SPOTLIGHT STORIES >

Students

Achraf Ifinis, Class of '12

Achraf Ifinis made a random stop at Vaughn College while visiting from his hometown of Casablanca. Just like in the classic film, it "was the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

Adrian DeJesus, Class of '12

Adrian DeJesus came to the United States with little more than a work ethic. He's now on target for a master's degree in airport management and a promising future.

Brian Linhares knows that invention is about imagination. An accomplished engineering student and member of Vaughn College's robotics club, his dream is to establish his own robotics development company.

Bridgette Valencia, Class of '12

Bridgette Valencia's dream of working for NASA brought her to Vaughn. Now, flourishing as a mechatronics student, she's on her way to achieving big things in the engineering field.

Camila Turrieta, Class of '11

As a child in Santiago Chile, Camila Turrieta imagined a career in aviation. Now as president of the College's chapter of Women in Aviation, she's hoping to inspire others to consider the same goal.

Erika Barcenes, Class of '13

Erika Barcenes took a roundabout path to Vaughn College. But now that she is here, nothing will derail her dream of becoming a pilot.

Luiny Duran, Class of '13

"Vaughn College is located in the greatest city in the world!" Luiny Duran chose Vaughn College because of its outstanding reputation for aviation programs.

Noemi Nunez, Class of '12

As she takes a leap from art to airport management, Noemi Nunez is a firm believer in following your heart.

Faculty and Staff

Dorothy Martin, Director of Financial Aid

As Vaughn College's director of financial aid, Dorothy Martin is many things to many people. Most of all, she's committed to presenting the best financial options to Vaughn students and their families.

Hossein Rahemi, PhD

A mentor to our students, Hossein Rahemi, PhD, chair of Vaughn's engineering and technology department, has assisted many students through their degree projects—from development through technical writing.

John Agnelli, Vice President of Student Affairs

To Vaughn College's vice president of student affairs, higher education is a calling, not just a career. "We're going in such a positive direction, no question," says John Agnelli.

Joseph Zych, Professor

Professor Joseph Zych is still learning after 40 years as a classroom instructor. An Air Force veteran, he is among the longest-serving Vaughn College faculty members.

Khalid Mouaouya, Associate Professor

"Mathematics is an art," says Khalid Mouaouya of Vaughn College's department of engineering and technology. A native of Morocco by way of Belgium, he says math is the foundation of all engineering courses of study.

Maxine Lubner, PhD

A native of Zimbabwe who was raised in South Africa, Dr. Lubner is an FAA-certified pilot and faculty chairperson.

Paul LaVergne, PhD

A mountaineer who has climbed all 46 peaks in the Adirondacks, Dr. Paul LaVergne loves engaging nature and students.

Philip Meade, Director of Career Services

A former corporate recruitment specialist, Philip Meade has returned to his roots in higher education. His advice to student and alumni job-seekers: Preparation pays off.

Raymond Addabbo, PhD

Dr. Raymond Addabbo has never wearied of teaching. A lover of jazz, drums and historical biography, he finds the lessons of Sir Isaac Newton as inspiring now as when he first arrived at Vaughn College in 1984.

Robert DeGennaro, Adjunct Instructor

Adjunct instructor Robert DeGennaro, an air traffic control supervisor with two decades of experience, says Vaughn offers potential controllers an experience unmatched at any other school.

Shouling He, PhD

A combination of forces set Dr. Shouling He on a path to engineering early in life. As a mechatronics engineering professor, she teaches in the field in which she is most passionate.