SASC Members
Department of Organization & Leadership
As Senior Program Manager, John oversees the daily administrative, personnel, and fiscal operations of academic and non-credit programs in Social-Organizational Psychology. He received his Ph.D. in Global Affairs from Rutgers University in 2014, and was the recipient of a joint fellowship with the Department of Homeland Security and an internship with the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Department of Organization & Leadership
As Senior Program Manager, John oversees the daily administrative, personnel, and fiscal operations of academic and non-credit programs in Social-Organizational Psychology. He received his Ph.D. in Global Affairs from Rutgers University in 2014, and was the recipient of a joint fellowship with the Department of Homeland Security and an internship with the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Dr. Elsie C. Spencer is an Administrative Director for the National Center for Children and Families and the Consortium for Policy Research in Education. She also is the co-chair of the Staff Advocacy Support Council (SASC) and co-chairs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Personal and Professional Development subcommittees at Teachers College, Columbia University.
A Cuban American and native New Yorker, Dr. Spencer is a first-generation college graduate and received her Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Higher Education Management and her M.P.A. from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Dr. Spencer’s passion and expertise traverse higher education, specifically diversity and equity initiatives and promoting inclusion in academia. She is a powerful advocate for full-time professional staff at the College. Dr. Spencer sits on various subcommittees at Teachers College, Columbia University that promote DEI programming and gauges the effectiveness of current policies and strategies affecting institutional culture overall.
Dr. Spencer has published articles on various DEI topics such as revitalizing STEMM pipelines, postdoc and faculty recruitment in STEMM fields, and the important role of mentoring in promoting DEI in STEMM. She was listed in Cell’s 100 Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists in America and is known in her community as a key partner and thought leader for social justice initiatives. Dr. Spencer continues to perform other outreach initiatives with various community members and anchor institutions throughout the higher education diaspora.
Committee(s): Diversity (SASC Subcommittee), Professional & Personal Development (SASC Subcommittee)
Dr. Elsie C. Spencer is an Administrative Director for the National Center for Children and Families and the Consortium for Policy Research in Education. She also is the co-chair of the Staff Advocacy Support Council (SASC) and co-chairs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Personal and Professional Development subcommittees at Teachers College, Columbia University.
A Cuban American and native New Yorker, Dr. Spencer is a first-generation college graduate and received her Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Higher Education Management and her M.P.A. from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Dr. Spencer’s passion and expertise traverse higher education, specifically diversity and equity initiatives and promoting inclusion in academia. She is a powerful advocate for full-time professional staff at the College. Dr. Spencer sits on various subcommittees at Teachers College, Columbia University that promote DEI programming and gauges the effectiveness of current policies and strategies affecting institutional culture overall.
Dr. Spencer has published articles on various DEI topics such as revitalizing STEMM pipelines, postdoc and faculty recruitment in STEMM fields, and the important role of mentoring in promoting DEI in STEMM. She was listed in Cell’s 100 Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists in America and is known in her community as a key partner and thought leader for social justice initiatives. Dr. Spencer continues to perform other outreach initiatives with various community members and anchor institutions throughout the higher education diaspora.
Committee(s): Diversity (SASC Subcommittee), Professional & Personal Development (SASC Subcommittee)
Division of Enrollment & Student Success
Whitney is a graduate of the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College and currently serves as the Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives & Communication for the Division of Student Affairs. Beginning at TC in 2017, she has previously served as an Assistant Director and the Manager of Operations for Graduate Student Life and Development (GSLD). She is committed to providing accessible and inclusive programming from point of entry at New Student Orientation through Commencement.
She has also worked at the NYU School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, as a program coordinator for The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic. Prior to her studies and work at Teachers College, Whitney resided in Baltimore, Maryland (Go Ravens/O’s!), where she studied at Towson University and the University of Maryland, University College (UMUC). In her spare time, Whitney enjoys spending time with her furry companion, Brady, catching a happy hour or dining out with friends, reading in Central Park and cooking.
Committee(s): Committee for Community & Diversity (College-wide), Communications (SASC Subcommittee), Membership & Buddy Program (SASC Subcommittee)
Division of Enrollment & Student Success
Whitney is a graduate of the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College and currently serves as the Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives & Communication for the Division of Student Affairs. Beginning at TC in 2017, she has previously served as an Assistant Director and the Manager of Operations for Graduate Student Life and Development (GSLD). She is committed to providing accessible and inclusive programming from point of entry at New Student Orientation through Commencement.
She has also worked at the NYU School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, as a program coordinator for The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic. Prior to her studies and work at Teachers College, Whitney resided in Baltimore, Maryland (Go Ravens/O’s!), where she studied at Towson University and the University of Maryland, University College (UMUC). In her spare time, Whitney enjoys spending time with her furry companion, Brady, catching a happy hour or dining out with friends, reading in Central Park and cooking.
Committee(s): Committee for Community & Diversity (College-wide), Communications (SASC Subcommittee), Membership & Buddy Program (SASC Subcommittee)
Advancing Literacy
Lisa Cazzola is Senior Associate Director of Operations & Administration for Teachers College Advancing Literacy (formerly TCRWP). Working closely with the senior leadership team, she leads the organization in executing a brimming calendar of virtual and in-person events across the year. Known to all of the thousands of teachers who attend institutes, study groups, and think tanks, she combines tremendous skills for logistics and organization, with warmth and human compassion. For her work, Lisa received the Teachers College Elaine Brantley Memorial Award For Community and Civility, 2017-2018. Outside of the College, Lisa devotes her time to a leadership team that meets year-round to plan, support, and fundraise for Kids Need MoRE, a volunteer-run summer oncology camp for children and their siblings.
Committee(s): TBD
Advancing Literacy
Lisa Cazzola is Senior Associate Director of Operations & Administration for Teachers College Advancing Literacy (formerly TCRWP). Working closely with the senior leadership team, she leads the organization in executing a brimming calendar of virtual and in-person events across the year. Known to all of the thousands of teachers who attend institutes, study groups, and think tanks, she combines tremendous skills for logistics and organization, with warmth and human compassion. For her work, Lisa received the Teachers College Elaine Brantley Memorial Award For Community and Civility, 2017-2018. Outside of the College, Lisa devotes her time to a leadership team that meets year-round to plan, support, and fundraise for Kids Need MoRE, a volunteer-run summer oncology camp for children and their siblings.
Committee(s): TBD
Department of Mathematics, Science & Technology
Committees: Committee for Community & Diversity (College-wide Committee), Human Resources & Outreach (SASC Subcommittee), Membership & Buddy Program (SASC Subcommittee)
Department of Mathematics, Science & Technology
Committees: Committee for Community & Diversity (College-wide Committee), Human Resources & Outreach (SASC Subcommittee), Membership & Buddy Program (SASC Subcommittee)
Office of the President
As Director of Strategic Partnerships, Office of the President, Amy works closely with the President’s Office team on the execution of special projects, including the Medal for Distinguished Service, Columbia Community Service, and Teachers College Community School (TCCS). In addition, Amy is also the program lead for the Zankel and Milman Fellowships. In addition to her MA and EdM in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College and MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Northern Iowa, Amy holds a BA in Music and a BA in French from the University of Northern Iowa. She also has certificates in Digital Publishing and Advanced Project Management from New York University. Amy is currently enrolled in TC's PhD program in Higher and Postsecondary Education with an anticipated graduation date of May 2026.
Committee(s): Benefits College-Wide Committee, Communications (SASC Subcommittee), Bylaws (SASC Subcommittee), Diversity (SASC Subcommittee), Human Resources & Outreach (SASC Subcommittee)
Office of the President
As Director of Strategic Partnerships, Office of the President, Amy works closely with the President’s Office team on the execution of special projects, including the Medal for Distinguished Service, Columbia Community Service, and Teachers College Community School (TCCS). In addition, Amy is also the program lead for the Zankel and Milman Fellowships. In addition to her MA and EdM in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College and MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Northern Iowa, Amy holds a BA in Music and a BA in French from the University of Northern Iowa. She also has certificates in Digital Publishing and Advanced Project Management from New York University. Amy is currently enrolled in TC's PhD program in Higher and Postsecondary Education with an anticipated graduation date of May 2026.
Committee(s): Benefits College-Wide Committee, Communications (SASC Subcommittee), Bylaws (SASC Subcommittee), Diversity (SASC Subcommittee), Human Resources & Outreach (SASC Subcommittee)
Office of Sponsored Programs
Eileen is currently the Assistant Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs, where she has also held the position of Senior Sponsored Research Administrator. Eileen has been with TC since 2013. Eileen enjoys working with faculty on their proposals and always is excited when faculty receive a new award. Prior to her work at TC she was at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY as Grant Manager and the University of Nevada Las Vegas as Assistant Director of Program Activities. Eileen studied at SUNY College at Buffalo earning her Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and the University of Nevada Las Vegas earning her Master of Arts in US History with a minor in Public History. Eileen also holds a Certified Research Administrator certification.
Committee(s): Campus Safety Advisory (College-Wide Committee)
Office of Sponsored Programs
Eileen is currently the Assistant Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs, where she has also held the position of Senior Sponsored Research Administrator. Eileen has been with TC since 2013. Eileen enjoys working with faculty on their proposals and always is excited when faculty receive a new award. Prior to her work at TC she was at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY as Grant Manager and the University of Nevada Las Vegas as Assistant Director of Program Activities. Eileen studied at SUNY College at Buffalo earning her Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and the University of Nevada Las Vegas earning her Master of Arts in US History with a minor in Public History. Eileen also holds a Certified Research Administrator certification.
Committee(s): Campus Safety Advisory (College-Wide Committee)
Committee(s): Provost's Affirmative Action (College-Wide Committee), Bylaws (SASC Subcommittee), Human Resources & Outreach (SASC Subcommittee), Membership & Buddy Program (SASC Subcommittee), Professional & Personal Development (SASC Subcommittee)
Committee(s): Provost's Affirmative Action (College-Wide Committee), Bylaws (SASC Subcommittee), Human Resources & Outreach (SASC Subcommittee), Membership & Buddy Program (SASC Subcommittee), Professional & Personal Development (SASC Subcommittee)
Division of Enrollment & Student Success
Geneviève Thévenin is a career and academic coach. She has over ten years of experience in coaching, advising, tutoring, and teaching students across secondary, higher, and post secondary education. At TC NEXT she provides resume/cover letter/curriculum vitae review, job search strategies, salary negotiation advice, and interview preparation to TC students and alumni. As a member of the Coaching and Programming team, Geneviève also supports the development of workshops, learning modules, and professional development opportunities. She has a proven record of meaningful connections through one-on-one coaching, including experience with non-traditional and underserved students. An engaging facilitator and speaker, Geneviève is a huge advocate for the use of campus resources to support students on their educational journey. In addition to her work in career coaching, her personal mission is to support students of color in making positive changes to their financial trajectories and empowering them to shatter glass ceilings and dismantle systemic inequalities.
Committee(s): TBD
Division of Enrollment & Student Success
Geneviève Thévenin is a career and academic coach. She has over ten years of experience in coaching, advising, tutoring, and teaching students across secondary, higher, and post secondary education. At TC NEXT she provides resume/cover letter/curriculum vitae review, job search strategies, salary negotiation advice, and interview preparation to TC students and alumni. As a member of the Coaching and Programming team, Geneviève also supports the development of workshops, learning modules, and professional development opportunities. She has a proven record of meaningful connections through one-on-one coaching, including experience with non-traditional and underserved students. An engaging facilitator and speaker, Geneviève is a huge advocate for the use of campus resources to support students on their educational journey. In addition to her work in career coaching, her personal mission is to support students of color in making positive changes to their financial trajectories and empowering them to shatter glass ceilings and dismantle systemic inequalities.
Committee(s): TBD