Meet Your Professors

Katherine Volpe is a New York based artist and adjunct professor at Adelphi University and St Joseph’s University. In 2018, Katherine received an MFA degree from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. During her time in the program, she was one of three finalists for the 10th Annual Fourth Wall Competition, and was awarded a museum exhibition in the Historic Landmark Building. In 2017, Volpe was nominated for the Dedalus Foundation Fellowship, and in 2018 the recipient of PAFA’s Venture Fund. Her work has been exhibited in several museums throughout Philadelphia, including the Historic Landmark Museum and the Woodmere Museum. Volpe had her first Solo Exhibition in 2022 at Waynesburg University in the Benedum Gallery. Group exhibitions include galleries in Center City Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill and Bala Cynwyd. Volpe’s work has also been shown in NYC, including galleries in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Long Island City. Publications and interviews include Waynesburg University Press of her Solo Exhibition in 2022, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s article for “Responders” museum exhibition in 2018 and “MAP” exhibition catalogue of 1969 gallery, NYC. Katherine most recently had four of her paintings acquired by the 9/11 Memorial Museum in NYC into their permanent collection in 2024, and has several works in their online database. She is committed to constantly learning, and giving everything she has in practice to each of her students.

Coding and AI for Future Tech Leaders

Michael Autorino is a software engineer who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Adelphi University and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Hofstra University. Michael has previously worked on projects in Software and Game Development. Their current interests are in Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Information Technology. Michael is currently interested in the applications of Artificial Intelligence and is working on making the aspects of Artificial Intelligence more accessible to large audiences.

Communications and Critical Thinking

Erin Truesdell, M.Ed, holds a Master’s in Education from Molloy College and is certified in Special Education. With a background in teaching, she has been a key member of Adelphi University’s Learning Resource Program for the past 8 years. Erin has also taught writing classes at Adelphi for the last 6 years, with a focus on guiding students in research and academic inquiry. Her dedication to teaching and learning fuels her passion for helping students excel in their educational journeys.

Introduction to Nursing as a Career and Profession

Theresa Drucker, PhD, RN, is an experienced registered nurse with a strong foundation in critical care nursing. She spent several years delivering expert care in critical care settings at Saint Francis Hospital before transitioning her passion for teaching and advanced practice into academia. Theresa’s scholarly focus centers on the integration of telehealth in critical care, also known as the teleICU, where remote support enhances bedside care and patient outcomes. Through her work, Theresa strives to bridge clinical practice, technology, and nursing education to prepare the next generation of nurses for the future of healthcare.

Music Production and Sound Mixing

Justin Gunter is a percussionist, composer, and producer currently living and working in Brooklyn, NY. Justin studied Percussion Performance at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he earned a Bachelor of Music and an Artist Diploma. He has 15 years of experience as an educator and has taught students of all ages and abilities. As a performer, Justin has been lucky to work in a diverse range of projects as a freelance percussionist and as a composer/producer. Justin is passionate about the transformative effect that arts education can have on an individual and on a community and is excited to be a part of the Adelphi University community.

Pre-Law: Understanding the Bill of Rights

Gary Greaves is an Adjunct Instructor within the Political Science Department here at Adelphi University.

Professor Greaves holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a minor in History, and a Master of Arts Degree in Political Science covering American Politics and Political Theory. Professor Greaves is also a former competitive debater and public speaker in high school and undergrad.

He has worked as a Social Studies teacher at Nazareth Regional High School (his alma mater), a Senior Audit Analyst at the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, a Project Coordinator at the Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation (overseeing an economic development and anti-crime program in collaboration with the 101st NYPD precinct, the Queens County District District Attorney Office and the U.S Attorney Office, and a Project Manager at New York City’s Department of Small Business Services, focusing on economic development, business improvement districts, and workforce development.

Some of the institutions where Professor Greaves has taught include Medgar Evers College, CUNY; Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus; Guttman Community College, CUNY, and here at Adelphi. His focus is on civil rights and civil liberties, the United States Constitution, and communications.

Pre-Med: Microbiology, Nutrition, and Human Disease

Dr. Jonna Coombs is a Microbial Ecologist, which is a fancy way of saying that she studies microscopic organisms and their relationship with the world around them.

This includes the interaction of microbes with other organisms like human beings. Her research focus is bioremediation, which is the use of living organisms to “clean up” pollutants in the environment. Specifically, she looks at heavy metals such as zinc, cadmium and lead. Because heavy metals are elements on the periodic table, they cannot be broken down, but instead can be changed into less-toxic forms or locked into molecules that are not soluble in water. This can help to decontaminate polluted environments. Dr. Coombs had a B.S. in Biology from the University of Maine, and a Ph.D. from Penn State University. She joined the faculty at Adelphi University in 2005.

Psychology and Pop Culture

Chrissy Feeley-Mackin, Ph.D attended Le Moyne College where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She then attended Adelphi University for her Masters in General Psychology and later Walden University for her doctoral degree in Health Psychology. She also obtained her CASAC certificate from Cazenovia College. As a member of the Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University, Dr. Feeley-Mackin has strived for excellence in teaching and advisement for over 16 years, receiving the Adjunct of the Year in 2011, 2015, and 2017. Dr. Feeley-Mackin also oversees the undergraduate psychology internship program. She enjoys working with students in different capacities to help them along their path to their future careers. Additionally, Dr. Feeley-Mackin teaches at Farmingdale State College and Suffolk County Community College.

Quantum Engineering

Sean Bentley completed his BS (’95) and MS (’97) in electrical engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri S&T), and his PhD (’04) in optics at the University of Rochester. He joined Adelphi’s Department of Physics in 2003, being promoted to Associate Professor in 2009. He was awarded the 2013 Adelphi University Tenured Teaching Excellence Award, and the 2022 David Halliday and Robert Resnick Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching from the American Association of Physics Teachers, the top national prize for undergraduate physics teaching.  He has served on the governing bodies of both the physics honor society (Sigma Pi Sigma, including serving as Director from 2014-15) and the electrical engineering honor society (IEEE-HKN), as well as serving on the Editorial Board of IEEE-HKN The Bridge. His research is in the areas of quantum entanglement and nonlinear optics.

Writing for College, Careers, and Creativity

Laura La Vacca is a Senior Adjunct Instructor of English at Adelphi University. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing & Secondary Education and an M.A. in American Literature, both from Hofstra University. She also works at various other campuses on Long island, including Nassau Community College and Hofstra University where she teaches creative and professional writing courses.