Brian Peterson is the interim senior vice president of administration and finance and the dean for academic initiatives and strategic innovation at The Graduate Center.
As interim senior vice president, Peterson is responsible for overseeing and managing the finances and support services of The Graduate Center. As dean for both academic initiatives and strategic innovation and the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies (CUNY BA), his priorities include leading new academic programming opportunities, such as certificates, hybrid and online courses, and non-degree offerings; advancing and strengthening global partnerships; raising the profile of CUNY BA; and supporting The Graduate Center’s strategic planning and implementation.
Before joining The Graduate Center in 2018, Peterson was associate dean of student and community affairs at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. He led the teams that established the CUNY School of Professional Studies in 2003 and launched CUNY’s first online degree program in 2006. During his tenure at the CUNY School of Professional Studies, he supported faculty development of new academic programs, collaborated in developing responsive workforce development initiatives, raised scholarship funds for students, and collaborated with faculty and staff to support and promote student success.
Peterson has more than 25 years of experience in planning, leading, and administering higher education programs and initiatives. He has spearheaded large-scale workforce development programs for CUNY, and before that, for Jobs for Youth, Inc. and the National Community AIDS Partnership. A Minnesota native, he earned his B.S. in communications from St. Cloud State University and his MPA from Baruch College.
Email: bpeterson@gc.cuny.edu
Phone: 212.817.7252
Mariel Villeré is the program development director for the office of academic initiatives and strategic innovation at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. In this new role, she works collaboratively with administration, faculty, staff, and students to advance academic innovation, optimize new program development processes, and promote innovative initiatives of The Graduate Center’s academic programs, centers, and institutes. Prior to joining The Graduate Center, she worked for NYC Parks as Manager for Programs, Arts, and Grants for Freshkills Park, where she developed new programming and managed the public art program as part of the site’s transition from landfill to park.
She holds a BA in Architecture from Barnard College and a Masters of Architecture Studies in the History, Theory & Criticism of Architecture and Art from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mariel maintains a practice of curatorial and editorial projects at the intersection of architecture, art, and urban studies. She enjoys visiting museums, staying active outdoors, cooking, knitting, and reading.
Email: mvillere@gc.cuny.edu
Phone: 212-817-7259
Mrs. Ariana Durando is the academic program specialist for the office of academic initiatives and strategic innovation at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. In her current role she seeks to advance the strategic and programming plan by providing support to the development of non-credit and for-credit programs, courses, and events, evaluation, and strategy for a wide range of new programming across The Graduate Center. She remains a part-time Psychology lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and for the past 11 years a Psychology lecturer at Queens College.
She earned her Master's in Science in 2017 in Neuropsychology and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Johns University in 2007. She received her Emergency Medical Technician license in 2009. She is a PhD candidate in the Neuropsychology program, mentored by Dr. Joshua C. Brumberg the Director of Brain, Behavior and Cognition Doctoral Programs at The Graduate Center. The objective of her research is to understand the precise connectivity & developmental patterns between the cerebral cortex and thalamus through the identification of the morphological and physiological properties of the neurons that originate in layer V of the rat barrel cortex and project to the posterior medial nucleus of the thalamus.
Mrs. Durando has dedicated her time to volunteer at various establishments including Elmhurst Hospital's Child Psychiatric Unit, Long Island University Hospital, Great Neck Physical Therapy, and East Rockaway Fire Department. Her professional memberships include the American Psychological Association, Society for Neuroscience, Barrels Society, the Association for Women in Science, and the American and New York Civil Liberties Unions.
Email: adurando1@gc.cuny.edu
Phone: 212-817-7249
Olena Plaskon is an administrative assistant for the office of finance and administration and the office of the president at The Graduate Center, CUNY. As administrative assistant, Plaskon is responsible for the planning and execution of ongoing calendar of reports, deadlines, and the coordination of confidential appointments and communication. She is central to the response of public inquiries and from those within the campus and university community. Prior to this Plaskon worked as a college assistant for human resources where she was primarily responsible for storing and accessing confidential documents as they related to internal employee personnel data.
Plaskon holds a Master’s in Biology and Education in 2017 and her Bachelor’s in Biology 2015 from Chernivtsi National University, Ukraine. While at University she worked as a residence life coordinator of the One Service Special Students Program and spent a great deal of work engaged with students, student planning, and handled the status of health and hazards for resident safety. Plaskon is fluent in both Russian and Ukrainian.
Of the many interests that Ms. Plaskon finds enjoyable; biking and hiking are at the top of her list, along with increasing her skill sets in data analysis and exploring her scientific research.
Email: oplaskon@gc.cuny.edu
Phone: 212-817-7606
Email: engagement@gc.cuny.edu
Phone: 212-817-AISI (2474)
Office: 8309.03 & 8101
Website: www.gc.cuny.edu/AISI