Humanities, Social Science, Social Work & Education

Humanities, Social Science, Social Work & Education

Department Overview
The Department offers 11 different disciplines that engage you in a rigorous examination of the human experience. You’ll develop critical thinking and writing skills that are essential foundations for success in college and in life. Our course offerings, both online and face-to-face, provide opportunities for you to learn more about the complexity of the world and how meaning is constructed through rigorous inquiry. Our faculty are actively engaged in their disciplines and offer opportunities for you to learn in the classroom and beyond. You’ll be able to take advantage of practical fieldwork experiences, campus lecture series, professional conferences and service to the community.

The central teaching and learning philosophy of our Department is to offer programs of study that are intellectually challenging and diverse. The diversity of disciplines in our Department promotes an understanding of the interconnectedness of academic fields of study.

Our graduates have continued their education at such prestigious colleges and universities as the University of Pennsylvania, Drew University, Vassar College, University of California and Rutgers University.

Exploring the Human Experience

Are you fascinated by the human experience? Do you want to learn more about the people around you and help shape their futures? Explore the range of programs offered by the Department of Humanities, Social Science and Education. The breadth of courses offered, combined with an engaged and dedicated faculty, will create challenging opportunities for you to meet your intellectual, educational and career goals.

Degree Programs

Degrees Designed for Transfer to Four-Year Colleges (A.A.)
Education: P-12, Associate of Arts - Explore Careers P-12
Human Services/Pre-Social Work, Associate of Science - Explore Careers
Liberal Arts, Associate of Arts - Explore Careers
Social Sciences, Associate of Arts - Explore Careers

Degrees Designed to Lead to Direct Employments
Early Childhood Education, Associate of Applied Science - Explore Careers

Certificate Designed to Provide Specialized Expertise
Chemical Dependency, Certificate - Explore Careers
     Career Path for CADC, Substance Abuse Counselor, Chemical Dependency Counselor
Early Childhood Education, Certificate - Explore Careers
Early Childhood STEM, Certificate of Completion - Explore Careers
Human Services, Certificate - Explore Careers
Human Services, Certificate of Completion - Explore Careers

Online classes are an option for many Humanities, Social Science, Social Work & Education degree requirements.  Click here to register for online summer and fall college courses today!

Full Time Faculty

Bio

Instructor of Philosophy

Academic degrees achieved: B.A., Philosophy, Montclair State University; M.A., Philosophy, Duquesne University

Grants:
•    New Jersey Council for the Humanities.  Sponsorship for "Walk and Talk: On Nature" Philosophical Hike Series.  $3000.  Apr.-Sep. 2023.

Research Interests:
•    My research currently focuses on intersections between aesthetic experience, nostalgia, and the perception of significance from a (mostly) phenomenological perspective.  I am also interested in philosophy of mind more broadly.   

Bio

Instructor (Tenure-Track) - History

Academic Degrees Achieved:
Ph.D., History, The Catholic University of America
M.A., History, The Catholic University of America 
B.S., History, Corban University 

Awards & grants:
Excellence in Teaching Award, The Catholic University of America, History Department, 2017—2018
Research: I study the history of the family, gender, women, children, and sanctity in the late medieval west. My current research evaluates "parent-saints” who lived within Latin Christendom between 1150-1500. These “Parent-saints” achieved a reputation for extreme holiness in addition to (or perhaps despite) being biological parents. In my research, I engage in a close reading of the vitae (hagiography) of these saints, noting whether their duties as parents were seen as compatible with or hindering their claims to Christianity sanctity. In addition, I evaluate how gender shaped the expectations and practice of parenting in the medieval west. In addition to my current research, I also have extensive training and teaching experience in the history of the global, pre-modern world. I am particularly interested in inter-religious contact, borrowing, and conflict which occurred in the Mediterranean world in the late medieval period.  

Area of Expertise
History of the Late Antique, Medieval, and Early Modern Mediterranean, with a focus on women, gender, the family, religion, and society
Email
Bio

Associate Professor of Psychology

Academic Degrees Achieved: Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Northwestern University; Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; B.A., University of Michigan

Awards  -  Diversifying Faculty in Illinois (DFI) Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006-2009 -  Evelyn Hobson Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Fall 2008 -  Graduate College Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002-2005  

Research Interests -  My main research seeks to explore children’s representations, how children understand or conceptualize some of the biological phenomena surrounding them.  Most of my work has focused on exploring the input of different contexts (e.g., family, media, school, culture, religion) on children’s conceptualizations of life and death, including how cultural and/or religious beliefs play a significant role in the way they understand and cope with death situations.  I have also looked at how children’s representations guide their actions and thoughts.  More specifically, why young children commit scale errors, behaviors where young children attempt to perform actions on objects that are too small to accommodate the behavior at hand.

Relevant Publications -  Rosengren, K. S., Gutiérrez, I. T., & Jiang, M. J. (under review). Using mixed methods in developmental psychology: From scale errors to death.    Gutiérrez, I. T., Rosengren, K. S., & Miller, P. J. (in press).  In B. Rogoff, R. Mejía-Arauz, & M. Correa-Chávez (Eds.), Children learn by observing and contributing to family and community endeavors: A cultural paradigm.   Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 49.  Gutiérrez, I. T., Miller, P. J., Rosengren, K. S., & Schein, S. S. (2014).  Affective dimensions of death:  Children’s books, questions, and understandings.  In K. S. Rosengren, P. J. Miller, I. T. Gutiérrez, P. I. Chow, S. S. Schein, & K. N. Anderson, Children’s understanding of death: Toward a contextualized and integrated account. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 79(1, Serial no. 312), 43-61.  Gutiérrez, I. T., Rosengren, K. S., & Miller, P. J. (2014).  Mexican American immigrants in the Centerville region:  Teachers, children and parents.  In K. S. Rosengren, P. J. Miller, I. T. Gutiérrez, P. I. Chow, S. S. Schein, & K. N. Anderson, Children’s understanding of death: Toward a contextualized and integrated account. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 79(1, Serial no. 312), 97-112.  Rosengren, K. S., Gutiérrez, I. T., & Schein, S. S. (2014).  Cognitive dimensions of death in context.  In K. S. Rosengren, P. J. Miller, I. T. Gutiérrez, P. I. Chow, S. S. Schein, & K. N. Anderson, Children’s understanding of death: Toward a contextualized and integrated account. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 79(1, Serial no. 312), 62-82.  Rosengren, K. S., & Gutiérrez, I. T. (2011).  Searching for coherence in a complex world:  Introduction to the special issue on explanatory coexistence.  Human Development, 54(3), 123-125.  doi:10.1159/000329126   Rosengren, K. S., Schein, S. S., & Gutiérrez, I. T. (2010).  Individual differences in children’s production of scale errors.  Infant Behavior and Development, 33, 309-313.  doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2010.03.011 Gutiérrez, I. T. (2009).  Understanding death in cultural context:  A study of Mexican children and their families (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Illinois, Champaign.  Rosengren, K. S., Carmichael, C., Schein, S. S., Anderson, K. N., & Gutiérrez, I. T. (2009).  A method for eliciting scale errors in preschool classrooms.  Infant Behavior and Development, 32, 286-290.  doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2009.03.001 Rosengren, K. S., Gutiérrez, I. T., Anderson, K. N. & Schein, S. S. (2009). Parental reports of children’s scale errors in everyday life.  Child Development, 80, 1586-1591.  doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01355.x  Gutiérrez, I. T. (2005).  Young children’s storybooks as a source of information about death.  Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Illinois, Champaign.  

Grants -  NSF Funds for Young Scholars’ participation in ISSBD 2010 (Award No. BCS-1026915), July 2010, $2,500. -  Life beyond death:  Young Mexican children’s conceptions of the afterlife, University of Oxford/John Templeton Foundation Small Grant, Northwestern University, 2010, $25,985. -  NSF - Psychology Research Grant Fund, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Spring 2008, $2,000.         -  NSF - SBE Travel Grant, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, April - July 2007, $2,063.  

Editorial Experience -  Guest Editor, Human Development (2010-2011). Special issue on explanatory co-existence. -  Consulting Reviewer, Developmental Science, Infant and Child Development.

Area of Expertise
Developmental Psychology - Social Cognition, Developmental Cultural Psychology
Email
Bio

Program Coordinator
Professor - Human Services/Pre-Social Work

Academic Degrees Achieved: Ph.D., M.S.W., Rutgers University; B.A.S.W., Elizabethtown College

Measuring Quality of Life among Adults with Mental Retardation & other Developmental Disabilities (2005)  New Jersey's Self-determination Initiative: An exploratory evaluation   Voices of poverty: A content analysis 2011-2012 (2013)  "Preparing paraprofessionals empowering youth," a 3 year grant funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services. (2014-present)   

Area of Expertise
Social Work; Disability Services
Email
Bio

Assistant Professor - Philosophy

Academic Degrees Achieved: Ph.D. Columbia University; M.Phil. Columbia University

Timothy has taught in the Department of Philosophy at John Jay College and Baruch Colleges of CUNY. Timothy’s interests include Ethics, Technology, Philosophy of Education and Philosophy of Comedy. Timothy lives with his wife and son and an orange Tabby named Applejack.
 

Bio

Associate Professor of History

Academic Degrees Achieved: Ph.D., M.Phil., City University of New York; M.A., Northern Illinois University; B.A., University of Iowa

I teach courses in U.S., African American, and Modern Latin American history and am completing a book entitled “Haitian Refugees and the Rebirth of Immigrant Detention in the United States, 1973 to 2000.”

Area of Expertise
Twentieth Century U.S. and Latin America, Immigration, Race and Ethnicity
Email
Bio

Associate Professor of Education

Academic Degrees Achieved: M.Ed., Gratz College; B.S., University of Maryland, College Park; A.A., Centenary College

Doctorate of Educational Leadership, ABD, Fischler School of Education, Nova Southeastern University; Qualitative research study examining early readers and the implementation of intervention programs; Qualitative research study measuring student's perceptions of themselves as readers in the beginning and mid-year of first grade with regard to the early intervention program delivered; TEAGLE Grant; 3M Grant

Area of Expertise
Early Childhood Education, Birth-Age 10
Email
Bio

Instructor - World History

Academic Degrees Achieved: B.A., History, Madras University, Tamilnadu, India; M.A., History, Delhi University, Delhi; M. Phil awarded in International Relations by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Ph. D. awarded  by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

Awards, Research & Grants:

I was chosen to be part of “Hot Topics in History”, a workshop hosted by the World History Center at the University of Pittsburgh, 2019.

Two assignments that I created are part of the Humanities in Class Digital Library hosted by  National Humanities Center which is an open education resource platform open to educators at all levels.

Chosen to attend “ Energies in World History” workshop hosted by the World History Center at University of Pittsburgh, 2023. Complementary opportunity to attend the World History Conference in June 2023.

Area of Expertise
Instructor (World History), Dept of HSSE
Email
Bio

Associate Professor

Academic Degrees Achieved: Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Area of Expertise
Sociology
Email
Bio

Temporary Full Time Instructor

Academic degrees achieved: M.S., Cognitive Psychology - Florida State University, 2010; M.A., Public Policy, Monmouth University, 2018

Awards, research & grants:
Seton Hall University College of Arts and Sciences Adjunct Professor of the Year, 2015

Area of Expertise
Psychology
Email
Bio

Professor

Academic Degrees Achieved: B.A., M.A., Temple University; Ph.D., University of Chicago

Area of Expertise
International Relations, American Government, Political Theory, US History
Email
Bio

Associate Professor

Academic Degrees Achieved: Ph.D., Southern California University; A.B.D., Graduate Center of the City of New York; M.A., B.A., University of Wisconsin; Other Education:  Regents College (Nursing)  and University of Southern California (Gerontology)               

Selected Participant, Workshop in Nagasaki and Hiroshima on Atomic Bombings in 1945; Mid-Career Fellowship, Princeton University (twice);  Participant, NEH Landmarks Program, “History and Commemoration:  Legacies of the Pacific War;”  Recipient, Freeman Foundation Fellowship, “Teaching About Japan,” Tokai University; NISOD Excellence Award recipient; Participant, Summer Institute, "Infusing Southeast Asian Studies into the Undergraduate Curriculum" at East-West Center; Selected Participant for NEH-sponsored program "Cultures of Authority in Asian Practice;" Selected Participant, "Infusing Asian Studies into the Undergraduate Curriculum," East-West Center; Fellowship, Internationalizing the Curriculum Project, New Jersey Department of Higher Education; Fellow, National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute, "Columbus and the Age of Discovery;" Selected Participant, New Jersey Department of Higher Education Summer Institute on Multicultural Education; Invited Participant, New Jersey Department of Higher Education and Rutgers University, "Summer Institute on the Middle East;" Fellow, National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar for College Teachers, "American Journalism in a Historical Perspective;" Summer Fellowship, U. S. Department of Education Group Projects Abroad, "Jamaica:  Education, Culture and Economic Development Project"        

Area of Expertise
Sociology, Race and Ethnicity, Global Studies with emphasis on Asia and Middle East
Email
Bio

Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Academic degrees achieved:
Ph.D.,  Anthropology, Columbia University
M.A., Anthropology, Columbia University
M.A.A., Anthropology, University of Maryland
B.A., Anthropology and Geography, Indiana University

Area of Expertise
Human Origins, Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Introduction to Archaeology, and Native North Americans.
Email
Bio

Instructor

Academic Degrees Achieved: B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University; M.S., Ph.D., Ohio University.

Awards, Research & Grants:
Certificate for Online Teaching, Ohio University 2017
Scholarly Tool for Qnaititative Reasoning, Ohio University 2017

Research interests:
My research program focuses on Intergroup Threat Theory (ITT). According to ITT, prejudice is a function of two types of threat: realistic and symbolic threat. Realistic threat refers to concerns about the in-group’s power, resources, and well-being, whereas symbolic threat refers concerns about the in-group’s values, identity, and way of life. Broadly, my research suggests that majority group members (i.e., White Americans) respond to reminders of increasing diversity with higher perceived threat - symbolic and realistic. Although these two types of threat both predict increases in prejudice, research also finds threat-specific effects. For example, reminders of immigrants entering the U.S. workforce increases realistic threat for majority group members. In contrast, majority group members feel greater symbolic threat from Muslim Americans because of stereotypes about this group as not “assimilating” to mainstream culture (e.g., threats to American values). Students involved in my program of research have had opportunities to learn and participate in very important and timely research with respect to stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination.

Relevant Publications:
Howell, J. L., Sosa, N., & Osborn, H. (2019). The Need-Satisfaction Framework of Self Esteem: Self-esteem as a Monitor of Fundamental Need Satisfaction. Social and Personality Compass, 2019;e12492
Sosa, N. & Rios, K. (2019). The Utilitarian Scientist: The Humanization of Scientists in Moral Dilemmas. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 84, 103818
Rios, K., Sosa, N., & Osborn, J. (2018). An experimental approach to Intergroup Threat Theory: Manipulations, moderators, and consequences of realistic vs. symbolic threat. European Review of Social Psychology, 29(1), 212-255.
Osborn, H., Sosa, N., & Rios, K. (2017) Assimilation. In The SAGE Encyclopedia of Political Behavior. (pp. 34-37). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Sosa, N. & Howell, J. L. (2017). Ego-depletion. In Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. (pp. 1-3). Springer International Publishing.
Osborn, H., Sosa, N., & Rios, K. (revise & resubmit). Perceiving Demographic Diversity as a Threat: Effects of Interethnic Ideologies. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations.
Lindberg, M., Sosa, N., & Markman, K. D., (under review). They Lost So That They Could Live: The Meaning Making Function of Counterfactual Thinking. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
Thomas, S., Markman, K. D., Sosa, N. (under review). You are what you read: Experience-taking in story narratives predicts subsequent performance. Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology.

Bio

Professor - Education

Academic Degrees Achieved: Ed.D., Organizational Leadership, Stockton University; M.Ed., The College of New Jersey; B.S., Rider University; Elementary Classroom Teacher Certificate (N-8); NJ DoE Supervisor of Instruction Certificate; NJ DoE Certificate of Recognition; National Staff Development Council Academy XVI

Excellence in Teacher Preparation, Exemplary Faculty nominee, Showcase of Exemplary Practices, Office of Secretary of Higher Education and NJ Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers, First Higher Ed faculty nominee and attendee, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Teagle Foundation Grant for Civic Engagement, RVCC Faculty Lead; EDUC students earned Board's Service Learning Leadership Award twice for Teach2Matter at RVCC;  EDUC students invited to keynote MLK, Jr. Community Partners' Breakfast

Area of Expertise
Innovative Classroom Instruction and Professional Development
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Adjunct Faculty

Raritan Valley Community College online courses, as well as face-to-face classes, are taught by accomplished adjunct and full-time faculty.

 

Keilani Abdullah     keilani.abdullah@raritanval.edu
M.A. Sociology, Georgia State University
B.A. Sociology, Michigan State University

Frank Adamo    fadamo@raritanval.edu
M.S., Villanova University  
B.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro
A.A., Raritan Valley Community College

Craig Ally Craig.ally@raritanval.edu
A.A., Criminal Justice, Raritan Valley Community College
B.S., Fire Science w/Minor Law Enforcement Science Psychology, University of New Haven
M.A., Education, Administration and Supervision, Seton Hall University

Paloma Amar-Coleman    pamar@raritanval.edu
Licensed Professional Counselor
Master Degree in Couple and Family Therapy, Hahnemann University Hospital
B.A. Psychology, Yeshiva University

Anthony Baldino Anthony.baldino@raritanval.edu
M.PHIL., PHD., Columbia University Foundation School of Engineering

Courtney Battista Courtney.battista@raritanval.edu
M.A., M.S.E.D., Columbia College

Michael Beckwith  Michael.beckwith@raritanval.edu
B.A., Rutgers University
M.A., College of New Jersey

Liliya Borodkin Liliya.borodkin@raritanval.edu
B.A., Jewish Studies, Rutgers University
M.S.W., Social Work, Rutgers University

Michele Brennan Michele.brennan@raritanval.edu
M.A., PSYD, Argosy University

Bebe Brezanin-Brusky, LCSW      bbrezani@raritanval.edu
Post graduate family therapy training (1y);The  Multi Cultural Family Institute, Highland Park, NJ
M.S.W., Rutgers University
B.A. Psychology, Trenton State College

Jeff Brindle    jeff.brindle@raritanval.edu
M.A. Political Science, Villanova University
B.A., Rutgers University

Mark Brosky  Mark.brosky@raritanval.edu
A.A., Argosy University

Emma (Gina) Cannizzo    ecannizz@raritanval.edu
M.A. Philosophy, CUNY Graduate Center
B.A. English, University of New Mexico

Richmond Carlton  Richmond.carlton@raritanval.edu
M.A., Fordham University

James Clarke James.clarke@raritanval.edu
M.A., Ramapo College of New Jersey

Suzanne Draper  Suzanne.draper@raritanval.edu
B.A., University of West Florida
M.A., University of Central Florida

Isaac Dunn  Isaac.dunn@raritanval.edu
M.A., Temple University

Debra Ferro  Debra.ferro@raritanval.edu
M.A., Kean University

Lauren Frary  Lauren.frary@raritanval.edu
B.A., Rutgers University
M.A., Montclair State University

Ronald Gandelman     Rgandel@raritanval.edu
Ph.D., University of Massachusetts

Erica Greenwald    egreenwa@raritanval.edu
M.ed., Rutgers Graduate School of Education, New Brunswick, N.J.
B.A., Rutgers College

Daniel Gunn Daniel.gunn@raritanval.edu
M.A., West Chester University
D.M.I.N., Drew University

Megan Hart Megan.hart@raritanval.edu
M.A.; Org. Leadership, Regent University

Blake R. Heffner     bheffner@raritanval.edu
B.A. Government/Philosophy, Lehigh University
M.Div. Princeton Theological Seminary
Ph.D. Theology/History of Doctrine, Princeton Theological Seminary

Daniel Herman    dherman@raritanval.edu
PhD. Global Affairs, Rutgers University
Master of International Affairs, Columbia University
B.A. Political Science, Rutgers University

Sabrina Misir Hiralall Sabrina.hiralall@raritanval.edu
PHD., Montclair State University

Emily Hornblower Emily.hornblower@raritanval.edu

Gregory Hotchkiss, Th.D.     Gregory.Hotchkiss@raritanval.edu
Th.D. Anglican Studies, The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church New York, New York  
Th.M. Philosophical Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary Princeton, New Jersey  
M.Div. Professional Clergy Degree, The Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  
B.A., Thomas Edison State College Trenton, New Jersey 

Marcel Ionescu Marcel.ionescu@raritanval.edu
M.PHILM., Tulane University

Nicole Jacoberger Nicole.jacoberger@raritanval.edu
M.A., St. John’s University Jamaica

Lisa Johnston Lisa.johnston@raritanval.edu
B.A., History & Government/Law, Lafayette College
M.A., History, Rutgers University

Jessica Jungblut     jessica.jungblut@raritanval.edu
M.A. Sociology and Social Anthropology, Central European University
B.A. Psychology and Minor in Social/Economic Justice,  The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Jeff Kampf     jkampf@raritanval.edu
M.A. Holocaust and genocide Studies, Kean University  
M.A.T/Certification in Social Studies/Secondary Education, The College of New Jersey  B.A. History, Rutgers University  

Christian R. Kemp    ckemp@raritanval.edu
M.A. History, Brigham Young University
B.A. History, Brigham Young University

Heather Koenig  Heather.koenig@raritanval.edu
B.A., College of New Jersey
M.A., Princeton University

Brian Ladiny Brian.ladiny@raritanval.edu
B.A., Ministerial Theology, Oakwood University
M.Div., Divinity, Andrews University
D.M., Ministry, Andrews University

Charlotte Langeveld     clangeveld@raritanval.edu
M.A. Cultural Anthropology, Columbia University
B.A. International Business, Marymount College

Alicia Liss Alicia.liss@raritanval.edu
B.S., M.S., University of Wisconsin

Pamela Longo     pamela.longo@raritanval.edu
M.A. and Ph.D., University of Connecticut
B.A., Drew University

Edward Isaiah Malberg     edmalberg@aol.com
PhD., Candidate Northwestern Univeristy
M.A., University of Kentucky
B.A., Rutgers University

Kathleen Manz     kmanz@raritanval.edu
M.A. Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, Montclair State University
B.A. Psychology, Montclair State University

Joan McGowan  Joan.mcgowan@raritanval.edu

Patrick McNicholas     pmcnicho@raritanval.edu
M.A. Applied Sociology, William Paterson University
B.A. Sociology, Central Connecticut State University

Charles Miller Charles.miller@raritanval.edu
Antoinette Morales  Antoinette.morales@raritanval.edu
B.A., Psychology, Drew University
M.A., Psychological Services, Kean University

Deborah Morrison-Santana Deborah.morrison-santana@raritanval.edu

Joshua Moser    jmoser@raritanval.edu
M.A. History, Monmouth University
B.A. History, Monmouth University
A.A. Liberal Arts, Raritan Valley Community College

Dana Nelson  Dana.nelson@raritanval.edu
B.A., Psychology, Carleton College
M.Ed., Learning Cognition & Development, Rutgers Graduate School of Education

Adele Oltman  Adele.oltman@raritanval.edu
PHD., Columbia College

Sarah Ordway Sarah.ordway@raritanval.edu

John Paitakes John.paitakes@raritanval.edu
M.A., Education Guidance & Counseling, Rider University
Ph.D., Public Administration, Union Institute & University-Cincinnati

Marius Pascale  Marius.pascale@raritanval.edu
M.A., PHD., University of Albany, SUNY

James Paul James.paul@raritanval.edu
B.A., Sociology, Kean College
M.A., Counseling, Rider University

Anita Petersen Anita.petersen@raritanval.edu
B.S., Elementary/ Early Childhood Ed., East Stroudsburg University
M.A., Education, Seton Hall University
Ed.D., Administration/Supervision, Seton Hall University

Jo-Ann Carlson Piagentini    jpiagent@raritanval.edu
M.S. B.S. Special Education, and Early Childood, Elementary  Rutgers University

Marta Pires     Marta.Pires@raritanval.edu
Doctor of Education, Montclair State University
M.Ed., Montclair State University
B.A., M.A. Philosophy, University of Evora, Portugal

Mike Pirrotta     Michael.Pirrotta@raritanval.edu
M.S. Psychology, Florida State University
B.A. Psychology, Fairfield University

William Pisarra  William.pisarra@raritanval.edu
M.A., University of Minnesota

Queenie Reda  Queenie.reda@raritanval.edu
B.A., M.S.W., Rutgers University

Erik Riverson  Erik.riverson@raritanval.edu
B.A., Thomas Edison State College
M.A., Montclair State University

Andrea Romano  Andrea.romano@raritanval.edu
B.S., Special Education, Monmouth University
M.A., Educational Admin., Kean University

Giuseppe Rotolo  Giuseppe.rotolo@raritanval.edu
PHD., Foreign University

Nathan Schmidt     nschmidt@raritanval.edu
PhD in Philosophy, SUNY Binghamton
Masters in Philosophy, SUNY Binghamton

Adam M. Sherry    adam.sherry@raritanval.edu
M.A. History, Monmouth University
B.A. History, University of Hartford

Roger Shutack     Rshutack@raritanval.edu
M.Ed. History/Social Studies Education, College of New Jersey
B.A. History, Rutgers University

Lisa Slapa     lslapa@raritanval.edu
Psy.D., Chicago School of Professional Psychology  
B.S. Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology

David Sorensen  David.sorensen@raritanval.edu
B.A., Rutgers University
M.PHIL., Georgia State University

Charles F. Speierl     charles.speierl@raritanval.edu 
Ed.D., Fairleigh Dickinson University
M.A., Adelphi University
B.A., Dowling College

Ryan Staude  Ryan.staude@raritanval.edu
M.A., PHD., University of Albany, SUNY

Sharon M. Sweeney     ssweeney@raritanval.edu
M.A. History, The University at Albany
B.A. History and Political Science, The State University of New York at Albany

Vate Tchero  Vate.tchero@raritanval.edu
M.S.T., Rutgers University

Lindsey M Tonks     lindsey.marshall@raritanval.edu
M.S. Education, School Leadership University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education
M.A. History, Southeastern Louisiana University            
B.A. History, Southeastern Louisiana University

Nikolay Tugushev  Nikolay.tugushev@raritanval.edu
B.A., Temple University
M.A., Stony Brook University

Farah L. Vallera     fvallera@raritanval.edu
M.A. Sociology, Lehigh University
B.A. Sociology/Criminal Justice with English Minor, Centenary College

Richard P. Van Orden, Jr.     rvanorden@raritanval.edu
M.A. Early American/US History
B.S./B.A. Political Science/US History, University of Scranton

Eric Villepontoux  Eric.villepontoux@raritanval.edu
M.A., PHD., University of Mass Amherst

David Wiklanski     david.wiklanski@raritanval.edu
M.A. Behavioral Sciences, Kean University, Union, NJ
B.A. Psychology, Kean University, Union, NJ
A.A. Liberal Arts, Psychology, Middlesex County College, Edison, NJ

Susan Woolever  Susan.woolever@raritanval.edu
B.S., University of Illinois
M.A., Argosy University

Lydia York  Lydia.york@raritanval.edu
B.A., Theater & Speech, College of William & Mary
M.Div., Theological Studies, Chicago Theological Seminary
M.Phil., Phil. & Theological Studies, Drew University

Roger Young     harry.young@raritanval.edu
PhD., University of Memphis
M.A., Rutgers University
B.A., Rowan University

Additional Details

Enhance your college experience by joining one of the Department’s sponsored clubs including the Education and Philosophy Clubs. We also offer a Psychology Honor Society for high achieving students, PSI Beta.

The Department places a high value on service and many of the classes offer opportunities for you to serve your community as part of the curriculum. Fieldwork options are available in some classes enabling you to gain experience in the field.

The different disciplines host conferences as well as lecture and film series, providing you with opportunities to enhance your learning experience.

Career Coach – Learn more about career opportunities

Contact Information:
Cynthia Coulbourne
cynthia.coulbourne@raritanval.edu
908-526-1200 x8816

Latest News From Campus

News Releases RVCC Students Participate in “Little Scientists Night” with Local Youngsters Posted Tuesday, November 19, 2024
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Link to RVCC Students Participate in “Little Scientists Night” with Local Youngsters
News Releases RVCC Holds Kickoff for Statewide Initiative Focusing on General Education, Career Readiness Posted Thursday, November 14, 2024
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Link to RVCC Holds Kickoff for Statewide Initiative Focusing on General Education, Career Readiness
Blog The Beauty of Reinvention: Meet Adult Learner Vashaya Ramsey Posted Tuesday, November 5, 2024
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Link to The Beauty of Reinvention: Meet Adult Learner Vashaya Ramsey