student life Staff

 

DENISE BENTLEY-DROBISH

DIRECTOR

(203) 392-5782

BENTLEYDROD1@SOUTHERNCT.EDU

As the Director of Student Life, 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 was 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 on campus. Denise has played an integral 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.

 

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 and also holds a master's degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies. 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 and Greek Life programs, as well as coordinating Homecoming and Spring Week activities, assisting with New Student Orientation, helping supervise the daily operations of the Office of Student Life, and assisting 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.

 

 

DAWN STANTON-HOLMES
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

(203) 392-5501
holmesd3@southernct.edu

Mrs. Stanton-Holmes was hired by the university in 1990 as a residence hall director and later as Assistant Director of Residence Life, where she gained an extensive background in student services and facilities management.  She has been the Assistant Director of the University Student Center since 1996. In the Fall of 2009, she joined the Office of Student Life as the Assistant Director.

As the primary coordinator of student activities for the University Student Center, her job is to implement programs that will enhance the educational, cultural, social, and personal development of students.  She is the adviser to Programs Council, Steppin' Up Drill Team, Men About Business, and the SCSU Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  She is a member of the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), Association for Programming and Activities (APCA), and the Association of College Unions International (ACUI).  Other responsibilities include coordinating Commuter Student Services, assisting with the overall supervision and operation of the Student Center, and being involved with numerous campus committees. 

 

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 website, and helps supervise the daily operations of the office. In the fall of 2009, Eric became the Director of the new Office of Campus Recreation.  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 Connecticut 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.

 

JOanne Gandolfi

Student Life Receptionist

(203) 392-5782

Gandolfij1@southernct.edu

Joanne Gandolfi started her career at Southern Connecticut State University in January 1991 as a clerk-typist in the Bursar's Office.  Joanne did accounts payable work during her tenure there for two and a half years.  Upon moving on to the Student Center in August 1994, she enjoyed working for over 13 years as a secretary.  She worked closely with Programs Council, organizing various on and off-campus activities.  In 2007, she took her career in a new direction and gained experience working in the Health Services department to assist staff and sick students.  

Recently, she relocated to the Office of Student Life as the main receptionist.  She is very excited to continue serving students at Southern, working with their clubs and organizations, and supporting the various events on campus.

 

Felicia Valentino                                            graduate intern

(203) 392-8998

valentinof1@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 master's degree in Community Counseling and has also taken on a new role in the Office of Student Life as a Graduate Intern.  With her new position, Felicia's responsibilities include working directly with student leaders to help their clubs and organizations run more efficiently. She also oversees club registration, fundraising, and helps to coordinate co-curricular programs that support the work of SCSU's clubs and organizations, as well as the mission of the university.  

 

Richard Durkee

Graduate Intern

Campus Recreation

(203) 392-5792

Durkeer2@southernct.edu

Rich graduated from Mitchell College in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management.  Immediately following graduation, he began his career at Mitchell College, assuming the role of gym manager for their new fitness center. Currently, Rich is pursuing his master's degree in Recreation and Leisure while working in the Office of Campus Recreation. As a Graduate Intern for Campus Recreation, he will be assisting in the development of both on and off-campus recreational activities, intramural  programs, and the Club Sports program. 

 

Andrew Marvin

Graduate Intern

FYE & Leadership

(203) 392-7114

marvina1@southernct.edu

 

Andrew Marvin graduated from Sacred Heart University in May of 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a concentration in Writing.  During his time at Sacred Heart, Andrew began his involvement in Student Affairs as a work-study assistant in the Student Union before deciding to apply for a management position. After being hired as a Student Union Manager at the beginning of his sophomore year, Andrew oversaw a variety of areas on campus, including Sacred Heart's shuttle services, Hawley Lounge & Game Room, Outpost Pub, ID Office, and their respective work-study staffs while serving as a model of customer service for students, parents and faculty. Upon completing his first year as a SUM, Andrew was awarded Student Union Employee of the Year, and would go on to enjoy two more years of service as a student leader on campus.

Andrew is currently continuing his education by pursuing his Master of Arts degree in English at Southern Connecticut State University. He was hired as one of the new Graduate Interns for the Office of Student Life in August of 2009 and is focusing on developing the First Year Experience (FYE) Program and promoting overall student leadership. 

 

 

Anthony Ayala

Graduate Intern

Programming

(203) 392-8965

ayalaa2@southernct.edu

Anthony Ayala graduated with a degree in Marketing from Southern
Connecticut State University in December of 2008. As an undergraduate, Anthony was a very active and involved student. He served as a Student Government Association Board Chair for two and a half years, a Certified Student Leader, and was a New Student Orientation Leader for two consecutive years. In addition to his club and organization involvement, he was also a student assistant in the Office of Student Life.

Anthony is pursing a master's degree in Business Administration and has also taken on a new role in the Office of Student Life as a graduate intern.  As a Graduate Intern, Anthony's responsibilities include working directly with clubs, organizations, and student leaders to coordinate co-curricular programs that support the work SCSU's student groups, as well as the mission of the university.