Meet the staff of the Academic Success and Advising Center.
Michelle Meyer
Dean for Academic Success
- B.A. History, Fairleigh Dickinson University
- M.A.T, M. A. Learning Disabilities, Fairleigh Dickinson University
- M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Michelle has enjoyed working with students in a variety of ways throughout her career. She worked at James I. O’Neil High School throughout college and right after graduation before realizing her true passion was to work in higher education. She made the leap to higher education by working at Fairleigh Dickinson University as an Assistive Technology Coordinator and a Learning Disabilities Specialist for 10 years. In 2015 she accepted the position at Centenary University as the Director of Disability Services and eventually moved into her current role as Dean for Academic Success in 2021. Michelle is the administrative supervisor for the ASAC team, but also works directly with students to support their academic growth. She enjoys all components of her current position, but the best part is watching students develop skills and meet their potential.
Margie Pavlichko
Director of Veteran Services
- A.A. Humanities, County College of Morris
- B.A. Individualized Studies, Centenary University
Margie joined the Centenary Community in 2006 as the Administrative Assistant in the Academic Success and Advising Center. She was assigned the veteran/veteran dependent student population in 2007. The “one-stop” Office of Veteran Services became official in 2012 with Margie as its first director. She is the primary point of contact for Centenary’s student veterans/veteran dependents, as well as those veterans/veteran dependents living in the greater Hackettstown community.
As the Director of Veteran Services, Margie is committed to assisting this very deserving population in navigating the internal and external systems of higher education and government agencies, so they can maximize their education benefits and all other available services and resources.
Abbie Davis
Assistant Director of Academic Success & Advising
- B.A. English, Minor: Environmental Science, William Paterson University
- M.A. English, Montclair State University
Abbie has worked in higher education for numerous years. While pursuing her master’s degree at Montclair State University, Abbie worked at Centenary University as a Professional Tutor where she was able to engage and work with students on a daily basis.
Additionally, she taught Developmental English at Middlesex County College for three years, as well as academic strategy courses at Northampton Community College and Centenary University. As a Student Success Specialist at Centenary, Abbie enjoys being able to assist students in working towards a successful academic career.
Lindsay Galasso
Retention and Success Coordinator
- B.A. Sociology, Moravian College
- M.A. Leadership and Public Administration, Centenary University
Lindsay came to Centenary University in 2015 where she began working as an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor. Since then, she has received a M.A. in Leadership and Public Administration and began working within the Academic Success and Advising Center as a Student Success Coach. As a Student Success Specialist, Lindsay’s goal is to offer support, in all areas, to students in order to ensure that they are well-prepared, and successful during their time at Centenary.
Dennis Higgins
Student Success Specialist
- BS. Psychology, East Stroudsburg University
- MA. Clinical Psychology, Adelphi University
- MA. Mental Health Counseling, Adelphi University
Dennis joined the DSO staff as a Student Success Specialist in Spring 2021. Prior to Centenary, he worked as a project manager at a software company, a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, a case manager for a national veterans’ organization, and various therapeutic positions at VA hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practice. Dennis uses these varied experiences to help his students forge a path to success that is both effective and true to who they are as individuals.
Annie Walters
Student Success Specialist
- BS: Psychology, Minor: English, Mount St. Mary’s University
- MA: School Psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Annie joined the ASAC/DSO staff in the fall of 2021. Previously, they worked as a school psychologist in the public school setting and as an assistant teacher at Drew University’s Acorn Academy. They wanted to make the transition to higher education to assist college students in getting the most out of their college career and ensuring the students have access to the services they need.
As a Student Success Specialist, Annie ensures that the students can obtain the accommodations they need in the college setting, while fostering a sense of self-advocacy for the students they work with. Annie enjoys working with students daily and watching them succeed in the college setting.
Lauren Hope Kreeger 
Student Success Specialist
- B.A. Psychology, Centenary College
- M.A. Human Service Counseling: Addiction and Recovery, Liberty University
Lauren is an alum of Centenary University and joined the Academic Success and Advising team in January 2022. After 11 years of working with children at her daycare center, Lauren realized that her genuine passion was higher education and she returned to Centenary University as a Student Success Specialist. Lauren is also an Adjunct Professor in the Psychology department at Centenary. Lauren’s primary goal for her students is to think positively. She encourages her students to strive to do their best because nothing is impossible. Lauren is driven to inspire her students through their talents to succeed. Lauren graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Centenary College in 2010 and has her Master’s Degree in Human Service Counseling (Addiction and Recovery) from Liberty University.
Diana Alzate
Enrichment Coordinator for Multicultural Students/ESL Coordinator
- B.A. Psychology, Kean University
- M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Capella University
Diana joined the ASAC staff in the fall of 2021 after serving as a Social Worker for the Department of Child Protection and Permanency in New Jersey for 5 years. She also completed her graduate internship prior to earning an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her role as the Academic Enrichment Coordinator for Multicultural Students has allowed her to utilize her background and expertise in new ways by providing Centenary’s multicultural students with the knowledge, skills and resource needed to reach their academic goals through individualized mentoring and academic coaching. Also, as an ESL Coordinator, she provides specialized support to domestic and international English language learners.
Juliana Belar 
Academic and Career Coach
- B.S. Kinesiology: Sport Studies, Minor: Business Administration, University of New Hampshire
- M.A. College Student Personnel, Bowling Green State University
Prior to Centenary, I earned my master’s degree in College Student Personnel at Bowling Green State University, where I worked as a Graduate Assistant Women’s Gymnastics Coach and an Academic Coordinator in the Office of Student-Athlete Services.
I earned my bachelor’s degree at the University of New Hampshire where I was a Division 1 gymnast and then a Student-Assistant Coach. While I studied Kinesiology: Sport Studies, with a minor in Business Administration, I also spent time as a Research Assistant for a team targeting Leadership Development in Female Student-Athletes, and a Teaching Assistant for a Principles of Coaching Course.
My passion for working as an Academic and Career Coach at Centenary University stems from my ambition to have an impact on students in their collegiate journey and beyond.
Liliana Köster 
Your Academic Advisor
- B.A. Physical Education, San Francisco State University
- M.S. Exercise Science, University of North Carolina – Greensboro
- M.A. Leadership and Public Administration, Centenary University
Liliana has previously served as a program advisor to adult students under Centenary’s CAPS program. She is now very excited to return to advising Centenary’s adult students. Liliana’s professional background also includes many years working in healthcare as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac, Pulmonary and Organ Transplant Rehabilitation in California and New Jersey. Having been herself an adult learner at Centenary, she clearly understands the challenges students face when balancing work, life, and school responsibilities. Liliana’s primary goal as an Academic Advisor is to empower her students by advocating for them while providing resources to ensure their academic and professional success.
Jennifer Campbell 
Administrative Assistant
- B.A. English, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
- M.A. English, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ
As the Administrative Assistant, Jennifer assists with general inquiries and organizes the processes of Academic Success and the offices within the department. She is always happy to help students and their families. Prior to her position at Centenary, Jennifer was an adjunct at County College of Morris in the English Department. She has worked in higher education since 2007 at many local institutions including Seton Hall Law School and Fairleigh Dickinson, Madison campus.
