University Advisement Center

Lorena Laverde

Assistant Director
Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
llaverde@njcu.edu
(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."

Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 9:00am-11:00am
Tuesday: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am-11:00am
Thursday: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Friday: 10:00am-12:00pm

RoseMarie DiStefano

Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, Global Business, Supply Chain
For Students with Last Name A-E
UAC: Vodra 101
(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."

Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 1pm-3pm
Tuesday: 10am-12pm
Wednesday: @School of Business by appointment
Thursday: 3pm-5pm
Friday: 10am-12pm

Ayannah Johnson

Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, Global Business, Supply Chain
For Students with Last Name F-Me
UAC: Vodra 101
(201) 200-2339
ajohnson19@njcu.edu

Ayannah's interests include social justice advocacy, Beyonce, sneakers, reading and traveling.
"I enjoy working at NJCU because of the diverse student population. I am an advocate for student success and building a sense of community on campus."

Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 3pm-5pm
Tuesday: 3pm-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-12pm
Thursday: @School of Business by appointment
Friday: 10am-12pm

Crystal Villavert

Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, Global Business, Supply Chain
For Students with Last Name Mi-So
UAC: Vodra 101
(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."

Walk-In Hours:
Monday: 9am to 11am
Tuesday: @School of Business by appointment
Wednesday: 2pm to 4pm (starting 10/16)
Thursday: 1pm to 3pm
Friday: 9am to 11am

Queen Gibson

Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Management, Global Business, Supply Chain
For Students with Last Name Sp-Z
School of Business at Harborside campus
(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."

Walk-In Hours:
Monday – Friday, School of Business & Economics: 8:30am-4:30pm 

Matt Lahm

Music, Dance, Theatre & Visual Arts
UAC: Vodra 101
(201) 200-3571
mlahm@njcu.edu

Matt's hobbies include drawing and painting, composing and playing music, writing poetry and prose, cooking, making wine, tennis, reading and politics.
"I like working with students because I love helping people realize their potential. It's a public service because we risk our future if we do not cultivate our most valuable resources: our youth. America needs smart and competent people."

Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 10am-11am & 2pm-3pm
Tuesday: 12pm-1pm & 3pm-4pm
Wednesday: 12pm-1pm & 4pm-5pm
Thursday: 10am-11am & 2pm-3pm
Friday: 10am-12pm

Courtney Chambers

Visual Arts
Visual Arts Building: A-120
(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”. 

Walk-in Hours:
Tuesday: 10:30am-4pm
Wednesday: 10:30am-4pm
Thursday: 10:30am-4pm
Friday: 10:30am-3pm

Kathleen Banks 

English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Spanish & Women's and Gender Studies
UAC: Vodra 101
(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."

Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 1pm-3pm
Tuesday: 9am-11am
Wednesday: 11am-1pm
Thursday: 2pm-4pm
Friday: 9am-11am

Daysi Romero

Psychology, Sociology, Media Arts
For Students with Last Name A-F
UAC: Vodra 101
(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."

Walk-in Hours:
Monday 9am-11am
Tuesday 3pm-5pm
Wednesday 11am-1pm
Thursday 11am-1pm
Friday 9am-11am

Gerry Lopez

Psychology, Sociology, Media Arts
For Students with Last Name G-N
UAC: Vodra 101
(201) 200-3279
glopez4@njcu.edu

Gerry's hobbies include running, training, writing, and drinking coffee.
"I like being a part of the NJCU community because we collaborate as a team to help students succeed academically."

Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 11am-1pm
Tuesday: 9am-11am
Wednesday: 2pm-4pm
Thursday: 5pm-7pm
Friday: 9am-11am

Cristian Vergara

Psychology, Sociology, Media Arts
For Students with Last Name O-Z
UAC: Vodra 101
(201) 200-2177
cvergara@njcu.edu

Cristian's hobbies include playing soccer year around and scuba diving in beautiful coral reefs.
"As a first generation and a proud alum from NJCU, working here has provided me with the opportunity to serve and have a positive impact in the lives of individuals eager to succeed in life and within the community."

Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 1pm-3pm
Tuesday: 11am-1pm
Wednesday: 1pm-3pm
Thursday: 9am-11am
Friday: 9am-11am

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Vivianne Jimenez

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, Computer Science, Mathematics (STEM)
For Students with Last Name A-C
UAC: Vodra 101
201- 200-2373

Walk-in Hours:
(coming soon)

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Josh Dornbos

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, Computer Science, Mathematics (STEM)
For Students with Last Name D-K
UAC: Vodra 101
(201) 200-2047
jdornbos@njcu.edu

Josh enjoys running, mentoring, leadership development, basketball, football, traveling and fatherhood. He is a member of Vroom St. Evangelical Free Church and New City Kids in Jersey City.
"I'm inspired by working with students aiming to better themselves, especially first generation college students who want to make a better life for themselves and their families."

Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 3pm-5pm
Tuesday: 1pm-3pm
Wednesday: 3pm-5pm
Thursday: 1pm-3pm
Friday: 10am-12pm

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Adrianna Rodriguez

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, Computer Science, Mathematics (STEM)
For Students with Last Name L-O
UAC: Vodra 101
201-200-2581

Walk-in Hours:
(coming soon)

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Heather Evans

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, Computer Science, Mathematics (STEM)
For Students with Last Name P-Z
UAC: Vodra 101
201-200-3292

Walk-in Hours:
Monday: 11am-1pm
Tuesday: 9am-11am
Wednesday: 9am-11am 
Thursday: 11am-1pm
Friday: 9am-11am

Lakeesha Conyers 

Criminal Justice: 0-74 credits 
UAC:Vodra 101
(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.”

Walk-in Hours:

Monday: 9:00am – 11:00am
Tuesday: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Wednesday: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am-11:00am
Friday: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Mohamed Kaifa

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

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!"

Syed Haider

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

Dr. Scott Fisher

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

Walk-in Hours:
Monday & Wednesday: 2:30pm-3:30pm, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Tuesday: 3:00pm-6:30pm

*Additional hours by appointment. 

Barbara Drew

201-200-3422
Vodra 101