student life Staff

 

DENISE BENTLEY-DROBISH                                DIRECTOR

(203) 392-5782

BENTLEYDROD1@SOUTHERNCT.EDU

As the director of Student Life/Student Affairs, Denise Bentley-Drobish supervises the daily operations of the Office of Student Life, clubs and organizations, the New Student Orientation Program, and is the primary adviser to the Student Government Association. Denise earned her bachelor's degree in sociology from Southern Connecticut State University.

Shortly after graduating, she began working in Residence Life as a hall director, then promoted to area coordinator, and eventually the assistant director of Residence Life. During that time, she earned a master's degree in counseling. In the fall of 1997, Denise was promoted to assistant dean of Student Affairs where she assumed responsibility over all clubs and organizations. Denise has played an intregal role in implementing a comprehensive New Student Orientation Program, which has served more than 10,000 new students since 1998. In the spring of 2000, Denise was officially named the director of Student Life/Student Affairs.

 

SAL RIZZA                                                            ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

(203) 392-5168

RIZZAS1@SOUTHERNCT.EDU

Sal Rizza has served as the assistant director of Student Life since January of 2004. Sal graduated from Southern in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in English. Following graduation, Sal began his career in the field of higher education by working with the Department of Residence Life as a graduate intern, hall director, and assistant director. In his current position with the Office of Student Life, he is responsible for the club sports program and Greek Life program, and he coordinates Homecoming and Spring Week activities, assists with New Student Orientation, helps supervise the daily operations of the office, and assists with clubs and organizations. Sal is also an adviser to the Student Government Association and a chairman for Southern's annual Relay For Life Event. Sal is currently pursuing a master's degree in recreation and leisure studies. 

 

eric lacharity

assistant to the director

(203) 392-5782

lacharitye1@southernct.edu

Eric LaCharity joined the Office of Student Life in September of 2007 after spending his first year as an administrator in the Office of Judicial Affairs.  As the assistant to the director, Eric assists in the operations of the club sports program, oversees the Club and Organization Resource Room, manages the Office of Student Life Web site, helps supervise the daily operations of the office, and assists the clubs and organizations.  Eric holds a bachelor's degree in communication/video production and a master's degree in recreation and leisure studies.   

 

CHARLENE STACK

SECRETARY

(203) 392-5782

STACKC1@SOUTHERNCT.EDU

Charlene Stack has worked at Southern Connectciut State University since 1999 as secretary in the Office of Student Life. Charlene assists club and organization members and advisers in all of their endeavors. She is responsible for managing the student staff and provides administrative support for the director and assistant director. Charlene earned her bachelor's degree in communication in May 2007.

 

kim peterson                                                    graduate intern

(203) 392-5782

petersonk5@southernct.edu

Kim joined the Office of Student Life as a student worker in the summer of 2005. After graduating in May of 2007 with her bachelor's degree in mathematics with a concentration in education, she joined the professional staff as a graduate intern.  Kim works with clubs and organizations on their fundraising, event planning, and budgeting.  She is also an adviser to Colleges Against Cancer and the Annual Relay For Life event.  Kim is currently pursuing her master's degree in the urban studies program with a concentration in urban education. 

 

Kimberly Hronis      
Graduate Intern

(203) 392-7114
hronisk1@SOUTHERNCT.EDU
 

Kimberly Hronis joined the Office of Student Life as a Graduate Intern in the Fall of 2008.  Kimberly earned her bachelors degree in Communications from the University of Hartford in 2005.  After spending three years working as a Trade Specialist & Client Manager, Kimberly decided to change careers and pursue a her Master's degree in English with secondary teaching certification.

While attending the University of Hartford she worked for Student Center & Activities as a Building Manager with a focus on student programming. In her current position with Student Life, Kim's responsibilities include coordinating programs and activities and helping student groups with event planning. She also assists Greek Life and is serving as Student Support Consultant for an Inquiry Course in the Fall semester.

 

 

Felicia Valention                                            graduate intern

(203) 392-8965

valentionf1@southernct.edu

Felicia Valentino graduated with a degree in Interpersonal Communication & Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University in May of 2008. As an undergraduate, Felicia was a very active and involved student. She served as a Student Government Association Board Chair for two years, a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, and was a New Student Orientation leader for three consecutive years. In addition to her club and organization involvement, she was also a student assistant in the Office of Student Life.   

Felicia is pursing a masters degree in Community Counseling and has also taken on a new role in the Office of Student Life as a graduate intern.  As a Graduate Intern, Felicia's responsibilities include working directly with clubs and organizations and student leaders help their clubs run more efficiently. She also oversees club registration, fundraising, and helps to coordinate co-curricular programs that support the work of the university clubs and the mission of the university.