Workforce Faculty
CUNY’s Office of Workforce Development is proud to have experienced and professionally qualified faculty on its Instructional Team. In addition to academic qualifications, our Instructors hold industry-wide recognized credentials and years of teaching experience. As part of their Instructional duties, they mentor students on their work and provide insights on potential career paths. Our Instructor bios are included below:
Daniel J. Dooley oversees the NYS-required professional development course for The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). Daniel is currently the Superintendent of Schools in the Absecon School District, in Absecon, New Jersey, and has been a K-12 administrator for the past 12 years. In his current role as Superintendent, he continues his work regarding school climate and culture, and is devoted to providing the best educational opportunities for all students. Daniel received his Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy from Seton Hall University, M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and BA in English/Education from LaSalle University.
Doriann Pieve-Hyland, is the instructor of our Certified Administrative Assistant program, and also serves as the Director of Technology Operations, Training and Development at the College of Staten Island. She has over 25 years of experience in higher education management, teaching, and technology services. Doriann holds HDI, ITIL and Microsoft Office Specialist certifications, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Integrated Technology and Online Learning in Higher Education.
Debra Fiore is the instructor of our Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) program.She has over 15-years of experience teaching in Medical Assisting, Administrative Medical Assisting and Medical Billing and Coding programs. Debra Fiore holds a Associate Degree in Human Services for Perdue University Global, a National Medical Assistant Certification from NCCT, and a CPC certification from the American Association of Professional Coders.
Janet Vallario is the instructor of our Dental Assistant program and has over 13 years of experience as a dental assistant and dental office manager. She is highly skilled, enthusiastic and uses hands-on instruction to inspire confidence in her students and prepare them for a promising career.
Dr. Jan Khorsandi is the Clinical Director of our Dental Assistant program, and has been practicing Cosmetic and General Dentistry for over 15 years on Staten Island. Dr. Khorsandi holds a BS in Accounting from St. Johns University and BA in Biology from Wagner College. He also holds a Doctor of Medical Dentistry from Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Boris Molchanskiy is an instructor for the EKG Technician, Certified Medical Assistant Skills Lab, and Phlebotomy certification classes at CSI. He has a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Wagner College. Currently, he is the Vice President and Chief of Nursing Officer at New York Community Hospital (NYCH). Dr. Molchanskiy has been in the healthcare field for more than a decade as a nurse practitioner and has worked in senior management roles in hospitals, such as Mount Sinai and Richmond University Medical Center.
Laurie Ann Nuzzi-Long teaches NYS-required Professional Development courses in Child Abuse and School Violence Prevention. Laurie has over 18 years of experience in the education field, and currently works for Eden II Programs as a Clinical Coordinator for students with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). She holds has a MS in Education and Special Education from Touro University and a BA in Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook, and is in the process of earning her Certificate of School Building Leadership. Laurie has presented on various topics involving Applied Behavior Analysis and teaching strategies in New York and New Jersey, and was the recipient of IAC’s “Shining Star” award in 2017.
Dr. Carlos M. Barrera is the instructor for the phlebotomy program at The College of Staten Island. He holds his doctorate degree from The University of Bridgeport and completed his undergraduate studies in biology (pre-medicine) at St. Francis College. Dr. Carlos M. Barrera is the founder and serving chief executive officer of OneCare Health - Advanced Practice Health and Wellness, an urgent-care, med-spa, and chiropractic center servicing the Staten Island community. He is a sought-out industry leader in laboratory medicine, chiropractic medicine, concierge medicine and healthcare administration, serving as a consultant for various private sectors, healthcare professionals and institutions. He is also currently pursuing his master’s degree in public health with a concentration in health policy and management.
Lori Burkard MS, MT (ASCP) is the clinical site coordinator for our Phlebotomy program and currently serves as the Quality Assurance Manager at Staten Island University Hospital Laboratory. Lori has over 10 years of experience in higher education as well as over 30 years in the field of Laboratory Science. She has worked at numerous hospitals throughout the New York City region, and has a MS in Health Service Administration from Central Michigan University. Lori is a NYS Licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist and is certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Carlos H. Linares is the instructor of our Pharmacy Technician program.Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) with over 20 years experience. B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Psychology Minor from the University of Central Florida, as well as my M.B.A. from Everest University.
Vladimir Nunez is our CompTIA A+ Technology instructor and is a CompTIA A+ and Network+ certified professional, with over 10 years of experience in the field of Information Technology and adult education. In addition to teaching, Vladimir also works as an IT Analyst for one of New Jersey’s top hospitals.
M. Abdul Ghafoor, CPC, CPC-I, CCS is the instructor of our Certified Professional Coding course, and also serves as the MTBC Director of Coding and Auditing. Abdul has 25 years of multi-specialty coding experience in the healthcare industry, including professional and facility coding, auditing, consulting, compliance, and billing. He has attained his CCS, CPC certification and CPC-I PMCC Instructor’s certification, is an AAPC approved ICD-10-CM instructor, and remains active in both national and local AAPC chapters. As an adjunct college professor, he has taught coding and billing throughout northern New Jersey. Professionally, he exhibits comprehensive knowledge of medical coding guidelines and regulations including a thorough understanding of anatomy, pathophysiology, and medical necessity requirements for correct code assignment using CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II coding systems.
Maribel Espinosa-Hernandez co-facilitates our Community Health Worker (CHW) and Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) programs. Maribel has in-depth experience working with many of Staten Island’s community-based organizations and is currently employed by the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office. Maribel has been involved for many years in the social services field, and has extensive experience working with low-income populations with Medicaid needs. Maribel is a graduate of the College of Staten Island with a BA in Spanish.
Kristofor Nelson is our BLS instructor for healthcare providers. He has been an American Heart Association BLS Instructor for over 20 years. Kristofor is also certified to teach American Heart Association First Aid classes. He has taught doctors, nurses, teachers, parents, and students CPR skills that will impact the life of someone. He takes pride in instructing students in life saving skills in a stress-free environment. Kristofor is currently a FDNY EMS EMT currently detailed to the Office of Emergency Management.
Dr. Susan Hudec is the co-facilitator of our Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) program. Dr. Hudec has extensive experience in higher education, has served as Vice President and Dean of Students at St. Joseph’s College, and has taught at numerous campuses throughout New York State. In addition, she is an advanced-level Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Dr. Hudec holds an associate’s degree from the College of Staten Island, a BA in English Literature and a MSEd from Wagner College, and a PhD in Higher Education Administration from New York University.