Welcome to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies! Our dedicated team is here to support you at every step of your academic journey. From your first inquiry to the day you graduate, our knowledgeable and passionate professionals work behind the scenes and on the front lines to ensure your success.
Dr. Rabia Hos
Dean
Dr. Rabia Hos leads the School of Graduate and Professional Studies with a clear mission: to develop accessible, innovative graduate programs that align with the evolving needs of today’s workforce. As Dean, she works to ensure that graduate students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and support necessary to thrive in dynamic professional environments.
With over 25 years of experience spanning public school teaching, university faculty roles, and academic leadership, Dr. Hos has a proven record of building programs that drive results. She earned her Ph.D. in Teaching & Curriculum with a specialization in TESOL and Bilingual Education from the University of Rochester. Drawing on her own experiences as an immigrant and first-generation scholar, she has a strong track record of creating pathways for students to achieve their academic and professional goals.
A recognized voice in multilingual education and graduate studies, Dr. Hos is actively engaged in national education organizations and currently serves as Vice President of the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education (MABE). As Dean, she remains focused on fostering a dynamic, results-driven graduate experience that connects rigorous academic preparation with real-world opportunities.
Dr. Jessica Jensen
Associate Dean
Contact
Email – jensenj10@southernct.edu
Phone – +1(203) 392 – 5345
Dr. Jessica Garcés Jensen is the Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies at Southern Connecticut State University. Prior to Southern, she served as a Graduate Program Director and Associate Professor of French at the University of Southern Indiana (USI), where she significantly contributed to the development and leadership of the Master of Arts in Second Language Acquisition, Policy, and Culture program. Her academic career includes positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Université Paris-Diderot, where she specialized in French language and literature.
Dr. Jensen’s administrative expertise encompasses strategic planning, program development and assessment, faculty recruitment, community outreach, and student engagement. She has led numerous initiatives in curriculum design, including innovative graduate and undergraduate programs. Her commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is evident through her leadership in developing EDIB-focused curricula and faculty development awards and mentoring underrepresented students. Her research interests focus on contemporary French literature, particularly first-person fictional narratives of reproductive bodies.
Dr. Jensen has received multiple honors, including the AATF Indiana Collegiate French Teacher of the Year award and various teaching and service accolades. She received her Ph.D in French Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and her A.B. in French Literature from Brown University.
Dr. Lisa Galvin
Associate Dean for Graduate Enrollment Management
Contact
Email – galvinl1@southernct.edu
Phone – +1(203) 392 – 5354
Dr. Lisa Galvin is an accomplished higher education leader with over two decades of experience in graduate enrollment management, admissions, and strategic initiatives. She holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Northcentral University, an M.B.A., and a B.S. in Biology from Southern Connecticut State University. She also completed the Management Development Program at Harvard School of Education.
Currently serving as the Associate Dean for Graduate Enrollment Management, Dr. Galvin oversees all aspects of graduate recruitment, admissions, and retention, implementing innovative strategies that have consistently increased enrollment and retention rates. She has successfully led the integration of new technologies, developed retention initiatives, and partnered with university teams to enhance marketing efforts.
With a proven track record in improving processes and student experiences, Dr. Galvin brings a collaborative approach to her leadership role, driving continuous improvement and growth in graduate education.
Jennifer Sparano
Assistant Dean
Contact
Email – sparanoj1@southernct.edu
Phone – +1(203) 392 – 5025
Jennifer Sparano serves as Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies at Southern, where she oversees graduate admissions and guides students from initial inquiry through graduation. A proud alumna of Southern with dual master’s degrees, she brings over a decade of leadership experience in higher education admissions, advising, and enrollment management across both traditional and online programs.
In her role, Jennifer collaborates with academic leadership to implement admissions policies, degree requirements, and strategic marketing and recruitment initiatives. She manages key operational areas—including data systems, communications, and event coordination—and serves as a central resource for prospective and current graduate students.
A results-driven and collaborative leader, Jennifer is dedicated to continuous quality improvement. She has a proven track record of streamlining processes and enhancing internal and external communications. Known for fostering a culture of excellence, she has supported, trained, and mentored both on-site and remote teams to consistently exceed goals.
Working closely with the Dean and Associate Deans, Jennifer is committed to driving innovation within graduate programs and ensuring students are empowered to thrive academically and professionally.
Dawn Grimes
Secretary
Contact
Email – grimesd1@southernct.edu
Phone – +1(203) 392 – 5231
Dawn Grimes has been a dedicated employee at Southern Connecticut State University for over 32 years. Her journey began as a clerk in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, where she quickly developed a passion for supporting students and faculty. Over the years, she has advanced to the position of Secretary 1, a role in which she continues to thrive.
In her current position, she is responsible for a variety of administrative tasks that ensure the smooth operation of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Her duties include managing communications, coordinating schedules, events on campus and assisting with the preparation and submission of important documents. She takes great pride in her work and is committed to providing exceptional service to students and staff. Throughout her tenure at SCSU, she has witnessed many changes and growth within the university and met many people and friends along the way. Her long-standing commitment to the institution reflects her dedication to fostering an environment where students can achieve their academic and professional goals.
Outside of work, She enjoys spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, family, and the creation of different crafts which help her maintain a balanced and fulfilling life.
Teneka Mills
Office Assistant
Contact
Email – millst2@southernct.edu
Phone – +1(203) 392 – 5338
Teneka Mills is an accomplished Office Assistant at the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, holding dual Master’s degrees in Higher Education Administration and Communication with a focus on Social Media Marketing. She is passionate about integrating educational initiatives with digital strategy to enhance student engagement and institutional growth. Ms. Mills brings creativity and enthusiasm to her work, maintaining a strong commitment to continuous learning and personal development.
Gulzade Oktay
Administrative Assistant
Contact
Email – oktayg1@southernct.edu
Gulzade Oktay, Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, brings over two decades of experience in higher education and international academic coordination. She holds a degree in Turkish Language Arts and a certification in Early Childhood Education from NYU. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with high-level government officials and international partners, serving as a key liaison between ministries of education, universities, and U.S. institutions. Her experience includes coordinating scholarship logistics, facilitating institutional agreements, and engaging with United Nations officials through the preparation of official documentation for global forums. Gulzade’s strengths in communication, cross-cultural engagement, and organizational oversight contribute to a dynamic and inclusive academic environment.
Parker Fitzgerald
Student Worker (Web)
Contact
Email – fitzgeralk17@southernct.edu
Parker Fitzgerald is a student worker who serves as the School of Graduate and Professional Studies’ web designer. He makes sure that the website is both functional and visually appealing while consistent with our brand. He is currently an undergraduate student here at Southern, working towards a bachelor’s in Graphic Design.
In his free time Parker enjoys spending time with his friends by going out to eat and playing various video games. He spends much of his alone time outside in his hammock reading fantasy novels.
Jonah Junga
Graduate Assistant (Media)
Contact
Email – jungaj2@southernct.edu
Sean Laragy
Graduate Assistant
(Marketing/Enrollment)
Contact
Email – laragys1@southernct.edu
Sean Laragy is a student worker primarily responsible for working on the marketing and enrollment team, working closely with Dr Lisa Galvin to help with information sharing for prospective students as well as general assistance with students to aid in the application process. He holds a dual bachelors in Psychology and Spanish and Hispanic Studies at Union College. He is currently in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Sean particularly enjoys staying active by hiking, going to the gym, playing golf, and going to the beach. He loves to read nonfiction and learn as much as he can about as many disciplines as possible. He also enjoys cooking and learning about cuisine from different cultures.
