Who's Who in Student Affairs

Melissa Brodsky   phone: 212 998 1587   721 Broadway, 8th floor

As Director of Career Development, Melissa works to insure that students have all the pieces available to them as they prepare for successful careers in the arts. Melissa counsels and assists students in evaluating their interests and skills and how this relates to their future goals.  Her Career Development team works to create a wide variety of resources and programs to assist students in preparing for their careers in the arts; including creating professional marketing materials, preparing for interviews and networking opportunities, as well as industry specific events designed to assist students in developing relationships and to expose them to professionals in their field of choice. In her spare time she enjoys interior design, reading biographies, running and enjoying all the live music NYC has to offer.

John Brown   phone: 212 998 1915   721 Broadway, 8th Floor

John Brown, Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions for Tisch School ofthe Arts, counsels graduate students and departments on matters concerning financial aid, housing and admissions. As the liaison to the New York University financial aid and housing offices, he is entrusted with various matters concerning TSOA graduate student financial aid and housing.

Robert Cameron   phone: 212 998 1902   721 Broadway, 8th Floor

"Dean Bob" is advocate-in-chief for students at Tisch, working closely with the dedicated staff of the Office of Student Affairs to help students get the most out of their Tisch experience. He is also responsible for upholding the social and academic standards of the School. When not deaning, he is either thinking about exercising or planning to finish reading In Search of Lost Time.

Patricia Decker   phone: 212 998 1910   721 Broadway, 8th Floor

Patricia Decker is the Director of Recruitment at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She started her career at Tisch in the Department of Undergraduate Drama, first as the Internship Coordinator, then as the Coordinator of the Summer High School Drama Program. After that she served as Manager of Admissions and Applicant Services for ten years. Patricia is also a writer, performer and producer who has worked in both Philadelphia and New York. Philadelphia: Wilma Theatre, The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Big Mess Theatre, Pennsylvania Ballet. New York: Manhattan Theatre Club, Theatre Communications Group, Teleotheater, SPF. She has performed her own work at Dixon Place, CB's Gallery and Cornelia Street Café. Patricia is also an accomplished Tarot card reader. BA in Theatre from Temple University.  

Peter Gerena   phone: 212 998 1595   721 Broadway, 8th floor

Peter Gerena is the Administrative Aide for Graduate Admissions. He answers any questions prospective grad students may have about the graduate programs offered at Tisch and helps with application materials. He is also a huge fan of robots, dinosaurs and robot-dinosaurs.

Anita Gupta   phone: 212 998 1901   721 Broadway, 8th Floor

As Director of Academic Services, Anita works closely with all of the departments at Tisch ensuring the successful completion of degree requirements.  She is available for questions related to AP credit, general education courses, registering off-campus, and any other academic issues.  She is also the director of the TSOA Scholars program and in her free time (what free time?), she is busy at home with her 3-year-old.

Wesley Hopper   phone: 212 998 1912   721 Broadway, 8th Floor

Wes Hopper is the Administrative Aide for Student Affairs.  He is involved in all aspects of event planning and operation, as well as assisting with student clubs and the mentor program.  In his spare time he likes to take history and political science courses, write and direct theater pieces, and play cribbage.   

Natasha Logan   phone: 212 998 1824   721 Broadway, 8th floor

Natasha helps students and alums identify and pursue their career goals, and considers career development a ‘life skill’.  She helps students assess interests and research opportunities, develop relationships in their field, and create professional marketing materials (resumes, cover letters, pitch, interview skills).  Outside of work, Natasha volunteers with local groups committed to collaboration in the arts.  She is interested in creating art that is not limited by one medium or genre, and enjoys stargazing from her roof in Brooklyn.

Megan Mannato   phone: 212 998 1593   721 Broadway, 8th Floor

Megan Mannato is the Director of Student Affairs.  Her job is to help students with any problems or issues they may be having that have to do with their non-academic life here at Tisch.  This includes taking leaves of absences and working with the Tisch student councils.  Her team also oversees all events, such as Orientation and Salute, and runs many student programs. She lives in Montclair, NJ with her family and spends most of her free time chasing around her two year old daughter.  She also helps to plan events outside of work, such as showers and small weddings.  

Michael Messina   phone: 212 998 1903   721 Broadway, 8th floor

Michael is happy to join the Student Affairs team at Tisch and return to NYU after two years of working in marketing and recruitment at another institution. Previously, Michael was employed in Undergraduate Admissions at NYU and is ecstatic to have returned to this eclectic and vibrant campus community. While not planning special events and advising student clubs here at Tisch, Michael can be found in one of the many dog-parks in NYC with his Black Lab/Great Dane mix, Lex. He also enjoys traveling (especially to South America), running outdoors, and playing in the surf at the beach with Lex.

Joe Miserendino   phone: 212 998 1886   721 Broadway, 8th Floor

Joe handles the day to day operation of the Graduate Admission Office here at Tisch. He previously worked in the Undergraduate Admissions Office before joining Tisch. Joe is an avid Yankee fan.

Dan Sandford   phone: 212 998 1914   721 Broadway, 8th floor

Dan oversees the Graduate Admissions operation for the School and Financial Aid for new Graduate Students. He is also Tisch International Student Advisor (grad and undergrad).  Dan lived many years in Mexico.  His hobbies include collecting vinyl records of rock bands from the 60's and 70's; Mexican day of the dead skeleton figurines; and books about the 60's.

Dory Smith-Wilson   phone: 212 998 1911   721 Broadway, 8th floor

Known as the “Diva of Financial Aid”, Dory is your go to diva with problems or concerns regarding financial aid and registration.  Her interests are Jazz/House Music and she loves to dance.

Robyn Stewart   phone: 212 998 1913   721 Broadway, 8th Floor

Robyn is responsible for the smooth operation of the Student Affairs office. She supervises the front desk, oversees the budgets, keeps the office computers up and running and makes sure everyone is paid. Robyn is a member of the New York Road Runner's Club and a team leader with New York Cares.

Rachel Terte   phone: 212 998 1954   721 Broadway, 12th floor

Rachel has been providing counseling services to the graduate and undergraduate students at Tisch for the past 9 years. She is both a member of the Tisch department of Student Affairs and a member of the staff at Counseling and Behavioral Health. She is well versed in working with artists and when she is not working with them she is often taking advantage of the screenings, shows, exhibits, etc. at Tisch and around the city.

Micah Thomas   phone: 212 998 1909   721 Broadway, 8th floor

Micah is a proud member of team Academic Services here at Tisch. She assists current students with degree adjustments, registration, and advisement procedures. She is also fortunate to work with the Tisch University Scholars. When she is not at Tisch or studying for a Masters of Science degree in Human Resources at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Micah enjoys cooking West Indian cuisine, reggae music, and laughing at comedy shows.

Melissa Wacks   phone: 212 998 1825   721 Broadway, 12th floor

Melissa Wacks, LCSW is a full-time clinical social worker, providing counseling services specifically for students at Tisch School of the Arts.  She works on-site in the Tisch building, but she is also part of the Counseling and Behavioral Health staff at the University Health Center.  Melissa is happy to be part of the Tisch community since 2000, and has a special interest in doing psychotherapy with people in the arts. 

Yonni Walker   phone: 212 998 1908   721 Broadway, 8th floor

Working closely with Dean Cameron as his Assistant, Yonni also supports Megan Mannato with leaves of absence. A native Southerner, she has maintained her accent since moving to New York, if only for the adorability factor.  Outside of work she can be found taking tap dance lessons, riding her bike around Brooklyn, or buying yet another cookbook. Yonni gave Hoosiers four stars and now Netflix won’t stop suggesting sports movies. 

Shana Wright   phone: 212 998 1920   721 Broadway, 8th floor

Shana works on the Academic Services team here at Tisch, and can help you with questions regarding degree progress, registration, advisement and academic policies and procedures.  She also works with the Tisch University Scholars and Tisch Mentor programs, and is responsible for various school publications.  When she's not at Tisch, Shana studies herbal medicine and public health policy.