Meet the Admissions Staff

David P. Hoftiezer
Director of Admissions

Education:
MSM, Thomas Edison State College
BA, Thomas Edison State College

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, David Hoftiezer worked in several upper level management positions with Target Stores, Wegmans Supermarkets and Red Lobster. He has more than 20 years of diversified management experience.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “Each student has a unique story. Be it a personal or professional goal, working with adult students is extremely gratifying. Making a difference in someone’s life never gets old!”

Application Tip: “Be proactive! Request that transcripts be forwarded to the College prior to applying. Ensure all supporting documentation has been forwarded ahead of time to ensure timely service.”

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: NFL Prime Time

Favorite Band/Musician: Pink Floyd

Places I Would Most Like To Visit: Greece and Italy

Interests: Ice hockey (my son plays on two teams and I manage one of them; my life outside of the College is usually spent at an ice rink.) I’m also a volunteer fire fighter.

Contact David:
(609) 984-1164, ext. 3025, [email protected]

Vanessa Meredith
Associate Director of Admissions

Education:
MSHSV, Post University
BA, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Vanessa Meredith worked for UMDNJ School of Public Health as Assistant Registrar and Program Coordinator. She has over 15 years of experience working in higher education.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “Assisting students who are brand new to college or coming back after time off (to raise families, start jobs, etc.) is very rewarding. I love sharing in their excitement, when students realize their goals of earning a degree.”

Application Tip: “Read through application materials before filling them out. This will help you game-plan next steps, like applying for Financial Aid.”

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: NCIS

Favorite Band/Musician: U2 and Billy Joel

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Italy and England

Interests/Hobbies: Reading true-crime novels, going to movies and performing constant renovations on my house.

Contact Vanessa:
(609) 984-1164, ext. 3022, [email protected]

Andrew Bugdal
Admissions Counselor

Education:
BA Psychology, Montclair State University

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Andrew worked as a Research Assistant and Substance Abuse Counselor for Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “I enjoy helping people achieve things that they may not have thought possible. It's my pleasure to be of even a little service to those that need it.”

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: South Park

Favorite Band/Musician: J.S. Bach

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Space!

Interests/Hobbies: Reading, writing, and hiking

Contact Andrew:
(888) 442-8372, [email protected]

Jasmine Bundy
Admissions Counselor

Education:
MS Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Walden University
BS Sociology, Kean University

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Jasmine worked in higher education as an enrollment advisor. She assisted students in aligning their future goals with the right degree program and completing all necessary application materials to get them well on their way to graduation.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “I was the first to graduate college in my family and if I can help another individual achieve their educational goals than I feel like I made a difference.”

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: Anything on Food Network or HGTV

Favorite Band/Musician: Kirk Franklin

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Italy

Interests/Hobbies: Dance, Stepping, Cooking and Community Service

Contact Jasmine:
(888) 442-8372, [email protected]

Deborah Chianese
Senior Clerk Typist Application Processing

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Deborah worked in several administrative positions with mailing, retail and technology companies. She has over 15 years of administrative experience.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “When processing student's applications, I am helping students move closer to achieving their educational, career, and personal goals in life. It is a very rewarding feeling.”

Application Tip: “Have a time frame planned as to when you will start and complete the application process. Also, ensure you complete the entire application, so it can be processed in a timely manner. If you have any questions whatsoever, never hesitate to call us here in Admissions and ask!”

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: E News-have to know my entertainment gossip! I also love Ghost Hunters.

Favorite Band/Musician: Duran Duran

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Australia and Egypt

Interests: Running around after my 2 sons, music, movies, going to the beach/boardwalk, roller coasters!

Contact Deborah:
(609) 984-1164 ext 3015, [email protected]

Tanisha Cox
Admissions-Principle Clerk Typist

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Tanisha worked at Educational Testing Services (ETS).

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: General Hospital, Law and Order SVU

Favorite Band/Musician: R & B, Mary J Blige

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Paris

Interests/Hobbies: Dancing and Shopping

Contact Tanisha:
(609) 984-1164 ext 3060, [email protected]

BonnieJean Gallagher
Clerk/Typist

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, BonnieJean worked as an administrative assistant for several companies in the reinsurance industry. She has over 25 years' experience supporting corporate business executives.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “I derive a lot of satisfaction from helping someone get their supporting documents together. It just makes my day when I receive a gracious "thank you" email from a satisfied applicant. I feel quality service to Thomas Edison State College applicants is my first priority.”

Application Tip: “Ask questions if you're not sure of what steps to take when applying to the College. All questions are good questions! Also, sending in required supporting documentation at the same time of application, helps expedite the processing of your application.”

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: The Walking Dead

Favorite Band/Musician: Jazz music

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Italy

Interests: When I'm not chauffeuring my two sons to their various activities, I enjoy cooking, exercising, reading, and spending time with my family. Our two cats' antics also bring me a lot of joy and laughter.

Contact BonnieJean:
(609) 984-1164 ext. 3033, [email protected]

Donna Higgins
Senior Admissions Representative

Education:
BA Thomas Edison State College
AA Rider College

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, worked over 30 years in the corporate sector.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “Being a Thomas Edison State College graduate, I know how important it is to achieve a college degree. I want to help others to also achieve their goal of earning a college degree from Thomas Edison State College.”

Application Tip: “When submitting the application to Thomas Edison State College, make sure official transcripts and other required documentation is submitted to ensure a timely evaluation of credits.“

Favorite Music: Country

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Greenland and Ireland

Contact Donna:
(888) 442-8372, [email protected]

Stefanie Hitchner
Admissions Counselor

Education:
MA Counseling, The College of New Jersey, 2011
BA Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 2009

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Stefanie worked as a School Counselor in a middle school. She also worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Records and Registration at The College of New Jersey. As a GA, she planned and implemented Orientation as well as created informational resources for new enrolling students.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “I love knowing that students are accomplishing their goals. Being a part of that process is very rewarding.”

Application Tip: “You do not have to complete your application in one sitting. You can finish it at your own pace. However, keep in mind that after you complete your application you must enroll within six months or you will need to re-apply.“

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: Bob’s Burgers

Favorite Band/Musician: Modest Mouse

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Rome and Machu Picchu

Interests: Zumba, Hiking

Contact Stefanie:
(888) 442-8372, [email protected]

Sarah Marshall
Admissions Counselor

Education:
BSBA Marketing and Sports Marketing, Duquesne University

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Sarah began working in higher education as a senior enrollment recruiter and advisor. When she wasn't out and about recruiting in high schools and participating in community events, Sarah assisted students with aligning their current interests with the right degree program for them. She also has marketing and sales experience working with professional and minor league sports teams.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “I enjoy having the opportunity to be a part of a student's academic journey. From the moment a student nervously makes that first point of contact with me, often unsure of what to do or where to go to jumpstart their education, to the moment that same student walks confidently at their graduation- it's the most rewarding feeling, knowing that you had a little part in that student's magnificent journey.”

Application Tip: “Be a part of the process! Be sure that you are aware of any deadlines and/or documents required in addition to your application so that we get you on your way to a degree faster.“

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: The Walking Dead and New Girl

Favorite Band/Musician: Jason Mraz and Miranda Lambert

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Fiji and Greece

Interests: The beach, fishing, and Steelers football

Contact Sarah:
(888) 442-8372, [email protected]

Loretta K. Perkins
Senior Graduate Admissions Representative

Education:
BA, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Loretta Perkins was a senior financial aid counselor at Temple University.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “I enjoy opportunities to speak with students. Students are working to complete lifelong goals; it’s a pleasure to be a part of that process.”

Application Tip: “With regard to applying to the graduate program: be mindful of the application deadline for the semester you want to start and take time to prepare your supporting documents. Your application is reviewed by an Admissions Committee. All the documents you submit should be a thoughtful reflection of you and your abilities.”

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: Person of Interest

Favorite Band/Musician: Maxwell

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Greece

Interests: Artisan crafts, travel

Contact Loretta:
(888) 442-8372, [email protected]

Denise A. Weber
Secretarial Assistant III

Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Denise worked for the Department of Higher Education (State College Office) fresh out of high school. Ironically, she was typing a proposal for the inception of Thomas Edison State College. Not quite grasping the definition or purpose of Thomas Edison State College at that time, it has become a much clearer picture since she has been working with the College for over 31 years.

Favorite Thing About Working With Students: “My personal and professional goal is to make all students happy. Let each student know that you are listening to them and are there to help them. It never hurts to go that extra mile.”

TV Show That I Can’t Miss: Trauma: Life in the E.R.

Favorite Band/Musician: Rascal Flatts and Alan Jackson

Place I Would Most Like To Visit: Italy and Hawaii

Interests: My life outside of the College is usually spent doing volunteer work. I have been a member of the Colonial Volunteer Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary for the past 17 years. During those 17 years, I have served as the Assistant Treasurer for one year then becoming President the following year. I have served two four-year terms as President. I will start my third term as President in January 2013. I also run the Colonial Volunteer Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary bingos.

Contact Denise:
(609) 984-1164 ext. 3050, [email protected]