Full-Time Faculty

Diane Ferrero-Paluzzi, PhD
Department Chair
Associate Professor (Speech Communication)
BA, Hofstra University
MA, University of Maine
PhD, Southern Illinois University, 2001
Research Interests: Physician/Patient Communication, Nonverbal Communication and Health Communication
Phone: (914) 633-2053
Email: dferrero-paluzzi@iona.edu

Maria Armiento-DeMaria, MA, CCC-SLP
Clinic Director
BA, Iona College
MA, New York University
Research Interests: Include Dysphagia in children and adults, oral motor skills, language development, articulation and phonology
Classes Taught: Clinical Practicum, Observations, Speech Pathology 2
Phone: (914) 633-2149
Email: Marmientodemaria@iona.edu

Jennifer Gerometta, MS, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
BSW, James Madison University
MS, Communication Sciences and Disorders, James Madison University
PhD Candidate, Graduate Center, City University of New York
Research Interests: Infant Speech Perception, Role of Infant-Directed Speech in Language Development, Role of Executive Function in Language Development
Phone: (914) 633-2606
Email: jgerometta@iona.edu

Suzanne Thompson, MA, CCC-A
Assistant Professor (Audiology and Speech Language Pathology)
BA, Boston College
MA, St. John's University
PhD Candidate, CUNY Graduate Center
Research Interests: Audiology and Hearing Science
Phone:(914) 633-2051
Email: sthompson@iona.edu

Alison Behrman, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
BA, University of Michigan
MA, New York University
PhD, Columbia University
Research Interests: Production and Perception of Second Language Accents, Patient Adherence in Therapy, Treatment of Voice and Stuttering Disorders
Phone:(914) 633-2606
Email: abehrman@iona.edu

Professor Emeriti

Brad Gromelski, MA
Associate Professor Emeritus
BA, Clark University
MA, University of Washington, 1966
Research Interests: Playwriting, Novel Writing
Phone: (914) 637-2740
Email: bgromelski@iona.edu

Judythe Isserlis, EdD
Associate Professor Emeritus
BS, MS, Emerson College
EdM, EdD, Teacher's College, Columbia University, 1978
Email: jisserlis@iona.edu

Roderick Nash, MA
Associate Professor Emeritus
BA, Erskine College
MA, Northwestern University, 1959
(914) 633-2168
Email: rnash@iona.edu

Part-Time Faculty

Mary Aiello-Gray, MA
Instructor of Speech Communication Studies
BA, Iona College
MA, New York University
Research Interests: Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Teacher Misconduct, Interpersonal
and Small Group Communication
Classes Taught: Oral Communication, Argumentation and Debate, Voice and Diction,
Communication Problems in Aging
Phone: (914) 633-2168
Email: mgray@iona.edu

Traci Alexander, MA
Instructor of Speech Communication Studies
BA, St. John's University
MA, College of New Rochelle
Classes Taught: Oral Communication
Phone: (914) 633-2168
E-mail: talexander@iona.edu

Thomas DelVecchio, MA, MS
Adjunct Associate Professor
BS, MA, MS, CUNY City College
Phone: (914) 633-2473
Email: tdelvecchio@iona.edu

Martha M. Majsak, MA
Instructor of Speech Communication Studies
BA, SUNY Oswego
MA, Manhattanville
Research Interests: Novelist and playwright
Classes Taught: Freshman Composition, Oral Communication
Phone: (914) 633-2168
Email: mmajsak@iona.edu

Deb Volberg Pagnotta, JD
JD, University of California, Hastings College of the Law
AB, Anthropology, Brandeis University

Classes taught:
Intercultural Communication, Communications, Technology and Society; Introductory Communications; Persuasion; Communication Problems in Aging
Research interests:
Research interests include cultural diversity, conflict and communication, and emerging communication technologies

Publication and Presentations:
Recent Presentations:

• New York State Bar Association, Seventh Annual Edith I. Spivack Symposium, January 2011: Effective Negotiations
• Pace University Law School, New Directions Program for Re-entering Lawyers, January 2010: Culture, Conflict and Communication
• Conference Board USA, Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Conference, May 2009: Digital Tools for Diversity and Inclusion Training
• United Way-NFP Management Center, April 2009: Religion at the Workplace
• Latino Business Symposium Expo, October 2008: Cultural Diversity Matters – Education, Business and Health

Articles published in:
New York Law Journal, New York State Bar Association Labor & Employment Newsletter, Westchester Business Journal, Talk of the Towns (Association of Towns of the State of New York)

Professor Pagnotta served as an Assistant Attorney General for the New York State Department of law from 1983 to 1993 (including as Director of the Westchester Regional Office, and in the Divisions of Public Advocacy and State Counsel). She also served as Director of Legal Affairs for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (1991-1993), thereafter practicing law in the private sector, focusing on employment matters. In 1999, she also founded Interfacet, Inc., a workplace conduct training company.

Daneshea Palmer, MA
Instructor of Speech Communication Studies
Phone:(914) 633-2168
Email: dpalmer@iona.edu

Department Address:
Speech Communication Studies
Iona College
715 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801