Faculty & Staff Directory

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.

Academic Affairs, Theology and Philosophy

Adjunct Lecturer, Vice President of Academic Affairs

gabaunza@caldwell.edu

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

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.

Athletics

Head Women’s Soccer Coach/ Assistant Athletic Director

sadjei@caldwell.edu

Psychology and Counseling

Adjunct Lecturer

tagana@caldwell.edu

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.

Natural Sciences

Assistant Professor of Biology

magapito@caldwell.edu

Business and Computer Science

Adjunct Lecturer

moahmed@caldwell.edu

Business and Computer Science

Adjunct Lecturer

nalbarghouthi@caldwell.edu

Business and Computer Science

Adjunct Lecturer

galbuquerque@caldwell.edu

Operations

Colorguard Instructor

ralessandra-cordasco@caldwell.edu

Health Services

School physician

–

Sociology and Criminal Justice

Adjunct Lecturer

meallen@caldwell.edu

Psychology and Counseling

Adjunct Instructor

baltschwager@caldwell.edu

Communication and Media Studies

Technical Production and Operations Manager

NAmabile@caldwell.edu

Information Technology

Institutional Research Analyst

eamato@caldwell.edu

English

Adjunct Lecturer

canan@caldwell.edu

English

Professor

danderson@caldwell.edu

Nursing and Public Health

Adjunct Lecturer

jaanderson@caldwell.edu

Operations

Visual Coordinator

mandrews@caldwell.edu

Theology and Philosophy

Adjunct Lecturer

aandrews@caldwell.edu

Athletics

Assistant Athletic Trainer

ranson@caldwell.edu

Business and Computer Science

Adjunct Lecturer

ganton@caldwell.edu

Business and Computer Science

Adjunct Lecturer

jantoniou@caldwell.edu

Helen Antoniou McGowan

Business and Computer Science
Associate Professor

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

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.

Business and Computer Science

Associate Professor

hmcgowan@caldwell.edu

Natural Sciences

Adjunct Lecturer

aaqeel@caldwell.edu

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.

Athletics

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

harabitg@caldwell.edu

Financial Aid

Counselor

marata@caldwell.edu

Modern Languages

Adjunct Lecturer

carazi@caldwell.edu

English

Adjunct Lecturer

marnowitz@caldwell.edu

Communication and Media Studies

Adjunct Lecturer

jaubourg@caldwell.edu

Natural Sciences

Associate Professor

daucoin@caldwell.edu

Business and Computer Science

Adjunct Instructor

–

Natural Sciences

Adjunct Lecturer

mawad@caldwell.edu

Business and Computer Science

Adjunct Lecturer

caxentiou@caldwell.edu

Business and Computer Science

Adjunct Lecturer

nbabar@caldwell.edu

Visual Art and Design

Professor of Studio Art

kbaker@caldwell.edu

Natural Sciences

Adjunct Lecturer

vbanbor@caldwell.edu

Education

Adjunct Lecturer

dbarmore@caldwell.edu

Education

Adjunct Instructor

kbarnes@caldwell.edu

History and Political Science

Professor of History

Wbarnhart@caldwell.edu

Visual Art and Design

Associate Professor of Studio Art

sbaron@caldwell.edu

School of Arts and Sciences

Assistant to the Dean

bbates@caldwell.edu

Visual Art and Design

Adjunct Lecturer

sbechtold@caldwell.edu

Education

Assistant

nbecker@caldwell.edu

Nursing and Public Health

Administrative Assistant/Exam Proctor

jbeirne@caldwell.edu

Psychology and Counseling

Adjunct

pberezny@caldwell.edu

Music

Marching Band Percussion Instructor

jbergen@caldwell.edu

Applied Behavior Analysis

Adjunct Lecturer

mberkowitz@caldwell.edu

Communication and Media Studies

Adjunct Lecturer

dbernstein@caldwell.edu

Psychology and Counseling

Adjunct Lecturer

sbharadwaj@caldwell.edu

Traci Bitondo

Counseling
Assistant Professor

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

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.

Counseling

Assistant Professor

tbitondo@caldwell.edu

Campus Safety and Security

Security Officer

bblaise@caldwell.edu

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