Department Overview

Explore with us the intellectual challenges of literary study. Immersion in American, English, and World literatures is a central component of a robust liberal arts education and cultivates skills in critical reading, effective writing, careful research, and information literacy that prepare you to be both a successful student and an engaged citizen of your community and the world.

We provide an educational foundation that prepares you for professional pursuits in a variety of fields including (but not limited to) writing, editing, publishing, public relations, library science, higher education, government, and the non-profit sector.

Our graduates have transferred to such prestigious schools as Columbia University, Rutgers University, The College of New Jersey, and Rider University.

Unpacking Your Potential
Are you curious about the “big ideas” that writers explore through the literary traditions of your own culture and other cultures?  Do you enjoy working with words and crafting arguments that engage with those ideas?  Our courses allow you to pursue your curiosity about the ways in which we construct our narratives about ourselves and the world around us, and to hone your skills at developing narratives of your own.

Degree Programs - English
Degree Designed to Transfer to a Four-Year College

English, Associate of Arts - Expore Careers

Full Time Faculty - English
  • Susan Arvay, Department Chair
    Susan Arvay, Department Chair    Read More
  • Michael McKeown Bondhus
    Michael McKeown Bondhus    Read More
  • Michelle J Brazier
    Michelle J Brazier    Read More
  • David Chase
    David Chase    Read More
  • Jessica Darkenwald-DeCola
    Jessica Darkenwald-DeCola    Read More
  • Justin Felix
    Justin Felix    Read More
  • Karen Gaffney
    Karen Gaffney    Read More
  • Andrew Manno
    Andrew Manno    Read More
  • Alexa Offenhauer
    Alexa Offenhauer    Read More
  • Christine Pipitone-Herron
    Christine Pipitone-Herron    Read More
  • Anita Rosenblithe
    Anita Rosenblithe    Read More
  • Lisa M. Tucker
    Lisa M. Tucker    Read More
  • Ronald A. Tyson
    Ronald A. Tyson    Read More
  • Izabela Zieba
    Izabela Zieba    Read More
Adjunct Faculty - English

Lucia Barbieri    lbarbier@raritanval.edu
B.S. English Education, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
M.A. English Literature, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Writing Workshop Program, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Executive Management Program, Duke University, Raleigh-Durham, NC
Leadership Management, Aspen Institute, Colorado

Karly Berezowsky    karly.berezowsky@raritanval.edu
B.A. English, B.A. Communication (with a specialized concentration in Journalism), minor in Art History from Flagler College
M.A. English Literature. and Graduate Certificate in Women's and Gender Studies, The College of New Jersey

Ellen Brain    ebrain@raritanval.edu
Masters of the Humanities and Secondary English Education, Kean University

Jessica Brent    jbrent@raritanval.edu
Ph.D. English, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.

Rebecca Campbell   Rebecca.campbell@raritanval.edu
B.A., English Literature, University of Maryland, College Park
M.A., Secondary English Education, New York University

Nancy Castello Nancy.castello@raritanval.edu
B.A., Rutgers University
M.A., Montclair State University

Denise Cimpko-Beller     DCimpko@raritanval.edu
B.A. English, Rutgers University
M.A. English, The College of New Jersey

Scot Ebner  Scot.ebner@raritanval.edu
B.A., M.L.I.T., Drew University

Anne Ehrhart    Anne.Ehrhart@raritanval.edu
B.A. English, Westminster College, Missouri
M.A.T. Secondary English, University of Louisville

Melanie Frances  Melanie.frances@raritanval.edu
B.A., M.A., College of New Jersey

Kendra Hansis     Kendra.Hansis@raritanval.edu
B.A., University of Connecticut
M.A., University of Connecticut
Ph.D. (ABD), University of Massachusetts

Alicia Harabin   Alicia.harabin@raritanval.edu

Karen Hoffman     karen.hoffman@raritanval.edu
B.S., East Stroudsburg University
M.Ed., East Stroudsburg University

Dr. Ann C. Kane    akane@raritanval.edu
A.A., Raritan Valley Community College
B.A., Kean University
M.S., Walden University
Ed.D., Walden University

Maria Kayal  Maria.kayal@raritanval.edu
B.A., English/Philosophy, University of Scranton
M.S., TESOL, City College of New York

Sabrina Mahfouz    Sabrina.Mahfouz@raritanval.edu
B.A., English/Elementary Ed, Kean University
M.A., English/Gifted Education, Columbia University

Julie Mainka   julie.mainka@raritanval.edu
B.A. English, University of Texas at San Antonio
M.A. English, Literature and Language, University of Northern Colorado 

Thomas A. Makin, Ph.D.    tmakin@raritanval.edu
Ph.D., Univ. of Pennsylvania
M.A., Univ. of Pennsylvania
B.A., Manhattan College 

Dr. Robin Mako Citarella    rmako@raritanval.edu
Ph.D., M.Phil., M.A., Drew University 
B.A., University of Dayton

Vanessa Markota  Vanessa.markota@raritanval.edu
B.A., M.A., English, Seton Hall University

Raymond Masullo Raymond.masullo@raritanval.edu
B.A., M.A., English, William Paterson University

Kellie McKinney  Kellie.mckinney@raritanval.edu
M.A., University of Denver

Nina McPherson Nina.mcpherson@raritanval.edu
B.A., Yale University

Kathalyn Messano    kmessano@raritanval.edu
B.A., in English, Fairleigh Dickinson 
M.A.T., Fairleigh Dickinson 
M.A. Education Leadership, Management and Policy, Seton Hall
Ed.D (ABD) Curriculum Leadership, Northeastern University 

Elizabeth Michels   Elizabeth.michels@raritanval.edu

Thomas E. Moomjy    tmoomjy@raritanval.edu
PhD., Candidate in American Studies (ABD), Rutgers University-Newark
B.A., M.A., English, Rutgers University

Sara Pampinto    spampint@raritanval.edu
M.A. English Language and Literature, NYU
B.A. English and Secondary Education, TCNJ

Jamie Parmese Jamie.parmese@raritanval.edu
B.A., M.A., Rutgers University

Melody Pazian Melody.pazian@raritanval.edu
M.S.,, M.S.Ed., Adol. Education English, College of Staten Island

Nina Presuto  Nina.presuto@raritanval.edu
A.A., Liberal Arts, Raritan Valley Community College
B.A., Elem. Education/English Writing, Kean University
M.A.Ed., Prof. Development Pgm., Seton Hall University

Patricia Rutledge     prutledg@raritanval.edu
B.S., M.Ed., Rutgers University

Mary Saarmann    msaarman@raritanval.edu
A.A. Humanities/Social Science, County College of Morris
B.A. English, Montclair State University
Post B.A. Teaching Certification English, Montclair State University
M.A. Speech and Theatre, Montclair State University
Post-Graduate Study in England, Shakespeare and Theatre, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Robert Sager     robert.sager@raritanval.edu
B.A., Dickinson College
M.S., St. Josephs University

Amy Sawford Amy.sawford@raritanval.edu
B.A., English, The University of Florida
M.A., English - Comparative Literature, Brooklyn College

Tracey Schuller   Tracey.schuller@raritanval.edu

Eric Specian   Eric.specian@raritanval.edu

Julie Stine Julie.stine@raritanval.edu
B.A., Art History, Rutgers College
M.Ed., English Education, Rutgers University

Cathline Tanis  Cathline.tanis@raritanval.edu
M.Ed., English/Language Arts, Rutgers University

Christine Taylor    christine.taylor@raritanval.edu
Master of Library and Information Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
M.A. English Literature, National University
B.A. English and Pan African Studies, Drew University

Chris Teixeira     Christopher.Teixeira@raritanval.edu
B.A. in English from Montclair State University  
M.A. in American Literature from Montclair State University  

Myra Thomas  Myra.thomas@raritanval.edu
B.A., Vassar College
M.F.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University

Alison Ward      Alison.ward@raritanval.edu
B.S. Secondary Education in English, University of Rhode Island  
M.A. in Teaching and Learning, Nova Southeastern University  

Valerie A. Wheatley     Valerie.wheatley@raritanval.edu
B.A., William Paterson College/University
M.A., The George Washington University
Education Specialist from The George Washington University

Additional Details - English

Nota Bene, an annual online journal, provides an opportunity for students to showcase academic achievements.

Career Coach – Learn more about career opportunities.

Contact Information:
Andrew Kopka
andrew.kopka@raritanval.edu