First-Generation Students

Being the first in your family or support system to go to college can be a challenging task. New Student Programs is here to help you define success, pursue your aspirations and reach your goals. We’ve curated a list of helpful resources below, are happy to connect you with campus offices, and ask that you do not hesitate to contact the team if you have questions or concerns. Past Syracuse Welcome and throughout your student experience, our team will continue to share helpful resources and host events to help you build a community.


National First-Generation College Celebration

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023

Join the campus community in celebrating first-generation  students, faculty and staff through a variety of events! This celebration is to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”) of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The HEA created federal financial aid programs to aid students’ educations and made key investments in colleges and universities, such as the Federal TRIO programs. Learn more about the Center for First-Generation Student Success today!

First-Gen College Celebration Schedule

Presented in collaboration with First Year Seminar, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Intercultural Engagement, Kessler Scholars Program, New Student Programs, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Student Support Services (SSS) and Syracuse University Libraries.


Syracuse University First-Generation Faculty and Staff

During their time as college students, the following Syracuse University faculty and staff self-identified as first-generation. Composed of faculty and staff members from various backgrounds and disciplines, this list is a visual representation of their dedication to helping current first-generation students build their personal success networks and their eagerness to help grow a campus of support. Students are encouraged to connect with faculty and staff members, who can then share their personal journeys, insight and support throughout this unique student experience. 

Add your name to the First-Generation Faculty and Staff List!

NameTitle/Role on CampusHometown
Maricelis AbreuStaff Therapist, Barnes Center at The Arch - CounselingHartford, CT
Cisem ArdaFulbright Turkish FLTA, Department of Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsEdirne, Turkey
Shelby BergenCareer Advisor, Career Services for the College of Engineering and Computer ScienceBaldwinsville, NY
Tammy Bluewolf-KennedyAssistant Director/Native American Liaison, Undergraduate AdmissionsOneida, NY
Carrie BrownDirector of Counseling, Barnes Center at The Arch-CounselingBrockport, NY
Ana Caliz CasanovaMonograph Cataloging Librarian, Syracuse University LibrariesHuesca, Spain
Colleen CameronProfessor of Practice, Human Development and Family ScienceBuffalo, NY
Cara CapparelliClinical Case Manager for Barnes Center at The Arch - CounselingSyracuse, NY
Tianna CarringtonGraduate Admissions Specialist, Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceBrooklyn, NY
Giovanna R. ColosiLibrarian for the School of Education, Team Lead, Syracuse University LibrariesSyracuse, NY
Amy CrissProfessor and Department Chair for PsychologyAkron, OH
Jessica CuadraIntramural Sports Coordinator for Barnes Center at The Arch - RecreationMiami, FL
Harlie DalfoAssistant Director, Transfer & Veteran AdmissionsWallacetown, PA
Jessica Del FuocoAcademic Advisor, Newhouse School of Public CommunicationsSyracuse, NY
Tiffany DennettDirector, Fraternity and Sorority AffairsHouston, TX
Melinda DermodyAssociate Dean for Academic Success, Syracuse University LibrariesAkron, OH
Joseph DitreProfessor, PsychologyFairlawn, NJ
Nicolette A. DobrowolskiDirector of the Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University LibrariesHopewell Jct., NY
Carol FaddaAssociate Professor, Department of EnglishBeirut, Lebanon
Melissa FigueroaAssistant Director, Newhouse Career Development CenterYabucoa, Puerto Rico
Patricia FordBudget Manager, Department of Physics/College of Arts & SciencesPompey, NY
Amy FriersAcademic Counselor, Falk College Student ServicesSyracuse, NY
Catherine GarcíaAssistant Professor, Human Development and Family ScienceLos Angeles, CA
Jules GibbsPart-Time Instructor, English and Creative WritingClarks Summit, PA
Karess GillespieAssistant Director for Student LivingOklahoma City, OK
Leonard GrantAssistant Professor of Writing and Rhetoric, Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and CompositionRahway, NJ
Cassaundra GuzmanDoctoral Candidate and Instructor, School of Education, Cultural Foundations of EducationLos Angeles, CA
Butch HallmarkAssistant Director for New Student ProgramsTuscaloosa, AL
Chandice Haste-JacksonAssociate Dean for Falk College, Student Services & Associate Teaching Professor for Human Development and Family ScienceSyracuse, NY
Cristina HatemDirector of Strategic Marketing and Communications, Syracuse University LibrariesBuffalo, NY
Sandra HewettThe Beverly Petterson Bishop Professor of Neuroscience, BiologyTaunton, MA
Shannon Hitchcock SchantzDirector, First Year SeminarLowville, NY
Thomas HoangAcademic Advisor, Whitman School of ManagementSyracuse, NY
Jonathan J. HosterAssociate Director for Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment, College of Engineering and Computer SciencePhiladelphia, PA
James HouglandProfessor, Chemistry and BiologyRock Island, IL
Carrie Ingersoll-WoodDirector, Disability Cultural CenterManlius, NY
Jeanine A. Irons, Ph.D.Director of Institutional Culture in Employee Services, Syracuse University LibrariesBirmingham, AL
Susanne R. JenemannStaff Therapist, Barnes Center at The Arch - CounselingTX, KY, NY, WI, NM, WA, AK
Danielle JimenezAcademic Counselor, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)Cicero, NY
Drew JohnsonAssistant Director for Curriculum Development, Student LivingCharleston, SC
Kiley JolicoeurMetadata Strategies Librarian, Syracuse University LibrariesLovell, ME
Mariam M. KanaanAccess & Success Advocate, Center for Disability ResourcesNew Haven, CT
Mary KasprzykSenior Video Editor, Division of MarketingBuffalo, NY
Marieke KearnsAssociate Director, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and Student Support Services (SSS)New York, NY
Lee KennardAssociate Professor, Department of MathematicsWadsworth, OH
Krista KennedyAssociate Professor of Writing & Rhetoric, Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and CompositionNorth Little Rock, AR
Katherine KidwellAssistant Professor, PsychologyPowhatan, VA
Shannon KlonowskiAcademic and Career Advisor, College of Arts & Sciences | MaxwellCentral Square, NY
William M. KruegerAssistant Law Reference Librarian, Syracuse University LibrariesCamillus, NY
Anita KuikenFalk College of Sport and Human Dynamics Librarian, Syracuse University LibrariesLansdale, PA
Gabrielle R.M. LakeAssistant Director of Communications in the Student ExperienceSyracuse, NY
Katharine LewisProfessor and Chair of BiologyLondon, United Kingdom
Maria LopezAssistant Director of Scholarship Programs, Office of Multicultural AdvancementBronx, NY
R.J. MalabananPart-Time Instructor of Asian/Asian American Studies, College of Arts and SciencesStaten Island, NY
Christopher J. MaldonadoAssociate Director for Central Career ServicesNorth Bergen, NJ
Bria K. MaraiaCustodian, Facilities ServicesBridgeport, NY
Missy Mathis-HanlonDirector for Parent and Family ServicesBinghamton, NY
Matthew MayeProfessor and Chair, ChemistryBinghamton, NY
Tim McCoyProfessional Writing Instructor, Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and CompositionDunlap, IL
Moira McDermottAssociate Teaching Professor, MathematicsGlencoe, IL
Georgi McNeasePeer Education Coordinator, Barnes Center at The Arch - Health PromotionConroe, TX
Dana McQuillanDirector of Marketing Operations, Marketing & CommunicationsNewington, CT
Rae Ann MeriwetherAssociate Teaching Professor, Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and CompositionBrentwood, NY
Shannon MonnatProfessor of Sociology and Director of the Center for Policy Research; Lerner Chair in Public Health Promotion and Population HealthLowville, NY
Pam MulliganExecutive Director of Alumni Engagement - NYC, Advancement and External AffairsScranton, PA
Gus NascimentoAcademic Advisor, School of ArchitectureSantos, Brazil
Leonese NelsonProgram Director/Principal Investigator, STEP and CSTEP ProgramsCharleston, SC
Brice NordquistAssociate Professor of Writing & Rhetoric, Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition & Dean's Professor of Community Engagement for Arts and Sciences, Engaged Humanities NetworkWichita Falls, TX
Barbara OparLibrarian for Architecture, Syracuse University LibrariesGreensburg, PA
Michael PasqualoniLibrarian for the Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University LibrariesHicksville, Long Island, NY/San Francisco, CA
Samantha PerkinsDigital and Social Media Coordinator in the Student ExperienceAllentown, PA
Pam PeterDirector/Title IX Coordinator, Student Title IX Case ManagementUnion, NJ
Jessica PetittoTechnical Services Librarian, Law LibrarySyracuse, NY
Jo Anne PhangDirector of Admissions - Partnership Programs, Office of AdmissionsRosedale, NY
Shyla PowellStaff Therapist, Barnes Center at The Arch - CounselingJacksonville, FL
Lisa RaneyDirector of International Admissions, Undergraduate AdmissionsJamesville, NY
Juliette RawdaExecutive Assistant to the Vice President for Research, Office of ResearchSyracuse, NY
Janet RecchiaAssistant Director of Admissions - Southern CaliforniaValencia, CA
Katherine RobinsonAuxiliary Services Supervisor, Food ServicesWhite Hall, AR
Linda Rougeau EutoAssociate Director, Research and Evaluation for D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)North Adams, MA
Edward W. RussellAssociate Professor and Advertising Department Chair, S.I. Newhouse School of Public CommunicationsCanton, OH
Kenny SawadaAssociate Director in the Office of AdmissionsLiverpool, NY
Tony ScottAssociate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and CompositionCharlotte, NC
Clarise Shelby-ColemanResidence Hall Operations Coordinator, Student LivingBronx, NY
Leslie SkeffingtonSexual and Relationship Violence Prevention Specialist, Barnes Center at The Arch - Health PromotionGeneseo, NY
Erin J. SmithInternship Program Coordinator for Central Career ServicesDetroit, MI
Jolisa SmithAssistant Director, Student EngagementAlbany, NY
Luis F. SolanoAdministrative Specialist, Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual GivingNorth Hollywood, CA
Kalpana (Kal) SrinivasDirector for Retention and Student SuccessManlius, NY
Kay Stearns BrueningAssociate Professor of Nutrition Science & Dietetics and Associate Dean, Falk Academic AffairsSyracuse, NY
Nick StinesSenior Program Coordinator for New Student ProgramsDallas, NC
Vanessa St. Oegger-MennPan Am 103 Archivist & Assistant University Archivist for the Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University LibrariesPaso Robles, CA
Eman TadrosAssistant Professor, Falk College Department of Marriage and Family Therapy Colonia, NJ
Tasha TerziniAcademic Advisor, College of Arts & SciencesSyracuse, NY
Kristian C. TiradoOffice Coordinator, Human ResourcesSyracuse, NY
Rachel VasselAssociate Vice President of the Office of Multicultural AdvancementBrooklyn, NY
Zahra VahediAssistant Teaching Professor, PsychologyToronto, Ontario, Canada
Karina von TippelskirchAssociate Professor of German, Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsGreiz, Germany
Scott WarrenSenior Associate Dean for Research Excellence, Syracuse University LibrariesMillheim, PA
Emil WestfallLAE Evening/Weekend Supervisor, Learning & Academic EngagementRochester, NY
Caterina WhitacreAdministrative Assistant for the College of Engineering and Computer Science Office of Inclusive ExcellenceSyracuse, NY
Robert WilsonAcademic Counselor for Office of Supportive ServicesRochdale, Lancashire, England
Amanda WinklerProfessor of Music History and Cultures, Department of Art and Music HistoriesChillicothe, IL
Joshua WoodAssistant Teaching Professor, Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and CompositionDallas, TX
Michelle WoodhouseAdministrative Assistant, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) & Student Support Services (SSS)Cicero, NY
Sarah Woolf-KingAssociate Professor, PsychologyChandler, AZ