Fredric Cohen

Sr. Jennifer Schaaf, OP

B.A. Music Education, University of Portland
M.A. Pastoral Ministry, University of Portland
D.Min. Doctor of Ministry, Seattle University

During the summer of 2024, Dominican University welcomed Sr. Jennifer Schaaf, O.P., D.Min., as the Vice President for Mission and Ministry.  

Sr. Jenn is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt and was an assistant chaplain at Saint Thomas More, the Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut for 11 years. 

With over a decade of experience in campus ministry and spiritual guidance, she is deeply committed to fostering spiritual growth and community engagement among students, faculty, and staff. 

Sr. Jenn holds a Doctor of Ministry from Seattle University, with a focus on Charism Formation in Dominican Institutions of Higher Education, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Portland, and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Aquinas Institute of Theology.  

Her extensive background in ministry also includes leading alternative spring break trips, coordinating student leadership programs, and providing pastoral counseling and spiritual direction. Her dedication extends to supporting the refugee community, providing pastoral care, and preparing students for important sacraments, such as marriage and confirmation. Sr. Jenn has held various leadership positions within the Dominican community, including work with the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate and the Catholic Campus Ministry Association. She frequently speaks on topics of spirituality and leadership development and presented at institutions such as Dominican University New York and Albertus Magnus College. 

“I am excited to take on this role, which brings together my past experience of ministry, my research focus on charism formation in higher education, and my passion for the future of Dominican life,” said Sr. Schaaf. “I know that I am following in the footsteps of many beloved sisters who have served at Dominican University throughout the years and shaped it into the institution it is now – one that truly cares about the students and their success.” 

Sr. Jenn’s passion for education, spiritual formation, and community service is reflected in her ongoing commitment to the Dominican tradition and Catholic higher education. 

Manuel Martínez, Ph.D.

In July 2024, Dr. Manuel Martínez was appointed as the first lay President of Dominican University New York.

As President of Dominican University, Dr. Martínez has immersed himself in campus life, meeting with students, faculty, and staff, while also being involved in community events and organizations. He is a member of the Rockland Business Association (RBA) Board of Directors, served as the Grand Marshal of the United Latin Parade and Festival in Haverstraw in August 2025, and was honored by the Center for Safety and Change during Hispanic Heritage Month in September 2024.

Dr. Martínez was born in Cuba and moved to Miami with his family when he was six years old. He began his career in the newspaper industry working in the corporate headquarters of what was then the second largest newspaper company in the United States, Knight-Ridder. Later, he worked extensively in Latin America selling heavy construction and mining equipment. At the age of 33, however, Dr. Martínez switched careers to academia to pursue his childhood dream.

Dr. Martínez holds a number of advanced academic degrees including: a Ph.D. in Spanish and Latin American Literature from the University of Cincinnati; a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Ohio Dominican University; a Master of Arts in Spanish and Latin American Literature from the University of Cincinnati; and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the University of Miami.

Before arriving at Dominican University, Dr. Martínez was the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Dean of Faculty at Mercy College of Ohio, a hospital owned college which was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and specializes in healthcare professions. Prior to that, he spent 18 years at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio, working his way up from an Instructor of Spanish to Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and finally Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Dr. Martínez believes in the importance of balancing the benefits of a liberal arts education with workforce development and wants to ensure that Dominican University students have the skills that they need to be successful in life.

Kevin Hermberg

B.A.– English: Fort Lewis College
B.A.– Philosophy: Fort Lewis College
M.A.– Philosophy: Marquette University
Ph.D.– Philosophy: Marquette University

In August of 2025, Dominican University appointed Dr. Kevin Hermberg interim Vice President of Academic Affairs. Kevin joined the faculty at Dominican University in 2007.  His research focus on 20th and 21st century European Philosophy (especially phenomenology and existentialism), but he is especially interested in putting various traditions and disciplines into conversation with one another.  He works primarily at the intersections of analytic philosophy, continental philosophy, literature, and natural sciences.  Dr. Hermberg’s teaching experiences and interests are similarly cross-disciplinary and include work in the natural sciences, literature, and  writing, in addition to philosophy.  Before joining the faculty at Dominican University, Dr. Hermberg taught at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Carthage College, and Marquette University.

Dr. Hermberg is founding editor (with Pol Vandevelde of Marquette University) of the book series, Issues in Phenomenology and Hermeneutics, published by Bloomsbury Academic Publishing. He is on the editorial board of American Association of Philosophy Teachers Studies in Pedagogy and is actively involved with various groups and associations, including:

See Professor Hermberg's Publications and Presentations

Publications:

  • “Not Just Accommodating: Pedagogy Beyond the Archetypical” (with Rory Kraft), in Teaching Through Challenges: Preparation and Adaptability in the EDI Classroom. Rowman and Littlefield, 2020.
  • “Diversity Is Not Enough: The Importance of Inclusive Pedagogy” (with Melissa Jacquart, Rebecca Scott, Stephen Bloch-Schulman).  Teaching Philosophy, 2019.
  • Philosophy Through Teaching, Philosophy Documentation Center, 2014 (book co-edited with Emily Esch and Rory Kraft, Jr.).
  • Phenomenology and Virtue Ethics. Bloomsbury, 2013. (book co-edited with Paul Gyllenhammer).
  • Variations on Truth: Approaches in Contemporary Phenomenology. Continuum, 2011. (book co-edited with Pol Vandevelde).
  • “Phenomenology and Virtue Ethics: an Introduction” (chapter in Phenomenology and Virtue Ethics).
  • “Husserl’s (even more) Social Epistemology” (chapter in Variations on Truth: Approaches in Contemporary Phenomenology).
  • Husserl’s Phenomenology: Knowledge, Objectivity and Others. Continuum, 2006. (single authored book).

Professor Hermberg has presented papers on the teaching of philosophy as well as on his scholarly research.  Recent presentations have been on a variety of topics, including:

  • Strategies for Pre-Emptively Smoothing [somewhat] the Waters of Gen. Ed. Revision (Association for General and Liberal Studies, St. Louis, MO)
  • Successful Gen. Ed. Curriculum Revision—One College’s Story, Process, and Strategies (Association for General and Liberal Studies, St. Louis, MO)
  • Inclusive Practices: Moving Beyond Accommodation of Neurodifferences, with Rory Kraft (AAPT International Workshop-Conference on Teaching Philosophy, Otterbein University)
  • Phenomenological Pedagogy: Teaching, Learning, and Affectivity (Interdisciplinary Coalition of North American Phenomenologists, Duquesne University)
  • Social Justice in the Philosophy Classroom,” with Rory Kraft (AAPT International Workshop-Conference on Teaching Philosophy, North Carolina A&T State University).
  • Husserlian Interdependencies: Consciousness-Embodiment (Interdisciplinary Coalition of North American Phenomenologists, Ramapo College, NJ)
  • Husserl and Others: A Pair of Pairings (State University of New York, New Paltz)
  • Plato’s Theory of Forms as a Guide to Living in the “Real World” (Association of Core Texts and Courses, Milwaukee, WI)
  • Husserl’s Social Epistemology (Collective Intentionality-VII conference, University of Basel, Switzerland)
  • Teaching God (and other “hot moments”) … issues and approaches (18th International Workshop-Conference on Teaching Philosophy, AAPT, Coastal Carolina University)
  • A non-defensive defense of philosophy (17th International Workshop-Conference on Teaching Philosophy, AAPT, University of Guelph, Canada)
  • Edmund Husserl and Social Epistemology (Conference on Phenomenology, Marquette University)
  • Phenomenology as Philosophy of Mind (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire)
  • Taking the Humanities to the Public (Carthage College)
  • Utilizing Student Web Sites to Intertwine Breadth and Depth Our Courses (International Workshop-Conference on Teaching Philosophy, University of Toledo)
  • Wittgenstein’s Form of Life (Marquette University)
  • “Facticity and Transcendence in Husserlian Phenomenology: Intersections and Interdependencies” (Interdisciplinary Coalition of North American Phenomenologists, Brock University, Canada).
  • “Living Well and Working Toward a More Just World: Plato as Guide and Motivator” (Colloquium of Dominican Universitys and Universities, Molloy College, NY).
  • “The Overlooked Others in Husserl’s Epistemology” (Interdisciplinary Coalition of North American Phenomenologists, St. Louis University, MO).

Michael Hoffman, B.S., M.B.A., C.P.A

Michael Hoffman was appointed to the position of Interim Vice President of Financial Affairs at Dominican University New York in November of 2025.

Mike lives in West Nyack with his wife and two children and is involved in a number of community organizations including being a member of the West Nyack Little League Board of Directors for the past fifteen years.

Education:

B.S. Accounting – Fairfield University
M.B.A. Finance – Fordham University
C.P.A. New York State

Work Experience:

Public accounting Eisner, Grant Thornton – senior audit manager
Lecroy – Director of financial reporting
Ziff Davis Media – Corporate controller
Parisi Sports Inc. – Chief Financial Officer
Major League Soccer – Controller

John Burke

John is a proud 1994 graduate of Dominican University, where he earned his degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Leadership Studies from Northeastern University.

In the fall of 2009, John was appointed Vice President for Student Development, and in July 2023, he assumed the additional role of Vice President for Enrollment Management, leveraging his extensive experience and leadership to support the university’s enrollment initiatives. In 2002, he was named one of Rockland County’s Forty Under 40.

Before transitioning into his current administrative roles, John Burke served as Associate Athletics Director and Compliance Officer. He also had a highly successful 14-year tenure as head coach of the Lady Chargers women’s basketball program and was named All-Met Division II Coach of the Year for the 2007-2008 season. Burke was later selected as the 2010 reciepient of the Steve Baxter Service Award and then as a 2022 inductee into the Dominican University Athletic Hall of Fame.

A lifelong resident of Rockland County, John lives in Pearl River, NY, with his wife, Tara, their sons, Ryan and Daniel, and their beloved dog, Rocky.

Joseph G. Valenti

Joseph G. Valenti joined the Dominican University community as Vice President for Institutional Advancement in July of 2019.  He came to the University with nearly thirty years of experience in fundraising and development.  He began his career as a development consultant with the Martin J. Moran Company and has served in Advancement leadership roles at Cardinal Hayes High School, Marymount College in Tarrytown, Manhattan College, Iona College and, most recently, as Vice President for College Advancement at Mount Saint Mary College.  He has been recognized by the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals with its 2018 Award for Innovation in Fundraising.

At each of the institutions that he has served he has introduced a variety of innovative programs that include planned giving programs, generational annual giving programs, comprehensive capital campaigns and numerous types of fundraising events.  He has cultivated relationships with many foundations and corporations that have contributed millions of dollars to the institutions that he has served.  Over the course of his career he has raised well over $100 million for worthy education institutions. 

He has served on several boards of charitable institutions within the greater Hudson Valley community, including the board of John S. Burke Catholic High, Catholic Charities of Orange and Sullivan Counties, The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Community Advisory Council of Sullivan 180.

Mr. Valenti holds a bachelors and a master’s degree from St. John’s University.  He is a native of Queens, NY where he received a quality elementary education from the Amityville Dominican Sisters.  The son of immigrant garment workers, Mr. Valenti has devoted his career to serving institutions that provide values-based education to students from underserved populations.

Joe resides in Putnam County with his wife, Louise, and his daughter Emily.