Welcome, new faculty!

Welcome, new faculty!

Jessica England

Dr. Jessica England
Full-Time Tenure Track Assistant Professor
Psychology Department

Dr. England earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Maryland, her M.S. in counseling psychology, thesis track, from Loyola University, Maryland, and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Florida, where she completed a doctoral internship at the Counseling and Wellness Center. Dr. England’s research focuses on the inclusion of marginalized groups when discussing the experience of work, and the general focus of her research is on how context — such as access to opportunity and resources, marginalization, discrimination and economic constraints — may affect academic and vocational outcomes and overall wellbeing. Dr. England’s background in teaching, research, mentorship/supervision and practice makes her an excellent choice for the Psychology Department.


Sidney Obas

Professor Sidney Obas, PA-C
Full-Time Clinical Coordinator
Physician Assistant Program

Over the past several years, Professor Obas has been developing his skills in the clinical setting, specifically critical care P.A. training, and working full time as an academic coordinator at the University of Bridgeport P.A. Program. He was the chief P.A. in critical care at South Nassau Communities Hospital and was able to create a training program that allowed the hospital to employ new graduate physician assistants. He was responsible for P.A. training, developing program curriculum and work schedules as well as an employee performance evaluation format for critical care physician assistants. Professor Obas graduated with his MBA from Louisiana State University, received his B.S. in physician assistant studies from Touro College, and is currently pursuing his doctor of medical science degree in physician assistant education at the University of Lynchburg.


Carolyn Taverner

Dr. Carolyn Taverner
Full-Time Visiting Professor
Psychology Department

Dr. Taverner is an alumna of Wagner College with a master’s degree in developmental psychopathology from Columbia University Teachers College and a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Beginning in 2016 she served as director of the Wagner College Early Childhood Center, and she has been an adjunct professor in both the Psychology and Education departments at Wagner College since 2004. She teaches courses in Child Psychology, Death and Dying, Family and Community Relations, and Trauma Informed Classrooms. Beyond her work at the college, she serves as vice president and co-founder of Emma’s Place, Staten Island’s Grief and Loss Center for Children and Families, a not-for-profit agency. Along with the clinical work she does within the organization, she has conducted conferences and training sessions for those who want to better serve individuals dealing with grief and loss.