Meet the Advising Staff

Dr. Garry M. Keel, Director
Education:
BA, Political Science, Rider University
M.Ed. Student Personnel and Counseling, The College of New Jersey
Ed.D., Education Administration, Fordham University

Professional Experience: Dr. Garry Keel has more than 30 years of experience as an instructor, counselor and senior administrator in education. Prior to joining the staff at Thomas Edison State College in 2003, he worked at the New Jersey Institute of Technology for 16 years, serving in a number of capacities, including assistant dean of the Mount Laurel Campus, director of Alumni Career Services and coordinator of Cooperative Education. He began his professional career in higher education administration at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Conn., where he served as assistant director of Cooperative Education in the School of Science and Technology.

Words of wisdom:
“Hold fast to dreams, for when dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.” (Langston Hughes)

Relationship with students:
“Students are first and they have the power to accomplish anything they set out to accomplish.”

Interests: Entrepreneurship, community involvement

Nia I. Abuwi, Associate Director
Education:
ASM, General Management, Thomas Edison State College
BSBA, General Management, Thomas Edison State College
MA, Liberal Studies, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Professional Experience: Nia Abuwi has more than 25 years of higher education experience. Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, she worked at the New Jersey Department of Higher Education, Office of Health Professions Education. She has also served as an adult educator for the Ewing Township Board of Education and a Return to Learning workshop facilitator for the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. At Thomas Edison State College, Abuwi has had the opportunity to work in the Office of Registrar, the Office of Admissions, the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of Learner Support Services. She is the first Thomas Edison State College employee to earn a college degree while working at the College.

Words of wisdom:
“Slow and steady wins the race!”

Relationship with students:
“Since I believe that people support what they create, I encourage students to be the architect of their own programs, where possible.”

Interests: Transformational thinking, reading, travel, watching news/talk TV, spending time with family, home remodeling/decorating and youth mentoring.

Carleen M. Baily, Program Advisor
Education:
MA, University of Michigan, History of Art
BA, University of Illinois, Chicago, English Literature

Professional Experience: Carleen Baily has had a varied career with several positions in the arts. Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, she served as a curator of Education for a Midwest regional museum, a manager of a university performing arts series and a lecturer in the history of art at the University of Michigan-Flint. Baily’s experience in higher education also includes serving as a senior admissions officer at Rutgers University and a prior learning assessment specialist at Thomas Edison State College before moving to the Office of Academic Advising. She has also served as an assistant editor of The Lion Magazine, a publication of Lions International, and as a contract copy editor for Gale Research. Due to personal circumstances, Baily is knowledgeable about disability issues in education and has served as an advocate for her own children and others by representing disabled students’ interests within her home school district.

Words of wisdom:
“Be open to all kinds of learning. You never know where it will take you.”

Relationships with students:
“Be ready and willing to engage. The hard work of learning yields rich rewards that are yours for a lifetime.”

Interests: Art history, issues of quality in the art of the 1960s and 1970s, gardening, modern dance and travel.

Rhonda Beckett, Senior Program Advisor
Education:
AS, Peirce College
BA, Thomas Edison State College
MAS, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Professional Experience: Ms. Beckett has 20+ years’ experience in academia. Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, she worked in various capacities at two-year institutions. At Thomas Edison State College, Ms. Beckett primarily advises students focused on degree programs in human services and liberal studies. She also assists pre-law students by locating resources to pursue acceptance into law school.

Words of wisdom:
“The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.”

Relationship with students:
"I try to instill a sense of self-confidence and independence in the students I work with by providing them with as much information and guidance as possible.”

Interests: Entrepreneurship, art and teaching art appreciation.


Sherwood Brown II, Program Advisor
Education:
BA, William Paterson University
MBA, Rider University

Professional Experience: Sherwood Brown II has worked both in the corporate sector and government before entering academia. Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, he worked at Merrill Lynch in the benefits and insurance department. He later joined the public sector working for a local municipality and focusing on workforce development. Brown has also worked as a consultant helping small business owners.

Words of wisdom:
“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.” (George Washington Carver)

Relationship with students:
“I am an advisor for the business degree programs.”

Interests: Being entrepreneurial, writing, watching football and basketball, movies, listening to music, video games and traveling.

Patricia Certo, Program Advisor
Education:
BA, Rosemont College
MBA, Rosemont College
Certificate in Women’s Leadership, Rosemont College

Professional Experience: Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Patricia Certo worked as an admissions recruiter for Rosemont College. She worked as an admissions counselor at Thomas Edison State College before moving to the Office of Academic Advising.

Words of wisdom:
“Every goal that has ever been reached began with just one step, and the belief that it could be attained.”

Relationship with students:
“I primarily advise students in the business degrees. I have a friendly personality and am eager to assist students reach their academic goals.”

Interests: Her husband and young son, football, traveling overseas, reading about ancient history and shopping for purses and shoes.

Carla Colburn, Senior Program Advisor
Education:
BA, Niagara University
MA, University of Delaware
MS, State University College of New York at Buffalo

Professional Experience: Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Carla Colburn served in the U.S. Navy working in the field of electronic communications. She has worked as an academic advisor at a number of institutions during and following her military service. At Thomas Edison State College, she advises students pursuing degrees offered through the School of Applied Science and Technology.

Words of wisdom:
“All the courses you need for your degree may not be easy. Remember, everyone has their own unique areas of expertise and talent. You can accomplish anything you really want as long as you never give up.”

Relationship with students:
“Since my students are all adults, I try to act as a guide who can advise them on the selection of appropriate courses for their chosen degree. My role is to provide my students with help so they can attain their academic and career goals as quickly as possible.”

Interests: spending time with my family, reading, history and traveling to historic sites.

Donald S. Cucuzzella, Program Advisor
Education:
BA, History, The College of New Jersey
MA, American History, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Professional Experience: Donald Cucuzzella started working with adult students at Thomas Edison State College in 2005. Prior to joining the College’s Office of Academic Advising, Cucuzzella worked in the Office of Admissions and the Office of the Registrar, where developed a breadth of knowledge that enables him to help students find the answers that they need.

Words of wisdom:
“It's best to choose courses or a degree that you have an interest in. I know that our students have a lot going on in their lives, so taking courses or choosing a degree that you are interested in, rather than one that you have to take, will enable you to be more invested in your course work and also to enjoy the experience of getting your degree.”

“Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in.” (Abraham Lincoln)

Relationship with students:
“I like to try to have fun during my appointments with students and to let them guide the process. I don't tell students which courses to take, because a subject or course I might enjoy or find easy could be a completely different experience for them.”

Interests: Spending time with my wife and two children, reading, crossword puzzles, playing video games, going to the beach and watching the Mets lose every season.


Donna K. Keehbler, Senior Program Advisor
Education:
BA, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
EdM, Rutgers Graduate School of Education
MLIS, Southern Connecticut State College

Professional Experience: After earning her undergraduate degree, Donna Keehbler worked as a cartographer for Hammond Publishers working on the final edits of state and country maps to be entered into their database. While earning her first graduate degree, she worked for the Cook/Douglass Learning Resource Center and for the Douglass College dean’s office processing the pregraduation audits. After earning her EdM, Keehbler taught preschool for a year at a Montessori school. In 1995, she joined Thomas Edison State College as a transcript evaluator for the BSAST degrees. In 2000, she joined the advisement staff as an advisor for the BA and BSAST programs. Today, Keehbler focus solely on the science and technology degrees.

Words of wisdom:
“Speaking from experience, try not to procrastinate. It is easier to learn over a full semester, not just in the final weeks of a course.”

Relationship with students:
“My role is to guide students to degree completion by letting them know all their options for completing requirements.”

Interests: Reading, rollerblading, snowboarding, walking my dog and watching hockey and baseball on TV.

Iris B. Lewin, Program Advisor
Education:
BA, Miami University (Spanish with a Minor in Latin American Studies)
MA, Bowling Green State University (Teaching English as a Second Language)

Professional Experience: Since graduating from college, Iris Lewin has worked in secondary and higher education with domestic and foreign students, traditional learners and adult students. Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, she taught as an adjunct professor at Mercer County Community College. Lewin served as an admissions counselor before joining the Office of Academic Advising, where she works closely with students in nursing, human services and aviation-related fields.

Relationship with students:
"I have worked with traditional and not traditional students for over almost 15 years. I truly enjoy helping them reach their educational goals, no matter what stage of life or studies they find themselves."

Interests: Traveling with family and friends, spending time with her children and pets, reading, movies and raising money to fight cancer and other diseases.

Andrea O. Mirsky, Senior Program Advisor
Education:
BA, Fairleigh Dickinson University
MEd, University of Georgia

Professional Experience: Andrea Mirsky has worked both in the corporate sector and education. After graduating from college, she worked at Chemical Bank for their International Division as a customer liaison and then as a recruiter for the bank’s Management Training Program. She also worked in sales for an educational marketing company. Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, Mirsky was a graduate admissions counselor at Holy Family University in Philadelphia.

Words of wisdom:
“Nothing is impossible if you persevere!”

Relationship with students:
“I am here to help guide you to the full realization of a personal goal. I will use whatever tools I have at my disposal to assist you in determining the best path to finishing your degree.”

Interests: Her children, movies, reading and watching tennis and baseball.

Doris G. Simmons, Senior Program Advisor
Education:
BS, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
MA, Business Management, Central Michigan University

Professional Experience: Doris Simmons has several years working with students in higher education. Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, she served as assistant to the Registrar at Burlington County College and as center coordinator for Central Michigan University’s program at McGuire Air Force Base. At the College, Simmons worked as transcript evaluator before joining the Office of Academic Advising.

Words of wisdom:
“Courses at Thomas Edison State College are very time consuming. I encourage you to put aside enough time to study and complete assignments.”

Relationship with students:
"I have a friendly relationship with the students and many have expressed appreciation for the guidance and advice I have provided. I am an advisor for our business degree programs.”

Interests: Reading and crocheting.

Celestine Wynn, Senior Program Advisor
Education:
BA, Temple University.
MEd, Cheyney State University
Doctoral Study - Morgan State University

Professional Experience: For Celestine Wynn, teaching is life. Prior to joining Thomas Edison State College, she served as teacher of young students as well as adult students. Wynn began her professional career as a secondary education teacher of English and history. She also served as a literacy instructor and community educator in the greater Philadelphia area, where she worked as an adult basic education instructor in a community education program offered by LaSalle University and later as a Return to Learning workshop facilitator for the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). Wynn also served as director of Lifelong Learning Assessment and as an adjunct instructor of English and humanities at Geneva College, Antioch University and Cheyney University, where she taught graduate adult education courses.
Her expertise in prior learning assessment and as an English instructor opened the door for employment as a portfolio advisor at Thomas Edison State College. She served in that capacity for 14 years before assuming her present position as a senior academic advisor in the Office of Academic Advising. Wynn believes in the academy of learners and is dedicated to doing her best to prepare them for better tomorrows.

Words of wisdom:
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” (George Elliott)

Relationship with students:
"I view myself as a facilitator and trusted advisor to adult students. I respect the wealth of knowledge and experience that they bring to the table and offer this advice: “Challenge is a dragon with a gift in its mouth…tame the dragon and the gift is yours”” (Chinese Proverb).