PATHWAYS STAFF

Dr. Richard F. Heath, Director
Dr. Heath earned his B.A. in Psychology and Mathematics, summa cum laude, from Alvernia College in Reading, PA. He moved to New York to pursue his graduate studies at Fordham University, earning an M.A. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Clinical
Psychology. His work history includes Chief Psychologist of the Learning Disabilities Unit of the SUNY State College of Optometry and staff psychotherapist at the Hallen School in Westchester County. He has presented the topic of learning disabilities at both local and international conferences. He also testified as one of the plaintiff's expert witnesses on learning disabilities assessment in Bartlett v. New York State Board of Law Examiners. Dr. Heath maintains a private practice in clinical psychology, specializing in the assessment of learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders.

Dr. Heath came to St. Thomas Aquinas College in September 1996. He is a Professor of Psychology at STAC and teaches such courses as Personality Theory, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, Adult Development, Psychological Testing and Assessment, and the Psychology of Literature. He is faculty advisor to the college's chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology.

Dr. Heath enjoys reading, alternative and Brazilian music, and all things dark chocolate. He is also a Harry Potter maven who was recently sorted into Hufflepuff House.

Dr. Amelia De Marco, O.P., Associate Director
Dr. De Marco is an alumna of St. Thomas Aquinas College, graduating with a B.S. in Chemistry, magna cum laude. She then earned the Masters of Secondary School Science at Villanova University, and she earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from St. John's University. For eighteen years, Dr. De Marco taught chemistry and other sciences at various schools in New York City and Nassau County. She worked as a high school guidance counselor for eight years. After earning her psychology doctorate in 1995, Dr. De Marco worked as a psychotherapist in mental health centers in Queens.

Dr. De Marco enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading mystery novels, and watching movies, especially comedies. She also likes trying new recipes, and she is a greeting card maven.

Linda Ferguson, Senior Mentor
Linda earned a B.A. in Mass Communications at Lehman College in the Bronx and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education at Long Island University, where she graduated summa cum laude and received the Graduate Distinguished Performance Award. She has also studied Equine Science at Pace University. Her work history includes production coordinator for WOR-TV, Assistant to the Producer of the New York Mets. Linda holds the distinction of being the first woman to work on the television crew
at Shea Stadium. Her teaching career includes College English, Speech Communications, Creative Writing, and Journalism at such institutions as St. Thomas Aquinas College, Mount St. Mary College, and the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Linda enjoys singing in her church choir, riding her horse, coaching in a therapeutic riding program for handicapped children, and adopting animals in need.

Jill Buchalter, Mentor
Jill is a registered nurse who earned her nursing degree at Queensboro Community College. She earned a B.S. in Psychology at St. Thomas Aquinas College and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Social Work at New York University. Jill has worked as a nurse in both hospital and school settings, and she was a peer tutor while an undergraduate student at STAC.

Jill enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her family and friends.

Roger Flanagan, Mentor
Roger is a graduate of Seton Hall University, where he earned his B.S. in English and History, magna cum laude, and his M.S.Ed in English instruction. He has 37 years' secondary school English teaching experience, primarily at Hackensack High School.

Roger and his wife enjoy traveling, bicycling along the Jersey shore, and antiquing.

Mary Holdampf, Mentor
After teaching high school English for 25 years in North Rockland, Mary has put her talents to good use in our Pathways program. Unable to completely "retire," she loves working individually with her students. During vacations from Pathways, she enjoys traveling to slightly out of the way places; her latest venture placed her on the Inca Trail in Peru. Besides keeping busy in various other endeavors, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Mystery novels, chocolate, and impromptu parties are among her "favorite things."

Joseph Agovino, Mentor
Joe is a 2003 alumnus of St, Thomas Aquinas College, graduating with a B.S. in Psychology, magna cum laude. He recently completed the Fordham graduate program in School Psychology. Joe is excited to be returning to Pathways as a mentor, having initially worked with the program as testing coordinator. Joe is also a full-time school psychologist at Hawthorne Cedar Knolls Senior/Junior High School.

Joe loves to spend time with his friends and family, watch movies, and read. He is a huge fan of the Harry Potter series and was recently sorted into Ravenclaw House.

John Quinn, Mentor
John Quinn graduated from Binghamton University with a B.A. in English and General Literature. He is currently employed by the Bergen County public schools, where he works with special education elementary children. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education.

John is an avid reader of non-fiction and biographies, and a part-time real estate investor.

Kathleen Slattery-Whelan, Mentor
Kathleen earned her B.A. in English with a minor in Philosophy from Dominican College. She has pursued postgraduate credits in secondary education from St. Thomas Aquinas College and in educational technology from New York Institute of Technology. Kathleen has taught in both elementary and secondary schools. She has served as a youth leader in CYO and in Scouting. Kathleen lived in Alaska for five years, where she worked on the Alyeska Pipeline Project.

Kathleen loves reading, especially Harry Potter, and listening to traditional Irish music.

James Calisi, Testing Coordinator
James graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College in May 2006 with a B.S. in Psychology. He also played four years of NCAA Division II Tennis as a St. Thomas Aquinas Spartan. James is currently working toward his master’s degree in School Psychology at Iona College in New Rochelle and hopes to continue working for a doctorate in psychology.

James enjoys participating in competitive tournaments in tennis and golf. He also enjoys reading, running, and movies. James prides himself as a Harry Potter authority and was recently sorted into Hufflepuff House.

Jenine Borawski, Program Assistant
Jenine started her employment at St. Thomas Aquinas College in January 2003. Her responsibilities have included part-time data entry clerk in the Admissions Office, office assistant to the Admissions Office, and now program assistant in Pathways. Previous to her present employment, she has held several positions; word processor with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the CIFU (Confidential Informant File Unit) and teacher's aide at the Pearl River Middle School.

Jenine enjoys spending time with friends and family, and traveling with her husband and children.