About

Administration, Faculty & Staff

Exceptional Educators

Newark Academy is guided by a talented and experienced group of educators. The Administrative leadership team is charged with implementing Newark Academy’s mission through intentional and fiscally prudent management of day-to-day operations. Academic Department Chairs, who are also members of the faculty, work closely with administrative leaders to develop and execute NA’s curriculum which provides students with both content mastery and essential skills acquisition. Working collaboratively, both leadership groups rely on the expertise of Newark Academy’s masterful faculty who form deep intellectual and supportive connections with our students.

Members of the NA faculty members are lifelong learners, modeling a depth of intellectual curiosity for their students. Averaging 16 years of teaching experience, NA faculty members possess mastery of their subject matter, belief in student dialogue as a tool for intellectual discovery and commitment to helping each student explore his or her potential. To learn more, view the list of NA faculty and staff.

Full Faculty/ Staff Directory

Key Contact Information

Administrative Leadership Team

List of 23 members.

Donald Austin

Head of School

Georgetown University - A.B.
New York University - M.A.
New York University - M.Phil.

Bio
Donald Austin was appointed Head of School for Newark Academy in 2007. In this role, Mr. Austin works with the Board of Trustees and the administrative leadership team to fulfill NA’s mission and incorporate the school's values into decision-making processes.

Major initiatives launched under Mr. Austin’s leadership include the Immersion Experience requirement, Middle School Capstone Experiences, June Term and the Newark Scholars Program. Other highlights of Mr. Austin’s leadership, to date, include a reorganized and invigorated community service program, the initiation of a STEM Experiences program and the successful completion of Rise & Flourish: The Campaign for Newark Academy, which funded construction of four major capital improvement projects and substantial growth of the NA endowment.

Beyond Newark Academy, Mr. Austin served as President of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools from 2012-2014 and is currently a member of the national Country Day Schools Headmasters’ Association.

Prior to joining Newark Academy, Mr. Austin served as Resident Director of the School Year Abroad in Rennes, France. From 1985-2000, Mr. Austin held a variety of teaching and administrative posts at the Collegiate School in New York, including service as Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages, Dean of Students, Coordinator of International Programs and Chair of Collegiate’s Honor Committee.
Tom Ashburn

Middle School Principal, Assistant Director of Summer Programs

Marist College - B.A.
Saint Elizabeth University - M.A.

Bio
Tom Ashburn joined Newark Academy in 1999 as a member of the English faculty and was named Principal of the Middle School in 2007. Under Mr. Ashburn’s guidance, NA’s Middle School has become a place designed, in every way, to meet the unique learning needs of young adolescents. Highlights of his leadership in the Middle School include the addition of student portfolios as an assessment tool, the Middle School Skills Tree and the deliberate design of the Wilf Middle School.

Mr. Ashburn remains active in the classroom, teaching a Study Skills course to sixth grade students and leading the annual seventh grade Capstone trip to Boston.

He is a past recipient of the Head of School Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Allsop Award for changing the course of his students’ lives. Mr. Ashburn also serves as Assistant Director of Newark Academy’s Summer Session, and he is on the coaching staff for Middle School Minuteman Baseball.
Catherine Atwell

Upper School Principal

Dartmouth College - B.A.
Stanford University - M.A.
University of Southern California - Ed.D

Bio
Dr. Catherine “Cathy” Atwell joined Newark Academy as Upper School Principal in July 2022. Prior to NA, Dr. Atwell taught and served in a variety of administrative capacities at the Marlborough School in Los Angeles, most recently as the Dean of Student Research and Head of Marlborough’s Honors Research in Humanities and Social Sciences program.

At Marlborough since 2004, Cathy has also taught world history, economics, global studies and a wide range of electives emphasizing interdisciplinary learning and connections to current events. Cathy has also served as the 11th Grade Dean and Department Head for history and social sciences. In 2018, she was recognized by Honored, a non-profit organization dedicated to spotlighting the role that teachers can play in transforming students’ lives.

Cathy graduated from Dartmouth College, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, with a B.A. in Russian area studies. While in college, she traveled to Russia twice, the second time as part of the first U.S.-Soviet undergraduate exchange. She earned an M.A. in history from Stanford University, conducting archival research in Russia for approximately 18 months. Cathy has also lived in Kenya, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom. In 2018, she completed her doctorate in International Education at the University of Southern California, writing her dissertation on the benefits of implementing the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for critical thinking instruction in humanities and social studies in Saudi Arabia.
Nancy Celente

Director of Summer Programs

Delaware Valley College - B.S.
College of St. Elizabeth - M.A.

Bio
Nancy Celente joined the Newark Academy faculty in 1987 as a member of the Science Department. Ms. Celente has taught Middle School science, biology, anatomy and physiology and currently teaches IB Biology. Her educational philosophy of student-centered instruction, experiential learning and establishing a positive classroom environment have been the hallmark of her science classes for more than three decades. Ms. Celente served as Chair of the Science Department from 2005-2017. Under her leadership, the department expanded their series of electives, committed to IB science instruction and focused on lab experiences for all levels of classes. She helped to design and expand the science laboratories on campus with state-of-the-art equipment and large spaces for individual experimentation.

Ms. Celente served as the STEM Coordinator at the school, seeking out and connecting Newark Academy students to guest speakers, field trips and summer internships to nurture their interest in all STEM related fields. In this role, Ms. Celente encouraged and advised students as they published the inaugural edition of Newark Academy’s STEM journal, Wavelengths.

Ms. Celente has also served as a grade coordinator, advisor and member of the Honor Council, connecting with students in all areas of school life. She was recognized with the Lynham Chair Award for exemplary teaching and interest in the personal development of her students. She is the advisor of multiple clubs on campus. They include: Supporting Women in STEM, Newark Anatomy and STEM Journal. In addition, Ms. Celente is a member of the Cum Laude society.

After serving as an Assistant Director of Summer Session for many years, Ms. Celente stepped into the role of Director of Summer Programs in 2020. She works closely with the administrative team to support and mentor more than 70 faculty members and offer innovative and inspiring programs for more than 1,000 students.
Pegeen Galvin

Director of Upper School Student Life

Williams College - B.A.
Middlebury College - M.A.

Bio
One of the most senior members of the NA faculty and administration, Pegeen Galvin-Scott serves as the Dean of Students, as she has since 1993, maintaining a vibrant, inclusive, welcoming and generous school culture.

Working with administrative and faculty colleagues, Ms. Galvin develops, coordinates and supports programs involving student government, student leadership development, clubs and activities, field trips, the Global Speakers’ Series, the Immersion Experience program and community service. She is credited with the creation of numerous NA events including the Freshman Lock-in, the infamous chocolate slide as a rite-of-passage for members of the senior class and the well-known pre-trip meetings that students and parents are required to attend before traveling off campus.

Starting as an English teacher at NA in 1981, Ms. Galvin has taught or guest-taught at every grade level. Thanks to her expertise, Newark Academy added art history as a subject in 1989, a course which she has consistently taught along with Advanced Placement (AP) Art History nearly every year. During her career at NA, Ms. Galvin has been recognized with the Ripps Teaching Award for encouragement of students’ personal and academic growth.
Sam Goldfischer

Director of Business and Finance

Rutgers University - B.A.

Bio
Sam Goldfischer has been the Director of Business & Finance at Newark Academy since 1992. Guiding the daily management of the NA operating budget and ongoing stewardship of the endowment, Mr. Goldfischer leads the school’s commitment to strong and prudent fiscal policies. In addition, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the management of the physical plant and has been instrumental in the development and execution of NA’s Campus Master Planning process.

Mr. Goldfischer has supervised every campus construction project in the past 26 years, including: the Elizabeth B. McGraw Arts Center, the William E. & Carol G. Simon Family Field House, the Petrello Upper School Academic Center, Kacur Field, the Wilf Middle School and the Coraci Performance Hall.

In addition to his duties in business and finance, Mr. Goldfischer teaches a senior-level elective series in Holocaust/Genocide Studies and Economics/Personal Finance, and is liaison and facilitator to the Student Endowment Committee. He is a past board member of National Business Officers Association (NBOA) and is an active member of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS), serving on the NJAIS Audit Committee and on numerous NJAIS accreditation committees. He is also a recipient of the 2015 Will Hancock Unsung Hero Award, which is given to business officers who have made extraordinary contributions to their schools.
Sarah Guelich

Director of Human Resources, Asst. Director of Business & Finance, Varsity Cross Country Head Coach

Rowan University - B.A.
Kean Universtiy - M.A.
David Kapferer

Director of Technology and Media Services

Lehigh University - B.A.
Wilkes University - M.S.

Bio
Dave Kapferer joined the Newark Academy administrative team in 2014 after serving 13 years as an educational technology professional at Lancaster (PA) Country Day School.

Mr. Kapferer is responsible for coordinating all technology initiatives throughout the campus including website functionality, CANVAS – NA’s online academic platform, all database systems and the acquisition and maintenance of all technology hardware. He also has taught various STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) courses and programs and has a particular expertise in digital filmmaking.

Beyond his Director of Technology role, Mr. Kapferer is an Upper School advisor and has coached several athletic teams including varsity baseball, varsity cross country and Middle School cross country.
Seth Lieberman

Director of Athletics

Springfield College - M. Ed.
Clark University - B.A.

Bio
As Newark Academy’s Director of Athletics, Seth Lieberman leads the entire Minutemen Athletics program, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Upper School’s 24 programs in 15 different interscholastic sports, as well as the Middle School athletic program.

Prior to NA, Seth worked as the Director of Athletics, Health and Wellness at the Barrie School in Bethesda, Md. and was named the 2022 Maryland District 2A Athletic Director of the Year. He also previously held the position of Director of Athletics at Saint Mary's School in North Carolina, Trinity School in New York City, and the Cannon School in North Carolina.

Seth received his B.A., with a double major in geography and sociology, from Clark University in Worcester, Mass., where he was an Academic All-American student-athlete as a swimmer. He has an M.S. in athletic administration from Springfield College, where he was the head coach of the women’s rugby team.
Russell Marsh

Director of Equity and Belonging

Bio
Russell Marsh brings a passion for creating a school environment where everyone feels valued. He has more than 20 years of teaching and leadership experience, during which he has worn many hats. Most recently Russell served as the Prep Division (grades 8-12) Equity and Inclusion Coordinator at Columbia Grammar and Prep School. In this capacity, he developed and taught the anti-bias curriculum for grades 8-11 and oversaw student programming, including several clubs, alliance groups, assemblies, and other student-led initiatives. He also served as an administrative liaison for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Board Committee and Parent All-School Multicultural Committee. Prior to Columbia Grammar and Prep, Russell spent six years at Ethical Culture Fieldston School (ECFS), beginning his tenure as the Upper School DEI Coordinator before becoming the school’s Director of Community and Inclusion.

Russell holds a dual bachelor’s degree in music and general humanities from Montclair State University and a certificate in diversity, equity and inclusion from Cornell University. He was born and raised in Newark, NJ, where he attended Newark Boys Chorus School and St. Benedict’s Prep. He is a trained vocalist and was a music teacher for 20 years. In his free time, he enjoys listening to Classic R&B and spending time with his wife and four children.
Rose McSween

Chief Advancement Officer

Dartmouth College - B.A.
NYU Stern School of Business - MBA
NYU Steinhardt School of Education - M.A.
Fordham University - Ed.D

Bio
As Chief Advancement Officer, Rose Byron McSween, Ed.D. leads the Office of Institutional Advancement and Newark Academy's upcoming capital campaign.

Rose previously held the position of Executive Director of Development and Centennial Campaign Manager at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. While at Fordham University, Rose served on the business school and development leadership teams, steered the school’s $75 million Centennial Campaign, and helped the rankings and annual fund participation rate to steadily rise. Rose has also held a number of positions at independent schools, including a role at the start of her career as faculty member and coach at Dwight-Englewood School.

She has a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College, Master in Business Administration from New York University, Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Technology from New York University, and Doctorate in Educational Administration and Leadership from Fordham University.
Kirsti Morin

Middle School Counselor

Mary Washington College - B.A. in Humanities and Education
Seton Hall - Masters in School Counseling
Seton Hall - Counseling, Ed.S.
Drew University - M.Lit

Bio
Kirsti Morin has taken on many roles at Newark Academy since joining the community in 2002. Initially a faculty member in the Humanities Department, Ms. Morin became Middle School Counselor in 2017. In this role, she works collaboratively with Middle School Principal Tom Ashburn to support the social, emotional, mental and academic development of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. She is responsible for the Middle School advisory program and regularly delivers parent education programs on topics pertinent to early adolescents.

As a classroom teacher, Ms. Morin has taught Middle School American history, Upper School world and American history, IB history, and the Theory of Knowledge class. She has also served as advisor to the Minuteman (student newspaper) staff and an IB CAS Coordinator. Ms. Morin was Chair of the Design Committee for the Wilf Middle School and has been a member of other key school committees including the Honor Council and the Technology Committee.
Lisa Mulligan

Senior Director of Advancement

Upsala College - B.A.

Bio
Lisa Mulligan was promoted to the Director of Development position in 2019, after serving for six years as the Director of Annual Giving and Parent Relations.

Responsible for engaging all constituents in supporting Newark Academy, Mrs. Mulligan has helped garner more than $1 million for the NA Annual Fund for 11 consecutive years, which has included 100 percent of the NA faculty and staff making gifts for the past seven years. Mrs. Mulligan also plans and executes a number of annual events including the Ad Lumen Appreciation event, First Year Families Reception with Head of School Donald M. Austin and NA’s Annual Day of Giving, a community-wide event that inspired alumni, parents, faculty/staff and friends of the Academy to contribute more than $262,000 in 2020.

Mrs. Mulligan began her career at Newark Academy as Office Manager for the Office of Institutional Advancement. She currently serves as head coach for the boys’ Middle School basketball team and was previously as assistant coach for the girls’ varsity basketball team and the boys’ Middle School tennis team. She frequently chaperones school trips, including the 8th grade Capstone trip to Washington, D.C.
Traci Osterhagen Brock

Dean of Faculty

University of Florida - B.A.
University of Florida - M.Ed.
Lewis & Clark College - ABD

Bio
Traci Osterhagen Brock serves as the Dean of Faculty, working to create a positive professional culture among faculty. Her responsibilities include the recruitment and retention of faculty, evaluation and professional development processes, and working with Academic and Administrative Staffs, Department Chairs, and various committees to foster communication and align efforts among these groups.

For the past four years, Traci has served as the Middle School Director at St. George's Independent School in Collierville, TN.

Prior to this, Traci was the Director of Teaching and Learning, PK-12, at Korea International School (2013-2016), and Assistant Principal at Laurelhurst K-8 School (2010-2013) in Portland, OR, and she has worked in teacher professional development and as a classroom teacher.

Traci is also working to complete her Doctorate in Education Leadership (ABD) from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR.
Daniel Reed

Assistant Upper School Principal, MSON Liaison

Middlebury College - B.A.
Middlebury College - M.A.
Hernando Santamaria

Middle School Assistant Principal, NA Faculty, Boys' Varsity Soccer Head Coach, Director of NA Athletic Camps

St. Peter's College - B.A.
Mercy College - M.A.
Lou Scerra

Chief Strategy Officer

Duke University - Fuqua School of Business - M.B.A.
Greenwich High School
Dartmouth College - A.B.
Fordham University - M.A.
Emerson College - M.F.A.

Bio
As Newark Academy’s Chief Strategy Officer, Lou Scerra coordinates and oversees the work of External Affairs offices (Admission, Advancement, Athletics, Auxiliary Services, and Communications & Marketing). He also leads school-wide strategic initiatives and serves as a liaison to Newark Academy's Board of Trustees.

A member of the NA faculty for more than 12 years, Lou has previously served as Director of Institutional Research and Strategy, Chair of the Professional Development Committee, and Chair of the English Department. Lou currently teaches Theory of Knowledge, a course on epistemology that forms part of the core of the International Baccalaureate diploma program.

Outside the classroom, Lou serves as head coach of the varsity boys' and girls' tennis teams. During his years at Newark Academy he has also served a number of other roles, including faculty advisor to the school’s a cappella group and an advisor for 11 years.
Alexis Sommers

Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid

Trinity College - B.A.
New York University - M.A.

Bio
Alexis Sommers joined Newark Academy in 2017, bringing with her a wide range of experiences in both education and marketing. In her role, Ms. Sommers oversees all aspects of the admission and financial aid processes, as well as the day-to-day operations of the department. Prior to joining NA, Ms. Sommers worked as the Associate Director of Admission at Léman Manhattan, taught elementary school within the New York City Public School System and worked at a number of New York-based advertising and marketing agencies.
Carol Spooner

Upper School Counselor

Ursinus College - B.A.
Acadia College - M.Ed.
Chestnut Hill College - M.S. in Counseling Psychology

Bio
Carol Spooner joined Newark Academy in 1992 as Director of School Counseling and Chair of the Health Education Department. As Upper School Counselor, she works collaboratively with the Upper School Principal and Dean of Students to support the social, emotional, mental and academic development of students in grades nine through 12. Additionally, Ms. Spooner is responsible for the management of the Upper School advisory program and directs the Peer Leadership program.

Prior to Newark Academy, Ms. Spooner taught in a coeducational public school and a single gender independent school in Pennsylvania. A firm believer in the value of team experiences, Ms. Spooner has served in a number of position on the Minuteman coaching staff including, head coach of the girls' varsity volleyball team, head coach for girls’ varsity lacrosse, and head and assistant coach for Middle School boys’ tennis and Middle School girls’ field hockey. Currently, she serves as head coach of the Middle School girls’ volleyball team.
Brian Stephenson

Director of Operations
Neil Stourton

Director of Sustainability, English Faculty

University of York - B.A.
University of Warwick - M.A.
University of Cambridge - P.G.C.E.
Harvard extension school - Certificate

Bio
After beginning his teaching career in his native England, followed by a stint in Greece, Neil joined Newark Academy in 2002 as English Department Chair. He led the Department for 14 years through a shift to a more contemporary, representative curriculum. He took a sabbatical year in 2011-12 teaching at SYA Italy. He ran the IB Program for 17 years, tripling the size of the Diploma cohort. He is a veteran Immersion trip leader, taking students camping in the South West every year. At different times, he has advised the Minuteman Newspaper, Kiva Club, and Cricket Club. He is currently teaching American Literature and pursuing a Certificate in Corporate Sustainability from Harvard Extension School.
Renee Walker

Director of Communications and Marketing

Rutgers University - B.A.
Columbia University - M.S.
Rutgers University - Ed.D.

Bio
Dr. Renée A. Walker joined the Newark Academy community as the Director of Communication and Marketing in 2020. She brings more than 18 years of experience in education, entrepreneurship, and marketing communications.

Prior to NA, Dr. Walker served as a Director of Marketing and Communication at Rutgers University as well as a consultant to entrepreneurs across an array of industries. She has also held marketing and communication leadership roles at Columbia University and The Pingry School. In addition to her seasoned administrative background, Dr. Walker has served as an adjunct professor in marketing and communications at Rutgers and Columbia.

Dr. Walker holds a B.A. from Rutgers University, M.S. from Columbia University, and an Ed.D. from Rutgers University.
Kerry Winiarski

Director of College Counseling

Duke University - AB
Ohio State University - M.S.

Bio
Kerry Winiarski has served as the Director of College Counseling since 2014. In this role, Mrs. Winiarski is responsible for leading the four-person staff charged with guiding Newark Academy seniors and juniors, and their parents, through the college search and admission process.

She began her service to Newark Academy in 1994, joining the school community as Director of College Counseling, but then took a step back to the Associate Director position for a number of years. Prior to her service to Newark Academy, Mrs. Winiarski held positions in the Office of Student and Judicial Affairs at Ohio State University and in Undergraduate Admissions at Duke University.

Mrs. Winiarski is involved in many aspects of community life at Newark Academy, including Peer Leadership Advisor, and has traveled to India as a chaperone for an Immersion Experience trip. She has also served as a guest faculty member at Layette College and at Duke University.

Academic Department Chairs

List of 7 members.

Caitlin Ciampaglio

Chair, Science Department

Montclair State University - B.S.
Montclair State University - M.S.
Cori Eggert

Math Department Chair, June Term Director, Service Coordinator

Western New England University - B.A.
Teachers College Columbia University - M.A.
Diana Fernandes

Chair, Health Department

Montclair State University - B.A.
Andrea Lankin

English Department Chair

Brandeis University - B.A.
Fordham University - M.A.
University of California, Berkeley - Ph.D.
Tim McCall

Chair, Humanities Department

Bates College - B.A.
University of Connecticut - M.A.
Elise Pacicco

Arts Department Chair, Dance Teacher
Patty Pascal

Chair, Language Department

University of Valley, Colombia - B.A.
National Autonomous University of Mexico - M.A.
National Autonomous University of Mexico - Ph.D.

91 South Orange Avenue, Livingston NJ 07039, 973.992.7000

An independent school for students in grades 6-12