Meet the Staff
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| Nikki Abramson - Assistant to the Dean/Case Manager Claudia Arias-Cirinna - Assistant Dean of Students/ Director of the William W. Sandler Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education Erica Blunt - Graduate Assistant Beth Bostrom - Chaplain Earika Cenord - Administrative Assistant Nancy Del Pozzo - Administrative Assistant, Office Manager Christine Ferras - Administrative Assistant Anna Canlon - Practicum Student Tashika Griffith - Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Ricardo Hall - Dean of Students Nate Johnson - Assistant Director of Residence Life/Area Director Dr. Tony Lake - Associate Dean of Students/Director of Judicial Affairs Steve Priepke - Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Greek Life Brandon Gross - Practicum Student Mike Stokes - Graduate Assistant Dayle Wilson - Assistant Dean of Students |
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| Nikki Abramson | |
 Nikki Abramson, LCSW joined the University of Miami's Dean of Student's Office in September 2006 as the Assistant to the Dean/Case Manager. Nikki addresses the needs of students who may be experiencing mental health, health, economic, housing, family, academic, and/or social issues by providing a variety of intervention, referral, and case management services. Nikki is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Florida (http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/491/index.html) and has extensive clinical experience working with students in educational settings and providing crisis intervention services. Nikki has presented at workshops and trainings at both national and local levels and is trained and certified in implementing various evidenced-based and best-practice programs. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding contributions to promoting student mental health. Nikki grew up in New York and earned her bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Albany and her master's degree in Social Work from New York University. Nikki enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, and working out. |
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| Claudia Arias-Cirinna | |
 Dean Arias-Cirinna joined the Dean of Student Office in November 2008. She currently serves as Assistant Dean of Students and the Director of the William W. Sandler Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education. She is responsible for coordinating a comprehensive Prevention, Intervention, Education, and Referral program focusing on alcohol and other drug use, misuse, and dependency. Dean Arias-Cirinna is originally from Chile, South America but grew up in Connecticut most of her life. She received both her BA in Spanish and Psychology from Central Connecticut State University and her MS in Counseling in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She has worked at several universities and has expertise in areas such as counseling, alcohol education, prevention, wellness, crisis response, staff selection and training, advising student organizations, leadership, teambuilding, and diversity. Her two greatest passions are working with students and education through prevention. Dean Arias-Cirinna is a member of CALAHE, CT Association of Latinos in Higher Education and has worked extensively with Latino Youth and Prevention efforts. When she is not working, Dean Arias-Cirinna spends all her time with her family and her 2 children. |
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| Erica Blunt | |
Erica Blunt joined the University of Miami family in August 2011. Erica is the Graduate Assistant for the Undergraduate Honor Council. She graduated from Hampton University with a degree in Sport Management. Upon graduation Erica joined Teach For America and taught Middle and High School math in New Orleans. She is now pursuing a Masters in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Student Life and Development. Erica and serves as the Dean of Student's liaison to the Honor Council, which is comprised of 29 undergraduate students.
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| Beth Bostrom | |
 Rev. Beth Bostrom became the Chair of the University Chaplains Association in the summer of 2011, and thus joined the staff of the Dean of Students Office. She moved to Miami to become the Chaplain at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Miami in the summer of 2009. After graduating from Greensboro College in North Carolina with an English degree, she entered the US-2 young adult mission program through the United Methodist Church. As a US-2, Beth worked and lived in a shelter for homeless families in Tallahassee for two years. After working another year with folks who were homeless and had disabilities, Beth started seminary at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta. During seminary, she worked with the Wesley Fellowship at Emory, first as an intern and then as the Interim Campus Minister. After graduating from Candler, Beth spent two years as a Chaplain Resident at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, working mainly with the ICUs and the Child Protection Center. When Beth moved to Miami, she had only visited the city twice. She has lived in five states, and is a big fan of road trips and adventure. Beth loves baseball, live music and Miami's food trucks. She digs this sub-tropical wonderland, especially the abundance of tropical fruit trees. |
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| Nancy Del Pozzo | |
 Nancy Del Pozzo joined the University of Miami in May 2006. Nancy is the Senior Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Students and is responsible in the overall daily administration and management of the office, preparation of budget/financial reports, maintenance the Dean's calendar and correspondence, and provides assistance to student and parents in need of help. Nancy grew up in Lima, Peru and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Languages from Sacred Heart University in Lima. Prior to working for the Dean of Students, Nancy worked in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs. She is fluent in Spanish and French. Nancy loves to spend time with her son and husband and enjoys traveling. |
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| Christine Ferras | |
 Christine A. Ferras, Administrative Assistant, joined the University of Miami's Dean of Students Office in April 1998. As part of the support staff, Mrs. Ferras works to help the office run smoothly. As well as assisting Dean Dayle W. Wilson; Dean Nanette Vega and Dean Claudia Arias-Cirinna, she also works along side the Associate Dean and Director of Judicial Affairs to administer the discipline database system. Christine has lived in the Miami area since 1962, is married and has two grown children. Christine won The Laurel Award in 2002 for Outstanding Job Performance. She was the recipient of the Ronald Hammond Humanitarian Award in 2000 and 2001 presented by the National Panhellenic Council and is a member of Rho Lambda. |
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| Anna Canlon | |
Anna Canlon joined the Dean of Students Office in September 2012 as a Graduate Practicum Student for PIER 21: The William W. Sandler, Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education. In her role with PIER 21, Anna works closely with the Director of the Center, the Graduate Assistant, and the Peer Educators to create, implement, and coordinate programs emphasizing prevention and responsible use of alcohol as well as educating students on the dangers associated with alcohol and other drug misuse and dependency. She also serves as the advisor for the peer education groups BACCHUS and GAMMA (Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol). Anna is originally from Lake Wales, Florida and graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Stetson University in May 2012. Prior to joining the DOSO staff, she served as a Health and Wellness Intern and as a Tobacco Peer Educator at Stetson. Anna is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Higher Education Administration at Florida International University. |
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| Tashika Griffith | |
Dean Griffith has recently joined the Dean of Students Office in March 2012 and currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Students and liaison to the Athletics department. Her additional responsibilities include the general oversight of DOSO assessment and grant writing initiatives, advisement of the Multi-Ethnic Greek Council and the day to day management of the Student Affairs Crisis Coordinators (SACC) program. She is a native of the Bahamas but has lived in Florida for over a decade. Dean Griffith has experience in both secondary and post-secondary education, serving as a teacher in Broward County and working in various Student Affairs units such as Multicultural Affairs, Career Services, University Police and Student Activities. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a certification in Ethnic Studies from Florida Atlantic University and her Masters in Higher Education & Leadership Policies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). Dean Griffith is a devoted football fan and also enjoys cooking, shopping and traveling.
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| Dr. Ricardo Hall | |
Throughout his career, Dean Hall has realized and stressed the importance of understanding differences and varying points of view. In his professional work, course instruction, and community involvement, he has been able to incorporate and share his knowledge of and appreciation for a broad range of current topics within higher education and beyond. Dean Hall encourages comfortable, thoughtful, and civil discourse within the UM community and enjoys interacting with students on topics related to life at UM, and life in general. Dean Hall has presented locally, regionally, and nationally on subjects including mentoring, student discipline, diversity, leadership skills development, Greek Life, and wellness. He is frequently requested speaker known to incorporate humor and pop culture into observations and analysis of current issues. He encourages students to fully embrace the opportunities – both in and out of the classroom – presented to them at the University of Miami and can often be found in the Wellness Center playing basketball or racquetball (and invites students to take Dean Hall’s Racquetball Challenge!), and is known to stop by and say hello during student organization meetings and programs (students also know him to be a bowtie aficionado and often comment on the impressive PEZ collection in his office). Dean Hall, a member of UM’s Iron Arrow Society, has been a Hurricane since 2006 and in addition to overall management of the Dean of Students Office, is serves as an Adjunct Faculty member in the School of Education and Human Development, and co-advisor to Student Government and the Committee on Student Organizations. He has 20 years of university student affairs experience, including successful tenures at fellow ACC institutions Wake Forest and Clemson. He earned his doctorate (Educational Leadership) from Clemson University and his master's (Higher Education Administration) and bachelor’s (Business Management) degrees from Ohio University. |
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| Nate Johnson | |
 Nate Johnson is the Assistant Director of Residence Life as well as the Area Director for Eaton Residential College. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. He completed his Masters degree in Educational Leadership at Eastern Michigan University. This is his fifth year at the University of Miami. Nate serves as a support role to the Dean of students working on a variety of projects with his primary responsibility being a liaison between the Dean of Students Office and the Department of Housing and Residence Life. Nate enjoys spending time with his family and friends as well as working with the excellent student leaders on the University of Miami campus. |
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| Dr. Tony Lake | |
 Dean Lake started working at the University of Miami in June of 2008 as the Associate Dean of Students and Director of Judicial Affairs and works with student disciplinary issues and sorority and fraternity life on campus. In addition to roles at the University of Miami, Dr. Lake also serves as an executive member on the national board of directors for Gamma Sigma Alpha, the National Greek Academic Honorary, and has done research for that organization for several years. He has worked as leadership education curriculum development consultant for several different organizations. He has been involved with Leadership Miami, a program of the Greater Miami Area Chamber of Commerce since the fall of 2009 and is a co-founder of a young professional's society for the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts that will serve as fundraisers and advocates for the City of Miami's historic Olympia Theatre and the Gusman Center. Prior to working at the U, Dean Lake worked in several different roles throughout his career. He has worked in housing and residence life at three different institutions, has done research on the academic achievements of sorority and fraternity members, has been an instructor on several different campuses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and has also previously worked in fraternity and sorority life and leadership development. Along his career path Dr. Lake has also earned three degrees: a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Graphic Design and Photography in 1995 (Central Michigan University), a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration in 1997 (University of Central Missouri), and later a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration in 2005 (Bowling Green State University). Tony's wife and partner, Kate Lake, also works for the University of Miami (in Alumni Relations) and they are both enjoying working in the wonderfully diverse Miami community. |
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| Steve Priepke | |
Dean Priepke serves as a judicial officer and he oversees all of fraternity and sorority life. He is a two time graduate of the University of Miami earning a B.B.A and a J.D. During college he was a founding father of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter. Dean Priepke also worked in Student Affairs as a Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant. After finishing law school he worked for his national fraternity for 5 years where he served as Executive Director. Dean Priepke is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa International Honor Society, Mortar Board Honor Society, Order of Omega, and Iron Arrow and is listed in Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges. He has been honored with the William R. Butler Award for Administrative Excellence and the Division of Student Affairs Laurel Award for Exceptional Work with Students. Dean Priepke is an avid sports fan and sportsman. After hours he enjoys supporting our Hurricane student athletes as a fan at any sporting event and enjoys spending his time away at his home in Wisconsin hunting and fishing.
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| Brandon Gross | |
 Brandon Gross joined the Dean of Students Office in the fall of 2012 as a Graduate Practicum Student. Professionally, Brandon serves as an assistant director of admission at the University of Miami recruiting students from his home state of New York. He received his Bachelor of Science in Communication from UM in 2009 and is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Education with a focus on student life and development. In the Dean of Students Office, Brandon's primary focus will be in the area of judicial affairs. Additionally, Brandon serves as the chapter advisor for his fraternity, Sigma Chi. You can also usually find him in the press box or courtside on the stat crew for the Dolphins, HEAT and Canes games. |
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| Mike Stokes | |
 Michael Stokes joined the Dean of Students Office in August 2011. Michael is the Graduate Assistant for PIER21, the William W. Sandler, Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education and assists the Assistant Dean of Students in initiatives that support the overall goals and objectives of the center including prevention, intervention, education, and referral focusing on alcohol and other drug use, misuse and dependency. In order to accomplish the goals of the Center, Michael works closely with the peer educators and peer education groups in the Dean of Students Office and other leaders in campus community. Michael is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, and graduated from the University of Miami with his Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Geography in May 2011. Prior to joining the Dean of Students Office, he served as an Academic Fellow in Hecht Residential College for three years. Michael is currently pursuing his Master's degree in Geography and Regional Studies at UM. |
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| Earika Cenord | |
A Floridian born and raised in Miami, Florida who graduated from Miami Southridge Senior High School. Earika served as a former Correctional Officer Sergeant and Military Financial Aid Officer and is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Supervision and Management from Miami Dade College (MDC). She is an eclectic music lover that enjoys spending time with family, baking, making scented candles, and traveling. |
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| Dayle Wilson | |
A graduate of the University of Miami, Dean Wilson serves as a judicial officer for the Office of the Dean of Students. Additional responsibilities include serving as the advisor to the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the umbrella organization for the historically Black Greek Letter organizations represented on campus. She also serves as the advisor to the Undergraduate and Graduate Honor Councils, and the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society. Dean Wilson is also a member of the WVUM Advisory Board. She has been inducted as an honorary member in the Order of Omega and as a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. She served as President of the University's Women's Commission from 2007 - 2009. She is also a former member of the Miami Dade County Library Advisory Board. Dean Wilson was also recognized by the Yellow Rose Society as Legend of the Year during the 2008 Women's History Month celebration.
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