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Minority Faculty/Staff Directory

This Minority Directory proudly showcases the minority administrators, faculty and staff here at Eastern Connecticut State University. Eastern is committed to diversity and our mission to engage students from diverse backgrounds in a transformative liberal arts learning experience. We are proud to say that the University has 33% minority faculty and staff, this is the highest percentage of any college or University in the State of Connecticut.

Please utilize this directory as a resource to network and discover all that Eastern has to offer. This resource is significant for students, faculty, and staff looking for representation, building connections, and increasing a sense of belonging.

Damali Abbensetts Headshot

Damali Abbensetts

Academic Success Center

Associate Director
(860) 465-0443
abbensettsd@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.A. in Sociology (2008), M.S. in Organizational Management (2016)

Anthony Aidoo Headshot

Anthony Aidoo

Mathematical Sciences

Professor
(860) 465-0115
aidooa@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Vermont: PhD, M.S.; University of Science and Technology, Ghana: B.S.

Languages:
Twi

Student Clubs and Organizations:
180 Christian Fellowship, African Club

Katherine Atkinson Headshot

Katherine Atkinson

Academic Success Center, Advising

Professional Advisor
(860) 465-4662
atkinsonk@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.A. in English; Central Connecticut State University: M.S. in Student Development in Higher Education

Emmanuel Augustin Headshot

Emmanuel Augustin

Housing and Residential Life

Residence Life Coordinator
(860) 465-5088
augustine@easternct.edu

Education:
UConn: Psychology; Central Connecticut State University: Higher Education & Counseling

Languages:
English, Haitian Creole

Student Clubs and Organizations:
CSA, UVOP

Olugbenga Ayeni Headshot

Olugbenga Ayeni

Business Administration

Professor
(860) 465-0240
ayenio@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Southern Mississippi: PhD in Communication; University of Wales, Cardiff, U.K.: M.A. in Journalism; University of Lagos, Nigeria: M.A. in International Law & Diplomacy; University of Ilorin: B.A. (Hon) in English Studies

Languages:
Yoruba

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)

Troi Branhan Headshot

Troi Branham

Housing and Residential Life

Residence Life Coordinator
(860) 465-3767
branhamt@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.S. in Business Administration; LIM College: M.P.S in Fashion Merchandising

Languages:
Spanish

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Fashion Forward, Fusion Dance Crew, F.E.M.A.L.E.S

Hayley Brock Headshot

Hayley Brock

Housing and Residential Life

Hall Director
(860) 465-1010
brockh@easternct.edu

Education:
The College of William and Mary: B.A. in Sociology and Environmental Policy; Arizona State University: M.A. in Social Justice and Human Rights

Kwame Osei Bonsu Headshot

Kwame Osei Bonsu

Mathematical Sciences

Professor
(860) 465-4640
oseib@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Cape Coast, Ghana: B.S. in Mathematics; Diploma (Education); University of Vermont, USA: PhD in Mathematical Sciences

Languages:
Akan (Twi), Ga and English

Student Clubs and Organizations:
African Club of Eastern

 

Yesenia Cajigas Headshot

Yesenia Cajigas

Advising Center

Professional Advisor - Academic Success Center
(860) 465-5150
cajigasy@easternct.edu

Education:
University of New York (CUNY)/City College: B.A. in Pyschology and Developmental Disabilities

Mauricio Calpa Headshot

Mauricio Calpa

Center for Instructional Technology

Instructional Design Coordinator
(860) 465-0790
calpam@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Hartford: M.A. in Communication; Central Connecticut State University: B.S. in Natural Science; Manchester Community College: Associate of Science in General Studies

Languages:
Spanish

Dwayne Cameron Headshot

Dwayne Cameron

Office of Student Conduct

Director of Student Conduct
(860) 465-0063
camerondw@easternct.edu

Education:
Southern Connecticut State University: B.S. and MBA

Equity and Diversity Logo

Kin Chan

World Languages and Cultures

Assistant Professor
(860) 465-5328
chank@easternct.edu

Education:
Princeton University: B.A.; University of Pennsylvania: M.A., PhD

Languages:
Spanish

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society

Kuo-Wei Chi Headshot

Kuo-Wei Chi

Information Technology Services

Senior System Administrator
(860) 465-0283
chik@easternct.edu

Education:
National Taiwan University: BBA; State University of New York, Binghamton: M.S.

Languages:
Mandarin Chinese

LaMar Coleman Headshot

LaMar E. Coleman

Office of Equity and Diversity

Vice President of Equity and Diversity
(860) 465-0072
colemanla@easternct.edu

Education:
Hampton University, B.A. (English); University of Bridgeport, M.S. (Counseling/Student Affairs Administration); New England College, Ed.D. (Higher Education Administration)

Bryan Connolly Headshot

Bryan A. Connolly

Department of Biology

Associate Professor, Greenhouse Manager
(860) 465-5327
connollyb@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Vermont, B.A. (Botany and Anthropology); University of Connecticut, M.S. (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology); University of Connecticut, Ph.D. (Plant Science)

Students Clubs and Organizations: Biology Club

Luis Cordon Headshot

Luis Cordon

Psychological Science

Professor
(860) 465-5289
cordonl@easternct.edu

Education:
Louisiana State University: B.S. in Psychology; University of Notre Dame: M.A. and PhD in Developmental Psychology

Languages:
Spanish, some French

Office of Equity and Diversity Loho

Christina Dancy

Housing and Residential Life

Hall Director
(860) 465-4419
dancyc@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University (Undergrad); University of Bridgeport (Masters)

Student Clubs and Organizations:
ASL, Knit Wits

Reginald Flood Headshot

Reginald Flood

Communication, Film & Theater

Professor
(860) 465-0085
floodr@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Southern California: Ph.D. in British and American Literatures, December 1999; Syracuse University: M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing, August 1981; University of California, Irvine: B.A. English (June 1979); University of California, Irvine: B.A. Spanish (June 1979)

Languages:
English

Jenfrey Florentino Headshot

Jenfrey Florentino

Student Activities

Assistant Director
(860) 465-4304
florentinoj@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.S. in Communication; Quinnipiac University: M.S. in Journalism

Languages:
Spanish

Student Clubs and Organizations:
ALL

Sandra Flores-Gonzales Headshot

Sandra Flores-Gonzales

Office of AccessAbility

Assistant Director
(860) 465-5573
floresgonzaless@easternct.edu

Education:
UCONN: Postsecondary Disability Services Online Graduate Certification Program; University of Texas at Austin: M.A. in Creative Drama in Teacher Education; Texas State University: BFA Concentration in Theatre Arts

Languages:
Spanish

Christine Garcia Headshot

Christine Garcia

English

Associate Professor
(860) 465-4786
garciachris@easternct.edu

Education:
Angelo State University: Bachelor and Masters in English Language & Literature; University of New Mexico: PhD in Rhetoric & Composition

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Best Buddies

Christina Irizarry Headshot

Christina Irizarry

Academic Success Center - Opportunity Programs

Assistant Director
(860) 465-3729
irizarrych@easternct.edu 

Education:
Assumption College: B.A.; Springfield College: Masters in Social Work; University of Connecticut: Doctorate in Education

Languages:
Spanish

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Organization of Latin American Students

Syed Islam Headshot

Syed Islam

Physical Sciences

Assistant Professor
(860) 465-0308
islams@easternct.edu

Education:
New York University: B.A.; The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY)

Languages:
English, Bangla

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Biochemistry

Jehoon Jeon Headshot

Jehoon Jeon

Communications

Associate Professor
(860) 465-0122
jeonj@easternct.edu

Education:
PhD, MA, BBA, and BA

Languages:
Korean

Yuanyun Jiang Headshot

Yuanyuan Jiang

Business Administration

Assistant Professor
(860) 465-5101
jiangyu@easternct.edu

Education:
Durham University (UK): PhD in Marketing

Languages:
Chinese

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Marketing Club

Khalifa Karim Headshot

Khalifa Karim

Admissions

Admissions Counselor
(860) 465-0204
karimk@easternct.edu

Education: 
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.A. in Business Administration & Finance

Languages:
Ewe

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Black Student Union, NAACP

Soojin Kim Headshot

Soojin Kim

Art and Art History

Assistant Professor
(860) 465-4328
kimso@easternct.edu

Education:
Boston University: M.S.; Tufts University: MFA

Languages:
Korean

Kwangwon Lee Headshot

Kwangwon Lee

Education

Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Special Education
(860) 465-5232
leekw@easternct.edu

Education:
Indiana University, Bloomington: PhD in Special Education, M.S.E.D. in Special Education; University of Evansville: B.S. in Educational Studies with an emphasis on Special Education

Languages:
Korean

Lora Li Headshot

Bora Li

Art and Art History

Associate Professor
(860) 465-5132
libo@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Hartford: MFA, MBA; Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts: BFA

Languages:
English, Mandarin

Thanks-Divin Louzingou Headshot

Thanks-Divin Louzingou

Housing and Residential Life

Graduate Intern/Hall Director
(860) 465-5380
louzingout@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Connecticut: B.S. in Mathematics; Central Connecticut State University: Masters in Data Science and Statistics (Current)

Languages:
French, Spanish

William Lugo Headshot

William Lugo

Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology & Social Work

Professor
(860) 465-0163
lugow@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Wisconsin, Madison: B.A., M.S., PhD

Languages:
Spanish

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Freedom at Eastern

Sara Madera Headshot

Sara Madera

Office of Equity and Diversity

Title IX Coordinator
(860) 465-5012
maderas@easternct.edu

Education:
Mount Ida College: B.S. in Criminal Justice; Suffolk University: M.S. in Crime & Justice (Critical Victimology and Juvenile Justice)

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Student Advisory Board (Office of Equity and Diversity)

Clifford Marrett Headshot

Clifford Marrett

Office of Equity & Diversity

Director of Diversity and Inclusion Affairs
(860) 465-5577
marrettc@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Connecticut: Master of Social Work; Eastern Connecticut State University: Bachelors in Sociology

Student Clubs and Organizations:
M.A.L.E.S.

La Shawn McBride Headshot

La Shawn McBride

Human Resources SU Assistant Director/Coordinator HR Programs
(860) 465-5220
mcbridel@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.A. in Sociology and Applied Social Relations (1994)
Martin Mendoza-Botelho Headshot

Martin Mendoza-Botelho

Political Science, Philosophy and Geography

Associate Professor and Chair
(860) 465-5257
medozabotelhom@easternct.edu

Education:
Catholic University of Bolivia: Bachelors in Economics; University of Glasgow (UK): Masters in Philosophy, (MPhil) in Economic Development; University of Cambridge (UK): PhD in Political Science

Languages:
Spanish, Portuguese, and basic French

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Political Science Club, Model UN

Tanya Moorehead Headshot

Tanya Moorehead

Education

Associate Professor
(860) 465-4555
moreheadt@easternct.edu

Education:
Johnson & Whales University; University of Connecticut; University of Central Florida

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Kappa Delta Pi

Diana Morales Headshot

Diana Morales

Library

Secretary II
(860) 465-4397
moralesd@easternct.edu

Languages:
Spanish

Steve Muchiri Headshot

Steve Muchiri

Economics and Finance

Associate Professor
(860) 465-0686
muchiris@easterct.edu

Education:
University of Kentucky: PhD

Languages:
Swahili

Yaw A. Nsiah Headshot

Yaw A. Nsiah

Health Sciences

Professor and Department Chair
(860) 465-4524
nsiah@easternct.edu

Education:
Howard University: B.S., Ph.D.

Elsa M. Nunez Headshot

Jalah Oates

Housing and Residential Life

Residence Hall Director
(860) 465-3767
oatesja@easternct.edu

Education:
American International College: B.S. in Liberal Studies; M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education

Languages:
English

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Natural Hair Club

Manuel Otero Headshot

Manuel Otero

English

Assistant Professor of Linguistics
(860) 465-0347
oterom@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Oregon: PhD, BFA (School of Visual Arts)

Languages:
English, Spanish

Sadayah Pinott Headshot

Sadayah Pinott

Admissions

Admissions Counselor
(860) 465-0101
pinotts@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University, Bachelors in Sociology & Criminology '23

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Natural Hair Club

Ricardo Perez Headshot

Ricardo Pérez

Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology and Social Work

Professor of Anthropology and Department Chair
(860) 465-0191
perezr@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Connecticut: PhD in Anthropology; New Mexico State University: M.A. in Anthropology; University of Puerto Rico: B.A. in Anthropology (Magna Cum Laude)

Languages:
Spanish

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Advisor of the Anthropology Club

Indira Petoskey Headshot

Indira Petoskey

Student Affairs

Assistant Dean
(860) 465-5066
petoskeyi@easternct.edu

Education:
Pensacola Christian College: B.S. Double Major Secondary Education (English and Business); Indiana Bible College: B.A. in Theology; University of Southern Mississippi: M.S. in Secondary Education (Instructional Technology); PhD in Higher Education Administration & Minor in Instructional Technology

Student Clubs and Organizations:
International Student Association

Afarin Rahmanifar Headshot

Afarin Rahmanifar

Art and Art History

Associate Professor
(860) 465-5214
rahmanifara@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Connecticut: MFA

Languages:
English, Farsi

Student Clubs and Organizations:
Student ART Club Faculty Advisory

Micaela Pereyra-Ramirez Headshot

Micaela Rago

Media Services

Administrator 1/Computer Support Trainee
(860) 465-0195
pereyram@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.A. in New Media Studies

Languages:
Spanish

Mary-Francis Ricks Headshot

Mary-Francis Ricks

Registrars

Associate Registrar
(860) 465-4349
ricksma@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.S. in Communication; University of Rhode Island: M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies

Gloria Rivera Headshot

Gloria M. Rivera

Financial Aid

Assistant Director
(860) 465-5307
riverag@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.S. in Business Information Systems; Southern Connecticut State University: MBA

Languages:
Spanish

Sandra Rodriguez Headshot

Sandra Rodriguez

Office of Equity and Diversity

Administrative Assistant
(860) 465-5112
rodriguezsan@easternct.edu

Languages:
Spanish

Office of Equity and Diversity Logo

Jaqueline Roman

Child and Family Development Resource Center

Preschool Lead Teacher
(860) 465-5225
romanjac@easternct.edu

Languages:
Spanish

Yolanda Sazo Headshot

Yolanda Sazo

Bursars Office

Bursar
(860 465-0495
sazoy@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Bridgeport: MBA in Accounting; Central Connecticut State University: B.S. in Accounting; Manchester Community College: A.S. in Accounting

Languages:
Spanish

Khai Sim Headshot

Khai Sim

Economics and Finance

Assistant Professor
(860) 465-0842
simk@easternct.edu

Education: 
Cornell University: PhD; University of Michigan: B.S.

Languages:
Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, Malay, English

Joshua Sumrell Headshot

Joshua Sumrell

Intercultural Center (Arthur L. Johnson Unity Wing)

Coordinator of the Intercultural Center
(860) 465-4421
sumrellj@easternct.edu

Education:
Southern Connecticut State University, B.A. Geography; Southern Connecticut State University, M.S. Environmental Education

Student Clubs and Organizations:
NAACP, BSU, African Club

Sudha Swaminathan Headshot

Sudha Swaminathan

Education

Professor of Early Childhood Education
(860) 465-4535
swaminathans@easternct.edu

Education:
State University of New York at Buffalo: PhD, M.S.; Madurai-Kamaraj University (Madurai, India): M.A.; Fatima College (Madurai, India): B.A.

Languages:
Tamil

Stephen Tavares Headshot

Stephen Tavares

University Police

Chief of Police
(860) 465-4521
tavaresst@easternct.edu

Education:
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.A.

Geeta Thapa Headshot

Geeta Thapa

Health Sciences

Assistant Professor
(860) 465-0376
thapag@easternct.edu

Education: 
Nepal Medical College Technical Hospital, MBBS

Languages:
Nepali, Hindi

Luis Torres Headshot

Luis Torres

Housing and Residential Life

Hall Director
(860) 465-5312
torreslui@easternct.edu

Education:
Southern Connecticut State University: B.A. in Recreation Studies; Post University: Masters in Higher Education

Vijaykumar Veerappan Headshot

Vijaykumar Veerappan

Biology

Associate Professor
(860) 465-5305
veerappanv@easternct.edu

Education:
Texas Tech University: PhD in Biology; The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology: M.Sc. in Genetics and Plant Breeding; Annamalai University: B.Sc. in Agriculture

Languages:
Tamil, English

Alyssa Vilchez Headshot

Alyssa Vilchez

Housing and Residential Life

Hall Director
(860) 465-4994
vilcheza@easternct.edu

Education: 
Eastern Connecticut State University: B.S. in Communication

Languages:
Spanish

Alyssa Vilchez Headshot

Kim Ward

Mathematical Sciences

Professor
(860) 465-4544
wardk@easternct.edu

Education: 
Old Dominion University: Ph.D. in Computational and Applied Mathematics; Virginia Commonwealth University: M.S. and B.S. in Mathematical Sciences 

Lloyd Weir Headshot

Lloyd Weir

Information Technology Services

Technical Support Engineer
(860) 465-0369
weirl@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Hartford: Ed.D ; Bay Path University: MSCIM; Regis University: MBA; Central Connecticut State University: B.A.

Student Clubs and Organizations:
West Indian Society

Janice Wilson Headshot

Janice Wilson

Library

Director of Library Services
(860) 465-4466
wilsonj@easternct.edu

Education:
University of Rhode Island: M.L.I.S. Library Science; New York University, M.A. Graphic Communications Management & Technology; Marymount Manhattan College, B.A. Business Management

Faculty & Staff Not Pictured

  • Dwight Bachman (Athletics)
  • Alycia Bright-Holland (Performing Arts)
  • Nicole Brown (Human Resources)
  • Starsheemar Byrum (Women’s Center)
  • Sonja Cabezas (Fiscal Affairs)
  • Dominique Cesar (Registrar’s Office)
  • Alicia Chandler (History)
  • Tao Chen (Art & Art History)
  • Kuo-Wei Chi (Information Technology Services)
  • Stacey Close (History)
  • Fernando Figueroa (Public Safety)
  • Kehan Gao (Computer Science)
  • Yaritza Gonzalez-Rodriguez (Public Safety)
  • Meng Guo (Accounting & Business Information Systems)
  • Kedan He (Physical Sciences)
  • Okon Hwang (Performing Arts)
  • Mihyun Kang (Communication)
  • Mizan Khan (Mathematics)
  • Albert Kim (Public Safety)
  • Kim Kunene (Accounting & Business Information Systems)
  • Ibrahim Kyei (Economics & Finance)
  • Miranda Lau (English)
  • Phyllis Lee (Psychology)
  • Margaret Letterman (Psychology)
  • Barbara Liu (English)
  • Qimin Liu (Art & Art History)
  • Xing Liu (Education)
  • Raouf Mama (English)
  • Maria Martinez (Child & Family Development Center)
  • Eunice Matthews-Armstead (Social Work)
  • Valentina Michelle Michael (Communications)
  • David Nicholson (Athletics)
  • Monica O’Connor (Counseling & Psychological Services)
  • Nahyun Oh (Management & Marketing)
  • Michael Palumbo (Information Technology Services)
  • Niti Pandey (Education & Professional Studies)
  • Niloufar Rezai (Child & Family Development Center)
  • Darren Robert (Education)
  • Sarah Tasneem (Computer Science)
  • Edwin Villanueva (Public Safety)
  • Kemesha Wilmot (Dean of Students)
  • Jianguo Zhu (Institutional Research/Human Resources)