Center for Student Success
What We Do
The Center for Student Success is a one-stop hub of resources for first-year students, inclusive of academic and career advising, academic achievement resources and tutoring, mentoring and other first-year transition programs.
Our dedicated team seeks to initiate and maintain an on-going relationship with students focused on achieving success at St. John’s University both inside and outside of the classroom.
Whether you are a future or current first-year student, a parent, family member or supporter, or a guidance counselor, we are excited that you wish to learn more about the Center for Student Success and hope you enjoy viewing our site.
Academic Advising
The Center for Student Success provides first-year students with personalized academic planning and advisement, including course registration.
First-Year Transition Programs
We aim to provide first-year students opportunities for mentoring, community-building and co-curricular opportunities for student learning and engagement
Academic Achievement
To ensure a student's achievement in the classroom we provide peer tutoring and other resources to help students hone their academic skills
Case Management
Our Case Management team helps students navigate resources on- and off-campus. We do this by:
Engaging in crisis prevention and intervention
Responding to concerns from the campus community about students in distress
Assisting students in identifying options to address challenges and barriers to success
Promoting growth in self-advocacy while connecting students to campus and community resources
Providing opportunities for students to develop critical thinking skills
Major Exploration
Students are encouraged to connect for support and guidance for exploration of major options and foundation of career readiness
Meet the Team
Joni O'Hagan
Executive Director of the Center for Student Success
First-Year Academic Advising
Dr. Charles C. Pizzo
Director of First-Year Academic Advising
Jennifer L. Newsom
Associate Director of First-Year Academic Advising
Alison Celaya
Associate Director of First-Year Academic Advising
Anna Donnelly
Associate Director of First-Year Academic Advising / Director of Student Support Services, Division of Special and Opportunity Programs
Gerri Vopelak
Assistant Director of First-Year Academic Advising
David Duryea
Assistant Director of First-Year Academic Advising
Udeshika Abeysena
Assistant Director of First-Year Academic Advising
David Strauss
Assistant Director of First-Year Academic Advising
Sean Dantzler
Assistant Director of First-Year Academic Advising
Thomas Boehrer
Assistant Director of First-Year Academic Advising & Student Support Services Advisor
Halima Camara
Academic Support Services Advisor
First-Year Programs
Sarah Braden
Director of First-Year Programs
Gerard Fabian Cajas
Associate Director of First-Year Programs
Stephanie Ramsey
Assistant Director of First-Year Programs
Academic Achievement
Alexandra Marquez
Director of Academic Achievement
Melissa Tirelli
Assistant Director of Academic Achievement
Mario Cornejo
Assistant Director of Academic Achievement
Linda Dersch
PT Office Assistant
First-Year Career Advising
Bernice Swinton
Assistant Director, First-Year Career Advising
Towanda Wall-Palmer
Assistant Director, First-Year Career Advising
Case Management
Princess Britta Gay-Henderson
Case Manager
Department Support
Betzaida Gonzalez
Support Staff
Amanda Rose
Support Staff
Rosalba Basso
Support Staff