Student Development
Phone: (845) 848-4079 John Burke, a 1994 graduate of Dominican University, with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology was appointed Vice President for Student Development in the fall of 2009. Prior to his current role, he served as Associate Director of Athletics and Compliance Officer and had a very successful career at the helm of the Lady Chargers women’s basketball program for nine years. John also, holds a Masters from Northeastern University in Leadership Studies. John Burke was named as one of Rockland County’s Forty under 40 in 2002 and is an Alumnus of the Leadership Rockland program, Class of 2011. He was awarded the All-Met Division II Coach of the Year in 2007-2008 and the Steve Baxter Service Award in 2010. Dean Burke lives with his wife Tara, sons Ryan and Daniel and their dog Boomer in Pearl River, NY. Phone: (845) 848-5012 Jonathan started his career at Dominican University in 2017 with the Office of Residence Life as a Housing Professional. In 2018, Jonathan was appointed Assistant Director of Residence Life, overseeing student conduct and judicial affairs. After a brief period away from the University in 2022, he then returned and was appointed Assistant Dean of Student Development and Title IX Coordinator. Jonathan is a proud graduate of Dominican University! While attending Dominican, Jonathan lived on campus and was a Resident Assistant for three years. Jonathan holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Science as well as a Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership and Communication. Jonathan has a proven ability to lead and build a consensus in complex public and private organizations. He has worked for the State of Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and New York State Office of Children and Family Services in addition to working for a large non-for-profit organization. Additionally, Jonathan has been a N.Y.S. Emergency Medical Technician for over ten years. He has held numerous leadership roles with the Nanuet Community Ambulance Corps. and currently serves at the Chief of Department. Likewise, he also serves as a Deputy Emergency Medical Service Coordinator for Rockland County. In 2018, Jonathan was named EMS Educator of Excellence by Rockland County Government and the Hudson Valley Regional Emergency Services Council. He has also received numerous honorable citations from the Nanuet Community Ambulance Crops and the Town of Clarkstown. In his spare time Jonathan enjoys listening to music, going on hikes and camping as well as spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoys cooking and creating new dishes! Phone: (845) 848-4080 Margaret returned to Dominican University in August 2013 as the Executive Assistant in the Student Development Office. A Dominican University alumna, she received a BS in Marketing Management in 1988 and then went on to receive an MS in Elementary Education from Long Island University. She has held various positions in both the business and education fields, most recently as a substitute teacher for several local school districts. Margaret resides in Pearl River with her husband Kevin and their four children: Rebecca, Kevin, Matthew, Jimmy and their dog Pepper.
John Burke
Vice President for Student Development/Dean of Students
Email: john.burke@duny.edu
Jonathan Delgado
Assistant Dean of Student Development & Title IX Coordinator
Email: jonathan.delgado@duny.edu
Margaret Kivlehan
Executive Assistant, Office of Student Development
Email: margaret.kivlehan@duny.edu
Athletics
Phone: (845) 848-7700 Since 1990, Clinton has been the head coach of the Chargers with a 412-372 career record and a 273-191 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) record. He has led the program to three CACC Championships and four twenty-win seasons. He is a three-time recipient of the CACC Coach of the Year Award and is a past recipient of the All-Metropolitan Coach of the Year Award. Prior to Dominican’s membership in the NCAA, Clinton guided two teams to the NAIA National Tournaments. During the 2012-2013 season, the Chargers made their first appearances in the NCAA East Regional Polls and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Top 25 rankings. DC was ranked as high as fifth in the NCAA East Regional Poll and ranked as high as 20th in the country in the NABC Top 25 rankings. DC was also the first men’s program in the East Region to reach the 20-win plateau this season and had a season-high 10-game winning streak during the year. The team also earned the program’s first NCAA East Region Tournament berth. Clinton was named the CACC Coach of the Year and the All-Metropolitan Coach of the Year. In 1995-1996 season, Coach Clinton led his team to its best record since 1975-1976, finishing 22-9 overall and earned the program’s first NAIA nationally top 25 ranking. For his efforts he was named the CACC Coach of the Year and the All-Metropolitan Coach of the Year. In addition to his coaching duties, Clinton is also Dominican’s Director of Athletics and director of the highly successful Dominican University Boys and Girls Basketball Camps and Clinics. In 1996, he was recognized as the CACC Administrator of the Year. Since coming to Dominican in 1989, Clinton has overseen an athletic department that has grown from five sports to 12 sports and made the transition from an NAIA school to an NCAA Division II member. During his tenure Dominican University sports have won numerous CACC Championships, 10 NAIA Championship appearances, 2 ECAC Championships, earned ten NCAA Regional Tournament appearances and one NCAA Championship appearance. In 2004 a local newspaper declared Dominican Athletic programs as one of the best in the tri-state area. Clinton has also served on numerous NCAA committees, including serving as the NCAA East Region and National Chair for Division II Baseball and is currently the East Region Chair of the Men’s Basketball Committee. Clinton spent his collegiate career at Union College (NY) where he scored over a thousand points and earned a BA in English in 1983. As a scholastic player, he was a star point guard at Albertus Magnus High School (NY) and is in his alma mater’s Hall of Fame. Coach Clinton and his wife, Marybeth, have five children: Tara, Joey, Laura, Kelly and Erin. He and his family reside in Pearl River, NY. Phone: (845) 848-7706 Kelly-Ann Di Giulio Light was named the Associate Director of Athletics in August of 2009 after serving as an Assistant Athletic Director since August of 2003. She has also served as the Director of Sports Information since 2003 where she is responsible for all athletic communications for the 17 varsity sports teams. She handles all statistical duties, press releases, as well as manages the athletic department website, www.chargerathletics.com. In addition to her sport coverage duties, Di Giulio Light is also the department’s Senior Woman Administrator. As part of her Associate Athletic Director duties, she manages the budget for the athletic department, is a direct report for the eight female sport teams and a secondary report for the seven male sport teams. Di Giulio Light began her sports information career while attending Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she served as the Assistant Sports Information Director. She assisted with men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. Her duties included public address announcer, statistician, official scorer and post-game management. Di Giulio Light is a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the Eastern College Athletic Conference Sports Information Directors Association, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Di Giulio Light currently serves on the CACC Marketing and Promotions Committee. She previously served as a member of the NCAA Division II Softball East Regional Advisory Committee, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Hall of Fame Committee, CACC Scheduling Committee and the CACC Marketing Committee. She has also served on the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Hall of Fame Committee and the All-ECAC voting committee for men’s and women’s lacrosse. Previously, she served as Vice-Chair for the CACC Festival Committee. In 2018, Di Giulio Light was appointed Chair of the CACC SID Council. Di Giulio Light is also a 2010 graduate of Northeastern University where she earned a master of sports leadership degree. She and her husband, Adam, currently reside in Paramus, N.J., with their dog, Gracie. Phone: (845) 848-7702 Thomas Gavigan is 1985 graduate of Dominican University. During his undergraduate career here at the College, he was 4 year member of the men’s basketball team. A Retired Sergeant from the NYPD, he was hired at Dominican in 2008 as the Assistant Facilities Manager and became an Assistant AD-Assistant Compliance Officer in 2010. Gavigan then became the Head Compliance Officer in 2012. He live in Thiells, New York with his wife Maureen and their daughter Grace. Phone: (845) 848-7707 Head Coach Rick Giannetti is entering is 27th year at the helm of the Charger baseball program. In his time at Dominican he has amassed a record of 723-470 and his overall record stands at 769-520. The 723 victories is the most wins in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) by any Coach in CACC history. He has guided Dominican to 15 CACC Championships, 10 regional tournament appearances, 1 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship and 2 NAIA World Series Appearances. His teams have qualified for post season play every year except one. Giannetti spent his collegiate career at Ramapo College of New Jersey where he was a member of the baseball team for four years. As a pitcher, he never lost a game in college and for three of those years had a single digit statistic for walks allowed. The Roadrunners also went to three regional tournaments in his tenure there. He graduated in 1982 with a double major B.S. in psychology and business. His collegiate coaching career started at his alma mater joining the team as an assistant coach in 1983 and helped guide the Roadrunners to a National Championship in 1984. Giannetti then took over the reigns in 1988 and spent two years as the head coach. In that time, he made two conference tournament appearances, won a conference championship in 1988 and made a regional tournament appearance. Coach Giannetti has been awarded the CACC Coach of the Year award 9 times in his tenure, Regional Coach of the Year Award 5 times and was the 2009 ECAC Coach of the Year. He has also been a finalist for the National Coach of the Year Award 4 times. He has coached 62 All-American players and 147 All-Conference Players and has had 30 players sign professional contracts. He currently serves as the East Region Chairman for Division 2 Baseball and also serves on the ABCA/Rawlings All-American & Gold Glove Committees. He currently resides in New City, NY with his wife, Vicki, and their three children, A.J., Vincent and Adriana. Department Phone: (845) 848-7705
Joseph Clinton
Athletic Director
Email: joe.clinton@duny.edu
Kelly-Ann Di Giulio Light
Associate Director of Athletics, Director of Sports Information and Senior Woman Administrator
Email: kellyann.digiulio@duny.edu
A 2002 graduate of Ramapo College with a bachelor’s of arts degree in public communications, she spent two years working in the Sports Information office. She was a four-year member of the softball team, where she was a team captain for three years. Di Giulio Light also worked with the Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services where she oversaw and monitored team study halls and tutoring. She was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for three years.
She has hosted numerous post season tournaments, including the 2004 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Men’s and Women’s soccer tournaments (first and second rounds), the 2004 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women’s Volleyball Tournament, the first round of the 2006 ECAC Women’s Basketball Tournament and the 2007 CACC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament (semi-finals and championship games).
Thomas Gavigan
Assistant Director of Athletics
Email: Thomas.gavigan@duny.edu
Rick Giannetti
Assistant Director of Athletics
Email: rick.giannetti@duny.edu
Chad Duesler
Assistant Director of Athletics
Email: chad.duesler@duny.edu (more…)
Career Development
Phone: (845) 848-4032 Manuel Juarez joined the Dominican University community as Director of Career Development in July of 2022. He came to the University with a background in Workforce Development, Career Counseling, Academic Advisement, and Community Program Building. Juarez has strongly advocated for better educational programming within underserved communities as a first-generation Hispanic professional. In 2014, Juarez received a Certificate of Honor from the Hispanic Ministry at Warwick Reformed Church for his role in creating the English Language Learner program for the Warwick Hispanic Community. In 2017, Juarez received the Rockland BOCES Commitment to Excellence Award in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service in creating the WIOA Funded Youth Connections Program. Juarez holds an M.S.Ed. in School Counseling from Long Island University and a B.A. in General Science Education from Mount Saint Mary College. Juarez enjoys hiking, mountain biking, martial arts, and writing poetry outside of work. Phone: (845) 848-7601 Prior to joining Career development Kathie held several management positions at local Bergen County non-profits. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Ramapo College and a Masters of Science degree in counseling.
Manuel Juarez
Director of Career Development
Email: manuel.juarez@duny.edu
Kathie Boylan
Administrative Assistant - Career Development
Email: kathleen.boylan@duny.edu
Counseling
Phone: (845) 848-4036 Alise Cohen, LCSW, BCD, is the Director of Counseling at Dominican University and a Board-Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work. She has been a part of the College community since 1994. She holds a master’s degree from New York University (M.S.W.) and has eight years of advanced post graduate clinical training in psychoanalytic studies from the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis (NPAP). Phone: (845) 848-4030 Eileen A. Piccininni, MA, LPC, CASAC, CEAP, is the Prevention and Education Coordinator at Dominican University. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from NYU. Prior to coming to the College, Eileen spent 20 years working for Employee Assistance Programs, providing individual counseling and crisis intervention for aviation and mass casualty disasters.
Alise Cohen
Director of Counseling Services
Email: alise.cohen@duny.edu
Eileen A. Piccininni
Prevention and Education Coordinator
Email: eileen.piccininni@duny.edu
Hennessy Center
Phone: (845) 848-7704 Mike Rogan serves as the Facility Manager for the Hennessy Center and Granito Center at Dominican University. Mike joined the staff in 1998, after five years at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn serving in a similar position in the Athletic Department. A graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications which he earned in 1987. He went on to get a master’s degree in Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy in Alabama in 1992. Mike resides on Long Island in Lynbrook, New York with his wife Amy and their two sons, Connor and Brady. Phone: Patrick serves as the Assistant Facility Manager for th Hennessy Center and Granito Center at Dominican University. Patrick recently joined the staff as of August 2022 and is also going into his 2nd season as Head Volleyball Coach for the Charger Women’s Volleyball Team.
Michael Rogan
Facilities Manager, Hennessy and Granito Centers
Email: michael.rogan@duny.edu
Patrick Ernst
Assistant Manager, Hennessy and Granito Centers
Email: patrick.ernst@duny.edu
Residence Life
845-848-7600 Derrick Hicks is a Higher Education professional with many years of experience working at private and public institutions to support student learning and success. He started his Higher Education journey as a Resident Assistant and then served in several professional leadership positions, including his most recent roles as Adjunct Professor and Director of Residential Education and Housing at Bloomfield College. He is a proud and native New Yorker that is excited to become a Charger and join the Dominican University community. Derrick received his B.A. degree from SUNY Purchase College and his M.S. degree from The University of Indianapolis. He is a servant and visionary leader that has experience working with nonprofit and for-profit organizations that span the sectors of Education, Entertainment, Health Care, Wellness, Social Justice, and Service to name a few. He is a lifelong learner that embraces challenges, celebrates individuality and values collaboration. Derrick is thankful to have had a previous supervisor that has inspired his professional motto which states “We work with students, not for students.” This motto has shaped Derrick’s approach to leadership and has informed the ingenious results that he’s been able to yield over the years. He has always been an advocate for student needs, positive change and doing the right thing. He has proven his ability to develop and implement creative solutions for complex issues when budget, space and other resources are limited. Some things that bring Derrick joy are a good laugh, spending time with family, traveling the world, opportunities to create, playing both video and board games, and practicing self-care. He appreciates the little things and enjoys learning something new, exploring the outdoors, finding great music to keep on replay, and participating in volunteer experiences. Assistant Director of Residence Life Graduate Assistant- Resident Director of Hertel Hall Ashley Brown was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. During her undergraduate years, Ashley studied Public Health, however, she found her love for residence life during her senior year. During her undergraduate years, she spent her time as a Resident Assistant, Student Ambassador, and Mentor. Ashley is working towards her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Communication. She enjoys working with a diverse campus community that will allow her to broaden her horizons and expand her experience in Student Affairs. In August 2022, Ashley was elated to accept a position at Dominican University in which she can help students flourish and help provide them with amazing experiences that they will always remember. Ashley is super excited to be a part of the Charger community and emulsified in the University’s culture! Some of Ashley’s “favorites” include baking, cooking, watching shows on Netflix, puppies, and her favorite holidays are Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Derrick Hicks
Director of Residence Life
Derrick.Hicks@duny.edu
Geoffrey Quist
Phone (845) 848-7420
Email: Geoffrey.Quist@duny.edu
Ashley Brown
Graduate Resident Director
Student Engagement
Phone: (845) 848-4031 After completing a year of study in the Dominican House of Studies in Rome, Italy, Sr. Barbara came to Dominican University as Director of Campus Ministry in the fall of 1988. Sr. Barbara earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Dominican University in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Education from the City University of New York. As Director of Campus Ministry at Dominican University, Sr. Barbara works to imbue the campus with religious values and services through planning religious celebrations, interfaith services, religious retreats, as well as providing pastoral counseling to members of the Dominican University Community. Some organizations that Sister Barbara has been involved with are: Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Organization of Rockland County, Outreach to the Early Childhood Center for Migrant Children in Goshen, N.Y., Midnight Runs, United Way Day of Caring in Rockland, Fall and Spring Blood Drives at Dominican University. Sr. Barbara has received the following awards: Sr. Barbara resides in St. Dominic’s Convent in Blauvelt, N. Y. Phone: (845) 848-4122 Dana joined the Dominican University community in October 2021 as the Director of Community Service and Leadership Development. In 2017, she graduated with her B.A. in Communications from William Paterson University and will receive her M.A. in Higher Education in December 2021 from Caldwell University. During her time in undergrad at William Paterson, she was involved in various student leadership roles which helped her develop her love for working in Higher Education. She has previously worked at Caldwell University in the Campus Ministry office which developed her love for working at a small Catholic college. She also loved connecting students with Service Opportunities and is excited to share that same love with the students at Dominican University. Dana’s office is located in Student Engagement, Casey Room 1. Phone: (845) 848-4034
Sr. Barbara McEneany, O.P.
Director of Campus Ministry
Email: barbara.mceneany@duny.edu
Sr. Barbara encourages outreach on the part of the students to meet community needs on and off the campus.
Dana McStowe
Director of Community Engagement and Leadership Development
Email: dana.mcstowe@duny.edu
Rachel McGinty
Director of Student Engagement
Email: rachel.mcginty@duny.edu
Location: Granito Center
Area(s) of Specialization: Management
Student Health Center
Phone: (845) 848-7917 Lynda Chesterman, RN, BSN, MA, ANP-BC, has over twenty eight years of nursing experience in college health, occupational health, women’s health and critical care. She served as the Staff Nurse Practitioner from 2001-2008 in the Dominican University Student Health Center and took over in 2008 as the Director. Board Certified by the ANCC, Lynda received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Pace University and her Masters of Arts as an Adult Nurse Practitioner from New York University. She is a member of both the NPA – New York State Nurse Practitioner Association and the ACHA – American College Health Association. In addition to her role as the Student Health Center Director, she has taught as an adjunct faculty member and is currently a clinical preceptor in the Division of Nursing in Undergraduate, Accelerated and Graduate Programs. Her professional interests also include wellness and health promotion. Phone: (845) 848-7923 Julie Albrecht, RN, BSN, MS, FNP-BC, has over twenty-one years of experience in internal medicine & college health as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She began as a Staff Nurse Practitioner in 2009 in the Dominican University Student Health Center, and prior to that worked in private practice for 10 years. Board Certified by the ANCC, Julie received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from University at Buffalo and her Masters of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Pace University. She is a member of the New York State Nurse Practitioner Association and the American College Health Association. In addition to working at the Student Health Center, she is an adjunct faculty member and clinical preceptor in the Division of Nursing in Undergraduate, Accelerated and Graduate Programs. On campus, Julie focuses on assisting students in becoming more active, and independent participants in their own health care, and coordinating wellness programming. Phone: (845) 848-7918
Lynda Chesterman
Director of the Student Health Center
Email: lynda.chesterman@duny.edu
Julie Albrecht
Assistant Director of the Student Health Center
Email: julie.albrecht@duny.edu
Denise Signorile
Administrative Assistant & Immunization Coordinator of the Student Health Center
Email: denise.signorile@duny.edu