr. Leddy has a Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music at Potsdam College and a Master of Arts from Stony Brook University. He studied percussion with James Peterscak at the Crane School, timpani with Morris Lang of the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, and jazz drum set with Jim Chapin, Joe Morello, and Ed Shaughnessy. Mr. Leddy was the recipient of a Summer Fellowship for music educators from Northwestern University where he studied conducting with Mallory Thompson and Don Owens. He also served as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts. Mr. Leddy is an active member of MENC, NYSSMA, SCMEA, Percussive Arts Society, the International Society for Jazz Education, and the College Band Directors National Association.

John Leddy

Marie Turchiano
Associate Director of Campus Recreation

Marie Turchiano graduated from Stony Brook University with a BA in 1987. She completed a Master's Degree from Adelphi University in Sports Management. After graduating from Adelphi University, she began her professional work career at Hofstra University as the Assistant Director of Intramurals & Recreation. In 1999, Marie came to Stony Brook University as the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation. In 2007, Marie was promoted to the Associate Director and now oversees the Department of Campus Recreation. What Marie loves most about her job is the interaction with the students. Watching them grow as individuals and knowing that she was able to contribute to their growth is most rewarding.

Marie Turchiano

Shannon Kelly
Assistant Director for Student Life and Leadership

Shannon, a Long Island native, attended Binghamton University for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She received a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a Master of Arts in Social Science with a concentration in Student Affairs and Diversity.

In 2005, Shannon was ecstatic to return to Long Island to start her professional career in Stony Brook's Office of Commuter Student Services where she focused on engaging commuter students in campus life. Now, as the Assistant Director for Student Life and Leadership, Shannon is collaborating with faculty and staff to create a cohesive student leadership development model for SB students.

Her favorite Stony Brook tradition is the Roth Pond Regatta. And while she would never step foot into the pond, she loves watching the students as they attempt to make it across the water in their outrageously creative cardboard boats. On the weekends, you can find Shannon sporting her Stony Brook RED and cheering on the Seawolves athletic teams!

Shannon Kelly

Staff Assistants:

Karen Haigh
Staff Assistant

Karen started working for Stony Brook University in 2002 for the School of Health Technology and Management's Rehabilitation Sciences program. She started working in the Dean of Students Office in October 2006 and currently works for Dean Ellen Driscoll and Dean Jeff Barnett. Karen provides support for the following campus-wide initiatives: Student Ambassador Program, University Scholars, Annual Undergraduate Recognition Awards, Voter Registration, Annual New International Students' Welcome Reception, Commencement Speaker Competition, DOS Art Competition amongst others. She supports Dean Driscoll and Dean Barnett with student crises related issues. She supervises the day-to-day smooth operation of the student staff working the DOS front desk. She most looks forward to seeing the memorable boats and antics at the Roth Regatta every year. Her favorite place on campus is the Wang Center because it is such a calm and peaceful place of reflection.

Karen Haigh

Mary Ann Calvacca
Staff Assistant

Maryann provides program and administrative support to Cheryl Chambers, Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs, and Susan DiMonda, Associate Dean of Students & Director of Student Life. She works on new initiatives and campus traditions such as the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB), diversity & multicultural programs, Athletic Bands, Student Faculty Staff Retreat, Earthstock and Student Life programs & Services. Maryann provides administrative support in budget management and personnel to the division. Her favorite Stony Brook tradition is the "duck races" during Earthstock because it is so exciting to see hundreds of people young and old become so competitive over their duck floating down the stony brook to the finish line.

Mary Ann Calvacca

Cathrine Duffy
Assistant to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

As Staff Assistant to the Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Cathrine Duffy provides administrative and programming support to the office and Dean Stein. Prior to this position, Cathrine was a founding faculty member of Stony Brook's School of Journalism and lectured there for six years. In addition to teaching, Cathrine provided academic advising to journalism students and administered alumni and recruitment outreach. Cathrine also served as co-coordinator of the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists, a residential high school journalism workshop. Cathrine has previously worked at Newsday in various capacities including news editor, copy editor and deputy Long Island editor. She is a two-time alumnus of Stony Brook University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in English with a minor in journalism and a Master’s of Arts in Public Policy. Her most memorable moment at Stony Brook is walking into her 2010 grad school graduation in a packed LaValle Stadium while bubbles filled the air.

Cathrine Duffy

Student Staff:

student staff

Nicole Bustamante
Nicole Bustamante is a junior. She is a Health Science major planning to graduate in 2014. Her favorite SBU tradition is the Midnight Breakfast.

Benny Lam
Benny (Yiufat) Lam is a junior with a double major in Engineering Science and Studio Art as well as a minor in Digital Art. He plans to graduate in Spring of 2014. His favorite SBU tradition is the epic Roth Pond Regatta!

Alexa Grosskreuz
Alexa Grosskreuz is a senior. She is a History major and Business Management Minor. She plans to graduate in 2013. Her favorite (new) SBU tradition is the Battle of the Undergraduate Colleges, but she also loves Midnight SCREAM!

Christine Stefanello
Christine Stefanello is a senior. She plans to graduate in 2013 with a degree in Applied Math & Statistics. Her favorite SBU tradition is Roth Regatta.

Aparna Verrajkumar
Aparna Verrajkumar is a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering. She plans to graduate in 2013. Her favorite SBU Tradition is Roth Regatta!