Meet Our Team

Dean Gould is responsible for all undergraduate programs, budget, and general administration for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. She is also responsible for the administrative aspects of undergraduate education at SEBS, including course and curriculum revisions, teaching assistant and part-time lecturer allocations, articulations with New Jersey community colleges, and assessment of school academic programs.

Dean Traxler is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Academic Services component of the Office of Academic Programs. This encompasses advising, registration, admissions, recruitment, scholastic standing, degree certification/graduation, and all areas related to academic policies, procedures and programs.

Dean Gonzalez is responsible for coordinating activities to support SEBS juniors and seniors in their academic, graduation, and career planning. She oversees the tracking and certifying of students' graduation status in conjunction with academic departments for the January, May, and August graduation cycles. She is a general advisor and works with students to promote career exploration and post-graduation planning.

Dean Nester-Watt is responsible for the coordination of all first-year student academic programs, advising, and registration. She coordinates and trains the SEBS first-year advising team. She is responsible for evaluating first year transcripts from other institutions as well as international baccalaureate, advanced placement, and A-level exam credits.

Dean Panetta is responsible for the coordination of transfer student programs, including the evaluation of transcripts, course registration, and advising. He oversees the coordination of syllabi review for transfer and provides general advising. He is also a resource for students considering transferring internally from other Rutgers-New Brunswick schools to SEBS.

Dean Richardson is responsible for broad retention efforts to support all SEBS undergraduates in their pursuit of their degree. They coordinate holistic advising efforts as well as outreach and programmatic efforts to ensure connection and referral for students to SEBS- and university-wide resources, particularly for non-academic concerns. They provide insight to inform Scholastic Standing processes and support students to degree completion.

Dean Smith is responsible for the design and implementation of all recruitment activities for SEBS, including overseeing the SEBS Student Ambassador program. She also serves as a general advisor, particularly to international and out-of-state students.

Dean Ventola is responsible for providing academic and career advising for all Rutgers students majoring in biological sciences. He directs the SEBS Scholarship Program and is the primary scholarship liaison for scholarships to other Rutgers offices.

Dean Williams is responsible for the coordination of advising and program development and implementation to aid in the academic journey of students in special populations at SEBS. Among those students are those who are considered nontraditional based on their demographics, life experiences, or entry to the university. She supports the advising and degree completion of adult learners, guided gap semester students, and other specialty student groups.

Ms. Vaidya is responsible for the maintenance of student academic records, coordination of registration, first year student selection of major processes, and provides general advising for SEBS students.

Ms. Coogan provides administrative support to the associate dean of academic programs. She coordinates scholastic standing, reenrollment, and School-to-School transfer processes in addition to providing general advising for first-year students.

Carol Andrew serves as a general advisor responsible for providing academic and career advising for all SEBS students, particularly those with interest in majoring in biological sciences and pursuing health-related careers.

Ms. Kolar provides administrative support to the assistant deans who work with first-year and senior students. She assists students with general advising questions. 

Ms. Miller provides administrative support to the assistant deans who work with recruitment and scholarships. She assists students with general advising questions.

Mr. Murphy provides administrative support to the assistant dean for transfer students and programs. He assists students with general advising questions.

Ms. Wolff provides administrative support to the assistant dean who works with retention and campus engagement. She assists students with general advising questions.

Dean Nucci is responsible for leading school co-curricular activities and generating school-wide engagement among faculty, students, and staff. She coordinates existing programs, such as the fall research mixer and alternative science career programming, develops new programs that support the SEBS community, and provides active collaboration with other SEBS and Rutgers organizations seeking to build our campus learning community.

Ms. Lester is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the SEBS Student to Professional Internship Network (SPIN) program. She also manages employer services, maintaining and expanding the program's network of employers.

Dr. Patel provides support for the Dean of Academic Programs by managing those projects within the Office of Academic Programs (OAP) that are essential to fostering student success, a priority goal of the New Brunswick Academic Master Plan.

Dr. Sukhdeo is responsible for analysis and strategic planning for student retention. She sits on the Academic Retention Committee and the Rutgers-wide Student Success Committee.