Administration and Staff

Main Telephone : (973) 761-9161 / Fax: (973) 275-2364

Majid Whitney

Majid Whitney is Associate Dean and Director of SHU's Educational Opportunity Fund Programs. Majid previously served as Assistant Dean of Freshman Studies and Director of General Studies. Having earned a B.A. from Oberlin College and an M.S.W. from Rutgers University, his career in higher education spans nearly 20 years. He embraces his role of assisting Seton Hall students in unlocking their full potential and navigating the course of their Seton Hall journeys and beyond. With a background in counseling, academic advisement, teaching, college admissions consulting, and program management, Dean Whitney is most satisfied in his endeavors when students embrace the idea that they are uniquely and supremely talented and possess the power to change the world. His personal philosophy is drawn from a Latin proverb, "What we do in life, echoes in eternity."  He challenges every student to "make the most of the best years of their life" while at SHU and to watch what marvels unfold in the process. Greatness awaits! 

If you're not able to stop by Alfieri Hall or Arts & Science Hall 234, you may contact Mr. Whitney by phone EOP: (973) 275-2385, PMPDPP: (973) 761-9669, or by e-mail at Majid.Whitney@shu.edu.

Jasmine H. Boddie

Jasmine H. Boddie is a Student Development Specialist in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Seton Hall University. She has her M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs and is currently pursing her doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy at Seton Hall University. Ms. Boddie everyday encourages her students to have a curious mind and constantly strive for academic and personal growth. She is also co-founder of the G.O.S.S.I.P program, an initiative to create a sisterhood bond among female EOP students. Her research interests focus on emerging black women in leadership in higher education. Ms. Boddie is an active member in her community of Paterson, NJ as she strives to help impoverished youth as a prior assistant basketball coach to school aged girls. Her future plans include starting a nonprofit organization geared toward young minority girls called A.F.R.O.S, which stands for Aspiring Female Resiliency, Outreach and Scholarship. Prior to her current role she was a graduate assistant in the Pre-Medical Pre-Dental Plus Program Department at Seton Hall University.

Ms. Boddie can be reached at (973) 761-9161 or email at Jasmine.Boddie@shu.edu. GO PIRATES!

Bernadette Wilkowski

Bernadette Wilkowski is Academic Specialist in English at The Center for Learning, Instruction and Assessment, the academic component of The Educational Opportunity. Bernadette earned a B.S. in English Education from Seton Hall University, an M.A. in the Teaching of English from Villanova University, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Literature, The Graduate Liberal Studies Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT. Bernadette enjoys teaching and helping students to discover in their writing. She is proud to be a member of the EOP family whose goal is to support its students in achieving academic and professional success.

Donnell Pierre

Donnell Pierre is a two-time graduate of Seton Hall University and survivor of the Boland Hall Fire during his freshmen year. After spending two years out of school due to financial aid reasons as an undergraduate, he later went on to graduate with a B.A. in Psychology in the Summer 2006. He currently serves as a Student Development Specialist in the Educational Opportunity Program and an adjunct professor in Communications at Seton Hall. As a professional, Donnell has worked with the Educational Opportunity Program for over a decade. He has passionately served New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) community as a member of its professional executive board and as an adviser to its statewide student organization. Donnell is the founder of the EOF Circle of Advisors, a group that organizes around best practices all over the state of New Jersey. He is also the founder of Gold Standard, an innovative program focused on the retention, graduation, and cohesion of male students of color at Seton Hall. Donnell has worked at every level of education from pre-k to higher education.

Jihan Ahmed

Jihan Ahmed is currently the Student Development Specialist for the Educational Opportunity Program. She earned her B.A. in Political Science and M.A in Political Science/International Relations from Rutgers University. Jihan worked at Essex County College for the GEAR UP Newark Program. She was previously the Associate Director for the TRIO Student Support Services Program at Seton Hall University. Jihan has 15 years of experience in higher education. Her passion is working with college students and empowering and supporting them to reach their highest potential by achieving academic, personal, and career success. She encourages students to always put forth their best effort, take advantage of every resource and opportunity, and to always advocate for themselves. Jihan enjoys spending time with family, traveling, fashion, and reading. Her favorite quote is: "the strongest factor for success is self-esteem: believing you can do it, believing you deserve it, and believing you will get it".

She can be reached at jihan.ahmed@shu.edu or (973) 761-9161.

Teresitia Walters

Teresitia Walters is a Student Development Specialist in the Educational Opportunity Program at Seton Hall University, where she previously served as the Assistant to the Director. Having earned a B.A. from SUNY New Paltz and a M.A; M.P.A. from Seton Hall University and started her Ed.D. in Higher Leadership & Policy. Her experience in higher education extends to over 18 years. She's honored to partner with students to maximize their fullest potential as they aspire to empower themselves and the community.

Teresitia Walters can be reached by phone at (973) 761-9161 or email walterte@shu.edu.

Maurice Ene, Ph.D.

Also the Coordinator of the Center for Learning, Instruction & Assessment for two decades, Dr. Ene holds a Ph.D. from the University of Southampton, England, UK. He has taught various college courses at three universities in three continents. At Seton Hall University, he was adjunct professor for the math department and has pioneered innovative programs for academic success of students. A widely travelled campus citizen, he is multilingual and an ardent across-the-curriculum scholar. He has authored many books and seminal documents of diverse interests: academic, culture, fiction, and current affairs. He is the proponent of Cyberology: the study of cyberspace—history, evolution, sociocultural trends, and the changing human society.

Dr. Ene can be reached at maurice.ene@shu.edu or at (973) 761-9425. His office is in Alfieri Hall, LL-4.

Sandra Vanegas

Sandra Vanegas is the Math Academic Specialist for Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOP) at Seton Hall University. Her career in higher education spans over a decade. She has previously served as a Faculty Adjunct Professor, Supplementary Instructor, and Academic Advisor at Essex County College, Newark, NJ. She earned a B.S. in Business Management, International Business/Accounting and an M.S. in Engineering Management, both from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, NJ. She loves to see new students come into Seton Hall through EOP and to help them navigate through the next four years of their college careers. With a solid background in college admissions, academic advisement, and bilingual teaching (Spanish), Ms. Vanegas loves to see students accept the challenge that college life presents to them and succeed in life.

Aside working in the EOP as an Academic Specialist, she also adjuncts for math departments at Seton Hall University and at Essex County College. Sandra enjoys spending her free time with her family, taking on new adventures, and traveling as much as possible.

She can be reached at sandra.vanegas@shu.edu or at (973) 761-9145 and her office is located in Alfieri Hall, Room 21.

Michelle Bell

Michelle Bell has humbly served in her role for over a decade. During such time she has been recognized for her contributions within EOP, by her Division of Student Services, and numerous Student Organizations. Her list of acknowledgments include recognition as "EOPs Outstanding Team Member", the "Mary McLeod Bethune Award", "Outstanding Woman In Administration Award", and countless certificates of appreciation from EOF Central and the greater EOF community. She is proud to play even the smallest role in contributing to her student's success.

She can be reached at michelle.bell@shu.edu or at (973) 761-9165. Ms. Bell's heart and office door is always open to enthusiastically assist her students and colleagues. She can be found in Alfieri Hall room 103.

Melissa Hurtado

Melissa Hurtado earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Seton Hall University and is currently pursuing her M.P.A. degree with a concentration in Governance and Policy. As a Graduate Assistant for the Educational Opportunity Program, she works as a Student Development Specialist within their Counseling and Enrolment Services area. Additional to her advising role, Melissa is a co-founder of G.O.S.S.I.P., an initiative to create a sisterhood among female EOP students at Seton Hall through a series of discussions hosted throughout the academic year. Melissa is also the advisor to EOPSO, a student advocacy organization whose mission is to develop workshops, mentorship, and fundraising benefitting the students of EOP in order to ensure that they will be among the next generation of business, civic, and educational leaders.

Melissa is passionate about urban education and policy, believing that everyone should have access to a quality education, regardless of socioeconomic status. Knowing firsthand the potential that kids in urban communities have, Melissa's goal is to contribute to the ongoing fight to provide urban communities the tools and support they need to empower its students.

Melissa's door is always open to students. She can be reached via email at hurtadme@shu.edu or by phone at (973) 761-2392. Her office is located in Alfieri Hall, room 107.

Trissana Myers

Trissana Myers earned her B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. She is currently a Graduate Assistant with EOP and enrolled in the M.S.W. Program at Seton Hall University where she will use her previous internship and life experiences to further her success within her field. Her personal and professional goal is to become an advocate for inner city high school youth by encouraging them to succeed academically and to push past the barriers in their personal lives. As a former EOF Graduate, Trissana is excited to join the Educational Opportunity Program and to be an active part of the team by helping students reach their full potential. She believes wholeheartedly, in a quote by W.E.B. DuBois which states that, "education must not simply teach work -- it must teach life." Trissana has an open door policy and is located in Alfieri Hall, Room 17.

You may contact her by phone at (973) 761-9161, ext. 5357 or via email at trissana.myers@student.shu.edu.

Robert Hill

Robert Hill is originally from Trenton, New Jersey, but has his B.A. in Sociology from Dickinson College. While attending Dickinson, Robert worked with first-generation college students and focused primarily on helping those students transition into college life. Before coming to Seton Hall, Robert worked for the Pennsylvania College Advising Corps (PCAC). In his role, he assisted with helping Juniors and Seniors at Chambersburg Area Senior High School create a college timeline and a plan for their futures after High School. Currently, Robert is the EOP Counselor for the Educational Opportunity Program, where he travels to over 100 schools throughout the state of New Jersey and promotes the benefits of Seton Hall and EOP programs to students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Musa Manneh

Musa Manneh is Assistant to the Director at Educational Opportunity. Musa earned a B.A. in Economics from Bloomfield College, an M.A. in Diplomacy and International Relations and an M.P.A. in Public Administration (concentration Non-Profit) from Seton Hall University. Prior to coming to the United States, Musa studied at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal, and University of Jean Monnet, France. He earned a Diploma in French Language & Civilization, African History and European History. Currently Musa is pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy. His area of interest is women's education in Africa where majority of girls are lacking behind in higher education when compared to boys. Musa is a strong proponent of gender equality and gender parity in education, and society in general.

As one of the first in his family to obtain a college degree, he has a vested interest in helping students achieve higher education. He advocates for the underprivileged and disenfranchised. Musa has a desire for working with students, empowering them to use resources effectively and help them achieve their highest educational goals and aspirations.

Outside of school, Musa volunteers in various communities, both locally and internationally. Growing up as an orphan and coming from a humbled background, he enjoys working with needy and vulnerable people in our societies. He helps raise funds, books and educational materials for poor students in Africa and locally. He always advocates for social inclusion; and he likes helping people who are disadvantaged or on the margin of society. He always encourages them to take advantage of educational opportunities and become more effectively involved in society.

Musa enjoys teaching and helping students in Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics, Economics, French and Global Affairs. He is proud to be a member of the EOP family; and his goal is to support EOP students in achieving academic and professional success.

Carroll F. Alston

A graduate of Weequahic High school in 1968 and a participant of the first Educational Opportunity Program Class (Bloomfield College). Graduated with my bachelor's degree in 1972 and received my M.Ed. in 1974 (Trenton State College).

In 1973, I was teaching elementary school in Newark (Peshine Avenue School). From teaching I became the Head Counselor of the Bloomfield College Upward Bound Program. A few years later I was the assistant director than director.

In 1992, I became the Educational Opportunity Program Director at Hudson County Community College. In 2006, I began to work as the assistant director of counseling of EOP at Seton Hall University. In 2014, I became the Associate Director of Counseling and Enrollment Services. EOF/EOP first and last.