Mahwish Turab

Psychology
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]

Education
M.A., Caldwell University
Ph.D., Capella University

Dr. Mahwish Turab has been affiliated with Caldwell University for over 15 years. Initially as a graduate student and then falling into her role as an adjunct professor in theGraduate Counseling Program as well as the Undergraduate Psychology Program. She has a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and has a PhD in Counseling andAdvanced Studies in Human Behavior, with research expertise in Grief, Attachment, and Animal-Human Bond.

Beatrice Turenne

Nursing and Public Health
Instructor, Public Health Education

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 9736183020
Office Location: Student Center 2nd Floor

Beatrice Turenne graduated from Seton Hall University with a BSW and Alliance Graduate School of Counseling with a focus on Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After serving with the NJ Department of Health on several projects, the call to Public Health became clearer and clearer. She is a nationally certified counselor and a NJ Disaster Recovery Crisis Counselor. All efforts stem from her faith, and a belief that there is wellness and life in abundance available, and it is our greatest calling to help others achieve it.

Erika Turner

Counseling Services
Counselor

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-618-3879
FAX: 973-618-3940
Office Location: Newman Center – Health Services

Office:
Mon: 8:30-4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am-4:30pm
Fri: 8:30a-12pm

Erika Turner is a licensed therapist with over 17 years of experience working with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings. She is a compassionate clinician who treats individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, work/life balance, life transitions, and loss. She works collaboratively with clients to develop trust, accomplish goals, and achieve success.

Annette Vaccaro

Counseling
Associate Professor

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-618-3938
Office Location: Student Center, 105

Office:
Mon: 8:00am-10:00am
Tues: 8:00am-10:00am
Wed: By Appointment
Thurs: By Appointment
Fri: By Appointment

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
EDUCATION
B.A. Seton Hill University
M.S. Eastern Virginia Medical School
M.S.W. New York University
Certificate in Psychoanalysis, The Academy of Clinical and Applied Psychoanalysis
Ed.D. Argosy University

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Art Therapy Association
New Jersey Art Therapy Association
American Counseling Association
New Jersey Counseling Association
New Jersey Association for Social Work
National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis
Society of Modern Psychoanalysis

CREDENTIALS
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Certified Psychoanalyst, National and New Jersey
Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist
NASW approved Social Work Supervisor
Approved Counseling Supervisor
Art Therapy Credentialed Supervisor

SPECIAL INTERESTS
Clinical Supervision, Modern Psychoanalysis, Mental Health, Family Life

Christine Vandenberg

Registrar
University Registrar

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-618-3202
Office Location: Aquinas Hall 104G

Office:
Mon: 8:30-4:30
Tues: 8:30-4:30
Wed: 8:30-4:30
Thurs: 8:30-4:30
Fri: 8:30-4:30

Christine joined Caldwell University as the University Registrar in November 2024. Prior to arriving at Caldwell, she spent 20 years in higher education at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ. There, her experience included 13 years in Enrollment Management and the last 7 years as the Registrar.

Christine earned her B.A. in Political Science from Stonehill College in MA and her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.

Christine enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.

Rebecca Vega

Music
Professor of Music, Director of Instrumental Studies, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Flute

Email: [email protected]
Office: 973-868-6395
Location: Visceglia 218
Office Location: Visceglia Hall, 218

Office:
Mon: 1:00 PM -2:30 PM
Tues: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Thurs: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Professor Rebecca Vega is an Associate Professor in the Music Department, and serves as the music recruitment advisor. This is her 20th year at Caldwell where she directs the CU Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Flute Ensemble and Reed Ensemble. She teaches Conducting, Instrumental Rehearsal Techniques and Music Education courses. She is an active flutist and performs regularly with the UpTown Flutes and the trio Terzetta.

B.M. (Music Education) California State University, Long Beach
M.A. (Flute Performance) Eastern Michigan University

Vladislav Veksler

Business and Computer Science
Assistant Professor

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-618-3028
Office Location: Visceglia Hall 204A
Office Location: Werner Hall 218

Dr. Vlad Veksler is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Caldwell University. His research and teaching focus on all topics where there is interplay between humans and machines, including Artificial Intelligence, UI/UX and Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Agent Teaming, Cybernetics, Cognitive Modeling, Behavioral Simulations, Behavioral Game Theory, AI in Games, and Cognitive Robotics.

If you are an undergraduate student at Caldwell looking to get involved in scientific research with a focus on any of these topics, please check out the CogAI Research Laboratory website (https://sites.google.com/caldwell.edu/cogai) for more info.

Additionally, please check out the C-STEM Labs website (https://sites.google.com/caldwell.edu/cstem) for other programs in computational R&D, including the CougarDevs Incubator and Caldwell Robotics.

William Velhagen

School of Arts and Sciences
Dean

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (973) 618-3623
Office Location: Werner Hall, 118

William A. Velhagen, Jr. was born and raised in the Philippines. He received his B.S. Biology degree from the University of the Philippines. He started medical school but then realized he was most excited about teaching and research. He came to the U.S. and obtained his Ph.D. in Zoology from Duke University, where he studied evolutionary biology.

Before coming to Caldwell, Dr. Velhagen taught at James Madison University, Longwood University, and New York University. At Caldwell, he has become a full professor, the head of the School of Natural Sciences, the vice president of the faculty council, and the founding president of the university’s chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Dr. Velhagen serves as the Principal Investigator on the Caldwell SMART (Science and Math: Academics, Research, and Teaching) project, funded by the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, which supports students aiming to teach high school biology, chemistry, or math. He is also the Projector Director of Caldwell’s STEM Advance project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Hispanic Serving Institution STEM and Articulation Program. The project aims to grow the number of students choosing and graduating from programs in STEM (Science, Technology, and Mathematics).

Dr. Velhagen is excited to become the inaugural Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He has long believed in the value of a well-rounded education, even reading classics such as The Iliad, The Odyssey, and the works of Shakespeare before they were assigned in school. His favorite authors include Carl Sagan and Stephen Jay Gould. As dean, he aims to foster the curiosity, creativity, and ambition of the school’s students.

Bella Veskler

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]
Location: Werner 219

B.A. Computer Science and Psychology with a Concentration in Cognitive Science, Cornell University
M.S. Cognitive Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Ph.D. Cognitive Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Over 20 years of experience in research application development, computational simulations, scientific data analysis, and data visualization, with a focus on human-computer interaction and performance modeling. Design and implementation of empirical studies, including those using eye tracking, actigraph watches, and EEG data collection methods. My research focus is on visual attention and sustained attention processes.

Assunta Violante

Modern Languages
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION
M.A., Spanish, Montclair State University
M.A.in Bilingual Education, Seton Hall University

Professor Violante is an adjunct professor of Italian and Spanish. She holds a Master’s degree in Spanish from Montclair State University and a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education from Seton Hall University. She began her teaching career as an instructor of Italian, Spanish and Latin in the Newark Public School system.

Prior to coming to Caldwell University, she was the Supervisor of World Languages and ESL for eleven years in the West Essex Regional School District in North Caldwell. During this time she implemented a distance-learning program in Japanese. She was also supervisor of World Languages, ESL and Business for eight years in the Paramus School District. From 1986 to 1990, she was an adjunct professor at Montclair State University where she taught Italian and Spanish and was an instructor in the study abroad program at the University of Siena, Italy.

Professor Violante is a native of Italy who is very passionate about teaching languages. Her interests include traveling to different countries to enrich her knowledge of other cultures which she imparts to her students. She continues to research and implement effective teaching methods that provide her students with an optimal level of instruction in order to foster an appreciation for other languages and cultures.

Rosemina Vohra

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]

Courses taught: Java Programming I and II, Data Structures and Algorithms, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Advance Web Programming, Artificial Intelligence

Paul Ward

Visual Art and Design
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]
Office: Visceglia 134

M.F.A. Brooklyn College, City University of New York
B.F.A. Caldwell University

Edward Wardell

Registrar
Assistant Registrar

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-618-3298
Office Location: Student Center, 192

Hello! My name is Edward “Eddie” Wardell and I am the Assistant Director of Advisement and Academic Support. I have a Master’s in Counseling in Higher Education/Student Affairs from Montclair State University and a background in Mental Health Counseling. I assist students with a wide range of things like registration, major/minor exploration/declaration, academic policies, long-term planning, setting academic goals and working on effective learning and organizational strategies to achieve them. I utilize a strength-based developmental student-centered approach, which includes respect, unconditional positive regard, and encouraging students to utilize introspection to discover their unique strengths.

Ian White

Education
Adjunct Faculty

Email: [email protected]
Office Location: Jennings Library, Center for Teaching & Learning

Bach of Arts in Philosophy
Masters of Science in Political Science
Ed.D in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education

Currently University Registrar at New York Institute of Technology. Have worked in higher education for 20+ years in areas including Institutional Research, Academic Affairs, and Enrollment Management.

Buffie Whitfield

History and Political Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]

B.A. John Jay University

M.A. Adelphi University

Ph.D. Trident University

Margaret Wilkins

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Instructor

Email: [email protected]
Office Location: Werner Hall, 219

B.S. Hampton University

M.S. Hampton University

Ph.D. University of New Mexico

Jacinta Williams

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]

Bio

B.A., Kean University
M.S., Rutgers University

Christ Williams

Leadership and Management
Professor

Email: [email protected]
Office Location: Werner Hall, 211

EDUCATION:
Doctor of Science in Healthcare Leadership (DSc)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL – Anticipated 2027

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (Human Resources Development)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL – Anticipated 2026

Master of Business Administration: Healthcare Management
University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX – December 12, 2015

Bachelor of Science: Business Administration; Healthcare Management (cum laude)
Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC – May 5, 2012

CERTIFICATION:
Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (North Carolina, New Jersey, & Virginia)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Emory University, July 2024
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt – Healthcare, Emory University, August 2023
Infection Control in Long Term Care Facilities (SPICE)/NC Statewide Program for Infections Control & Epidemiology (SPICE), Raleigh, NC – 2021
Global Career Development Facilitator/National Career Development Association, Raleigh, NC – Issued, December 2014

HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE:
Vice President & Executive Director @ Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey at Crane’s Mill, West Caldwell, NJ, March 2022 – Current
-Vice President & Executive Director, October 2022 – Current
-Associate Executive Director, March 2022 – October 2022

Executive Director @ Pettigrew Rehabilitation Center, Durham, NC, July 2021 – March 2022

Executive Director @ Pelican Health at Henderson, Henderson, NC, April 2020 – August 2021

Administrator @ Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest, Inc., Wake Forest, NC, May 2019 – April 2020

Administrator @ PruittHealth – North Carolina State Veterans Home, Kinston, NC, Nov 2016 – May 2019

ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Business Instructor, Microsoft Training Administrator @ Vernon Malone College and Career Academy, Raleigh, NC, 2014 – 2016

Healthcare Management Instructor (TRIO – Upward Bound Math and Science) @ Central Carolina Community College – Campbell University, Fayetteville, NC, Jun 2015 – Aug 2015

Summer Coordinator, TRIO Upward Bound Programs (Summer 2014); Residential Coordinator, TRIO Upward Bound Programs (Summer 2013) @ North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Business Instructor, Microsoft Administrator @ E. E. Smith High School, Cumberland County Schools, Fayetteville, NC, Nov 2012 – Jul 2014

Danielle Wilson

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]

B.S. Business Administration, University of Florida
M.S. Management, University of South Florida

William Winslow

Modern Languages
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]

Adjunct Instructor of French

MA Kutztown State College

BA University of Scranton

J. David Woods

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]

Bio

B.A., Fordham University
J.D., Seton Hall University

Sonia Workman-Wolfe

Human Resources
Payroll Manager

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-618-3231
FAX: 973-618-3358
Office Location: Albertus Magnus Hall

Employed at Caldwell University for 10-plus years.

Erica Wyrovsky

President’s Office
Administrative Assistant

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 973-618-3547
Office Location: Werner Hall, 312

Office:
Mon: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Tues: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Thurs: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Fri: 8:30am – 4:30pm

B.S., Penn State University, Hospitality Management
Licensed Notary

Yanxing Yang

Natural Sciences
Associate Professor

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (973) 618-3656
Location: Werner 121
Office Location: Werner Hall, 121

Work history:

From 2024: Assistant Professor at Caldwell University.
2022-2024: Post-doctoral Associate at Rutgers University.
2015-2018: Associate Professor at Jiangxi Normal University.

Education:

Ph.D. in Applied Physics, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 2022.
Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics, Wuhan University, 2015.
B.Sc. in Physics, Wuhan University, 2009.

Webpage: https://sites.google.com/caldwell.edu/yang-lab

Dan Yates

Music
Adjunct Lecturer

Email: [email protected]

Dan Yates is a professional theatre performer, director, and producer and has been teaching and directing at Caldwell College since 2004.

Dan toured the country for two years with the National Players and was a member of the Round House Theatre Company in Washington DC. Along with extensive professional, regional and local theatre credits, Dan is the Producing Director of the Yates Musical Theatre for Children which has appeared at such venues as Paper Mill Playhouse, Capital One Bank Theatre at Westbury, North Shore Music Theatre, PNC Arts Center, Oakdale Music Theatre, Cape Playhouse, and many more.

Dan directs for the Garden State Opera Company and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Communication from Seton Hall University

Cagla Yildirim

Business and Computer Science
Assistant Professor

Email: [email protected]
Office Location: Werner Hall, 218

B.A. William Paterson University

M.S. Texas Tech University

Ph.D. Texas Tech University

Dr. Yildirim received her Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in August 2018 and joined the faculty at Caldwell University in August 2024. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association and Academy of Financial Services.Her research interests are Retirement Planning, Investment Planning, and Debt Management. Her teaching experience includes Fundamentals of Asset Management, Introduction to Applied Personal Finance, Retirement Planning, Money Management Basics, and Banking courses. She typically teaches Principle of Finance, Financial Market Analysis, and International Finance courses. She incorporates technology and financial software in her classes to model and solve financial problems. Cagla lives with her son, Alex in Denville. She likes to go hiking. Cagla is a big fan of the Major League Soccer team Besiktas.

Eduardo Zappi

Natural Sciences
Professor Emeritus of Biology

Email: [email protected]
Office Location: Albertus Magnus Hall, 303

Office:
Mon: 11 – 12 Noon
Tues: 10 – 11:30 AM
Wed: 1:15 – 12 Noon
Thurs: N/A
Fri: 12:30 – 1:30 PM

B.S. University of Wisconsin, Madison

M.S. Rutgers State University

Ph.D. Rutgers State University

Professor of Biology –

Most Recently Taught:

General Biology Lecture and Labs – BI 102 & BI 102L

Microbiology Lecture and Lab – BI 315 & BI 315L

Senior Seminar in Biology

I Have Taught at Caldwell University from Fall 1994 to the Present

Alex Zarenin

Business and Computer Science
Adjunct Instructor

Email: [email protected]
Office Location: Werner Hall, 219

B.S. Polytechnic University, Operations Research

M.S. Institute of Cybernetics, Info Systems Eng.

Ph.D. New York University, Computer Science