Catherine Ruby, Ph.D. Director of Graduate Admissions rubycath@shu.edu McQuaid Hall 112
973-275-2142 Profile
Catherine Ruby joined the Whitehead School of Diplomacy in June of 2005. Dr. Ruby directs the School’s recruitment and admissions initiatives for the Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations program and the dual degree programs. She is the primary contact for prospective students to the graduate programs and manages all aspects of the admissions process including campus visits, information sessions and interviews.
Dr. Ruby has been at Seton Hall University since 2003. Formerly the Director of the Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus program in the College of Arts and Sciences, she was responsible for doubling the program’s enrollment. Prior to joining the University, Dr. Ruby was Director of Admissions at New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies where she oversaw the centralization and expansion, from three to nine programs, of the newly established Office of Admissions. Her professional experience also includes positions as financial aid advisor for the province of Alberta, Canada, and information analyst at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Catherine Ruby earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from New York
University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development,
where her focus was international student college choice. She also holds a
Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen's University, Kingston, Canada and a
Master of Arts Degree from New York University. Click here to go back to Administration Directory
Elisa Varon, M.EdDirector of Internships and
Career Development
varoneli@shu.eduMcQuaid Hall 135
973-275-2203 Profile
Elisa Varon joined the Whitehead School of Diplomacy in 2006. Ms. Varon
directs the internship and career development program for the School. In
addition, she advises the activities of the Whitehead Alumni Association.
Prior to her appointment as the Director of Internships and Career Development,
Ms. Varon was an Assistant Director for Experiential Education at the Seton Hall
University Career Center. She has also worked in career services offices at
Princeton University and the College of William & Mary.
Ms. Varon holds a M.Ed degree in higher education administration from the
College of William & Mary and a BA in Psychology from the University of
Delaware. She is a PhD student in Seton Hall University’s program in Higher
Education Leadership, Management and Policy.
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Karen Lynch, M.A.Assistant to the Dean
Lynchkar@shu.eduMcQuaid Hall 125
973-313-6174 Profile
Karen Lynch joined the Whitehead School in October 2006. She assists the
Dean in an administrative capacity.
Prior to joining the Whitehead School, Ms. Lynch worked as an administrative
assistant to the chairperson of the English Department at Kean University while
she pursued a Masters degree. Earlier in her career, Ms Lynch worked as a credit
analyst for the former Irving Trust Company and as a portfolio manager for
Credit Lyonnais in New York. She specialized in French banking relationships.
Ms. Lynch holds a BA in Economics and History from Douglass College and a MA in
Liberal Studies from Kean University.
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Gwen DeBenedetto, B.A.Assistant to the Associate Deans
debenegw@shu.eduMcQuaid Hall 134
973-275-2562 Profile
Gwen DeBenedetto joined the Whitehead School in November of 2006. She assists the Associate Deans in an administrative capacity.
Prior to joining the Whitehead School, Ms. DeBenedetto briefly served as a legal aide for the attorneys of Hudson City Savings
Bank after returning from a year of full time volunteer work in Cleveland, Ohio. While in Ohio, she served as a Campus Minister
and the Assistant to the Director of Admissions for St. Martin de Porres High School.
Ms. DeBenedetto holds a B.A. in Psychology and Communications from Villanova University.
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Susan MalcolmSecretarymalcolsu@shu.eduMcQuaid Hall 111
973-275-2969 Profile
Susan Malcolm joined the Whitehead School of Diplomacy in November of 2003. She assists the School’s administration and faculty in a secretarial capacity.
Prior to joining the School, Ms. Malcolm served as Secretary in the Physical Therapy and Sports Science Department of the School of Graduate Medical Education at Seton Hall. She retired from AT&T after a twenty year career where she held positions as an International Credit and Collections Manager and Executive Assistant to the Vice President and General Counsel.
Having previously studied at Pace University, Ms. Malcolm is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Finance and a certificate in Eastern European Studies at Seton Hall University. Click here to go back to Administration Directory
Lorna Schroeck, B.A.Secretaryschroelo@shu.eduMcQuaid Hall 111A
973-275-2281 Profile
Lorna Schroeck joined the Whitehead School of Diplomacy in July of 1999. Ms. Schroeck serves the School’s administration and faculty as secretary and receptionist. She assists the Assistant Dean of Administration with the day-to-day functioning of the School’s administrative office, serving as a liaison with University departments on the upkeep of the office facilities and supplies. She also maintains and updates the School’s calendar and phone directory.
Previously, Ms. Schroeck worked for M/s Gokak Patel Volkart Limited. She has over thirteen years of administrative and secretarial experience, including work with India Broadcasting (TV network station) in New York, where she dealt regularly with prominent world leaders, celebrities, talk show hosts, and musicians.
Ms. Schroeck holds a B.A. in Political Science from Meerut University, Delhi.
 Linda Karten, B.A.
Senior Account Manager, Public Relations and Marketingkartenli@shu.eduThe Ring Building, Room 123
973-378-9835 Profile
Linda Karten works with the University’s Office of Public Relations and Marketing and, since February of 2005, has been assigned to support the Whitehead School of Diplomacy’s marketing and communications initiatives. Ms. Karten works under the direction of the School’s Office of External Affairs to implement initiatives and events focused at raising the School’s profile and communicating the accomplishments of the School’s students, faculty and alumni. She has assisted in the redesign of the School’s website, and promoting key events to the media.
Prior to joining the Whitehead School, Ms. Karten was a freelance writer and publicist. Her clients included non-profit organizations and public relations firms based in the New York-New Jersey area. Earlier in her career, Ms. Karten worked with the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and was a publicist for New York-NPR affiliate, WNYC.
Ms. Karten earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Journalism from Rutgers University.
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