Deborah Firestone

Faculty Director

Deborah Firestone is Associate Dean of the School of Health Technology and Management and has a faculty appointment in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. She was employed as a medical technologist in the transfusion service at Crawford W. Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia and The Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan before accepting a faculty position in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department at Stony Brook University. She received her Ed.D. from St. John's University and her research and writing are in immunohematology and leadership.

She views her position as the new Faculty Director of the College of Human Development (HDV) as an opportunity to involve students in a variety of learning experiences devoted to exploring the physical, social and cultural aspects of What It Means to be Human. It is her hope that the range of experiences provided to students in the College of Human Development will provide a window through which each student can look at the different components that comprise humanity and begin to develop their own personal vision of What It Means to be Human.

Joseph Robinson

Undergraduate College Advisor

Joe Robinson is your academic advisor for The Undergraduate College of Human Development. He looks forward to working with you and assisting you in achieving your academic goals. Your first-year here at Stony Brook will be filled with many firsts and Joe is here to help you walk down the path of academic success. Please feel free to come into the office and discuss your academic future as well as any other issues you may be having while here at Stony Brook, or stop by just to say HELLO!

Joe is currently in his second year as an academic advisor. He moved to Stony Brook from Illinois, where he completed his Masters and Bachelors Degree at The Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His Bachelors degree is in Political Science with a Minor in History. His Graduate degree is in Historical Studies focusing on Early American environmental/cultural history. His second area of interest is Latin American history; in particular, Latin American thoughts about culture and nationalism.

What Joe most enjoys about his job is the fact that he gets to help make your first year experience at Stony Brook memorable. He also is thrilled at the fact that he has the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of students who have interests across the collegiate spectrum.

Erika Benhardt

Undergraduate College Advisor

Erika is originally from Corinth, NY, a small town north of Albany.  She attended Castleton State College in Vermont and received her B.S. in Physical Education with a second major in Sociology.   After graduating, she taught Physical Education at an Elementary School in Vermont for 2 years.  She moved to Long Island in June 2004 and attended The College of New Rochelle where she received her M.S. in Guidance and Counseling.  Prior to coming to Stony Brook she was in College Admissions for 3 years working with prospective Graduate, Transfer and Freshman students.   She started at The College of New Rochelle as an admission counselor then became Assistant Director of Admissions at Long Island University C.W. Post.  Erika works as an Undergraduate College Advisor for Human Development.  She is very excited to be working at Stony Brook and looks forward to working with Undergraduate students in their pursuit of personal and academic success. 

Amjad Abdo

Quad Director

Amjad Abdo has just recently joined the Division of Campus Residences at Stony Brook University. In his role as Quad Director, Amjad is a senior staff member of both Residential Programs and the College of Human Development teams providing leadership for the integration of academic and co-curricular programs. Amjad received his Bachelors in Biology and Sociology from Le Moyne College and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from Syracuse University. Amjad is very passionate about his work with students and is dedicated to their learning and success. He has expertise in working with International Students and global education. He is also passionate about service learning and the social justice issues facing our society.

Deborah Zelizer, LCSW

Faculty Director for Health and Wellness Living Learning Center

Debbie Zelizer is program director of the Health Science major in the School of Health Technology and Management at Stony Brook University. She is also an alumna of the School of Social Welfare where she received a master's degree in social work.
Prior to joining the Health Science major, Professor Zelizer was involved in the field of HIV/AIDS for fifteen years. She provided extensive education and training to health and human service providers on Long Island regarding the behavioral and social aspects of health. Professor Zelizer has presented nationally and internationally on topics such as allied health education, HIV/AIDS testing, and addictions treatment. In 2006, she was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to disseminate educational strategies nationally to alleviate allied health workforce shortages.
In 2008, she became faculty director of the Living Learning Center minor in Health and Wellness. The interdisciplinary minor is designed to give students a foundation in the concepts of healthy living and helps students select future studies or careers in the health professions.

Dominick Pastorelle

Residence Hall Director (Dewey College, Kelly Quad)

Dominick Pastorelle is excited to be joining the HDV community for his first year as a Resident Hall Director. As an RHD, Dominick serves a resource for the residents of Dewey College, and Kelly Quad as whole. Before Dominick came to Stony Brook, he attended Fordham College at Lincoln Center for English, and the Graduate School of Education for Secondary Education. Dominick is proud to be working with such a talented team of pro-staff members and passionate residents, and looks forward to bringing his own unique take on planning and programming to the college.

Natalie Hodge

Residence Hall Director (Eisenhower College)

Natalie Hodge is the Residence Hall Director for Eisenhower College. She is the author of a weekly e-newsletter entitled, "Eisen-How-We-Do-It" which has become a popular venue for residents to receive information about life, love and the pursuit of a college degree. Natalie is originally from Martinsville, Virginia and received her B.A. in Justice & Policy Studies and African American Studies from Guilford College and an M.A. in African American Studies from Cornell University. At Cornell, her research area was Women's Leadership in Higher Education specifically as it relates to the Black Studies Movement in the U.S. Having lived in several regions across the country, Natalie has a deep appreciation for diversity in all its forms.

Elisbeth Santore

Residence Hall Director (Schick College)

Elisbeth Santore is the Residence Hall Director in Schick College. She is originally from Brooklyn, New York but grew up in Newton, New Jersey and received an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Sussex County Community College, her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Spanish Translation and Interpretation from Rutgers University, and her Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University. She has a passion working with students in transition and student leaders. She also enjoys working with those with physical and mental disabilities. Elisbeth is looking forward to spending her first year at Stony Brook University as a part of the amazing Human Development Team and cannot wait to see the amazing things that the students of Human Development are capable of doing!

Larry Whitehurst

Residence Hall Director (Paul Lauterbur Nobel Hall)

My name is Larry Whitehurst and currently I serve as the Residence Hall Director of Paul Lauterbur Nobel Hall. I received both my Bachelors in Economics '06 and Masters in Healthcare Policy and Management '10 from Stony Brook University. Stony Brook University has offered me many challenges and growth opportunities both as an undergraduate and graduate student and now as a new professional. I currently have served as a Residence Hall Director for a period of 2 years, 1 year as the Residence Hall Director of Schick College "Living Learning Center of Health and Wellness", and for the grand opening and inaugural year of Lauterbur Hall. I have experienced many undergraduate colleges and lifestyles at Stony Brook University however I am very proud and thankful to call the Undergraduate College of Human Development my home. Working with the staff and students has been a great learning experience, and I look forward to being a resource to Stony Brook University and hopefully to you.

Alyssa Montminy

Residence Hall Director (Baruch College)

Alyssa Montminy is the Residence Hall Director for Baruch College. Originally from Oregon City, Oregon, Alyssa recieved her BS in Anthropology and History from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!), and an M.Ed. in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University. Alyssa's focus in grad school was Social Justice Education, specifically with the unique needs of the LGBT student. In addition to working with the amazing staff and residents of Baruch, Alyssa is also an instructor in the AIDS Peer Education Program. Alyssa is proud to be a Seawolf, and loves seeing all the quirky ways that Stony Brook students are able to showcase their Stony Brook spirit!

Jinai Gordon

Residence Hall Director (Hamilton College)

Jinai Gordon is a Chicago native, and currently, RHD for Hamilton College and Human Development 101 Instructor. She earned my Master’s of Science in College Student Personnel Administration and Services, and graduated from the Loyola University Chicago as a MAGIS Scholar with two Bachelor’s of Arts in International Studies and Public Relations & Advertising, and a minor in Spanish. She is a professional member of the National Association of College Personnel Administrators, the College Student Personnel Association of New York, and the Ice Skating Institute. Jinai has enjoyed traveling to several countries as a student ambassador and for exploring new cultures and human experiences in other countries including Australia, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and around the United States. She is passionate about social justice experiences within the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered community.