University Events provides strategic guidance and event management services for high level, university-wide events hosted by the offices of the president, provost, advancement, and mission. University Events collaborates with these areas to develop events and programs that support the University’s priorities and mission, reflect positively on the University’s image, and foster relationships with students, alumni, donors, employees, board members, and other friends of the University.
The event team provides a variety of pre-event management services including strategy and logistics, protocol, scheduling, budget management, target audience development and mailing data, coordination and scheduling of communications, program design, venue selection and management, vendor selection and contract negotiations, menu planning, reservations, and seating charts. The Office of University Events seamlessly executes all aspects of an event including program participant/speaker/honoree management, management of program timelines, scripts and movement, special requests, staff and volunteer management, on-site event management, as well as post event analysis.
Managing over 100 ceremonial and advancement events and meetings, ranging in size from 25 to 20,000 attendees, the Office of University Events ensures academic tradition is maintained and event protocol is followed. University-wide events for which the team is responsible include: commencements, convocations, induction and award ceremonies, University Christmas Mass and reception, dignitary visits, academic attire distribution, dedications, groundbreakings, Investitures/Installations, anniversary celebrations, fundraising and donor events, Alumni events, Board of Trustees international meetings, mailing of the University’s Christmas card, and other significant high level events.
University Events also maintains the academic attire inventory, presidential honors and awards inventory, records of awards and honors and the archives of citations and other ceremonial materials.
The event team also works in an advisory capacity, providing general event planning guidelines to departments, upon request. For more information, please contact the Office of University Events at x6365.
Contact
University Events
University Center, Garden Level
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, New York 11439
[email protected]
University Events - Main Lines
718-990-6365 Ceremonial
718-990-2929 Advancement
718-990-7588 Commencement Information
718-990-1358 150th Anniversary Information
718-990-3118 Investiture
Our Team
Vice President and Chief of Staff
718-990-2401
Nunziatina A. Manuli oversees the University Events team and provides leadership, event expertise, and direction in the strategic planning and execution of University-wide events. She is the chief event manager for events hosted by the president and works closely with senior leadership to develop event strategies, schedules and individual event programs that support the goals and priorities of the University with a focus on the bottom-line.
As the event liaison between the departments and the president's office, she ensures all areas are informed of key initiatives and progress. In addition, she is responsible for the execution of presidential level events at the University's campuses located in Rome, Italy and Paris, France including board of trustee’s trips, dedication ceremonies, academic convocations and commencement.
Nunzia serves as a member of various committees and has participated in programs to promote the mission and values of the University. She has been a member of the President’s Society Committee since 2001, and in January 2014, was selected by the president to assume the role of chair and coordinator of the Society and Selection Committee.
From 2010 to 2012, she served as a member of the University’s Global Education Taskforce, which was formed to develop enrollment initiatives and academic program offerings on our international campuses.
Since 2010, she has been the chair of the Commencement Committee consisting of approximately 60 members and is responsible for leading the group in the execution of the University-wide commencement ceremonies.
She has completed the University’s Vincentian Mission Certificate (VMC) and Vincentian Mission Institute (VMI) programs.
In 2014, Nunzia served as a member of the President’s Investiture Planning Committee and managed the logistical and programming aspects of the events.
She is also an active member in various event, public relations and higher education organizations including CASE, NAACO, ISES, PRSA and ACCED-I.
Nunzia received her Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Albany and her Master of Business Administration from St. John’s University’s Rome Graduate Center.
Director, University Events
718-990-1362
Sandy Morocho works closely with the Vice President to execute and plan University events including Commencements, Convocations and various alumni and donor events. She is also responsible for supervising event managers on a day-to-day basis.
Sandy started at St. John’s University in 1994 as a student worker in the Office of Financial Aid and has worked her way up to Director in the Office of University Events.
Sandy received several awards throughout her career at St. John’s including the Administrative Outstanding Achievement Medal, Vincentian Mission Recognition Certificate and the Latino Women’s Achievement Award. She is also a member of the ACCED-I, NAACO and Who’s Who International amongst Professionals and a former member of Chi Sigma Iota.
She is a double alumna of St. John’s and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice and a Master’s of Science in Education in Bilingual School Counseling.
Assistant Director, University Events
718-990-7664
Noreen Pruyn works closely with the assistant vice president, event managers and vendors to ensure event and office expenses remain within budget. In addition, she maintains the inventory for all events materials and University-wide awards. Noreen also provides event support on the day of events.
Noreen joined the Office of University Events in 2013. She has recently joined the Vincentian Mission Cohort program and she is involved with a variety of service organizations within the community.
Data and Reservation Coordinator, University Events
718-990-6816
Delores Smith Mencarelli is responsible for creating and maintaining all reservation databases for events, preparing data extracts and overseeing all event registrations for events managed by the Office of University Events. She works closely with the event managers to ensure the highest level of service is provided to our students and alumni when addressing event related inquiries. Delores also provides event support on the day of events.
Prior to coming to St. John’s, Delores worked as an Event Coordinator at the Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center where she assisted with contracts for special events and room blocks, as well as reservations for special holiday events held at the Mansion.
Delores is an alumna of St. John’s and has a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.
Associate Director, University Events
718-990-2396
Kristen Ehrling has joined the University Events team to assist in the planning and execution of University-wide events. Prior to coming to St. John’s, Kristen spent 15 years at Hofstra University doing special events for the Office for Development and Alumni Affairs, most recently as Senior Associate Director. She planned and executed a wide variety of social, networking, and fundraising events including the annual Hofstra Gala.
She is an alumna of James Madison University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts and Design with a concentration in Corporate Communications.