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. 

Dr. Manuel Martínez, Ph.D.

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 –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.

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

Anthony J. Cipolla

Anthony J. Cipolla was appointed to the position of  Vice President of Financial Affairs at Dominican University New York in July of 2009.  Prior to his appointment at Dominican University, Mr. Cipolla was Vice President of Finance at Gibbs College in Livingston, NJ.  During his six-year tenure there, he became well-versed in Financial Aid issues and managed both financial and operational affairs. In addition, Mr. Cipolla was responsible for overseeing and supervising Student Accounts, Bursar, Information Technology, Human Resources, Purchasing, Facilities and Security.

During his more than 20 years of experience, he has been employed as a successful senior financial executive at various manufacturing companies which produced complex products and served a worldwide customer base.  His most recent manufacturing experience came from Lafarge Road Marking, an industry leader in road marking paint and equipment, where he was promoted from Controller to Chief Financial Officer.  In this role, Mr. Cipolla was responsible for all financial matters as well as overseeing Information Technology, Human Resources and mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Cipolla’s academic credentials include an M.B.A. in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a B.S. in Finance from Seton Hall University.

Mr. Cipolla resides in Whippany, New Jersey with his wife Terry and sons Bryan and Eric.

Thomas Nowak

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean 

Thomas Nowak earned his Ph.D. in English Language & Literature from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, specializing in Renaissance and 17th-Century Literature, Medieval Literature, Composition, and Rhetorical Theory. His doctoral research focused on early modern religious and political discourse, culminating in his dissertation, “The English Gunpowder Plot Sermons, 1605–1651.”

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean at Dominican University has served in multiple roles during his 30+ years at the institution. He remains a member of the English faculty (Associate Professor rank) and was Department Chair from August 1995 through December 2005.

In 2006, Thom was appointed Director of the Arts & Sciences Division. In the fall of 2007, he was asked to serve as Interim Academic Dean for a semester and was subsequently offered the role on a permanent basis in the spring of 2008.

Beyond his administrative leadership, Thom served as Director of the University’s Honors Program from 1994 to 2001 and completed three separate year-long terms as Director of the University’s Writing Center. He has also chaired multiple faculty committees, including Academic Standards, Faculty Affairs, and Rank & Tenure.

Thom has played a key role in institutional accreditation efforts, serving as a writer for two Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation reports and co-chairing three others. As Academic Dean, he has overseen self-study reports and site visits for seven professional program reaccreditations, primarily in health-related fields.

At SUNY at Stony Brook, Thom held a full Teaching Fellowship for four years and taught various levels of composition courses under the mentorship of Peter Elbow and tutored in the University’s Writing Center. During this period, he also adjunct taught at Hofstra University and SUNY College at Old Westbury. Thom did his undergraduate work at the State University of New York at Binghamton where he earned his B.A. in Rhetoric and Literature and a Minor Certificate in Medieval Studies.

Thom currently resides in Orange County, New York, with his wife and children, Ruth and Max, along with their many pets—including three cats, a dog, two fish tanks, and a snake.