Faculty/Staff Bios
| ADRIAN JONES - COUNSELOR
Adrian has vast experience both in counseling and the Arts and Photography. Adrian has a BA In Information System and Business Applications and an MA in Photography both from NYU. He has led many workshops and has lectured in many institutions of higher learning such as NYU, Boston University, The School of Visual Arts and FIT. Adrian has had major photography projects with many well known magazines and companies such as Essence, Seventeen, Soap Opera Digest and Nautica. Along with his professional experience in the arts and photography, Adrian has also been an academic advisor at the School of Visual Art. |
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AMY MATO - COUNSELOR A 1987 graduate of FIT, Amy has industry experience in menswear design, merchandising, product development, sourcing and childrenswear buying. She’s been at FIT for 6+ years. |
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ANDREW CRONAN - COUNSELOR Andrew currently serves as the Director of FIT’s newly integrated Career and Internship Center. He arrived here in March of 2010 from his previous employment as the Executive Director of the Office of Career Services at Fordham University, which included oversight of the Office of Experiential Education. Andrew previously delivered and managed career programs at Temple University in Philadelphia for six years. Andrew earned a Masters Degree from Temple University in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Jacksonville University. |
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BONNIE RECCA - COUNSELOR Ronnie has a Bachelors degree from Stony Brook University in Political Science and Economics. She has over 20 years of experience working in advertising and media planning in companies such as N.W. Ayer and Bates Worldwide. |
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ELIZABETH FIELD - COUNSELOR Elizabeth earned her B.F.A. from Parsons School of Design, and is presently working toward a MA in Gastronomy from the University of Adelaide, Australia (on-line). She brings to her student a diverse background in design, fine arts, journalism and international relations. |
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ELLEN LITZAS – OFFICE ASSOCIATE Ellen has been with the IC since 1989. She graduated from FIT with an AAS in Textile Design. She also has a BA in Commercial Design and an MA from Pace University. Ellen has 16+ years of business experience and several degrees including Certifications in the areas of Curriculum and Instruction. |
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FELIX RIVERA-PEREZ – SECRETARY Felix assists students and faculty alike learning our new online program. He handles student records and issues. Felix is usually the first face you see as you enter the office. He greets all students, faculty and sponsors who call or enter the IC looking for information. Felix has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from Baruch College, City University of New York. |
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HELENE VERIN - COUNSELOR As an award-winning designer of home and fashion accessories, Helene Verin's work appears in countless books, publications, and television programs. She is presently working on a major book and exhibition on America's great shoe designer, Beth Levine. Verin has her BS in Art from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and an Arts Appraisal Certificate from New York University. Her designs are available at Designer Showrooms throughout the country and her classic "baseball shoes" for Keds continue to be one of the most popular shoes ever produced. |
| JAMES ROBINSON - FRONT DESK | |
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JEANNE GOLLY – COUNSELOR Jeanne has a Master of Arts degree in Textiles, Clothing, Home Furnishings and Retailing from Michigan State University. Her 38-year business background includes VP advertising and marketing communications positions at ING, Kmart, Bertelsmann, and American-Standard. |
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JENNIFER TRANO - COUNSELOR Jennifer has just become a United States Citizen after 30 years living in this country. Jennifer has a BA from London University. Her vast experience includes both teaching and an Admission Director at a private school in Manhattan. Jennifer has also worked at a major New York fashion company in Public Relations. |
| JILL ROBERTS – COUNSELOR | |
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MELANIE RUSH – COUNSELOR AND INSTRUCTOR Melanie has a BA in Journalism and a Master’s in Communications. Her industry background includes senior editorial, marketing and special events positions at Your Prom, Modern Bride, Brides’ and Bridal Guide Magazines. She’s been at FIT for 7+ years. |
| MYRNA WEISS - COUNSELOR
Myrna has more than 25 years of experience in international marketing and strategic partnerships which included companies in the fashion industry. She commenced her professional career in the field of education at the secondary and university levels. Myrna received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College, graduate degrees from Hunter College, New York University and post-graduate certification from the Wharton School. She presently counsels students in the Exhibition Design and Global Fashion Marketing graduate programs as well as undergraduate seniors in Photography and Visual Arts Management. |
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NANCY ROSS - COUNSELOR Nancy brings to her students years of experience in PR, marketing and communications. She has held senior positions in advertising, retail and education, creating strategic positioning and image development for people, programs, products and companies including BBDO, Germaine Monteil, Revlon, and JC Penney. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and a Master’s from Goucher College. At FIT for 16+years, she counsels students primarily in the areas of marketing, communications, home products, fashion forecasting and styling. |
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SONIA BATTISTA PAPALE - COUNSELOR Sonia's vast experience in the industry is a great asset to her students. She spent a year studying art at the University of Perguia in Italy. She began her undergraduate degree at Savannah College of Art & Design and has completed her Associates degree at FIT. Sonia has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years in such high profile companies such as Catherine Malandrino and J Crew. In 2007, Sonia launched her own contemporary women's sportswear company and has a website at www.soniapapale.com. |
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STRATTON BOULOUKOS - COUNSELOR A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, who also studied fashion design at Parsons in Paris and fine arts at Parsons in New York. He has spent the last fifteen years designing clothes in various capacities, and was one of the first designers to sell his line in 1987 to the then-new women’s division of Barneys New York. Stratton has appeared as the subject of a number of article about his work, style and design in the Sunday edition of The New York Post, WWD, W, Paper and the New York Times. |
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SUSAN PRESBY – TECHNOLOGIST / LIAISON TO THE SYMPLICITY DATABASE Susan is responsible for Symplicity, our new sophisticated online computer/data management system. She manages Symplicity on an ongoing basis including upgrades and new features, data integrity and archiving past semester information. Susan is also responsible for maintaining the Internship Center website. Susan has 20 years of experience installing and managing highly interactive desktop applications and supporting technology users. |
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SUSANNE GALVIN - COUNSELOR Graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a BA in Italian, having studied for one year in Urbino, Italy. Susanne subsequently earned a BS in Fabric Styling from FIT, and embarked upon a career in fashion lasting more than 15 years. Susanne's experience includes work as a CAD Textile designer, as a Stylist, and as Art Director for a Women's Sleepwear company and has had experience working in Trend Forecasting and Product Development. As a counselor, Susanne specializes in counseling students in Merchandising, Buying, Planning and Textiles. |
