Meet the Advisement Team

Who We Are

College of Education

Lorena Laverde

Interim Director of Advisement
Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
llaverde@njcu.edu
Virtual Phone Number: 201-471-6091
Virtual Call Extension: 132
Office Number: 201-200-3215
Vodra 101

Lorena enjoys running, shoe shopping, spending time with her family and is an active member of her faith community.
"I enjoy encouraging students to reach their goals, while ensuring they have a fun and positive student experience here at NJCU."

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School of Business and Economics

RoseMarie DiStefano

Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, Global Business, Supply Chain
For Students with Last Name A-J
UAC: Vodra 101
Virtual Phone Number: 201-471-6091
Virtual Call Extension: 138
Office Number: 201-200-2191
rdistefano@njcu.edu

RoseMarie's hobbies include soccer, drawing, hiking, snowboarding and scuba diving.
"I love working at NJCU because I learn something new from my students every day. I am passionate about student success and am thankful to be in a position where I have the opportunity to help students reach their highest potential."

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Crystal Villavert

Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, Global Business, Supply Chain
For Students with Last Name K-S
UAC: Vodra 101

Virtual Phone Number: 201-471-6091
Virtual Call Extension: 136
Office Number: 201-200-3382
carreola@njcu.edu

Crystal's hobbies include reading, eating, sleeping, drinking coffee, planning and most importantly: Mom Life.
"I enjoy working at NJCU because as an alumni, I believe giving back and sharing my experiences and knowledge with the future generations. NJCU students have the drive and ambition to be successful. I believe that we have the ability to unlock their potential."

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Queen Gibson

Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, Global Business, Supply Chain
For Students with Last Name Sp-Z
School of Business at Harborside campus
Google Number: 908-376-9802
Office Number: 201-200-3011
qgibson@njcu.edu

Queen's hobbies include reading, traveling, hiking, walking and missions.

"My purpose as an Academic Advisor at NJCU is to do my best in guiding and speaking into the lives of students and encouraging them to reach their highest potential by staying focused on their academic and career goals and aspirations. He/she can do it. It is achievable."

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College of Arts and Sciences

Courtney Chambers

Visual Arts
Visual Arts Building: A-120
Google Number: 201-200-3214
Office Number: 201-200-3214
cchambers@njcu.edu

If you combine an interesting book, a classic movie, a long walk, travel (preferably to a warm climate), jazz, or a good meal with family and friends, you have Courtney’s list of favorite things. 

“Helping students to be active participants in their education, to persist and achieve the degree they came for” inspires my work as an Academic Advisor. “When I help an NJCU student succeed, that accomplishment can affect more than the individual; it has the potential to impact everyone connected to that student”.

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Sandy Checo

Music and Media Arts
UAC: Vodra 101
Office number: 201-200-2279
scheco@njcu.edu

Sandy enjoys taking spontaneous trips to Target, watching horror movies, learning random new facts, and being a Mommy!

“I love working at NJCU because this has been my home since my undergraduate experience. There is no other place I have found where you can feel represented by the student body AND staff. Once a Gothic Knight, always a Gothic Knight!”

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Kathleen Banks

English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Spanish & Women's and Gender Studies
UAC: Vodra 101
Virtual Phone Number: 201-471-6091
Virtual Call Extension: 133
Office Number: 201-200-3569
kbanks@njcu.edu

Kathleen's interests include hiking, camping, Bible studies, genealogy, history, reading, music, art and literature.
"I like working with students because I enjoy being a part of their journey towards graduation. My heart especially fills with joy when I see first generation college students or students who have overcome adversity obtain their degree."

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Manica Jacques

Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work
For students with Last Name G-Z
UAC: Vodra 101
Office number: 201-200-2104
mjacques@njcu.edu

Manica’s hobbies include obsessing over her pets, sleeping, eating, music, laughing, drinking coffee, video games, and shopping.

"I like being a part of the NJCU community because of the wide range of students with different walks of life on campus and because I enjoy being able to help students make their visions become reality, by executing and achieving their goals, one step at time."

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Daysi Romero

Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work
For students with Last Name A-F
UAC: Vodra 101

Virtual Phone Number: 201-471-6091
Virtual Call Extension: 139
Office Number: 201-200-2184
dromero@njcu.edu

Ms. Romero is an advocate for survivals of sexual harassment and sexual abuse for Hudson Speaks or the Rape Crisis Center for Hudson County. She enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family & friends.
"I love being a part of the NJCU community to help our students discover their potential and succeed, and to provide them with the tools to continue with their career goals."

 

College of Professional Studies

Lakeesha Conyers 

Criminal Justice: 0-74 credits
Health Science: 0-60 Credits
UAC:Vodra 101
Virtual Phone Number: 201-471-6091
Virtual Call Extension: 140
Office Phone: 201-200-2023
lconyers1@njcu.edu

Lakeesha's hobbies include:  Reading, Exercising and empowering others through public speaking and teaching. 

"I enjoy working for NJCU and with UAC because I see a campus full of diversity in various departments and the student body.  The potential is endless, and I’m so honored and proud to be part of the change here at NJCU.”

 

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Mohamed Kaifa

Criminal Justice: 75+ credits
Education and Professional Studies Building: Suite 220
(201) 200-2416
mkaifa@njcu.edu

 

 

 

 

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Anna Scanniello

Fire Science
Education and Professional Studies Building: P-441
(201)-200-3370
ascanniell@njcu.edu

Anna's hobbies include swimming, working-out, traveling, motorcycle riding and spending time with family.

"Our students are driven and I enjoy working with them as a team to give them the tools they need to reach their goals and dreams! NJCU students and alumni are the dreamers, the leaders and they make the difference in our communities!"

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Syed Haider

Program Coordinator
National and Professional Security Studies
Education and Professional Studies Building:P-453
(201) 200-2386
shaider1@njcu.edu

 

 

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Dr. Scott Fisher

National and Professional Security Studies
Education and Professional Studies Building: P-449
(201) 200-2275
sfisher1@njcu.edu

Administrative Assistants

Barbara Drew

201-200-3422
Vodra 101