Marketing and Communications serve as St. John’s in-house marketing agency. Our team of experienced professionals works in partnership with the University’s academic and administrative units to support the institution's enrollment and advancement goals and to promote awareness of St. John’s brand.
The office provides strategic marketing development through a variety of resources: editorial (including copywriting, editing, and proofreading support), design, photography, digital (including website, video, and social media support), media planning, and external printing services. MarComm also produces University-wide communications vehicles including Noteworthy; posts on electronic campus signage (e-boards); handles inbound marketing initiatives, and maintains the University brand guidelines.
An account director is assigned to every college/department and is the first point of contact to access all office services. To identify the account director for your area, please contact Lucy Traverso at 718-990-7587.
Contact Us

University Center, Room A
718-990-7587
Our Team

Gabrielle Verkman
Director

Charles Bahadur
Senior Associate Director

Sandy Strk
Associate Director

Nicole LoCurto
Director, Enrollment and Student Success Marketing

Danielle Bushell
Associate Director, Graduate Marketing

Nicole M. Bertram-Secor
Production Manager

Elena M. Damiani
Director, Media Planning and Partnerships

Yves Vilain
Assistant Director, Media Campaigns

Andrew Miller
Editorial Director

Stephen T. Vivona
Copywriter/Editor

Meg Nugent Dwyer
Writer/Editor

Stephanie M. Petrellese
Editor

Odaris M. Ithier
Creative Director

Rosemary Kracke
Senior Associate Art Director

Victoria Chebrucher
Director, Graphic Design

Jennifer L. Rouse
Senior Graphic Designer

Jad N. Nammour
University Photographer

Patricia Watts
Director

Nick Boffardi
Video Producer

Toni Critelli
Digital Marketing Content Creator

Aaron Felix
Social Media Marketing Specialist

Aishwarya Gupta
SEO and Marketing Analytics Specialist

Robert Hairston
Multimedia Video Producer

Emily McIntyre
Assistant Director

Lucy Traverso
Project and Office Manager
Our Portfolio
Print Materials
Marketing and Communications promotes the people, programs, and achievements of St. John’s University through a wide range of print and online publications.
Homepage Features
The www.stjohns.edu homepage contains a wide range of feature stories, photo galleries, profiles, and multimedia pieces that promote the accomplishments of the University, students, faculty, and alumni.
Email Communications
Marketing and Communications produces and delivers a variety of email messages to both internal and external audiences, including Noteworthy. Please provide at least two send dates when requesting an email; there is a limit of four emails per day. Note that the Office of Marketing and Communications withholds the right to delay the release of emails for high-priority communications such as emergency alerts and/or presidential messages.
Video
Marketing and Communications develops a wide range of videos that promote the University, individual colleges, and our students and faculty. Follow the University's YouTube page for samples of our work.
Social Media
By producing and managing social media content for platforms such as Facebook, X, and Instagram, Marketing and Communications engages a variety of audiences on behalf of the University.
Digital Advertising
Using a combination of paid search and social media ads, retargeting messages, and branding initiatives, we connect with our audience online and through mobile devices.
Photography
Photographers from Marketing and Communications cover a wide range of University events and activities both on campus and offsite. Their work can be found accompanying homepage feature stories, in online photo galleries, and in various St. John’s marketing pieces.
Related Links
News at St. John's
Meet Thunder Paws, St. John’s Student-Programmed Robotic Dog
St. John’s University students from The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies (CCPS) are turning heads—and wagging tails—with their latest innovation: a robotic dog that can perform a series of tricks, just like a real canine.
The School of Education Students Complete the Rome Study Abroad Program!
St. John’s University’s Office of Global Programs and The School of Education (SOE) partnered with local teachers from the I.C. Claudio Abbado Giovanni XXIII Middle School and the I.C. Claudio...
Graduating Biomedical Student on Short List for Key Literary Prize
Gillian Leasunia Katoanga enrolled at St. John’s University, hoping to one day become a doctor. She will leave this month as an author and a candidate for a global literary prize.
From the Blog

How Getting Involved in Campus Life Made Me Career-Ready: A Q&A with Sophia Feeney
In this Q&A, Sophia reflects on how her college journey has helped her grow—and shares advice for students hoping to turn their college years into meaningful career momentum.

Late-Night Healthy Snacks to Fuel Finals Week: Nutritionist Picks
Finals week can be an incredibly stressful time. Between last-minute projects, end-of-semester assignments, and all-night study sessions, many students allow their nutrition to fall by the wayside. But did you know that a healthy diet can help reduce stress, while also boosting focus, concentration, and memory?


How Attending a Crisis Conference Expanded My Homeland Security Education at St. John’s
If you are a homeland security student or interested in disaster recovery careers, attending a professional conference can be transformative. This spring, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Disaster Recovery Journal (DRJ) Conference in Orlando, FL.

Campus Life at St. John’s: A Resident Student’s View
As a student who has lived on the St. John’s University Queens, NY, campus for four years, I’ve experienced campus life firsthand. From navigating student housing and adjusting to shared spaces, to building lasting friendships and finding a sense of community, my time living on campus has meaningfully shaped my college journey.
In this blog, I share an inside look at life on campus as a resident student—covering everything from my experience in campus housing to dining halls, campus events, and New York City (NYC) adventures.
