Faculty & Staff Directory

Christine Vandenberg

Registrar
University Registrar

Email: cvandenberg@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3202
Office Location: Aquinas Hall 104G

Office:
Mon: 8:30-4:30
Tues: 8:30-4:30
Wed: 8:30-4:30
Thurs: 8:30-4:30
Fri: 8:30-4:30

Christine joined Caldwell University as the University Registrar in November 2024. Prior to arriving at Caldwell, she spent 20 years in higher education at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ. There, her experience included 13 years in Enrollment Management and the last 7 years as the Registrar.

Christine earned her B.A. in Political Science from Stonehill College in MA and her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.

Christine enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.

George Abaunza

Academic Affairs, Theology and Philosophy
Adjunct Lecturer, Vice President of Academic Affairs

Email: gabaunza@caldwell.edu
Office Phone #: (973) 618-3919
Office Location: Alumni Theater, 229

George Abaunza, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Ph.D., Florida State University, Philosophy
M.A., Florida State University, Philosophy
B.A., Florida International University, Philosophy

Dr. Abaunza has a career of serving Catholic higher education institutions with service as the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of the College at Mount Saint Mary College, a sister Dominican University, where he worked with their faculty, staff, deans, and Board. When Vice President Abaunza was at the College, he served as the MSCHE Liaison, helped them develop ten new programs, the Desmond Center for Community Engagement & Wellness, and successfully led the development of early-admissions and dual enrollment programs.

Before his service at Mount Saint Mary, he was the Dean of Arts & Sciences at Felician University, with service as interim dean of Education, associate dean, and department chair over twenty years at that institution. Dr. Abaunza holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Philosophy from Florida State University and earned his B.A. in Philosophy from Florida International University. He also has successfully led grant writing and execution, including National Science Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities projects. He has extensive successful teaching experience over the past thirty years and was awarded a Faculty Excellence Award at Felician. His published research and conference work is extensive and broad-ranging. He has been honored by Kappa Delta Pi and Sigma Theta Tau and presented with the Jelani Tree Humanitarian Award.

Samuel Adjei

Athletics
Head Women’s Soccer Coach/ Assistant Athletic Director

Email: sadjei@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3681
Office Location: Newman Center, 2nd floor

B.A. in Business Marketing, Iona University
M.A. in Business Administration, Rider University

Sammy Adjei was named head women’s soccer coach and assistant athletic director for the department on March 21, 2023.

While 2023 was his first year at Caldwell, 2024 marks the fifth year for Adjei in the CACC. Adjei served as the head coach of Bloomfield College’s women’s soccer program from April 2020 through March 2023. In the Fall 2022 season, he led Bloomfield to its second-best record in program history since 2005.

He is the College Pathway Director at SFL Club NJ and the CEO of Soccer Virtuoso. Adjei served as an assistant coach at the USL 2 level (semi-pro) in 2021 for FC Copa and was also an Olympic Development Program Coach from 2020-2022.

As a player, Adjei was an NSCAA All-American in 2012 and was inducted into the Iona University Men’s Soccer 2010s All-Decade Team. He played soccer professionally for the New York Red Bulls in the U.S.A. and Naestved Boldklub in Denmark. He also represented the United States at the youth national team level and his native, Ghana, U-20 National Team.

Adjei holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from Iona University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Rider University.

Toni Rosa Agana

Psychology and Counseling
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: tagana@caldwell.edu

Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis, Caldwell University
B.A. University of North Texas
M.S. Simmons College

Toni Rose Agana, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Department of Psychology and Counseling at Caldwell University. She earned her Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Caldwell University under the mentorship of Dr. Tina Sidener. Dr. Agana’s research interests include developing and evaluating early intervention strategies for young learners with developmental disabilities, with a focus on efficient methods for teaching foundational play and language skills. In her clinical work, Dr. Agana is dedicated to providing evidence-based behavioral interventions to autistic individuals and their families. She values collaboration with clients, caregivers, and other key stakeholders to ensure access to meaningful learning experiences tailored to each individual’s developmental level and cultural background.

Maria Agapito

Natural Sciences
Assistant Professor of Biology

Email: magapito@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3269
Office Location: Albertus Magnus Hall, 140

Education

B.S. Montclair State University
M.S. Montclair State University
Ph.D. Rutgers University

Dr. Agapito considers herself to be both a scientist and an educator at heart. She received a B.S. in biology with a minor in chemistry and a M.S. in biology with a concentration in molecular biology from Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, NJ. In 2013, she completed her doctoral training in neuroscience at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. After her PhD, she was accepted to the national institute of health IRACDA/INSPIRE Postdoctoral program. Dr. Agapito joined the pathology and laboratory medicine department at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and conducted research in the areas of developmental biology, neurology and ethanol toxicology using C. elegans as an animal model system.

Dr. Agapito has published in various peer-reviewed journal articles, presented at various national conferences, obtained prestigious fellowships, and has been nominated to various community outreach awards. Most recently, Dr. Agapito was the biology program chair at Bard High School Early College in Newark. She is currently the president of the NJ Academy of Science, serves as a convener for the NJ Industry Partnerships – Life Sciences Northern region, serves as the Wayne Township environmental commissioner and since 2011, Dr. Agapito has served Kean University as adjunct professor in the School of Natural Sciences. At Caldwell, she is teaching General Biology I & II, Cell Biology and is mentoring students embarking into research.

Dr. Agapito’s long-term goal is to change the face of America by enhancing curiosity, educating, and mentoring students to enter STEM related fields. In this way, we can create a diverse population of role models for the next generations to come.

Moustafa Ahmed

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: moahmed@caldwell.edu
Extension: 3255

B.S., Accounting, Assuit University
M.A., Public Policy & Administration, Walden University
MBA in Accounting, Rutgers University
Ph.D., Public Policy & Administration, Walden University

Naser Al Barghouthi

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: nalbarghouthi@caldwell.edu

B.S. Saint Peter’s University
M.S. Birziet University
M.B.A. Saint Peter’s University

Ethan Amato

Information Technology
Institutional Research Analyst

Email: eamato@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3553
Office Location: Rosary Hall, 201

A Boston College 2022 Graduate with a background in Data Science, Full Stack Web Development, and Natural Language Processing.

Hobbies include language exchange with friends in Japan, Baking, and Weight Lifting.

Doug Anderson

English
Professor, Department Chair

Email: danderson@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3630

About

B.A. Southwest Texas State University
M.A. University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. University of Iowa

Doug Anderson earned his M.A. at the University of Texas, Austin and later attended the University of Iowa, where he received his Ph.D.  He has been a member of the Caldwell English Department since the fall of 2011, teaching courses such as Literature and Diversity, Work and Working-Class Life in Literature, Poking Fun:  Irony and Satire in Literature, and Contemporary Fiction; he also facilitates the University’s Writing Across the Curriculum Program.  His research interests include gender, race and class in twentieth-century and contemporary American fiction; utopian and dystopian fiction; and environmental issues in literature.

Janice Anderson

Nursing and Public Health
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: jaanderson@caldwell.edu

B.S. New York University
M.S. New Jersey Institute of Technology
Diploma Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing BSN/MSN Thomas Edison State University
Ph.D. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC

Ryahn Anson

Athletics
Assistant Athletic Trainer

Email: ranson@caldwell.edu
Phone: 976-618-3319
Office Location: Newman Center

Sports: Sprint Football, Women’s Basketball, Acrobatics and Tumbling, Track and Field

Gina L. Anton

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: ganton@caldwell.edu

B.S. Seton Hall University
J.D. Quinnipiac University School of Law

Helen Antoniou McGowan

Business and Computer Science
Associate Professor

Email: hmcgowan@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3517
Office Location: Werner Hall, 209

J.D., Seton Hall University, School of Law.
B.S. in International Business, University of Maryland, College Park
B.A. in Government and Politics, University of Maryland, College Park

Helen Antoniou McGowan, JD is an Associate Professor in the School of Business and Computer Science at Caldwell University. She teaches various undergraduate and graduate business courses, including Legal Environment of Business, Contemporary Business, Business Communications, Legal Aspects of Human Resources, and Business Law, Ethical Behavior, and Social Responsibility. Professor McGowan also serves as the Co-Director of the Caldwell University Social Justice Institute, where she focuses her work on programming and speaking on issues relating to gender equity, corporate social responsibility, and social justice.

Professor McGowan attended University of Maryland, College Park where she graduated with Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa honors and earned dual degrees: a BS in International Business and a BA in Government and Politics. Professor McGowan graduated magna cum laude from Seton Hall University, School of Law. She then clerked for the presiding judge of the Superior Court, Civil Division in Morris County for one year prior to working at a large regional law firm for nearly ten years. Professor McGowan has been teaching at Caldwell University since 2014.

Heather Arabitg

Athletics
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, Head Athletic Trainer, & Senior Woman Administrator

Email: harabitg@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3574
FAX: 973-618-3370
Office Location: Newman Center

Sports: Women’s Soccer, Bowling, Men’s Basketball, Softball

Heather Arabitg begins her eleventh year as an athletic trainer at Caldwell University in 2022-23, sixth year as Head Athletic Trainer, and her third year as the department’s Senior Women’s Administrator (SWA).

Currently Arabitg serves on the Caldwell Return To Campus Task Force, and The CACC Championships Committee. She also serves as one of the Advisors to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. In 2021 Arabitg was honored with the Mission in Action Award, which recognizes the extraordinary contributions and quality service of a University staff member and acknowledges their role in advancing the mission of Caldwell University. In 2023 she was named Most Valuable Athletic Trainer by Training & Conditioning Magazine.

Prior to coming to Caldwell, Arabitg spent two years as the assistant athletic trainer at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. She supported all 10 of the Mavericks’ intercollegiate programs while serving as the lead trainer for the field hockey, men’s basketball and softball teams.

Prior to joining the staff at Mercy, Arabitg earned her Master’s degree in athletic training from East Stroudsburg University in 2011. While at East Stroudsburg, she was a graduate assistant at Warren Hills Regional High School in Washington, N.J.

Arabitg graduated cum laude from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., with a degree in athletic training. She also served as the president of the Sports Medicine Society. A native of Cranford, N.J., Arabitg currently lives in Scotch Plains NJ with husband Michael and daughters Penny and Harper.

Michael Arata

Financial Aid
Counselor

Email: marata@caldwell.edu

B.S. in Business Administration, Caldwell University

Mark Arnowitz

English
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: marnowitz@caldwell.edu

M.A. St. Peter’s College

Mark is a writer, Educator, Traveler, and Musician. He’s at home in the Caribbean or Paterson, NJ.

Darryl Aucoin

Natural Sciences
Chair of Natural Sciences Department, Associate Professor

Email: daucoin@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3239
Office Location: Visceglia Hall, 144

Ph.D., Stony Brook University

Dr. Aucoin has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Structural Biology from Stony Brook University.
He teaches courses in Biochemistry (BI 401, BI 401 L and BI 402) and Chemistry (CH 110, CH 110 L, CH 112 L) and assists students with conducting research on campus.

Ronald Autodore

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Instructor

B.S., Montclair University
M.B.A., Montclair University
D.B.A., Felician University

Dr. Ron Autodore holds an MBA and a Doctor of Business Administration degree. As a practitioner, Dr. Autodore has spent 25 years working across organizations of all sizes, including Fortune 500 companies. During this time, Dr. Autodore participated in various functions within CIO and CISO organizations across retail, insurance, banking, and holding companies. Dr. Autodore teaches courses in  business analytics, statistics, data science, and finance at NJ & NY universities.

Christopher Axentiou

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: caxentiou@caldwell.edu

B.S. Fairleigh Dickinson University

M.B.A. Fairleigh Dickinson University

J.D. Abraham Lincoln University

Kendall Baker

Visual Art and Design
Professor of Studio Art

Email: kbaker@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3457

B.F.A. Clark University

M.F.A. Yale School of Art

Kevin Barnes

Education
Adjunct Instructor

Email: kbarnes@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3642
FAX: 973-618-9362

B.A William & Mary

M.A. Rutgers University

Ed.D. at Rutgers University

Retired principal at the elementary, middle school and high school levels, most recent at James Caldwell High School (West Caldwell). He has taught in the Caldwell University teacher preparation and school administrator preparation programs, in addition to serving as the first reader for multiple doctoral dissertations.

William Barnhart

History and Political Science
Professor of History

Email: Wbarnhart@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3422

• B.A. ,History, Siena College
• M.A. ,History, Old Doninion University
• Ph.D. ,History, State University of New York, Stony Brook

Dr. William Barnhart has been teaching at Caldwell since 2000.  His teaching duties focus on the areas of early American history, specifically in the areas of colonial and revolutionary America, Native American history, and American religious history.  He also regularly teaches the department’s survey courses: Roots of the West, Shaping of the West and Growth of the American Nation I.  His research focuses on religion, politics and the creation of national identities in the early modern Atlantic world.  He has published several articles on this subject, and presented many papers at regional and national conferences.

Suzanne Baron

Visual Art and Design
Associate Professor of Studio Art

Email: sbaron@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3238
Office Location: Visceglia Hall, 137

ACADEMIC CREDENTIAL
B.F.A. Rhode Island School of Design: BFA in Painting
M.F.A. San Francisco Art Institute: MFA in Painting

Beth Ann Bates

School of Arts and Sciences
Assistant to the Dean

Email: bbates@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3607
Office Location: Visceglia Hall, 155

M.A. in English/Writing William Paterson University
B.A. English Seton Hall University

Nancy Becker

Education
Assistant

Email: nbecker@caldwell.edu

B.A. Seton Hall University
M.S. Columbia University
Ed.D. Columbia University, Teachers College

Joseph Bergen

Music
Marching Band Percussion Instructor

Email: jbergen@caldwell.edu

B.M. William Paterson University

M.A.T. Montclair State University

Joe Bergen is a musician, educator, composer, and arts administrator who focuses on creating and developing diverse and equitable music communities. Joe is best known as a founding member, and Co-Artistic Director of Mantra Percussion, Inc., a future-focusing arts organization dedicated to a lasting influence on percussion performance and percussion education. Joe is the Director of Percussion Studies, adjunct music education professor, and marching band instructor at Caldwell University. Joe is also an adjunct music instructor at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, and the state chapter president of the Percussive Arts Society.

Simran Bharadwaj

Psychology and Counseling
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: sbharadwaj@caldwell.edu

M.A., NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education & Human Development
B.A., New York University

Traci Bitondo

Counseling
Assistant Professor

Email: tbitondo@caldwell.edu
Phone:
Office Location: Visceglia Hall, 239

Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, University of the Cumberlands
M.A. in Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy, Caldwell University

Dr. Traci Bitondo holds an MA in Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy from Caldwell University and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of the Cumberlands. Throughout her career, she has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the 2022 Nancy Schoebel Legislative Service Award for her advocacy work. That same year, her research team won the Rawley Silver Research Award from the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). In 2019, she received the Edward Stroh LPC Award from the New Jersey Counseling Association. In her current private clinical practice, she works to treat mental health clients, alongside her dedication to supervising and mentoring emerging professionals. Currently, she serves as the President of the New Jersey Art Therapy Association and is a member of AATA’s Professional Affairs Committee. Additionally, she is an experienced presenter, presenting both locally and nationally, spanning a range of topics, including student development, innovative art therapy interventions for special populations, and clinical supervision interventions. Dr. Bitondo’s career is marked by a deep commitment to mental health, counseling, and art therapy, demonstrating a blend of practical experience, academic insight, and dedicated service to her community.