We CU Thriving at Centenary University!
We are here to help you navigate the complexities of college life!
Academic Career & Experience is
your “One-Stop” for Student Success and Advising
Our Mission
The mission of the Academic, Career and Experience (ACE) team and the Academic Success and Advising Center (ASAC) are to provide resources and support to help students become successful independent learners.
Our team recognizes that a student’s ability to succeed academically is impacted by many outside factors, including, but not limited to, past life experiences, culture, educational background, language fluency, race, neurodivergence, gender, past trauma, veteran status, athletic involvement, career goals, and financial concerns.
As such, our approach to academic support is inclusive and encompasses the whole student, ensuring that they have access to resources to support them personally while also providing them with tools to understand who they are as students, to know more about the ways they learn best, and to navigate college curricula successfully.
Services
“Good advising may be the single most underestimated characteristic of a successful college experience. ”
Book a Session with ACE
Accommodation Requests and Support Sessions
Meet Our Team
Laura Foster-Wasilewski
Interim Director of Accessibility Services
B.A. English Literature, University of Montana
Master of Social Work (anticipated graduation May 2026), Moravian University
Member of NASW
Member of the Belvidere SD Special Education Parent Advisory Committee
Certifications: NABITA Student Risk Training Certification
NACP Victim Assistance Training Certification
NJ Division of Civil Rights Implicit Bias Certification
Laura began her career at Centenary as a Case Manager, supporting students navigating economic, academic, and social-emotional challenges. Currently in her final year of an MSW program, she brings a strengths-based, social work-informed approach to her role as Director of Accessibility Services. With ten years of lived experience as a parent to a child with special needs, Laura is deeply committed to empowering students with disabilities by fostering their independence while offering compassionate, individualized support.
Abbie Davis
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 Director of Academic Success and Advising at Centenary, Abbie enjoys being able to assist students in working towards a successful academic career.
Dennis Higgins
Student Success Specialist
BS. Psychology, East Stroudsburg University
MA. Clinical Psychology, Adelphi University
MA. Mental Health Counseling, Adelphi University
Dennis joined the ASO 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
Dan Armida
Student Success Specialist
Dan Armida joins Centenary University as a Student Success Specialist with a background rooted in mentorship, mental performance coaching, and student-centered support. He brings extensive experience working with college students, student-athletes and diverse populations navigating academic, athletic and personal and challenges.
Dan’s approach is strengths-based, relational and empowerment-focused, helping students build confidence, self-advocacy and practical skills that support both academic success and personal growth. He specializes in supporting students with anxiety, executive functioning challenges, time management difficulties, and performance related stress, meeting students where they are while fostering confidence, independence and resilience.
In addition to his work in higher education, Dan is the founder of The World’s Strongest Mindset, where he has coached collegiate, professional and Olympic Athletes, including Team USA Paralympic Sitting Volleyball. His training includes certifications in Sports Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Meditation/Visualization, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Wellness and Mental Performance Coaching.
Dan is deeply committed to cultivating a culture of care, consistency, collaboration and trust, believing that students thrive when they feel seen, supported and empowered. He is passionate about long-term student development and helping individuals discover their strengths while building sustainable systems for success during and beyond their time at Centenary.
Sasha Jackson
Student Success & Retention Coordinator
BSW Social Work, CUNY York College
MPA Public Administration, CUNY John Jay College
Sasha Jackson was promoted to Student Success & Retention Coordinator in 2025 after first serving as a Student Success Specialist with the ASO. With a strong foundation in social work and public administration, Sasha brings both compassion and strategy to student support. Her experience working with children in foster care and families overcoming challenges fuels a passion for creating inclusive, empowering spaces where students can thrive. Sasha believes in the power of education to transform lives and is committed to helping every student discover their unique path to success.
Got Questions?
We are here to help you every step of the way!
Feel free to reach out to us directly any time.