Accelerated & Adult Programs - Enrollment Staff

Carlene Colston is the Enrollment Supervisor at Centenary College’s adult and professional studies program.  She has been working to help adult students realize their educational goals since March 1999. 

As an adult learner she has the unique experience of earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Rutgers University through the traditional path and an MBA through Centenary College’s accelerated program.  She knows firsthand the challenges of working adults going back to school and takes pleasure in helping them make a seemingly difficult goal happen.  On a personal note, Carlene enjoys the quiet pursuits of reading, writing, and island vacations.

Joshua Brensinger worked in the financial side of colleges for 12 years.  In 2006, he was able to move to the admissions side and has been an Enrollment Counselor at Centenary since.  His personal opinion on this move is, “I can honestly say it’s one of the most rewarding jobs to have.  Because of knowing the difficulties of balancing full time work while trying to earn my degree, it makes me happy to know that I can help guide busy working adults, to earn theirs.” 

He also feels that by having real life experience of the program itself, he has the firsthand experience of knowing exactly what our students go through in Centenary’s programs.  He has earned both his BA in Psychology and his MBA with Centenary College.

Paula Cohen has been an Enrollment Counselor with Centenary College Adult and Professional Studies Program since 1999.  She has always worked in environments where she has had the opportunity to assist others. She earned a Bachelors of Arts as her undergraduate degree.  Her belief in what she does led her to establishing a new personal goal, and returned to college in 2006. Through Centenary College’s Adult and Professional Studies Program she earned her MBA as an adult learner.

“I cannot imagine doing anything else.   Since the day our first class began for the Professional Studies Program, I realized that what I do every day is positively impacting others; and 10 years later, as each new class starts, I still get that same excitement that I experienced when our first class began.”

On a personal note, she is and always has been an animal lover.  Currently, she has two cats that give her great joy, every single day.

Gina DeFalco is an Enrollment Counselor for the Adult accelerated programs at Centenary College.  "As enrollment counselor, I help students realize their educational goals by showing them the roadmap to success.  It is my job to walk them step by step through the enrollment process to ensure a smooth transition and prepare them for a positive learning experience.  I realize that every student is unique, so personal attention is my utmost concern.”

She feels that her past experience of being an adult learner helps her understand what it is like to juggle family, work and school.  She also knows what it is like to shake the Dean’s hand, and hold up a diploma.  To this day, when she reads the roster of graduating students, she admits, “I beam with pride, knowing that I was instrumental in making this happen.  Now that’s a good feeling!”

Michael has been with Centenary College as an Enrollment Counselor since December of 2005.  He earned his MBA through the adult-accelerated program on Centenary’s Parsippany campus. 

Meeting new people nearly every day who have the same desire to further themselves via their education provides Michael with the motivation to take pride in his job.  In his spare time he enjoys traveling, photography, music and hiking.

Jamanda Hightower has been with the Centenary family since December 2003.  She currently works as an Enrollment Counselor.  She recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Centenary. 

Her hobbies and pastimes include: a love of entertaining, crafts, creating photo books, archery, reading and baking.  She is originally from Georgia and feels she has now become a “certified Jersey girl!”   She always looks forward to all of the prospective Centenary College students.

Dawn Homer has been with Centenary College since March of 1999 as an Enrollment Counselor. She has earned her Associates and Bachelor degrees through the adult-accelerated program at Centenary’s Parsippany campus. 

What she likes most about her job is helping people every day change their lives by earning their degree. In her spare time she likes to spend time with her daughters and husband.  They enjoy travel, sports, and just kicking back and relaxing.