Stay up to date on the latest from your fellow Violets! Read about what alumni are up to in education and social sciences, from being named teacher of the year to humanitarian efforts to improve the lives of people in your communities and more.

Please note: Class notes are organized first by school (you may use the links on the right to jump to a school or college you'd like to view notes from) and within each school or college, notes are organized by class year (most recent graduates to older graduates).

College of Arts & Science

Eric Wang (CAS ʼ21) is currently co-leading the Chinese Heritage and Identity through Food And Nutrition (CHIFAN) Project aimed to educate young Chinese Americans about the importance of Chinese cultural foods and food intake diversity. (Summer 2023)

Lauren Rosenbaum (CAS ʼ09) is a school psychologist at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts, the leading school for the blind in the U.S. She presented on accessible psycho-educational assessments for blind and visually impaired children at this year's National Association of School Psychologists annual conference. (Summer 2023)

Jenny Maenpaa (CAS ʼ07) celebrated her 10th year as a psychotherapist and women's leadership coach by launching Forward in Heels, a self-paced online course created for women who are ready to take control of their well-being on their own time and design the lives they have envisioned. (Winter 2024)

Dana Grayson (CAS ʼ02, STEINHARDT ʼ08) has been named director of the Teacher Workforce team at WestEd, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research, development, and service agency. (Spring 2024)

Wilson Lam (CAS ʼ00) celebrates 19 years in the NYC Department of Education and was recently appointed an Early Childhood Education Director. (Summer 2023)

Mary Rice-Boothe (CAS ʼ98) is celebrating the publication of her first book, Leading Within Systems of Inequity in Education: A Liberation Guide for Leaders of Color published by ASCD. The book provides concrete competencies and actions for leaders working to create different outcomes for minoritized students in all K12 school settings. (Winter 2023)

Elizabeth Gil (CAS ʼ96), assistant professor at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education, was selected as an Honorable Mention for the 2024 American Educational Research Association Social Justice Teaching Award for the Leadership for Social Justice (LSJ) Special Interest Group. (Winter 2024)

Lawrence R. Jones (WSUC ʼ84) is a former New Jersey Superior Court family judge who developed Point C, a non-profit, public service project that provides free educational resources for parents and professionals involved in contentious divorce proceedings and child custody disputes. (Summer 2023)

Dr. Beverly Greene (ARTS ʼ73) was presented the American Psychological Association's 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology in Washington DC on August 3, 2023. Greene is a Professor of Psychology at St. John’s University in Jamaica, N.Y. (Summer 2023)

Gallatin School of Individualized Study

Dante Cantú (GAL ʼ03) is now the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs at SUNY Westchester Community College. In this role, Mr. Cantú will provide leadership and vision for a comprehensive student experience agenda designed to promote belonging, well-being, and achievement for the diverse student body at SUNY WCC, SUNY’s first Hispanic Serving Institution and the most diverse of SUNY’s 64 campuses. (Winter 2023)

Maggie Schein (GAL ʼ98) is announcing the upcoming publication of her book Cruelty: A Book About Us (Palgrave Macmillan) this season! This book has been over 25 years in the making and Schein is greatly looking forward to any and all conversations it may provoke. (Fall 2023)

Global Liberal Studies

Rina Madhani (GLS ʼ14) was selected as one of 2022's ten L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth. This prestigious award recognizes the achievements of non-profit leaders making a profound difference in the lives of others by tackling some of our society’s most pressing issues. (Fall 2022)

Graduate School of Arts & Science

Daniel Menely (GSAS ’07, STEINHARDT ’18) is a writing professor at NYU-Tisch, where he has taught for the last 12 years. He is also a psychotherapist (danielmenely.com) with private practices in NY and OR, and runs an admissions essay editing business. (Summer 2022)

Parama Chaudhury (GSAS ’03) has been appointed Pro-Vice-Provost Education (Student Academic Experience) at University College London, the UK's largest university, where she will support faculties and departments to address issues in their student satisfaction data, with a particular focus on aspects of Assessment & Feedback and Teaching Quality. (Fall 2022)

Vânia Penha-Lopes (GSAS ’91, ’99) has recently had her book, The Presidential Election of Trump and Bolsonaro, Whiteness, and the Nation (Lexington Books 2022), reprinted as a paperback edition in 2023. The book is recommended as "highly readable" by Choice Reviews. (Winter 2024)

Joseph H. Moskowitz (GSAS ’71, ’83) is a Professor of Political Science at New Jersey City University and past President of the Northeastern Political Science Association, the New Jersey Political Science Association, and the American Federation of Teachers Local 1839. (Winter 2023)

Sheri Prupis (GSAS ʼ83) earned her PhD in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University, sharing the message that "it is never too late to learn." (Fall 2023)

Nancy Krasa (GSAS ’76) and Colleen (Uscianowski) Maas (CAS ’06) announced the publication of their book, How Children Learn Math: The Science of Math Learning in Research and Practice, by Nancy Krasa, Karen Tzanetopoulos, and Colleen Maas (Routledge, 2023). Written in plain English for teachers, special ed teachers, and parents, it is a comprehensive review of the research in mathematical cognition and includes research-compatible home and classroom activities. (Fall 2022)

School of Law

Dr. Thomas Arnold (LAW ʼ86) has been appointed as the founding dean of Vanguard University’s new Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management, launching in fall 2024 to serve the school’s highest-enrolled program. With a comprehensive background in higher education, real estate development, and investing, Dr. Arnold brings six degrees (DBA, JD, MBA, CFA, CAIA, MRICS) and a wealth of expertise to the role to make a positive impact in Southern California’s professional community and beyond. (Spring 2024)

School of Professional Studies

April Cardena (SPS ’22) is coming onboard as the new Assistant Director of Advising for University Programs at NYU. She has also recently been named on the Power Player Rising List for AMNY and PoliticsNY.com. (Fall 2022)

Shaniqua Taban (SPS ’11) has been nominated to serve on the Natomas Unified School District Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council, representing the Herredia-Arriaga Dual Immersion School in Natomas, California. (Fall 2023)

Tiffani Bell (SPS ’90, WSC ’92) joined the Board of Directors for Leadership Sandy Springs, which develops, educates, and connects leaders through community engagement, innovative programming, and volunteer opportunities. (Summer 2022)

Silver School of Social Work

Imam Kurniawan (SSSW ʼ23) is working closely and directly with the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia to lead an initiative to formulate and implement an extensive policy and program designed to strengthen social protection for individuals with disabilities across Indonesia. Our primary objectives encompass the enhancement of their economic prospects, the provision of essential social support, and the facilitation of access to assistive tools and technologies. (Fall 2023)

Teshera Russell, LCSW (SSSW ʼ17) was promoted to Assistant Clinical Director at Greenwich House Center for Resiliency and Wellness, a mental health program that provides inter-generational, trauma-informed mental health services for 350 clients ages 3 to 103. (Fall 2022)

Patricia Lee (SSSW ʼ13) moved to sunny Arizona, where she has been providing therapeutic services to foster children in the State foster care system. (Winter 2023)

Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development

Grace Pereyra (STEINHARDT ʼ22) will be transitioning to a new role as an Elementary Lead Teacher at KIPP Inquire Elementary School in the North Bronx. (Spring 2023)

Jillian Henthorn (STEINHARDT ʼ21) published two environmental education children's books in 2022, Bunny Builds a Home and Robin Needs a Nest. Copies available online and upon request. (Spring 2023)

Rochelle Jackson-Smarr (STEINHARDT ’12) has been selected as the recipient of the LEAD California 2022 Richard E. Cone Award for Emerging Leaders in Community Engagement, which recognizes an exemplary early-career individual who is an emerging leader in the field of community engagement. (Spring 2022)

Harmony Osei (STEINHARDT ʼ11) is the Director of NYU's Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Program. (Fall 2023)

Jill Moses (STEINHART ’07, ’08) is the founder and CEO of The Inspired Community Project, Inc., transitioning from a 15-year special education teaching career to full-time nonprofit leader and education innovator. She will be presenting at the NYU BeTogether Alumni Conference on Saturday, February 11, 2023. (Winter 2023)

Lisa-Erika James (STEINHARDT ʼ02) has been a New York City Department of Education public high school teacher for the past twenty years and was recently awarded a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program award to work with education partners in Morocco. As a Fulbright awardee, Lisa-Erika will be in Morocco from mid-April to early May, working with the United States Embassy and the Ministry of Education in Fez to learn about their educational system. (Spring 2024)

Krista Quinn (STEINHARDT ’02, ’06) won the 2022 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching at Rockland Community College. (Winter 2023)

Tara L. Parker (STEINHARDT ʼ05) was appointed Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston. (Summer 2023)

Francis Kweller (STEINHARDT '04) is the founder of Kweller Prep, a woman-owned learning center, which secured a landmark contract with the NYC Department of Education to provide students with direct math tutoring. (Winter 2024)

Amy Garay Solomon (STEINHARDT ʼ04) has been promoted to Director of Education at the Hofstra University Museum of Art in Hempstead, NY. (Fall 2023)

Reena (Gold) Kamins (STEINHARDT ʼ03) recently launched the Ark of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit with the mission of providing scholarships for students who have lost a parent before college. She has been in the higher education space for two decades as an admissions professional and independent educational consultant. Just before the pandemic, she also launched College, Career & Laugh to bring some levity to the stress of the process. (Spring 2022)

Hiram Allen (STEINHARDT ʼ01, ʼ03) was appointed Supervisor of Special Education in the Mt. Vernon City School District. (Fall 2023)

Sarah Quesen (STEINHARDT ʼ95) has been named director of Assessment Research and Innovation (AR&I) by WestEd. In her new position, she directs research and supports evidence-based technical assistance to states, districts, and commercial organizations. Much of Quesen’s research centers on mitigating bias in the assessment of students’ learning, with a particular focus on AI’s evolving role in assessment scoring. (Winter 2024)

Buddy Walter (STEINHARDT ʼ88) is among two NYU alumni who received a $2,500 grant through Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day. A Performing Arts teacher at Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain in Tolleson, AZ, Walter will use this grant to purchase materials for their school musical production. (Fall 2023)

Lynda Magrath (STEINHARDT ʼ85) retired from the College of New Rochelle as director of Counseling and Career Services in 2012. She currently serves as the volunteer manager of the Food Pantry and in additional leadership roles at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Somers, NY. (Spring 2024)

Chuck Rhoades (STEINHARDT ʼ82) recently had his book, Teaching Teens about Relationships: A Guide for Teachers, Counselors, and Youth Group Facilitators, published by Rowman & Littlefield. (Fall 2023)

Janet Goldner (STEINHARDT ʼ81) has received a Fulbright Specialist Award to Uganda at Makerere University. (Spring 2022)

Fred Nadelman (STEINHARDT ʼ66) is currently a retired social worker alongside his wife, while being politically active for the Humane Society and is an aficionado of the social sciences. (Fall 2023)

Stern School of Business

Andrew Cassidy (STERN ’15) had an op-ed published in his hometown newspaper, the Denver Gazette. (Fall 2023)

Julia Cherashore (STERN ’09) has joined 2 non-profit Boards this year. After serving on the Advisory Board of Mamaroneck Schools Foundation (a 501(c)3 dedicated to elevating quality of public education), she joined the full Board this year. In addition, Julia joined the Board of Friends of New York City Family-Nurse Partnership, a non-profit dedicated to improving lives of mothers and babies in New York City, this year. (Fall 2023)

Will Robalino (STERN ’06) has been named Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in public schools across the country. (Summer 2022)

Neha Bajaj (STERN ’03, GSAS ’05) has written and released her first children’s picture book, Noah’s Intense Day. The launch of the book is aligned with Autism Acceptance Month in April, and the book focuses on themes of empathy and understanding our differences. (Spring 2023)

Aniko DeLaney (STERN ’99) is now an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern and a full-time Lecturer of Marketing at Fordham University. After 30 years of working in financial services marketing, it is exciting to bridge the academic and professional worlds and help students prepare for their future careers. (Fall 2023)

Harry Prassakos (STERN ’98) was elected as a Trustee to the Wayne Township (NJ) Board of Education alongside being voted in as the Board's Vice President for 2023. (Spring 2023)

Tandon School of Engineering 

Ronald Daniels (TANDON ’77) recently had his book trilogy acquired by the Schomburg Center of Research and Reference In Black Culture. (Summer 2023)

Tisch School of the Arts

blair doroshwalther (TSOA ʼ05) has been appointed as program director for the Urban Resource Institute's Economic Empowerment Program. blair will lead URI’s economic justice initiatives within the Justice Initiatives department, which empowers individuals, families, and communities, particularly those facing barriers to safety. (Spring 2024)

Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service

Christine Stellar (WAG ʼ09) was appointed as Chief Development Officer of Boston-based nonprofit United South End Settlements. (Fall 2023)

Walter Fields (WAG ’90) was appointed to the Prince George's County (MD) Board of Education by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Fields is also Co-Chairperson of Strong Schools Maryland, a statewide education equity organization, and has helped establish the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED) at Morgan State University. (Winter 2023)

Mark Redmond (WAG ʼ86) had a $1 million endowment named after him, the Mark Redmond Fund, recognizing the work he has done as executive director of the nonprofit, Spectrum Youth and Family Services, helping homeless and at-risk youth for more than four decades in Burlington, Vermont. (Fall 2023)