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ONBOARDING ADVISEMENT TEAM
Name: Ana Arias-Luna
Title: Senior Academic Advisor
Degree: B.A. in Psychology from Lehman College
Previous experience: Ana has been employed within the CUNY system for over two decades, undertaking diverse positions such as Admissions Coordinator, Office Assistant for the Psychology department, Graduate Coordinator, and Assistant Manager for the DegreeWorks project.
Fun facts about Ana: Ana loves crocheting and collecting rare coins and memorabilia related to the Yankees team. She also enjoys watching psychological thrillers.
Best piece of advice to younger self: "Don't let setbacks discourage you; they are part of the journey towards achieving your goals.”
Name: Ashley Falcon
Title: Senior Academic Advisor
Degree: B.A. in Anthropology from Lehman College
Previous experience: Ashley has been in an advising role since 2013 at Lehman College. In addition, Ashley has worked at after school programs teaching photography to middle school and high school students.
Fun facts about Ashley: Ashley's favorite book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Ashley's first concert was Justin Timberlake in 2007.
Best piece of advice to younger self: "If you wait on people to do the things you want to do, you will never get to do the things you want to do, so do it now. Also, study abroad while you can!”
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Name: Avery Forbes
Title: Senior Academic Advisor
Degree: M.A. in Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and M.F.A. from the University of Massachusetts
Previous experience: 5th grade Teacher, Prop Fabricator and Scenic Painter for film and television, Professor (Studio Art, Digital Art, First-Year Seminar)
Fun facts about Avery: In 2011, she thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, a 2,181-mile footpath that runs from Georgia to Maine. Her favorite animal is a penguin.
Best piece of advice to younger self: “Take care of your knees, you will not be invincible forever.”
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Name: Edwin Toribio
Title: Senior Academic Advisor
Degree: B.A. in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Lehman College
Previous experience: Tutor, Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, Supplemental Instructor for Physics of Sound
Fun facts about Edwin: He was born and raised in the Dominican Republic until late adolescence. He loves fixing and assembling any type of furniture, and he likes wearing funky socks!
Best piece of advice to younger self: “Do not be afraid to be yourself.”
Name: Emma LaFrossia
Title: Academic Advisor
Degree: B.A. in New Media from SUNY Purchase College
Previous experience: Customer service and Youth Group Leader for 4+ years
Fun facts about Emma: She taught herself how to crochet. For her senior project in college, she programmed a game called "Identity Chase."
Best piece of advice to younger self: “Don't stress yourself about the future. Stay focused on the present and you will get to where you need to be. Everything happens for a reason.”
Name: Gina Gaccione
Title: Director
Degree: B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies of Education from the University of Central Florida and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University
Previous experience: Before her current role as Director of the Onboarding Advisement Office, she previously served as the Coordinator for the Office of Transfer Services at SUNY Westchester Community College and Coordinator of Academic Programs at Florida Atlantic University.
Fun facts about Gina: She makes the best cereal, she once artificially inseminated a cow, and if you like guacamole, you and Gina could become best friends.
Best piece of advice to younger self: “Dear Younger-Self, invest in Amazon.”
Name: Jennifer Adler
Title: Academic Advisor
Degree: B.A. in English from Lehman College
Previous experience: Customer Service
Fun facts about Jennifer: Her favorite color is green. She loves all felines, but she currently does not have any pets. She loves to read and spend time outdoors, traveling on her time off. Born and raised in NYC, she loves exploring new areas and trying new things. The majority of her time as an Undergrad student, she went part time and she feels that there is a path for everyone, but you sometimes have to create it. Bucket list: Travel more, sky dive (she’s afraid of heights), ride a motorcycle, and continue adding things to her list!
Best piece of advice to younger self: “It will get better. Life is not always a straight line, and just because you can’t see an opportunity coming towards you does not mean it’s not on its way.”
Name: Kelly Olivo
Title: Senior Academic Advisor
Degree: B.A. in Psychology from Iona University
Previous experience: Supplemental Instructor, College Assistant, Career Planning Center Secretary, ASAP Program Coordinator, ACE Program Assistant, and ACE Academic Advisor.
Fun facts about Kelly: Kelly loves bike riding, going to concerts, and traveling.
Best piece of advice to younger self: "Be proud of yourself for how far you’ve come, and never stop pushing to be the best you can be.”
Name: Patrice Pickett
Title: Office Administrative Assistant
Previous experience: Patrice has worked in the private and CUNY system for over 30 years.
Fun facts about Patrice: She loves serving her community including participating in doing pantry at her Church, always giving 100% at what she does. Patrice loves to travel and her favorite thing about traveling is going on cruises.
Best piece of advice to younger self: “Tomorrow is not promised. Live your life to the fullest and do not allow your past circumstances determine your future!"
Name: Roberto E. Ventura
Title: Senior Academic Advisor
Degree: B.F.A. in Dance-Theater at Lehman College
Previous experience: Campus Field Coordinator
Fun facts about Roberto: He likes to walk on bridges when it’s a nice spring or summer day. When he was younger, he would have reunions with his extended family and have a picnic either at a park or go to the beach to enjoy the summer sun.
Best piece of advice to younger self: “Lead life with passion, never allow others to rob your joy. You are precious, exciting, and eager to help out others. Make sure you create time for yourself, and do your best to balance play time, and spending time with family and friends.”
Name: Suzette Badana
Title: Academic Advisor
Degree: B.B.A. in Marketing Management from the Zicklin School of Business of Baruch College
Previous experience: Account Manager, administrative and tutoring experience for elementary
Fun facts about Suzette: Her favorite book is Harry Potter. She prefers beach over mountains.
Best piece of advice to younger self: “Enjoy every moment, there is absolutely no rush. Never stress the little things.”
Name: Zenaida Bough
Title: Assistant Director
Degree: B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Liberal Studies from Lehman College
Previous experience: Has worked at Lehman since 2002 in various roles: Assistant Director of Freshman Year Initiative (FYI) program, and Adjunct Lecturer for English and Freshman Seminar
Fun facts about Zenaida: She has taught herself how to do most of her own home renovations. She loves home projects and has a pretty impressive collection of power tools. She makes most of her own jewelry, and when she gets tired of a piece she’s made, she just breaks it down for parts and creates something new.
Best piece of advice to younger self: “You cannot control how others behave, but you can control how you respond, and that is all that matters.”