At the core of the educational experience at Marist is our distinguished faculty.  Offering both sterling educational credentials and deep professional experience, these talented men and women are deeply dedicated to the education and development of our students.  The members of Marist’s faculty share their knowledge with our students, mentor and encourage them, challenge them to think in new ways, collaborate with them on high-level research, and help them become career-ready.  We hear from countless alumni who reflect back on the significant impact their professors had and continue to have on their lives.  Each and every day, Marist’s faculty prove not only that outstanding teaching and outstanding research can go hand-in-hand, but that great teachers have a lasting impact on their students.

Dean, School of Communication and the Arts

Jacqueline Reich
Dean of the School of Communication and the Arts
PhD Italian Language and Literature, University of California, Berkeley
MA Italian Language and Literature, University of California, Berkeley
BA Romance Languages and Literatures (Italian/Spanish), Dartmouth College

Art & Digital Media Department

Anne Bertrand-Dewsnap
Lecturer for Core Art History and Faculty Coordinator, Art History and Conservation Studies, Florence Campus
PhD in Art History, University of Pittsburgh
MA in Art History, University of Pittsburgh
BA in Art History, Smith College (magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa)

Steven L. Dana
Associate Professor of Digital Media
MFA, Painting, Lehman College (CUNY)
BFA, Graphic Design, School of Visual Arts, NY
BA, Psychology, Stonybrook (SUNY)

Chair, Matt Frieburghaus
Professor of Digital Media and Faculty Coordinator of Digital Media and Studio Art, Florence Campus
MFA, Computer Art, Syracuse University
BFA, Animation, Minneapolis College of Art and Design
AFA, Graphic Communication, St. Louis Community College

Joyce Yu-Jean Lee
Assistant Professor of Art and Digital Media
MFA, Maryland Institute of College Art
BA in Communication, University of Pennsylvania

Dan McCormack
Senior Professional Lecturer of Art
MFA in Photography, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
BS in Photography, Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology

Ed Smith
Professor of Art and Art Gallery Director
MFA, Columbia University
BFA, Pratt Institute

Courtney Wrenn
Visiting Lecturer of Art
MEd, Integrative Learning, Endicott College
MFA, Mount Royal School of Art, Maryland Institute College of Art
BS, Studio Art, New York University

Communication Department

Weranuj Ariyasriwatana
Assistant Professor of Communication
PhD, Communication and Information Sciences – University of Hawaii at Manoa
MA, Global Marketing Communication and Advertising – Emerson College
Bachelor of Economics – Chulalongkorn University

Zachary W. Arth
Assistant Professor of Sports Communication, Assistant Director of the Center for Sports Communication
PhD, Communication & Information Science, The University of Alabama
MA, Communication, State University of New York at Buffalo
BA, Communication/Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo

Jeffrey Basinger
Assistant Professor of Communication / Multimedia Storytelling
MFA, Creative Writing - Nonfiction, Oregon State University, 2013
BA, Film and Digital Media, University of California at Santa Cruz, 2006

Kathleen Boyle-LaBarbera 
Senior Professional Lecturer of Advertising
MBA in Marketing, Iona College
BA in Communications with specialization in Journalism, Iona College

Amanda Damiano
Assistant Professor of Communication
PhD in Communication, State University of New York at Buffalo
MA in Media Studies, Syracuse University
BS in Public Relations and Journalism, Utica College

Joanna D’Avanzo
Senior Professional Lecturer of Advertising
BFA in Advertising Design, Fashion Institute of Technology

Babette Fasolino
Visiting Professional Lecturer, Public Relations, Internship Coordinator: Communication & Media Studies
MA, Communications and Organization Leadership, Marist College
BA, Broadcast Communications (Radio/TV/Film), California State University, Long Beach

Christopher Garcia
Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication
PhD, Communication, Florida State University
MS, Communication and Media Studies, Florida State University
BA, History, University of Florida

Qihao Ji
Assistant Professor of Communication
PhD in Mass Communication, Florida State University
MA in Communication Studies, Bowling Green State University
BA in Journalism, Nanchang University

Chair, Kevin Lerner
Associate Professor of Communication/Journalism
PhD, Journalism and Media Studies, Rutgers University
MS, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
BA, University of Pennsylvania

Kathleen McNulty
Senior Professional Lecturer of Journalism and Communication
MA in Communication, Marist College
BA in Communication, Marist College

Chris Riviezzo
Interim Director and Visiting Professional Lecturer, Center for Sports Communication
BA in Communication, Marist College

Jennifer Robinette
Senior Professional Lecturer of Communication and Public Relations
PhD in Communication & Information Studies, University of Kentucky
MA in Communication Studies, Marshall University
BA in Political Science with a Communication minor, Marshall University

Shannon Roper
Associate Professor of Communication and Coordinator of Global IMC, Florence Campus
PhD in Communication/Computer-Mediated Communication and Gender Identity, Rutgers University
MA in Communication Arts, William Paterson University
BA in Communication/Public Relations & Advertising, Marist College

Leander Schaerlaeckens
Professional Lecturer of Sports Communication and Assistant Director, Center for Sports Communication
MA in Broadcast Journalism and Public Affairs, American University
BA in Print Journalism and Economics, City University in London

Subir Sengupta
Associate Professor of Advertising
PhD in Mass Communication, University of Georgia
MA in Journalism, University of Georgia
BA in Economics (Honors) and Mathematics, Jadavpur University

Wenjing Xie
Associate Professor of Communication and Director, Integrated Marketing Communication Graduate Program
PhD in Journalism and Public Communication, University of Maryland College Park 
M.Phil, Hong Kong Baptist University
MA, Renming University, P.R. China
BA, Shandong University, P.R. China

Fashion Department

John Bartlett
Director of Fashion Program
BA Harvard University, Sociology Concentration
AA Fashion Institute of Technology, Menswear Design 

Patrick Boylan
Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design
BFA in Design Education, SUNY Empire State
MPS, Global Fashion Management, Fashion Institute of Technology

Rebecca Brown
Professional Lecturer of Fashion Merchandising
BS in Apparel Marketing, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

DooRi Chung
Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design 
BFA, Parsons School of Design

Stephanie Conover
Professional Lecturer of Fashion Merchandising 
MBA, Fordham University
BS in Family and Consumer Sciences, Western Illinois University

Chair, Jennifer Finn
Senior Professional Lecturer of Fashion Merchandising & Entrepreneurial Studies
BS in Fashion Buying and Merchandising, State University of New York at Plattsburgh

Jodi Hartmann
Assistant Dean, School of Communication and the Arts, Senior Professional Lecturer of Fashion
BS, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Juan-Manuel Olivera-Silvera
Senior Professional Lecturer of Fashion
Leonard De Vinci Arts Appliqués, Villefontaine, France
École Supérieure des Arts Appliqués Duperré, Paris France

Scott Miller
Visiting Teaching Associate of Fashion
BA, Studio Art, Western Washington University, 1994
AAS, Fashion Design, Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY), 2001

Jamie Perillo
Senior Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design
BFA in Fashion Design, Fashion Institute of Technology

Jamie Ross
Visiting Teaching Associate of Fashion
BS, International Trade and Marketing, Fashion Institute of Technology
AS, Fashion Buying and Merchandising, Fashion Institute of Technology       

Sonia Roy
Distinguished Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design & Merchandising
MFA in Fashion Design, Academy of Art University
BFA in Fashion Design, Parsons School of Design

Richelle Valenzuela
Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design 
MFA in Fashion Design, Academy of Art University
BFA in Painting, San Francisco Art Institute

Film, Television, Games & Interactive Media Department

Dan Amernick
Assistant Professor of  Media Arts
PhD in Mass Communication, Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University
MA in Media Studies, Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University
BA in Mass Communication, Emerson College

Chair, Jeff Bass
Distinguished Professional Lecturer of Media Arts
MS in Computer Science, University of Chicago
MA in Communication, Regent University
BFA in Theatre, University of Illinois

Daniel Cox
Visiting Lecturer of Media Arts
MA, English, Old Dominion University
BS, Computer Science, Old Dominion University

Philip Scepanski
Assistant Professor of Media Arts
PhD in Screen Cultures, Northwestern University
MA in Film and Television, University of California, Los Angeles
BS in Radio, Television, and Film; Northwestern University

Karen Schrier
Associate Professor of Games/Interactive Media and Director of the Games and Emerging Media Program
EdD, Columbia University
MS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
BA, Amherst College

Music Department

Art Himmelberger
Distinguished Lecturer of Music, Director of the Music Department, Director of Instrumental Music, and Director of Bands
MAEd, School Administration, Temple University
BMA, University of Michigan School of Music
BME, University of Michigan School of Music

Malcolm Jones
Director of Bands/ Professional Lecturer of Music
DMA, Wind Band Conducting, Arizona State University
MM, Wind Band Conducting, Kent State University
BM, Music Education – Instrumental Band, University of Akron

Gavin Elliott Webb
Lecturer of Music
PhD,  Musicology, University of Ghana
MA, Musicology, University of Ghana
BMus, (cum laude) Professional Music, Berklee College of Music

Sarah Williams
Senior Lecturer of Music and Director of Choral Activities
MM, Opera Performance, SUNY Binghamton
BM, Vocal Music Performance, University of North Texas

Faculty Publications & Scholarly Activities

Scholarly research, dialogue, and creative activity are critical to any academic community. Through consequential scholarship, Marist faculty members strengthen the learning environment in their classroom and share important knowledge with the larger scholarly community outside of Marist. Their substantive pursuits reflect a dedication to academic excellence and to their own development as scholars and artists.

View this year's Selected Faculty and Student Publications and Scholarly Activities