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Bernard A. Polnariev, Director
A developmental psychologist with substantial experience in higher education, Dr.
Polnariev was appointed director of LaGuardia Community College’s A.S.A.P. in August
of 2008. He has expertise in using observations, interviews, and surveys in order to make
assessments. Through his studies and work experience, he has acquired insight into what it
means to be a scholar, researcher, and to be a contributing member of a community whose
purpose is to create and develop learning.
Dr. Polnariev received his doctorate in developmental psychology in 2006 from the
Graduate School and University Center, CUNY. His dissertation was on children’s
conflict, conflict–resolution, and self-regulation as it occurred during classroom play.
While earning his degrees, he was involved with two internships: the first one at South
Beach Psychiatric Center as a junior in college and next at Sesame St. Workshop while
obtaining his Masters degree. Yes, he met Oscar and that tall Bird; however, his favorite
character is Cookie Monster. As part of his work experience, perhaps surprisingly, he was
also an assistant preschool teacher for a couple of years. He has served students in various
capacities at New York colleges. Most recently, he was the College Now coordinator at
NYC College of Technology. Dr. P spent a decade teaching psychology and education
courses to both undergraduate and graduate students throughout NYC as an adjunct assistant
professor.
Realizing the importance of belonging to organizations and networking, he has been a
member of Psi Chi (The National Honor Society in Psychology) for over a decade, and also
APS (American Psychological Society) for several years. In addition, while in graduate
school, he served on the Doctoral Admissions Council and the Faculty Appointee Council.
As the ASAP director, he is part of the several college boards including the
Developmental Advisory Committee and also the Enrollment Process and Strategies Team. CUNY has
made a great impact in his life; working here allows him to give back to such an important
community institution. With his enthusiasm, strong leadership, guidance, and commitment
to the LaGuardia students and staff, we are confident that he will restore, rebuild, and
revitalize the ASAP community. He will Make it Happen!
"Education is what remains when we have forgotten all that we have been taught" Marquis of Halifax.
*Favorite book: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by S. D. Levitt and S. J. Dubner
Ph.D. Psychology, CUNY Graduate Center
M.A., Developmental Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University
BPolnariev@lagcc.cuny.edu
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Ingrid De León, Academic Advisor
Ingrid completed a Bachelor of Arts in
International Studies with a concentration in Latin American Politics,
Literature and Culture from Middlebury College in 2000. Following her
graduation, Ingrid worked at Middlebury as a Residential Director for
first-year students, then served as the Assistant to the ADA coordinator,
the Assistant to the Senior Advisor for Institutional Diversity, and finally
as the Assistant Director of the Academic Support Offices.
Ingrid sought new challenges in New York City after three years at
Middlebury, and worked as an Educational Planner at the One-Stop Center at
LaGuardia Community College in 2004. Shortly after starting that position,
she received an invitation to serve, for 27 months, as a Peace Corps
Volunteer teaching British Language and Literature, working with palliative
care, and HIV/AIDS infection mitigation in the Southern African nation of
Lesotho.
Upon completion of service in the Peace Corps, Ingrid found an amazing
opportunity to rekindle herself with Higher Education in a brand new program
that aimed to enable highly motivated students to complete Associates
Degrees in a two to three year period at LaGuardia Community college-the
ASAP program.
Ingrid is delighted to return to LaGuardia Community College as an Academic
Advisor to guide and support students with the completion of their Associate
degrees.
“Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality;
the other, a matter of time.”
B.A.International Studies, Middlebury College
ideleon@lagcc.cuny.edu
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N’Jeri Mitchell, Academic Advisor
N’Jeri Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from Tufts University. She also holds a Masters of Arts in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Currently, she is working on a Doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from New York University.
Before coming to ASAP, N’Jeri has worked for the Administration for Children’s Services, NYC’s child welfare agency. N’Jeri has also worked for Cornell University Cooperative Extension in various capacities including program development, grant writing, and education. She has done a clinical internship in psychology at Kings County hospital and prior to coming to LaGuardia she worked at York College in their counseling department.
N’Jeri joined ASAP because she believes in its mission to foster achievement, while helping to build the analytical skills and social awareness necessary to contribute to the world community.
M.A. Psychology, Teachers College,
Columbia University
nmitchell@lagcc.cuny.edu
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B.S. Computer Management, Lehman College
leperez@lagcc.cuny.edu
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Arlene Peterson, Academic Advisor
Arlene Peterson joined the ASAP Program as an Academic Advisor in the summer of 2007. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and MS in Student Personnel Administration in from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. Arlene was an Academic Advisor for the Lubin School of Business at Pace University before joining the ASAP team. She wanted a chance to help students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and work in an environment that fostered creativity and celebrated diversity, and found the ASAP Program at LaGuardia Community College. Arlene is a member of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society.
M.S. Student Personnel Administration,
SUNY Buffalo
apeterson@lagcc.cuny.edu
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Randy Gordon, Career & Employment Specialist
Randy Gordon is the Career and Employment Specialist. He is a new addition to the ASAP staff. Randy graduated from Mount Saint Mary College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He also works in conjunction with the Employment and Career Services Center, to assist ASAP students with their career endeavors, as well as employment opportunities.
The only way of finding the limits of the possible, is by going beyond them into the impossible-Arthur C. Clarke
B.A. Psychology, Mount St. Mary College
rgordon@lagcc.cuny.edu
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