Staff

Beth Mitchell, Associate Vice President, Communications and External Relations 
[email protected]
(212) 217-4718

Beth Mitchell leads the development and management of an integrated communications strategy for the college and The Museum at FIT, in partnership with CER's Media Relations and Creative Services teams. She brings to her role over two decades of communications and marketing experience in media, fashion, and entertainment. Previously, she was vice president of communications at Time Inc., where she led a diverse portfolio of fashion, lifestyle, millennial, and multicultural media brands. Prior to expanding her responsibilities at Time Inc., she was executive director of communications at InStyle. Earlier, with oversight of North America and Latin America, she was director of public relations at Getty Images. Her career began at Sony, where she held various marketing and communications roles within its entertainment subsidiaries, covering the U.S., Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Her consulting experience includes work with nonprofits and the private sector. Beth has a bachelor’s degree from Manhattanville College.

Roberto Villanueva, Director of Operations
[email protected]  

Roberto Villanueva, director of operations, serves as the chief administrative officer for the division and advisor to the vice president regarding the management, oversight, and direction of the division’s operations. He assists the vice president in the administration, coordination, and facilitation of day-to-day operations, coordinating and streamlining activities between the division and other units of the college, and managing, directing, and implementing strategic initiatives related to FIT’s strategic plan and fulfillment of the division’s mission. Roberto’s professional background includes more than 30 years of management experience working in not-for-profit, higher education, performing arts, retail, and investment banking institutions in various roles, including academic program director and adjunct professor for the College of Mount Saint Vincent, director of operations for the American Bible Society, and arts education and community engagement administrator for Dance Theatre of Harlem. He earned a BA from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Heather McCarron, Project Manager
[email protected]  
(212) 217-4720

Heather McCarron is the initial point of contact for administrators and staff who would like CER's help with marketing. She project manages the division's high-profile projects and monitors the work of the Creative Services team. She is continually refining CER's business processes, ensuring our workflows are efficient, clear, and free of unnecessary obstacles. She also oversees our legal and purchasing needs. Heather serves on the college's Policy Advisory Group and Records Retention Group and is the co-chair of the Administrative Innovation Working Group. She has an MS from Pace University, a BA from Loyola College in Maryland, and PMP certification from the Project Management Institute.

Dino Rodriguez, Budget Coordinator
[email protected]
(212) 217-4705

Dino Rodriguez manages critical divisional budgets and oversees multi-departmental expenditures and procurement for CER, supporting both internal and external clients. Serving as a key liaison, Dino also manages departmental funding and digital operational assets for Events Management and Facilities Rental. In alignment with FIT’s Future//Forward strategic initiative, Dino spearheads digital transformation by developing innovative workflows utilizing the Google Workspace and Jotform Workflows ecosystems. As a technology integration expert and low-code/no-code developer, he designs custom web applications that optimize operations for high-level institutional projects. Prior to his current role, Dino spent 15 years in FIT’s Office of International Programs, where he championed global education initiatives and fostered international partnerships. A proud recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service, Dino is also an Arabic language tutor and translator, a mobile technology enthusiast, and an entrepreneur.

Anthony Parrella, Administrative Associate
[email protected]
(212) 217-4719

Anthony Parrella is the administrative associate in CER, where he manages key departmental operations and administrative logistics to support the division's strategic goals. He brings over a decade of dedicated higher education administration experience to his role at FIT. Previously, Anthony spent 10 years at the City University of New York (CUNY) in several roles. He served as administrative coordinator at the CUNY School of Medicine; senior finance, budget, and administrative coordinator at the CUNY Central Office; and administrative coordinator at Bronx Community College. Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY University at Buffalo and an MBA in accounting from CUNY Baruch College.

Creative Services

Ellen Davidson, Publications and Advertising Manager 
[email protected]  
(212) 217-4712

Ellen Davidson, publications and advertising manager, oversees production of print materials for the college. She coordinates writing, editing, proofreading, design, photography, and printing of major publications like catalogs, view books, and annual reports, as well as smaller items like brochures, banners, flyers, and promotional giveaways. She also works with FIT’s advertising agency to create media plans, develop print and digital advertising materials, and run campaigns on social media platforms.

Cheryl Monteclaro, Communications Designer
[email protected]
(212) 217-4706

Cheryl Monteclaro, communications designer, is responsible for the development and execution of FIT’s visual identity across print, digital, video, and environmental platforms. Working collaboratively with CER’s writers, photographers, and web, social media, and production teams, she creates cohesive, brand-aligned communications while overseeing the division’s digital asset management system. With more than 25 years of experience as a multidisciplinary designer and creative director, her work spans higher education, early childhood education, and the private sector. She holds  an MFA in media design and a BS in information technology.

Smiljana Peros, Coordinator of Photography and Production
[email protected]  
(212) 217-4713

Smiljana Peros is the photography coordinator in CER. She oversees the planning, art direction, and production of photography that supports the college's marketing, editorial, and communications initiatives across print and digital platforms. In addition to photographing and editing assignments, she researches visual content, collaborates with designers and editors, and manages a roster of freelance photographers to ensure a cohesive visual identity across publications and campaigns. She holds a BFA in photography from Hunter College.

Digital and Web 

Taryn Rejholec, Manager of Digital Strategies
[email protected]
(212) 217-4723

Taryn Rejholec, manager of Digital Strategies, oversees FIT’s digital properties and develops online strategies to enhance the brand and align with the institution’s core strategic goals. She works with academic and administrative departments to achieve maximum visibility across FIT’s website, social media, web ads, online marketing campaigns, mobile, and video, and to leverage new digital properties and platforms. As CER’s primary expert on web communications, Taryn advises departments on the development of their webpages, sites, and digital marketing efforts to reach their goals. She develops concepts and design for major website and special digital projects such as FIT's website redesign,  FIT Newsroom, virtual events, and customized microsites for departments and programs.  She has a BA in English from Eastern Illinois University and attended Columbia College Chicago for a MFA in Creative Writing in Fiction.

Richard Ota, Web Developer
[email protected]
(212) 217-4721

Richard Ota, web developer, works to support FIT's content management system (CMS), troubleshoot, and diagnose/repair issues with the CMS and other website properties. He continues to leverage and innovate current software solutions as well as seek solutions for the web team and CER. An early developer of the pre-internet, Richard has worked at advancing technological companies, including Prodigy, Citibank, and Harris Connect. He welcomes the evolution of the internet and enjoys the new challenges and advancements of today's modern communication.

Norma Stary, Web Content Coordinator; Electronic Information Technology Accessibility Officer
[email protected]  
(212) 217-4711

Norma Stary, web content coordinator and EITA officer, is charged with governance and oversight of FIT’s website. She conducts training for FIT's web editors and monitors the site for quality assurance and accessibility. She has a BA in mass communication from West Texas A&M University and an MS in information design from SUNY Polytechnic. She is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies.

Simona Jankauskaite, Web Content Specialist
[email protected]
(212) 217-4717

Simona Jankauskaite assists the web content coordinator and the rest of the web team in maintaining FIT’s website. She focuses on consistent content presentation in keeping with best web publishing and accessibility practices. Before joining CER in 2022, Simona worked in FIT’s Gladys Marcus Library. She is a graduate of FIT with a BFA in Computer Animation and Interactive Media, and holds a Master’s of Library and Information Science degree from Queens College.

Editorial 

Alex Joseph, Chief Storyteller
[email protected]  
(212) 217-4708

Alex Joseph, FIT's chief storyteller, works across all of the college's platforms and channels, developing content and strategizing for every department of FIT. He creates print and web stories for the college’s magazine, Hue, which he co founded in 2007, and for which he still serves as an editor. He produces videos that appear on the college’s website and social media, organizes and moderates events, and conducts interviews for FIT Talks, the college’s oral history project. He is a 2015 graduate of the Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice MA program, and published a piece for the peer-reviewed journal Fashion Theory. He writes for Vestoj, Fashion Studies Journal, Surface, and other publications. He also has an MFA in fiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College. He has worked as a writer for FIT since 2000.

Jonathan Vatner, Editorial and Managing Director
[email protected]
(212) 217-4709

Jonathan Vatner is the editor of Hue,  FIT's award-winning magazine, overseeing both the print publication and website. He also guides the editorial strategy of FIT Newsroom, ensuring consistent quality and working to expand its reach. He also writes for both publications and pitches in on wordsmithing for other CER projects. A journalist since 2002, he has been an editor of O at Home, an Oprah Magazine, and Meetings & Conventions, and has written for The New York Times; O, The Oprah Magazine; and many other publications. He is the author of the novels The Bridesmaids Union (St. Martin's Press, 2022) and Carnegie Hill (Thomas Dunne Books, 2019), and has taught fiction writing at New York University and the Hudson Valley Writers Center. He received an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College and a BA in cognitive neuroscience from Harvard University.

Laura Hatmaker, Internal Communications Specialist
[email protected]
(212) 217-4716

Laura Hatmaker oversees FIT’s internal communications and is responsible for creating and disseminating Newsroom Direct, the college’s weekly e-newsletter. Before joining CER, she was the managing editor at XXL magazine, and worked with a marketing firm to create a new publication for Avon’s teen brand, Mark. Laura is also the advisor to FIT’s student-run fashion and beauty magazine, Blush. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.

Kim Masibay, Editorial Associate
[email protected]
(212) 217-4725

Kim Masibay brings more than 20 years of book and magazine editorial experience to FIT. In her role here, she copyedits, fact-checks, and proofreads a wide range of publications and communications online and in print. She also provides research, writing, and sentence repair services for various CER projects. A journalist since 1999, Kim has worked as an editor and writer for magazines such as Food & Wine, Fine Cooking, Scientific American, and Scholastic Science World. She has an MS in journalism from Columbia University and a BA in English from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago.

Government and Community Relations

Lisa Wager, Director, Government and Community Relations
[email protected] 
(212) 217-4700

Lisa Wager, director, Government and Community Relations, oversees FIT’s city, state, and federal government engagement on issues ranging from funding to land use to inter- and intra-agency agreements, and works with FIT’s administration and student representatives to coordinate the college’s lobbying efforts. She is responsible for identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership with external organizations and for building and implementing community relations and outreach programs to enhance the college’s involvement with its diverse community groups, both in the geographic neighborhood and in areas of shared interest. She represents the college on several boards and local committees, and appears monthly before Community Boards 4 and 5.

Lisa’s prior employment includes roles as deputy director of Non-traditional Employment for Women (a job-training program that provides free instruction and helps women gain access to skilled trade union apprenticeships), and director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Northeast and Caribbean Region, U.S. General Services Administration, as an appointee of the Clinton Administration. She holds a BA from Vassar College.

Media Relations and Public Relations

Alexandra Mann, Media Relations Manager
[email protected]
(212) 217-4722 

Alex Mann is part of CER’s Media Relations team. She develops strategies and pitches for media placements to raise the profile of the college and its specific programs, initiatives, curriculum, faculty, and students and is a regular contributor to FIT Newsroom. A former news reporter and magazine writer, Alex has also worked in public relations, marketing and communications in the museum, arts, non-profit and education sectors. Alex has an MA in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ivana Cepeda, Media Relations Specialist
(212) 217-4710 
[email protected]

Ivana Cepeda, media relations specialist, creates media relations strategies for FIT and The Museum at FIT initiatives. She works with the digital teams to promote media placements on FIT’s social media channels. Additionally, she handles research projects for media relations and coordinates media interviews for members of the FIT community. Ivana holds a BS in Advertising and Marketing Communications from FIT.

Steven Bibb, External Communications Specialist
[email protected]
(212) 217-4715 

Steven Bibb is an external communications specialist on FIT's Media Relations team, where he cultivates relationships with news media and entertainment industry partners to facilitate film, television, and photography productions on campus. He also manages media inquiries on behalf of the FIT community and leads strategic press and publicity initiatives for The Museum at FIT, working to elevate the museum's exhibitions, public programs, and institutional profile through targeted media outreach. Steven earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Studies from Hofstra University.

Devi Penny, Social Media Coordinator
(212) 217-4724
[email protected]

Devi Penny is FIT's social media coordinator, leading the institution's social media strategy and digital storytelling. She partners with academic departments, museums, leadership, students, and industry collaborators to translate the breadth of FIT's work into engaging content that connects with audiences around the world. With a background in photography, fashion, and brand communications, Devi specializes in visual storytelling that elevates institutional narratives while fostering community and cross-campus collaboration. She holds a BFA in fine art photography from Syracuse University.