Meet Our Graduate Assistants

Aliyah Brown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a student in the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program. Brown completed her undergraduate studies at Penn State University in, earning a B.S. in Psychology. She further continued her studies at Temple University, earning her M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology. Brown is passionate about connecting with people and bridging the gap between social justice, advocacy and relational development. A career in the services allows her to achieve this by exploring individual stories and making a meaningful impact on many others. In the future, Brown aspires to become a psychologist and follow wherever her passions may lead her.

Chelsea Chen of Connecticut, is a student in the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program. Chen earned her B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut in 2020. Her interest in the Counseling Psychology program stems from a passion for research and a commitment to boosting marginalized voices in the field. While Chen's career aspirations are still evolving, she remains interested in exploring both research and clinical positions.

Gabbie Costanzo of Prospect, Connecticut, is a student in the M.A. in Museum Professions program. In 2024, Costanzo earned their B.A. in History with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies at Arcadia University. Costanzo was introduced to museums during their early childhood. Over the years, Costanzo learned that museums are essential for understanding the past and how it connects to both the present and the future. Additionally, Costanzo always looked forward to class field trips, as well as exploring living history exhibitions. During their undergraduate studies, Costanzo frequently traveled abroad, which furthered their interest in unconventional methods of teaching and learning. After graduation, Costanzo desires to build a career in museums where they can help others learn, connect and feel at home. Moreover, Costanzo is passionate about developing museum spaces that people can trust. They aim to create spaces where visitors feel that their voices matter and where curiosity is both welcomed and encouraged. Aside from their journey in Museum Professions, Costanzo has received a Certificate in Irish Studies from Queens University Belfast during the Summer of 2024. In their spare time, Costanzo enjoys spending time with their cats, learning new crafting skills and traveling abroad.

Justine DeGaetano of Staten Island, New York, is a student in the Ed.S. in School Psychology program. DeGaetano earned her B.A. in Psychology from Binghamton University in 2021. Additionally, in May, 2025, DeGaetano earned her M.A. in Psychological Studies, with a concentration in School Psychology. Her aspiration to become a school psychologist was sparked by her long-term passion for the field of mental health. DeGaetano has always enjoyed working with children and is deeply interested in the process of assessing and evaluating students. This led her to the field of School Psychology, which she believes perfectly aligns with her aspirations. After graduation, DeGaetano aims to offer support and relief to individuals and families affected by special needs, dedicated to making a meaningful difference in their lives.

Tim Garofalo of Middlesex, New Jersey, is a student in the M.A. in Psychological Studies program with a concentration in Sports and Exercise Psychology. Garofalo is a University of Massachusetts-Amherst Alumni, where he earned his B.S. in Psychology with a secondary focus in Public Health. Sports and Exercise Psychology has always felt like the perfect fit for Garofalo, as it allows him to combine his passion for athletics with his interest in helping others build resilience, confidence and overall well-being. Garofalo’s long-term goal is to become a licensed Sport and Performance Psychologist, working with athletes, teams and individuals to help them improve both their performance and mental health.

Annakay Gordon of New Jersey is a student in the Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy program. Gordon earned her B.A. in Business Administration at Berkeley College in 2013. Gordon’s previous work experiences, which have been working in higher education in various roles, influenced her to pursue her Ph.D. in Higher Education. Post graduation, Gordon desires to be a dean or lecturer at a university and to ultimately pursue a leadership position in higher education. In her free time, Gordon enjoys listening to music, travel experiences and spending time with her family.

Rebecca Hampton of Lawrence, Kansas, is a student in the M.A. in Museum Professions program. Hampton has earned multiple degrees during her undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas. In 2021, she earned her B.A. in Classical Studies and her B.A. in History of Art. Additionally, in 2024, Hampton earned her B.A. in History. Hampton’s love for museums began when she was younger, always finding joy in visiting them. Her parents exposed her to many different cultures, arts, religions, and histories, which eventually led her to pursue museum studies. Whether it is a history, art or science museum, Hampton has a deep appreciation for them all. She has always desired to see what goes on behind the scenes at museums–the workings that visitors do not get to witness. Similarly, Hampton has always been eager to see the pieces that are not typically showcased, knowing that museums can only exhibit a fraction of their collections at a time. In planning for the future, Hampton would like to work for a museum in New York City, working as a collections manager or a curator. She is highly intrigued by art museums, but is open to working with history museums as well.

Manisha Janjikhel of Bridgewater, New Jersey, is a student in the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology Program. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Panjab University in India and later completed her MBA at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She then advanced her studies at Rutgers University, graduating with an M.A. in Applied Psychology in 2022. Janjikhel has a passion for mental health advocacy and is committed to supporting individuals with mental health needs. Upon graduation, Janjikhel plans to work in counseling centers with adults to help them navigate their mental health challenges.

Kebba Jeffang of The Gambia, West Africa, is a student in the M.S. in Professional Communication and Digital Media Arts program. He holds B.Sc. in Business Administration. With years of background in journalism, he desires to further his academic knowledge in communication and digital media to enhance his digital storytelling skills in a more impactful way. Prior to his arrival in the U.S, he led the training of more than 200 high school students in his country through a UNESCO-MIL funded project to enhance their understanding of digital citizenship and safe internet browsing in the face of proliferation of hate speech, disinformation and other internet threats in the cyber space. He hopes to use this program to prepare himself even better to continue raising awareness and skill development of others to tackle cyber-related threats through media literacy programs.

Kelsey Kaelin of Montclair, New Jersey, is a student in the M.A. in School Counseling program. Kaelin is a Seton Hall University alumna, where she earned a B.A. in Theatre and an M.A. in Special Education. Kaelin’s interest in School Counseling was sparked by her love for education and working with children. Her experience teaching special education has inspired her to support students through counseling, while remaining in a school setting. Kaelin hopes to work with elementary or middle school students in the future, encouraging them to grow, thrive and truly enjoy their learning journey.

Christina Korotki of Oceanside, New York, is a student in the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology Program. During her undergraduate years, Korotki minored in sociology, criminology and graduated with a B.A. in General Psychology from Adelphi University in 2023. Korotki continued her education at Adelphi University for an additional year, earning her M.A. in 2024 along with an advanced certificate in Human Resource Management. Korotki's interest in psychology was deeply influenced by her nana’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Witnessing the complexities of the illness, the challenges of treatment and the strain on caregivers sparked her desire to understand and address these issues more effectively. Although she is currently uncertain about which population she wants to serve after graduation, she is optimistic that her program will help her discover and define her future focus in the field.

Kaylee Long of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is a student in the M.A. in Museum Professions program. Long pursued her undergraduate studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her B.S.Ed. in Social Studies Education and a B.A. in History. Long’s interest in the museum field was ignited by her passion for teaching. Due to a majority of her background being in education, Long felt that the museum environment allowed for more hands-on and creative experiences for students. Long looks forward to applying her knowledge in education to these diverse and exploratory settings. Likewise, Long aspires to become a museum educator at an arts or history institution and create programming for students and visitors. 

Isabella Lyons of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, is a student in the M.A. in School Counseling program. In May, 2025, Lyons had earned her B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience at Drew University. Lyons’ interest in school counseling stemmed from the multiple, positive influences she has had in school settings throughout her childhood. Lyons always knew she wanted to work with children and give back the same positive influence as her former educators, shaping future generations of students. With the ultimate goal of wanting to help as many individuals as possible in various ways, school counseling became Lyons’ ideal career choice as she was captivated by the intersections between mental health counseling, academic advising and personal growth monitoring within the career. After recently completing an internship within the Orange Public School District as a School Counseling Student Assistant, Lyons’ passion for her career choice has grown exponentially. Post graduation, Lyons looks forward to becoming a School Counselor in order to positively impact others on a daily basis, even in the smallest of ways. Lyons’ ultimate goal is to serve others and provide a safe, uplifting environment throughout her career. Likewise, Lyons looks forward to growing and learning both professionally and personally, inside and outside of the classroom, in order to better serve those around her.

Olivia Ohngemach of Wayne, New Jersey, is a student in the M.A./Ed.S. in Professional Counseling program. During her undergraduate years at The College of New Jersey, Ohngemach earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Marketing in 2024. Ohngemach has always envisioned a career in Counseling and Therapy. Her internship experience at Wayne Counseling & Family Services is what truly fueled her passion for helping others, solidifying her desire to pursue this path professionally. In the near future, she aspires to establish her own private practice or non-profit agency dedicated to providing mental health counseling in underserved communities.

Lisa Pescatore of Hillsdale, New Jersey, is a student in the Ed.S. in School Psychology program. Pescatore earned her B.A. in Psychology at Seton Hall University in 2021 and recently earned her M.A. in Psychological Studies in May, 2025. Pescatore has developed a strong passion for working with children, particularly in supporting their emotional, behavioral and academic well-being. Additionally, her previous positions as a Client Social Services Coordinator and a Case Manager have inspired her to pursue an Ed.S in School Psychology. Pescatore is committed to equipping the younger generations for success both academically and in the real world. As a future school psychologist, she is dedicated to fostering a safe and nurturing environment where students can thrive and realize their limitless potential with the right support.