Our team prepares students holistically through leadership development, co-curricular programming, community engagement, and dialogue around inclusion and diversity. We strive to create a community of learners who think critically and act responsibly both within the Stevens community and beyond.
Meet the Team
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 201.216.5206
Email: [email protected]
Responsibilities:
Oversight of Student Life programs, organization policy, and operations
Budget oversight, financial approval, and contract negotiations for over 150 organizations and programs
Liaison to arts & music organizations
Family Day, Senior Week Programs, Ducks 4 Democracy Civic Engagement Initiative, Undergraduate Awards Ceremony, Fraternity and Sorority Life Accreditation
Mediation, crisis management, and conduct
Biography:
Dr. Leo Pedraza (he/him/his) joined Stevens in November 2018, and he has dedicated the last 20 years to helping students succeed in college. Dr. Pedraza earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy at Seton Hall University, an M.Ed. in College Student Services Administration at Oregon State University, and a B.A. in Communication Studies at Cal State Long Beach. He is originally a Southern Californian but has been an East Coast resident since 2002. Outside of work, he loves good food, traveling, playing volleyball, and lots of Disney Plus and HBO Max.
Email: [email protected]
Responsibilities:
New student and transition programs
Peer Leader Program
Annual campus-wide large-scale events and traditions
Leadership development initiatives
Student organization support and liaison to non-RSO organizations
Biography:
Danielle (she/her) rejoined the Student Life team In April 2022, after previously serving in the office from 2018-2021. Before starting at Stevens, Danielle received her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her B.A. in English and Educational Studies from Arcadia University. Born and raised in Bayville, NJ, Danielle is a Jersey girl through and through. Outside of Student Life, you can find her baking up a batch of cupcakes, enjoying a Broadway show in the city, or eating all the pizza Hoboken has to offer!
Responsibilities:
Advisement to 21 Greek-lettered social organizations, 3 governing councils, and 2 programmatic councils
Oversee Primary Recruitment for three governing councils
Provides education on risk management, social events, hazing prevention
Serves as liaison between chapters and other students, campus partners, headquarters staff
Biography:
Arnold(he/him/his) graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communication and later earned his Master of Art in Student Affairs Administration and Higher Education from Ball State University. Chicago has been home for most of Arnold’s adult life, and he thrives in its dynamic atmosphere. When he’s not working, Arnold enjoys traveling, discovering new cuisines, and catching up on his favorite shows - especially Survivor and the latest hits on Netflix and HBO Max.
Email: [email protected]
Responsibilities:
Advisor to the Entertainment Committee, Commuter Student Union, and Transfer Student Association
Administration of student engagement platform, DuckLink
Advisement of student organizations
Assist with annual campus-wide large-scale events and traditions
Liaison to professional organizations
Biography:
Stephanie (she/her) joined the Student Life team in November 2023. Before starting at Stevens, Stephanie received her MA in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University and her BA in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Stephanie is a social butterfly who loves engaging with students to plan their events and activities. Her friends would describe “Steph” as the hostess-with-the-mostest, always planning the next get-together. Outside of Student Life, you can find Steph coaching volleyball, eating ice cream, or searching for a new documentary to obsess over.
Responsibilities:
Oversee Leaders Impacting Technology (LIT) Program
Ducks Leadership Series
Coordinate and support service and civic engagement opportunities
Peer Leader Program
Liaison to service and special interest organizations
Biography:
Tara (she/her) joined the Student Life team in December 2023! Tara earned her M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Psychology from Rider University. Tara loves helping people develop their leadership style and believes everyone can be a great leader. Outside of Student Life, you can find Tara with her nose in a book or teaching kickboxing classes, lifting heavy things, and playing billiards.
Email: [email protected]
Responsibilities:
Office support, front desk, & game room operations
Recruitment, selection, and training of Student Assistants and Game Room Attendants
Budgetary allocations, compliance, and financial transaction processing
Training and advisement of Student Organization Treasurers
Liaison to recreational, electronics, and gaming organizations
Biography:
Marissa (she/her) joined the Student Life team in September 2024. She earned her B.A. in History Adolescent Education from SUNY Geneseo and has experience working in finance and education. Having grown up on South Shore of Long Island, you can usually find Marissa at Jones Beach, traveling, or watercolor painting.
Email: [email protected]
Responsibilities:
Financial transaction processing of p-cards
Purchase orders
Biography:
Kathleen (she/her) joined Stevens in August 2021 and came to the Student Life team in January 2024. She earned her B.A. in English from Wesleyan University and her A.A. in Liberal Arts from Brookdale Community College. She is currently pursuing a PhD in English Literature at the University of Pennsylvania. Kathleen grew up in central Jersey and vehemently claims that the best pizza is from Pete and Elda's in Neptune. Outside of work, Kathleen loves to go to the movies, bake Ube cookies for her friends, and play bass with her band.
Email: [email protected]
Responsibilities:
Co-advisement of fraternities and sororities
Leadership program support for FSL officers
Educational programs for new members of the Greek community
Training for risk management, social events, and hazing prevention
Membership and officer roster administration
Event approvals
Biography:
Thomas (he/him) joined Student Life team in September 2024. Before starting this role, Thomas received his B.S.B in Business and Technology from Stevens and is currently enrolled as a full-time MBA student at Stevens as well. Born in Middletown, NJ, Thomas is a Central Jersey resident and enjoys long walks on the beach and eating shore pizza. Outside of Student Life, you can find Thomas playing with his two pet bunnies, playing video games and watching movies.