New Faculty Open Mic Program

Bryan Picciotto, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Communication and Media Department and part of the new Sustainability cohort at SUNY Oneonta. As a teacher-scholar, Bryan aims to empower people, through communication theories and practices, to build communities amid difference. In the classroom, he engages active learning strategies that create space for dialogue and empathy, and received honors for his experiential pedagogy, including the Innovative and Creative Teaching Award from the University of Maine. His teaching connects to his research in the field of rhetoric, where he explores embodied experience as a form of communication and social change, with current projects analyzing the tourism industry and outdoor recreational culture.

Rabab Aoun, Ph.D., is a chemistry instructor at the Laboratory Science Department of SUNY  Jefferson Community College. She is passionate about being an exceptional educator and focused on discovering the path to greatness in teaching. She believes in her student’s potential and is inspired when they overcome their challenges and uncover the secrets for their success. She received a Ph.D in Chemistry from Wayne State University, MI. Beyond teaching, she finds pleasure in walking through nature and applying her chemistry expertise to enhance recipes for better cooking.

Keith A. Fraley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Fashion Business Management at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. He teaches courses including Business Intelligence in Planning and Buying (Retail Math), Fashion Analytics and Data Insights, and Leadership Development for Retailing, with an emphasis on data-informed decision-making and leadership development within the fashion and retail industry. Prior to joining FIT full time, Keith built professional experience across the global fashion and retail sector, working with organizations such as Nine West Group, Nordstrom, and Foot Locker.

Keith holds multiple advanced degrees in fashion business and strategy. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising from Norfolk State University, an HBCU, graduating summa cum laude. He completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Fashion Business from LIM College, followed by a Master of Arts with a concentration in Fashion Business from Cornell University. His master’s thesis examined representation, identity, and Black male imagery within the fashion system.

He is currently a PhD candidate, and his doctoral research focuses on executive leadership, organizational culture, and decision-making in the luxury fashion industry. His scholarly interests bridge leadership studies, fashion business education, and reflective pedagogy, with a sustained focus on equity, professional development, and student success in higher education.

Africa S. Hands is assistant professor in the department of information science at University at Buffalo. As a first-generation faculty member, she enjoys helping new faculty navigate the hidden curriculum of the academy. Her research bridges information and education through its focus on two lines of inquiry: 1) education-related  information access within marginalized and underserved communities and 2) professional education and experiences of library and information science (LIS) students, especially those who identify as first-generation students. Her work has been published in the Journal for Education of Library and Information Science, Education for Information, and Information and Learning Sciences. She holds a PhD in information ecology from Queensland University of Technology and an MLIS from San José State University.

Shalinie Sarju is an Assistant Professor in the Exceptional Education and Learning Department in the School of Education at SUNY Old Westbury. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology, and a master’s degree in Early Childhood, Special Education, and Elementary Education from Hofstra University. She holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities from Molloy University. Shalinie has served her profession across many grades, class types, and locations in the New York area before her appointment at Old Westbury. With scholarly interests that aim to impact students classified with disabilities and qualitative research methods, Shalinie pursues inclusive, strength-focused, and flexible learning environments. She teaches in the graduate and undergraduate programs.