Academic advising: Selecting programs and courses

Dean of Academic Success and Advising Center

• B.A., English, Writing Concentration; College of Saint Elizabeth
• M.A, English; Fordham University
• M.Phil., English, Composition and Rhetoric Concentration; The Graduate Center of the City University of New York
• PhD., English, Composition and Rhetoric Concentration; The Graduate Center of the City University of New York
• Advanced Certificate, Women’s Studies; Center for the Study of Women and Society, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York

Dr. Erin Andersen is the Dean of Academic Success and the Director of The Writing Collaboratory, Centenary University’s writing center. Formerly an English adjunct at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY and the developer of an online writing tutor program at Saint Elizabeth University, Dr. Andersen has dedicated her research, teaching, and administrative work to helping student writers navigate expectations of composing in the university using inclusive pedagogical frameworks.

Her research interests, focused on feminist, queer, and social justice paradigms in writing education, are evident in her dissertation, “Assessing the Cyborg Center: Assemblage-Based, Feminist Frameworks Toward Socially-Just Writing Center Assessments,” which uses archival methods and critical discourse analysis to examine a case study of one writing center’s assessment practices, making connections between writing center studies, assessment research, and intersectional feminist approaches to assemblage theory to foreground arguments for assemblage-based antiracist assessment protocols in writing centers.

Director of Veteran Services

• A.A. Humanities, County College of Morris
• B.A. Individualized Studies, Centenary University

Margie joined the Centenary Community in 2006 as the Administrative Assistant in the Academic Success and Advising Center. She was assigned the veteran/veteran dependent student population in 2007. The “one-stop” Office of Veteran Services became official in 2012 with Margie as its first director. She is the primary point of contact for Centenary’s student veterans/veteran dependents, as well as those veterans/veteran dependents living in the greater Hackettstown community.

As the Director of Veteran Services, Margie is committed to assisting this very deserving population in navigating the internal and external systems of higher education and government agencies, so they can maximize their education benefits and all other available services and resources.

Director of Academic Success & Advising

• B.A. English, Minor: Environmental Science, William Paterson University
• M.A. English, Montclair State University

Abbie has worked in higher education for numerous years. While pursuing her master’s degree at Montclair State University, Abbie worked at Centenary University as a Professional Tutor where she was able to engage and work with students on a daily basis.

Additionally, she taught Developmental English at Middlesex County College for three years, as well as academic strategy courses at Northampton Community College and Centenary University. As a Director of Academic Success and Advising at Centenary, Abbie enjoys being able to assist students in working towards a successful academic career.

Director of Disability Services 

• B.A. Psychology, Centenary College
• M.A. Human Service Counseling: Addiction and Recovery, Liberty University

Lauren is an alum of Centenary University and joined the Academic Success and Advising team in January 2022. After 11 years of working with children at her daycare center, Lauren realized that her genuine passion was higher education and she returned to Centenary University as a Student Success Specialist, and later became the Director of Disability Services & STEP Ahead Coordinator. Lauren is also an Adjunct Professor in the Psychology department at Centenary. Lauren’s primary goal for her students is to think positively. She encourages her students to strive to do their best because nothing is impossible. Lauren is driven to inspire her students through their talents to succeed. Lauren graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Centenary College in 2010 and has her Master’s Degree in Human Service Counseling (Addiction and Recovery) from Liberty University.

Academic Enrichment Coordinator for Multicultural Students

• B.A. Elementary Education, Elmira College
• M.S. Education, College of New Rochelle

Christina joined the Academic Success staff at Centenary University in 2023, after supporting students in elementary through college in parochial, private and public-school settings for the last 3 decades. As a first-generation college graduate, Christina understands the unique challenges of these students and offers experience and perspective in leveraging their culture, family support, and personal strengths for success. A reading specialist, she is passionate about literacy education and increasing students’ academic capital by teaching them how to use brain-based learning strategies and metacognition to improve their academic success. Christina attributes student success to the personal development skills of goal setting, self-motivation and self-authoring and is excited to bring these and more to Centenary.

Student Success Specialist

• BS. Psychology, East Stroudsburg University
• MA. Clinical Psychology, Adelphi University
• MA. Mental Health Counseling, Adelphi University

Dennis joined the DSO staff as a Student Success Specialist in Spring 2021. Prior to Centenary, he worked as a project manager at a software company, a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, a case manager for a national veterans’ organization, and various therapeutic positions at VA hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practice. Dennis uses these varied experiences to help his students forge a path to success that is both effective and true to who they are as individuals.

Student Success Specialist

• A. Political Science, Minor in Gender Studies and Legal Studies, William Paterson University
• P.A. Non-Profit Management, Norwich University

Marvin joined the DSO staff as a Student Success Specialist in May 2024. Prior to Centenary University, Marvin worked as a Director at a non-profit organization and also worked at Randolph High School, working with students under their special services department. Marvin uses experiences learned in previous years to help current Centenary students and guide them towards a successful path through college.

Retention and Success Coordinator

• B.A. English, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
• M.A. English, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ

As the Retention and Success Coordinator, Jennifer’s main goal is to help students remain satisfied and successful in their Centenary experience. Prior to her position at Centenary, Jennifer was an adjunct at County College of Morris in the English Department. She has worked in higher education since 2007 at many local institutions including Seton Hall Law School and Fairleigh Dickinson, Madison campus.

Career Coach & Employer Development Specialist

• B. A. Sociology, Centenary University

Nancy’s background incorporates education and staffing. Prior to Centenary, she worked in Randolph Township Schools as an Instructional Assistant/Job Coach. In this role, she taught, advised, and coached students on career readiness as well as trained them on specific job requirements for entry-level positions. Before Randolph Schools, she worked as a Senior Recruiter for Lloyd Staffing where she was the liaison between job candidates and employers. Nancy handled the entire staffing process from recruiting to placing candidates in a wide array of businesses from small to Fortune 500 Companies. Additionally, she was responsible for sales development which gave her the vital skills of forming and building relationships with employers.

Nancy’s passion is to support students and help them reach their fullest potential. She has a student-centric focus to assist them in finding internships and gainful employment.

Student Success Specialist

• BSW Social Work, CUNY York College
• MPA Public Administration, CUNY John Jay College

Sasha joined the DSO staff as a Student Success Specialist in November 2024.  With a background in social work and public administration, Sasha is dedicated to empowering students and fostering authentic growth. Sasha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, bringing a well-rounded perspective to their role. Having worked extensively with children in foster care and families striving to improve their lives, Sasha is passionate about creating supportive environments where students can thrive both academically and personally. Sasha believes in the power of education to transform lives and is committed to helping each student find their unique path to success.