Meet The Staff

Neda Hajizadeh received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Skidmore College and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University. Since receiving her doctorate, she has acquired significant expertise in young adult and collegiate mental health from senior roles in university counseling centers in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Hajizadeh also possesses robust experience working in other types of clinical environments, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient school-based clinics, and community mental health centers. She is well-versed in providing mental health support for historically marginalized communities. Her areas of special interest include acculturation and assimilation, the immigrant experience, harm reduction, identity development, and techniques for fostering healthy relationships.

Deborah (Debbie) Giordano received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brandeis University and her PsyD in Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in Clinical Health Psychology, from William James College. Dr. Giordano has been on staff in the CWC for over 10 years, serving in various roles. She is currently the Assistant Director of CWC and the Externship Coordinator, in which she is at the helm of the program for training doctoral students in Clinical/Counseling Psychology. Dr. Giordano loves working with MMC students and has gained expertise with the emerging adult and young adult population.  Prior to joining the MMC community, Dr. Giordano worked in a variety of settings, including college mental health centers, residential treatment facilities, community health centers and school-based health centers. While she considers herself to be a generalist, particular areas of expertise include adjustment issues, anxiety, stress, relationships, grief and loss, and medical/health issues.

Mark Cutolo is a licensed clinical social worker who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from SUNY-Buffalo, a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University, and a Master of Social Work degree from CUNY-Hunter College. He is interested in helping students to achieve freedom from whatever mental distress or worry they are experiencing; he works with students to find solutions in the present moment and explore hope for the future. He has a background in outpatient psychiatry, and his interests include GLBTQ issues, spirituality and religion, existentialism, Stoicism, the creative and literary arts, immigration, social welfare policy, phase of life problems, and social isolation.

Suzanne Sorrentino is a clinical social worker who works part-time at Marymount Manhattan, seeing students for one-on-one sessions in the Counseling and Wellness Center and also running MMC’s Mindfulness Program. Formerly, she served as assistant director for Wellness Services in the Counseling and Wellness Center and oversaw the very popular Stress Down Day and launched the AWE: Advocates for Wellness Education peer educator program.Suzanne has a bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown University and received her master’s in social work from New York University. She worked in community mental health with struggling and homeless families before embarking on her career in college mental health. Suzanne enjoys working with the emerging adult population across the cultural and socio-economic spectrum. She has a particular interest using mindfulness practices to help students become more self-aware and resilient. Prior to becoming a social worker, Suzanne had a first career as a newspaper reporter and editor. 

Lauryn is a pre-doctoral extern in the CWC. Lauryn received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brandeis University. She is currently a second year student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Fordham. 

Mary Gray is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.  She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Nursing Studies from The University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, and a master’s degree and Advanced Practice Nurse certificate from New York University.  She has garnered broad clinical experience in various settings involving in-patient psychiatry, community mental health, residential drug treatment, and, collegiate mental health.  Underpinning Mary’s focus on assessing and treating biopsychosocial issues affecting mental health is her emphasis on identifying each individual’s set of strengths, encouraging a strong sense of self-efficacy and supporting compassionate self-care.

Becca is a pre-doctoral extern in the CWC. Becca received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Neuroscience minor from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is currently a second year student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. (Health Emphasis) Program at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology.

Karina Billini is a Brooklyn-bred playwright, poet, and educator. She completed her undergraduate degree in Playwriting at Marymount Manhattan College (2011) and received her MFA in Playwriting from The New School for Drama (2018.) Billini has worked as an English/Language Arts and Drama teacher for ten years, working closely with inner-city youth from Brooklyn and Harlem. Her teaching experience has left her well-versed in conflict management, workshop development, college prep, relationship building, and theatrical techniques that promote personal growth and expression—skills that come in handy for her role as CWC’s administrative assistant. At CWC, Billini is responsible for scheduling appointments, managing immunization records, assisting with health insurance- related inquiries, and supporting outreach.  As a playwright, she has had her plays workshopped and/or produced at Williamstown Theatre Festival, Cherry Lane Theatre, the Lark, Secret Theatre, among others. She is a recent recipient for the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition (2019) and finalist for the Barrington Stage’s Burman New Play Award (2019.)  Billini is also a proud member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre’s OBIE-winning playwriting collective, YoungBlood.

Tatiana Valencia was born and raised in Queens, New York and graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Dance (concentration in Body, Science and Motion). During her time at MMC Tatiana interned with Dr. Martha Eddy, an exercise specialist and movement therapist. Under her guidance she successfully completed a Moving For Life instructor training and is currently teaching gentle aerobics to cancer patients in hospitals around NYC. In her final year at Marymount she co-developed Sister Circle, a support group for Womxn of Color that engages in meaningful discussions on race, gender, female empowerment, self-care and stress/anxiety reduction. Through out her time at MMC Tatiana became an active member of Advocates for Wellness Education, an organization on campus that aims to give students awareness on ways to live happier and healthier lifestyles. Her work ethic and passion for helping her peers did not go unnoticed as she was offered a job upon graduating in 2018 with the Counseling & Wellness Center. Her new role as Health Promotion Coordinator, allows her to eagerly work on outreach and event planning around topics such as stress management, nutrition and sleep. She strives to cultivate awareness on holistic health during emerging adulthood as she well understands that college is an impacting time in a persons overall development.