Student Success

Jeffrey has a growing background at the Purchase College Career Development Center from an undergraduate Career Liaison, graduate level Career Counseling Intern, Career Coach, and currently as Experiential Learning Coordinator and a Career Counselor. In addition to his experience working with college students, Jeffrey has worked as a counselor with students in high school and middle school where he was involved in curricular program development and counseling for academic/college/career preparation. As a Purchase College alumnus and having earned an MSEd in Bilingual School Counseling at LIU, Jeffrey can further support the Purchase College community. As the Experiential Learning Coordinator, Jeffrey oversees our Academic Internship program and helps Purchase students gain hands-on and practical skills and career learning opportunities in a broad scope of career fields. Jeffrey also works with the CDC team to deliver and lead classroom and group presentations, and provide individual student career counseling.

Patty is the Dean of Student Affairs. She has worked at the college for 16 years. Originally from Kansas City, MO, Patty received her BFA in Dance from Purchase College. She loves meeting students and helping them attain their goal of a Purchase degree. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, sailing, dance and watching films. She holds a MA in Dance from UCLA and has recently completed  her EdD from Northeastern University in Higher Education Administration. Her dissertation research is on organizational behaviors and student persistence.

Jessica is an Admissions Advisor in the Office of Admissions. She has been working in Admissions for about three years. Jessica graduated from Purchase College in 2014, with a BA in Liberal Studies and a minor in Psychology. As a student she was very active on campus. She played Varsity Women’s Basketball for all four years, and was team captain during her junior and senior year. She also interned at both the Wellness Center and The Children’s Center; and she worked in the Box Office at the Performing Arts Center. Her favorite part of her job is being able to counsel students as they start their college search! Jessica is very eager to assist students and help them stay on track to attaining their degrees.

JeanMarie works closely with the Associate Provost Gregory Taylor on curricular revisions and new program proposals as well as accreditation and institutional effectiveness. She values breaking down silos and working with faculty and staff in order to build a more collaborative culture of assessment.

She is a proud alum of Purchase College, and graduate of the Vocal Performance Program. She went on to receive her Masters in Vocal Performance from The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Prior to working in higher education, she traveled around the world and performed as an award-winning opera singer.

In her previous position at Purchase, she worked as the Assistant to the Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and was an active member of the Professional Staff Council, chairing the Professional Development Committee for three years where she worked to implement the first staff mentoring program, as well as the first Professional Staff Development Conference. She also served as a mentor for current Purchase College students in the Success Fellows program. 

Lizz Elvira has been an administrator, educator and fight director for over 10 years. Born in the Hudson Valley, Lizz majored in Theatre Arts and English Literature at SUNY New Paltz. After graduation, she moved to Berkeley, California for an Education Administration Fellowship at Berkeley Repertory Theater. Following this life altering experience, Lizz stayed in California as an arts administrator, theater teacher, coach and fight director/stage combat instructor for organizations including Berkeley Repertory Theater, Berkeley Playhouse, Crowded Fire Theater and the American Conservatory Theater. When not at Purchase College, Lizz works at her family’s restaurant, hikes the many trails of Orange County and plays the guitar. Lizz is pursuing her Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University.

Cynthia has been a member of the School of Liberal Studies since 2005 where she serves as the Senior Academic Advisor. She received her BA in International Studies from Manhattanville College and her MPA from Pace University. In addition to her years of experience in advising, she is fluent in Spanish and can assist students and parents who are more comfortable with Spanish. Cynthia enjoys the relationships she builds with her students and is most proud watching them walk at the commencement. She enjoys music, traveling, baking, and learning new things!

Paul is the Director of the EOP/MAP programs at Purchase College and also serves as the college’s Ombudsman.  He is looking forward to helping his success mentees  achieve and lead at Purchase.  Some of Paul’s side interests are hiking, hanging out with his dog,  Dougal (who visits campus often), target shooting and gardening.

Julian is an admissions counselor and reviews applications for the School of Art+Design along with applicants to the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He can be found recruiting prospective students within the Capitol Region of New York along with the remainder of western and northern New York State. As a Purchase alum and former financial aid counselor, he is happy to give information sessions about the Purchase experience and share insight on the college-financing process.

My favorite thing about Purchase: Being surrounded by passionate and creative students and faculty, within a quiet, pastoral setting. We are lucky to have our own little bubble where you can truly focus on your personal pursuits.

Pete is an academic advisor in the Advising Center. He is a proud graduate of Purchase and has been studying and working here since 2000.  He is a drummer and enjoys playing and seeing live music on weekends.

Aviva Taubenfeld is associate professor of literature and writing and director of the School of Humanities.

Aviva received her PhD in English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in 2003 and has been on the faculty of Purchase ever since.

A scholar of US literature specializing in the literature and politics of immigration, Aviva’s favorite courses to teach are Childhood in US Literature and Immigration and Ethnicity in US Literature, both of which she had taught at Purchase and in the Bedford Hills College Program for incarcerated women.

Aviva is a first-generation college graduate who has experienced both the challenges and joys of academic life; she loves helping students find their own path to success.

Els van den Bosch is a Student Services Coordinator in the School of Liberal Studies and Continuing Education, after having served initially as the secretary to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Her favorite part of the job is helping students to navigate their way through college life. She was a first generation college student and gained an MA in Linguistics from the University of Amsterdam in her native Holland. Els is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and loves everything food related, from growing it (in the Dobbs Ferry Community garden), helping with the food pantry at Purchase College, and trying out new recipes at home. She is also into meditation and energy healing.

Silke started working in the School of Natural and Social Sciences after graduating from the Biology program in 2013. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University. Silke works closely with and advises our post-baccalaureate premedical students. She has a strong commitment to the campus community and helping students succeed is her highest priority.

Outside of work Silke likes to be creative and spends as much time as possible outside.

Barbara has worked at Purchase College for over 23 years.  She came to the institution having spent several years in the Hospitality, Financial and Public Relations industries. Barbara served as Office Manager, Events Coordinator, Admissions Counselor, Assistant Director and Associate Director of Admissions before serving in her present position as Associate Director of Student Success.  When not working at the college, Barbara serves the community in her church’s food pantry on Saturdays.  She also serves along with her husband as Pastor of Christian Builders Deliverance Ministries, Inc.