Staff Bios
Emma Andrews, M.A.
Academic Advisor
Emma received both her Bachelor’s in History and her Master’s in Public Administration from Binghamton University. During her time at Binghamton, she worked in Residential Life and Campus Recreation, as well as interned at the New York State Library in the Division of Library Development.
In her free time, Emma loves the daily crossword (and other assorted puzzle games), perfecting her bread recipes, and is a massive hockey fan (go Islanders!).
Emma is excited to join the Academic Transfer and Advising Services team and the SBU community!
Isabella Bator, M.A.
Lead Academic Advisor
Isabella earned her Bachelor's Degree from Stony Brook University in Sociology. Following her studies, she joined the Peace Corps in China for two years as a volunteer English teacher. This sparked her passion for global education and she completed her Master’s Degree in International Development & Social Change at Clark University, focusing on education equity.
Isabella has vast experience in academic, advising, and student affairs services. More recently, she held an administrative and supervisory role working with diverse and underrepresented student populations entering Allied Health field, and managing faculty in the Liberal Arts & Sciences department. Isabella has also taught classes in subjects such as interpersonal communication, freshman seminar, and career development.
As a former Wolfie, she is excited to join the Academic and Transfer Advising Services team to help students realize their true potential and succeed in reaching their goals!
Nicole Chiuchiolo, M.A.
Senior Academic Advisor
Nicole realized her passion for higher education during her time at Fordham University, where she served as an orientation leader and student ambassador.
After graduating with her undergraduate degree in Communications, Nicole went on to pursue her Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration at Stony Brook. Nicole has previously worked at Stony Brook in Student Life, and St. Joseph's University in Institutional Advancement. Nicole is thrilled to be back at SBU to join the ATAS team!
Tyra DiDomenico
Academic Advisor
Tyra earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Stony Brook University. She then worked as an investigator for Suffolk County Child Protective Services which showed her the many challenges children and parents face. Many of these same children and parents yearned to attend college and improve their lives despite the adversity they faced. This motivated Tyra to begin working in Higher Education where she has a passion for helping students reach their full academic potential while also balancing life's challenges. She worked at Farmingdale State College as a tutor in the Writing Center and then transitioned to working with Farmingdale Students as a Transfer Services advisor.
Tyra is excited to return to her Alma Mater working with Stony Brook University students. Her role as an Academic Advisor with the Academic and Transfer Advising Services team will allow her to see Stony Brook students thrive and excel at this prestigious institution!
Zulayka Fagan, M.S.Ed
Operations Manager
Zulayka earned her BA in Public Communication from SUNY Buffalo State. She obtained her Master’s degree in Elementary Education with an extension in Bilingual Education from NYIT.
Prior to joining the ATAS team, she has worked in philanthropy by assisting in the fundraising efforts of art and education based nonprofits. Most recently, she worked as a Lead teacher within Long Island City and Nassau County. She accepted the role as Operations manager which merges both her philanthropic experience and background in education.
Zulayka is excited to join the SBU community and the ATAS team!
Rebecca Geist, M.S
Lead Academic Advisor
Rebecca received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a minor in Speech Communication at St. Joseph’s University. She then obtained her Master of Science Degree in School Counseling from Long Island University. She has always had a passion for helping students succeed and greatly enjoys seeing students meet their goals. Rebecca has worked in a variety of roles in the education field specializing in tutoring, special education, counseling, foster care, and college admissions.
Rebecca is excited to be a part of the Academic and Transfer Advising Services Team and the SBU community!
Alyssa Geraci
Academic Advisor
Alyssa received both her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. It was during this time that she worked within Adelphi's Division of Student Affairs and the Center for Student and Community Engagement, where she discovered her passion for higher education. Previously, Alyssa has worked at Long Island University as a Success Coach. She approaches advising empathetically with an emphasis on student success.
Alyssa is incredibly excited to be a part of the ATAS team!
Bryan Grilli, M.A., M.Ed.
Academic Advisor
Bryan received his B.A. in Communications and English from Adelphi University where he initially developed passions for searching through course catalogues and figuring out the best possible course schedules. He first worked with administrators, faculty, staff, and students while serving as Editor-in-Chief of Adelphi’s student-led newspaper and interning for University Advancement and External Relations. He also holds an M.A. in English and M. Ed. in Leadership, Curriculum, Assessment, and Policy from the University of Ottawa. During his time in graduate school, he first began interacting with students as an instructor – first as a teaching assistant and then as a professor for the last three years after graduating. Throughout his professional career, he has remained dedicated to pursuing best practices for facilitating student academic skill building and holistic success. This commitment led him to the Ed. D. program at Northeastern University where he currently researches collaborations between academic support staff and faculty members to reinforce student academic reading, research, and writing skills. In his free time, Bryan enjoys reading, baking, and rooting for the Yankees.
After spending much of the past decade in Canada, Bryan is excited to return to his native Long Island and join the SBU community within Academic and Transfer Advising Services. He especially looks forward to continuing to help students develop their skills, envision and achieve their goals, and reach their highest potential.
Daniel Gross, M.B.A
Associate Director
Dan earned both his BA in Psychology and MBA at Stony Brook University. After receiving his masters, Dan worked for Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions helping college students across Long Island prepare for entrance exams for admission to graduate programs. After his time at Kaplan, Dan came back "home" to Stony Brook University. He first worked in the Graduate School in the records, course catalog, and admissions areas. Dan then shifted to the Registrar's Office where he was the Assistant Registrar for Departmental Degree Audit. After his time there, Dan advised students on New York State Aid requirements and eligibility from the Financial Aid Office.
Dan looks forward to continuing his passion of advising students in this role as Associate Director in the Academic and Transfer Advising Services office.
Tracey Iorio, M.S.
Assistant Director, Seawolves at Suffolk
Tracey Iorio is an Assistant Director in the Academic and Transfer Advising Services Office. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling and NY State license from LIU C.W Post in 2009. Tracey came to Stony Brook University in 2002 and worked as an advisor in the Transfer Office, which merged with Academic Advising Center in the summer of 2012. Prior to working at Stony Brook she spent 14 years as Senior Associate Director of Admissions at The Juilliard School.
Along with her role as an advisor to current Stony Brook University students, she is the coordinator for the Seawolves at Suffolk program. Tracey advises students who are part of the Joint Admissions program. The Joint Admissions program admits students from Suffolk County and Nassau Community Colleges. Tracey provides these students with one-on-one advising each semester to ensure a seamless transition to Stony Brook. This fall 2025 Tracey will have a dedicated office space at the Ammerman and Grant Campuses of Suffolk County Community College. The students will be able to make an appointment to see Tracey and receive valuable information about their current program of study and how to be academically successful at Stony Brook University and beyond.
Tracey has recently received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service.
Maudelyne Maxineau, MSW
Lead Academic Advisor
Maudelyne received her Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts at the City University of New York—CUNY. She then earned her MSW at Adelphi University and entered the education field.
She has worked in higher education for nearly 15 years as an academic leader and advisor. For most of her career, Maudelyne has worked in community college settings, helping to craft student policies and ensuring students have positive and meaningful college experiences. She is passionate about student success and ensuring students utilize campus resources.
Maudelyne is excited to have the opportunity to work with the Academic and Transfer Advising Service team and serve SBU students.
James Montren
Director for Pre-Health Advising
James serves as the Pre-Professional Advisor in the Center. He graduated from New York University, studying a wide-range of topics, languages, literature and linguistics - mainly Russian, German, Gothic, and Old Church Slavic - in pursuit of his bachelor's and master's degrees. Jim's advising and Pre-Health experience began at NYU in the early 90s.
Cydney Munro, M.A.
Academic Advisor
Cydney earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a specialization in Operations Management from Stony Brook University. After realizing her passion for higher education, she then went on to earn her Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University.
During her time as a Graduate student, she worked as a Graduate Intern for the Office of Student Services in the College of Business at Stony Brook University. She is now an Academic Advisor with the Academic and Transfer Advising Services (ATAS) team at Stony Brook University!
Mary Beth Powers, MSW
Associate Director
Mary Beth earned an MSW from Stony Brook University's School of Social Welfare and a BA in English from LeMoyne College. To date she has over 20 years of experience in higher education, primarily in residential life and academic advising. Among her current responsibilities in Academic and Transfer Advising Services, the one she values and enjoys most is working one-on-one with students to help them achieve their highest potential. Focusing on students' strengths, interests, and emerging talents, Mary Beth's proudest moments are when she witnesses students truly "seeing" themselves for the first time, and finding they like what they see.
Mary Beth is both self-proclaimed Dolphin (LeMoyne mascot) and Seawolf, an avid beach comber, collector of rocks, lover of antiques, tireless gardener, and pensive poet. "I just like to look for the beauty in the world...and create it where I can. And I see a lot of beauty in the efforts and achievements, both great and small, of our students."
Ariana Rivera
Academic Advisor
Ariana Rivera earned her Associate's degree from Suffolk County Community College before completing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Communications at Baruch College in New York City. She previously volunteered at the Long Island State Veterans Home and worked her way up to working in both the admissions and business office. She is now an enthusiastic academic advising intern with the Academic and Transfer Advising Services (ATAS) team at Stony Brook University!
Kaitlyn Seitz, M.A.
Associate Director
Katie received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from SUNY New Paltz and Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University. While completing her master's degree, Katie worked as a graduate assistant with Pre-Health Advising, Finish in 4, and the Health Science Department. She then worked at Stony Brook's Career Center as the Healthcare Career Coach and has always had an interest working with students who have a passion seeking careers in the healthcare industry.
Katie has instructed courses including ADV (Advising) 101 and WSE 381 (Service Learning in STEM) and has always had a passion for teaching. Katie is thrilled and excited to work with the Academic and Transfer Advising Services team!
Meghan Sweeney, M.S. Ed
Lead Academic Advisor
Meghan received her B.A. in Applied Psychology and Human Relations from Pace University and her M.S.Ed in School Counseling from Hunter College. She previously worked for Eastern Suffolk BOCES as a School Counselor and at the New York Institute of Beauty as Student Services. Meghan thrives on organization and structure but understands that creative minds will need creative solutions in order to perform at their highest potential. She has a passion for finding potential where others would not, both at work and at home. In her free time she enjoys refurbishing antique furniture that deserves a new lease on life!
She is excited to have the opportunity to work with the Academic and Transfer Advising Services team and serve Stony Brook University’s students!
Dr. Mariana Torres
Assistant Dean of Academic Advising
Dr. Mariana Torres (she/her) serves as the Assistant Dean of Academic Advising, where she leads the general advising teams within the Division of Undergraduate Education. Throughout her career in higher education, Dr. Torres has held roles spanning Advisement, Alumni Affairs, First-Year Experience, Leadership Development, New Student Orientation, Residence Life, Student Activities, and Student Conduct across a wide range of institutions, including public, private, for-profit, community college, and four-year universities. Her work is grounded in collaboration, with a deep commitment to fostering positive and meaningful learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Dr. Torres earned her Doctorate of Education in Instructional Leadership from St. John’s University and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University. A proud Seawolf alum, she continues to cherish the excitement of Stony Brook’s annual Roth Regatta each spring. While she finds great joy in her professional role, Dr. Torres’ proudest titles are wife to Samantha and mom to Isabela and their energetic pup, Charley.