For fall 2025, FIT welcomed 23 new classroom and non-classroom faculty members. Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Yasemin Jones introduced the new hires at convocation on August 18.
Here is the complete list.
School of Art and Design
Glen Cummings joins the Communication Design Pathways Department. Cummings is the founding partner of MTWTF, a New York-based design consultancy known for transforming complex content into engaging visual and environmental experiences, with notable projects for clients such as the Brooklyn Public Library, the MTA, and the City of Newark. His teaching appointments include service at institutions such as the Pratt Institute, Yale School of Art, MIT, and FIT. His award-winning work, widely exhibited and published, demonstrates his dedication to design as a tool for storytelling, public engagement, and social change. Cummings holds an MFA in graphic design from Yale School of Art and a BFA in visual communication design from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Gregory Kahn Melitonov joins the Interior Design Department. Melitonov leads the nonprofit Fundamental Design Build Initiative and has earned prestigious honors such as the MacDowell Fellowship and the AIA New York New Practices Award. His professional experience includes managing a full-service architecture firm and working on diverse projects from public spaces to hospitality with clients such as MoMA, WeWork, and Best Western. Melitonov’s background also features key roles at Renzo Piano Building Workshop on the Whitney Museum project. He has taught architecture and design studios at Columbia, Parsons, New York Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, and City College of New York. Melitonov holds a Master of Architecture from Yale School of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in studio art from Skidmore College.
Glenn Sokoli joins the Spatial Experience Design Department, bringing over 30 years of experience in creative direction, visual merchandising, and large-scale event production. As vice president of creative and marketing at Bernstein Display, he has led teams in crafting innovative visual presentations for major clients, including Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, SKIMS, Athleta, Carolina Herrera, and Levi’s, spanning exhibitions, trade shows, and showroom installations. Previously, Sokoli was creative director at Global Visual Group, managing high-profile projects such as Macy’s Material Girl launch and SKIMS boutique collections. Since 1994, Sokoli served as a dedicated adjunct at FIT, teaching Spatial Experience Design, Fabric Styling, and Photographic Styling. His work has earned industry recognitions, including the Best Showroom Award at the 2018 Retail Design Collective, and for his innovative integration of technologies of 3D printing into sculptural mannequin design. Sokoli holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Empire State College.
Steven Tabbutt joins the Illustration Department with over two decades of professional experience. Tabbutt’s internationally exhibited artwork includes solo shows in major cities, including New York, Paris, Berlin, and Tokyo. His illustrations have appeared in prestigious publications, such as The New York Times, Wired UK, Texas Monthly, and The Wall Street Journal, including commissioned projects for the Grammy Awards and the Smithsonian Institution. His work has received numerous accolades, including medals from the Society of Illustrators, Creative Quarterly, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Since 2015, he has served as an adjunct assistant professor at FIT, teaching across AAS, BFA, and MFA programs. Tabbutt holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration and painting from SCAD and a Master of Fine Arts in illustration from the School of Visual Arts.
Mary Whitlock joins the Fashion Department in the apparel area, bringing commitment to sustainability and circular design. Whitlock’s career includes leadership roles as design director for Alfani RTW at Macy’s Merchandising Group, where she shaped seasonal trends, product prototyping, and brand development across women’s apparel lines, earning honors including the Macy’s Chairman Award and the Make Magic Top Talent Award. As a creative consultant, she partners with innovators in fashion, textiles, tech, and wellness, focusing on circularity and ethical design, while mentoring emerging founders and advising FIT’s Circularity Collective to connect students with industry leaders and sustainable technologies. Whitlock holds a Bachelor of Science in International Trade and Marketing and an AAS in Fashion Design, specializing in sportswear, both from FIT.
Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology
Dr. Melodie Davis-Bundrage joins the Fashion Business Management Department. Davis-Bundrage’s previous academic roles include her appointments as associate professor and co-director of the Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her other previous leadership roles include chair of the College of Business at Johnson & Wales University, where she oversaw faculty, curriculum, and the MBA program, and the department chair role in fashion merchandising and marketing at Northwood University. As founder of a clean beauty brand for women of color, her professional focus combines product development, strategic marketing, and retail partnerships. Her research, published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at leading conferences, explores fashion, health disparities, and entrepreneurship. Davis-Bundrage holds a PhD in international merchandising from the University of Georgia, an MS in management from the University of Maryland, and a BBA in accounting from Howard University.
Dr. Larry Durst joins the Marketing Communications Department. Durst’s academic expertise centers on media, advertising, and consumer culture research, and is complemented by decades of practical experience leading creative advertising campaigns for major global brands including AT&T, IBM, Kraft, Nestlé, and Pepsi. He has taught at Rutgers University–Newark and the School of Visual Arts. Durst has also held senior creative leadership roles at top agencies, including Ogilvy, Marketsmith, and Einson Freeman, where he crafted award-winning campaigns across TV, digital, social, mobile, print, and experiential media, and created brand sponsorship initiatives for major sports and entertainment properties such as the NFL and Disney. He is an Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey inductee and a frequent industry speaker and judge. Durst holds a PhD and an MA in American studies from Rutgers University–Newark and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Kenyon College.
Victor Essoka joins the Marketing Communications Department faculty, bringing over 25 years of senior management experience in global Fortune 100 companies. Essoka has held leadership positions in brand management, digital marketing, and business development, including senior vice president and general brand manager for Jessica London and La Redoute USA. As principal consultant at EMG, he advises small and medium enterprises on marketing and financial strategies, working with clients such as Citigroup, and leading business development for international fashion brands. He is recognized for his industry leadership with the Black Achievers in Industry Award from the Harlem YMCA and serves as founder and trustee of the Global Reach Network Foundation, which works to bridge opportunity gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa. Essoka holds an MBA in marketing from Georgia State University and a BS in chemical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Marcia Greene joins the Fashion Business Management Department, bringing over 20 years of merchandising expertise. Greene has held senior leadership roles such as director of merchandising at One Kings Lane and senior director of merchandising at The Jones Group. In addition to her corporate experience, Greene is an independent merchandising consultant and recently spearheaded the successful 2023 Fashion Trade Mission for Trinidad and Tobago, helping local designers secure international retail placements. Passionate about sustainable fashion, Greene holds a Master of Arts in sustainable fashion management at SUMAS Switzerland and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Rebecca Kern-Stone joins the Marketing Communications Department, bringing over 15 years of academic expertise in mass media, advertising, public relations, and communication research. She has served as professor of communication and department chair at Manhattan College and held adjunct roles at City College of New York, Ithaca College, and Temple University. An accomplished scholar, she has published extensively on advertising strategies, gender representation, digital media, and cultural studies, as well as contributed to leading journals. Her research addresses AI in advertising, media representation of marginalized groups, and the intersections of gender, identity, and media. Kern-Stone holds a PhD in mass media and communications, a master’s in journalism, both from Temple University, and a BA in studio art from the University of Maryland.
Leigh Lavange brings over 13 years of apparel industry expertise to the Technical Design Department, specializing in patternmaking, grading, and fit, with a strong focus on 3D pattern technology. Lavange’s extensive industry experience includes roles as a 3D digital apparel consultant, head of digital engineering at Resonance Brands, and pattern management positions at Wrangler and VF Jeanswear. Lavange has also led product development teams and digital transformation initiatives at Kontoor Brands, covering knit and woven fit analysis and end-to-end digital product development. Lavange holds a BS in textile and apparel management from North Carolina State University.
Wonki Lee joins the Technical Design Department with expertise in menswear design, garment construction, and 3D visualization. Professionally, Lee has served as technical design lead at KITH, where he built and led the technical design team, streamlined processes, and maintained fit, specs, and quality standards across collaborations with brands like Adidas, Disney, and BMW. Before that, he held senior patternmaking roles at Ten Thousand, Theory, and Rag & Bone. Since 2020, Lee has been an adjunct professor at FIT, teaching 3D garment visualization, advanced flat pattern design, and menswear jacket tailoring. Lee holds a Master of Professional Studies in Global Fashion Management and a Bachelor of Science in Production Management from FIT.
Cindy Salazar joins the Fashion Business Management Department with extensive experience as a retail leader specializing in sales, inventory management, product design, client relations, and strategic growth. Salazar is CEO of Toscana USA, an Italian footwear brand distributed in over 80 stores across the U.S. and Canada, overseeing e-commerce, marketing, and product design. Previously, she has held analytic and planning roles at Ross Stores, focusing on inventory optimization and regional sales strategies. Salazar holds an MBA in retail management and entrepreneurship from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Business Management from FIT.
Scott Steever joins the Fashion Business Management Department with over 20 years of experience in marketing, digital commerce, and retail innovation. Steever has held senior leadership roles at notable brands such as Michael Kors, Vera Bradley, and SCOUT Bags, focusing on e-commerce operations, digital marketing, social media strategy, and emerging technologies. Since 2017, he has served as an adjunct instructor at FIT, teaching courses in Fashion Business Management and Global Fashion Management. Steever is also an active conference speaker on customer analytics, mobile conversion, and the future of digital engagement in fashion retail. He holds an MBA in marketing and information technology from the University of Maryland and a BA in history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dr. Christopher Morris joins the English and Communication Studies Department. Morris’ research is on technical and professional communication, focusing on how participatory discourse shapes U.S. public housing policy. He has published widely in leading journals and presented on topics such as Black mentorship, rhetoric, and writing pedagogy. Alongside his scholarly writing, Morris is an accomplished poet whose work has appeared in numerous literary journals. Prior to joining FIT, he was an assistant professor in the writing department at York University, where he taught courses in professional writing, ethics, organizational communication, and creative writing, and contributed to curriculum development and academic leadership. Morris earned his PhD in English from The Ohio State University. He also holds an MFA in creative writing from Ohio State and a BA in English from Capital University.
Dr. Soroush Marouzi joins the Social Sciences Department within the Philosophy area. Marouzi’s research interests include the history of political economy, epistemology, and theories of rationality. He has held fellowships at Duke University’s Center for the History of Political Economy and the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He has an extensive record of peer-reviewed publications and invited talks, and has received Early Career Scholar Awards. Alongside his research, he brings teaching experience in philosophy, economics, and the history of science, and is actively involved in scholarly service and public outreach. Marouzi holds a PhD in history and philosophy of science from the University of Toronto, a Master of Arts in economics from the University of New Hampshire, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Iran’s Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
Dr. Pushpi Paranamana joins the Science and Math Department. Paranamana is an accomplished mathematician specializing in applied and computational mathematics with expertise in mathematical modeling, data science, and machine learning. Most recently, Paranamana was an assistant professor at Saint Mary’s College, where she taught courses ranging from calculus and differential equations to applied linear algebra, while mentoring undergraduate research projects. Previously, she was a visiting assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame and a postdoctoral research associate at Rutgers University–Newark. Throughout her academic career, she has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. Paranamana earned her PhD and MSc in mathematics from Texas Tech University and holds a BSc in mathematics from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Dr. Yanhong Zuo joins the English and Communication Studies Department, focusing on the Educational Skills area. Zuo is a dedicated educator and researcher specializing in academic writing, digital composition, second language acquisition, and writing center pedagogy. Previous academic appointments include service as visiting assistant professor and assistant director of the Writing Center at Stetson University. Zuo has taught extensively at institutions in the U.S. and China, including adjunct roles at Rochester Institute of Technology and Monroe Community College, as well as a long tenure as associate professor at Xi’an International Studies University. Her research focuses on language, identity, and technology, with peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals, as well as presentations at national conferences. Zuo earned her PhD in teaching and curriculum from the University of Rochester. She also holds an MA in applied linguistics and a BA in English from China’s Xi’an International Studies University.
School of Graduate Studies
Jacquelyn Peterson-Grace joins the Fashion and Textile Studies Department, bringing expertise in textile and preventive conservation. Most recently, Peterson-Grace served as the associate textile conservator at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and completed conservator work at esteemed institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Internationally, she has collaborated with Cambodia’s Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, teaching conservation techniques and addressing preservation challenges. She is also active in her field, having served as publications chair for the Virginia Conservation Association. Peterson-Grace holds a BSc in conservation studies from Marist College and an MSc from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in art conservation.
Academic Affairs
Dr. Margaret “Meg” Joseph joins the Office of Faculty Development as associate director and student learning assessment specialist. Joseph brings considerable expertise in curriculum development, instructional design, and organizational leadership. Previously, Joseph served as associate professor in the School of Graduate Studies’ Global Fashion Management program. Throughout her career, Joseph has been dedicated to enhancing student learning through data-driven assessment and innovative program development. Her contributions have been recognized with multiple honors, including the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and several faculty development fellowships. As associate director for Faculty Development, Joseph will lead initiatives to advance student learning assessment and support faculty development. Joseph holds a PhD in Curriculum, Instruction, and the Science of Learning from SUNY Buffalo, an MBA in marketing and management from Columbia University, and a BA in French civilization from Brown University.
Enrollment Management and Student Success
Deanna Cruz joins Financial Aid Services as assistant director, bringing expertise in financial aid administration and management. Most recently, Cruz served as senior assistant director of financial aid at Manhattan College, where she advised students and families on admissions and financial aid, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies. In her role, Cruz managed New York State grants, including TAP and STEM scholarships, led the annual TAP reconciliation process, and coordinated Pell Grant verification and professional judgment cases. Her earlier career as an equity trader also adds a strong analytical and project management perspective to her financial aid work. Cruz holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership from Manhattan College.
Dr. Meaghan Davis joins Student Life as associate director of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement. In previous roles, Davis served as director of First-Year Experience, assistant director of Student Leadership and Professional Development, and adjunct faculty at St. Francis College, where she developed a highly successful Peer Leadership Academy and an orientation leadership program. Davis’ work centers on building community and cultivating inclusive learning environments. Davis holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Equity from New England College, as well as a master’s in education specializing in curriculum and instruction, a BS in education, and a BA in history, all from the University of Connecticut.
William Park joins International Student Services as an international student advisor, bringing over eight years of experience in international higher education. Park has a strong record of developing innovative programs and guiding students through immigration regulations and cultural transitions. Previously assistant director of International Student Affairs at Kingsborough Community College, he played a key role in increasing international student enrollment and revitalizing engagement through initiatives such as reactivating the International Student Union and launching the “Sense of Belonging” project. Park holds an MA in higher and postsecondary education from Teachers College and a BA in music from Emory University.