Governance
The Ph.D. Program in Psychology is administered by an Executive Officer with the advice and consent of an Executive Committee. For purposes of administration, it shall be operationally divided into ten training areas (listed in the last accordion) and, with the approval of the Executive Officer and the Executive Committee, may reformulate and evolve with the changing demands of the field.
Psychology Executive Office
The Executive Officer, Dr. Richard Bodnar, chairs the Psychology Executive Committee and other Committees as specified in the Psychology Governance Plan; oversees academic and administrative operations of the consortial doctoral program in Psychology; allocates program resources; works with the Graduate Center administration on behalf of the doctoral program; works closely with CUNY campus administrators, especially Department Chairs, Deans, and Provosts to ensure smooth operation of the consortium.
DEO Professor Sarah Berger (Sarah.Berger@csi.cuny.edu) provides essential support to three primary program research initiatives: the Doctoral Student Research Grant Program (DSRG); the Dissertation Fellowship Program (DFP); and Psychology Research Day. For the first two grant programs, the DEO assists with announcements to students, encourages participation, and provides guidance to student applicants. Specifically, with respect to the DSRG, the DEO solicits reviewers, establishes appropriate review panels, works with panel chairs to revise and develop review criteria, oversees the review process and compliance with GC policies, and prepares a report to the EO with recommendations for funding. For the DFP, the DEO solicits reviewers and encourages student participation. For Psychology Student Research Day, the DEO works with the student committee and the EO office to oversee the planning for the day.
Professor Patricia Brooks oversees Psychology’s Pedagogy program. This program includes the annual Teaching of Psychology Conference in the fall semester, additional professional development in pedagogy, and hosting the Society for the Teaching of Psychology’s Graduate Student Teaching Association. Professor Brooks maintains the program’s connection with the Society for the Teaching of Psychology and the American Psychological Association’s Education Directorate, including seeking funding opportunities; forging relationships with the campus Centers for Teaching and Learning to ensure access to services for our students; developing possible speakers and trainers; identifying psychology alumni with pedagogy expertise; and continuing to build a community of CUNY psychology scholars of teaching and learning.
DEO Professor Michelle Fine, (mfine@gc.cuny.edu), serves as the local "Chair," working with the faculty and students who are based at the Graduate Center to ensure they have the support and resources they need to do their work.
Administrative Staff
The APO for Administration and Program Management, Swe Swe Htay (shtay@gc.cuny.edu), under the direction of the Executive Officer, oversees the day-to-day administrative responsibilities of the doctoral program. Her many responsibilities include developing procedures, systems, and databases to support the program, managing the EO staff, helping to manage resources and space (including budgets, facilities, room reservations, and supplies), supporting the course scheduling process, and serving as the key liaison with the Provost’s Office, the Business Office, and the Financial Aid Office for financial aid, budget and human resources matters. She manages the student and faculty files, and supports governance meetings and many Program events.
As the Assistant Program Officer (APO) for Academic Support and Student Progress, Basya Kasinitz helps current students and faculty navigate the program and record program milestones, including understanding requirements and paperwork.
The College Assistants report directly to the APO for Administration and Program Management, who, in consultation with the EO, coordinates work assignments and ensures that the EO, DEOs, faculty and student leaders, and the APO for Academic Support and Student Progress, have the most effective staff support possible given resources provided. You may contact our College Assistants at staffeo@gc.cuny.edu
Baruch College
Tyla Vidal Tyla.Vidal@baruch.cuny.edu
Brooklyn College
Parbatie Chitolie PChitolie@brooklyn.cuny.edu
City College
Melissa Mayers-Morris mmayersmorris@med.cuny.edu
Hunter College
Maria Helena Reis mreis@hunter.cuny.edu
John Jay College
Shakiera Duren sduren@jjay.cuny.edu
Queens College
Angela Levy Angela.Levy@qc.cuny.edu
The Psychology Ombudsperson, Professor Martin Ruck, mruck@gc.cuny.edu, is appointed by the Executive Officer, who selects a faculty member who is not a current member of any program standing committee to serve as Ombudsperson for Psychology.
The Ombudsperson is available to all Psychology students to discuss matters of concern in complete confidentiality. This position is in addition to the Graduate Center’s Ombudsperson, who is also available for student or faculty consultation.
