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, Programs Council 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
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
(203) 392-5168
RIZZAS1@SOUTHERNCT.EDU
Sal Rizza has served as the Associate 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 Greek Life program, as well as coordinating community service and leadership activities, events, and programs, 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, Colleges Against Cancer, and CIAO Italian Club.
eric lacharity
assistant 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 Director, Eric assists coordinates the club sports program, intramurals 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 Cammarasana
SECRETARY
(203) 392-5782
cammarasanc1@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.
J
Oanne Gandolfi
Student Life Secretary
(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 secretary. She is very excited to continue serving students at Southern, working with their clubs and organizations, and supporting the various events on campus.
Stephanie Guerrera
Graduate Intern
(203) 392-5782
guerreras2@southernct.edu
Stephanie graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2008 with her Bachelor's Degree in Theater Arts. A native of New Haven, Stephanie has returned to Connecticut for her Masters. As an undergrad Stephanie was heavily involved in student affairs, an active member in her sorority and in the campus culture. She participated in and coordinated many community service events and took on leadership roles. Upon graduating, Stephanie worked in corporate communications and sales for two years where she was promoted and rewarded for her skills in sales and customer service.
Stephanie is currently continuing her education by pursuing her Master of Science degree in English at Southern Connecticut State University. She was hired as one of the new Graduate Interns for the Office of Student Life in August of 2010 and is assisting with various programming initiatives and Greek Life within the Office of Student Life.
WILLIAM O'BRIEN
Graduate Intern
(203) 392-5720
OBRIENW3@southernct.edu
William graduated from the State University of New York College at Geneseo in May of 2011 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. As an undergrad William was an involved member of multiple clubs and organizations on campus. Most notably, he was the president of the Alpine Ski Racing team. William also captained numerous intramural sports teams.
William is pursuing a master's degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sport Psychology at Southern Connecticut State University. William was hired as the new Graduate Intern for the Office of Student Life in August of 2011 and is working in the Office of Campus Recreation. In this role, he is coordinating the Intramural sports program, assisting with management of Club Sports teams and is working with the Office of Student Life on anything and everything.
Kristina Santoro
Graduate Intern
(203) 392-5714
SANTOROK3@owls.southernct.edu
Kristina joined the Office of Student Life staff in August 2011. As a Graduate Intern a large part of per responsibilities include overseeing all fundraising activities, helping to organize various large scale events such as Day of Service and World AIDS Day, and serving as an advisor to several organizations and planning committees. Kristina graduated Wagner College in 2009 with a B.A. in English and a minor in Education. She is currently enrolled in a 200hr Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Certification course, and at SCSU is working towards certification in Secondary Foreign Language Education with a concentration in German.
Nikki Hutchinson
Graduate Intern
(203) 392-7114
HUTCHINSONN1@owls.southernct.edu
Nikki graduated with a bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in Wellness from Southern Connecticut State University in May of 2011. As an undergraduate, Nikki was an active member in Programs Council for many years and eventually took on a leadership role as one of the Senior Programmers. In addition to being a full-time student and being her involved in a growing organization, she was also a student worker at the Information Desk and in the Game Room of the Adanti Student Center.
Nikki is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Education. She is continuing her education in hopes that one day she will become a director of her own daycare facility. Until then, Nikki is developing her character and broadening her skill set as a Graduate Intern in the Office of Student Life. This opportunity has allowed Nikki to discover her passion for student activities and to expand her knowledge regarding a range of programming initiatives.
Kaitlyn Hoffmann
Graduate Intern
(203) 392-5782
HoffmaNNk1@owls.southernct.edu
Kaitlyn graduated with a bachelors degree in Liberal Studies from Southern Connecticut State University in December of 2011. As an undergraduate, Kaitlyn served in several key roles in the New Student Orientation and First-Year Experience program including as an Orientation Ambassador, Peer Mentor, Senior Orientation Ambassador and Student Orientation Coordinator. She was also very active in Fraternity and Sorority Life serving as the President of her sorority, Omega Zeta Pi andTreasurer of the Greek Life Council. In addition to being a full-time student and being an active student leader, she was also a student assistant in the Office of Student Life.
Kaitlyn is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Sociology. Her responsibilities include coordinating different aspects of the New Student Orientation program and assisting clubs and organizations.
