New Faculty: Welcome to York

New Full-Time Faculty for Fall 2024

Caroline Nelson

Assistant Professor
Performing and Fine Arts

Caroline Voagen Nelson is a media artist working in animation, digital art, and installation. Nelson holds an MFA in Digital Art with a focus in Animation at Pratt Institute and BFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a NYFA Artist Fellow in Video/Film and has been an artist-in-residence at MASS MoCA and MWPAI art museums. Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums such as Birmingham Museum of Art, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Film Archiv Austria. Her award-winning films have been screened at film festivals, including the Ann Arbor Film Festival, Florida Film Festival, and Animasivo el Festival in Mexico City. Nelson has a photo/video journalist background with work featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Art News Magazine, and Time Out NY. She has worked on animations for CNN, MTV and Vox.

Peninah Austrie

Associate Professor
Health Professions

Peninah Austrie, a former section chief lab microbiologist at NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, has 18 years in the field and has gained strong leadership skills while managing various clinical issues. Austrie's academic journey is marked by her dedication to the field. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology (2005) and Clinical Lab Science (2009) from Stonybrook University, and furthered her education with a master’s degree in medical microbiology from C.W. Post: Long Island University in 2012. That same year, a 12-year adjunct teaching journey began at York College, teaching Clinical Bacteriology. She joins us full-time as program director of the Clinical Lab Science Program in the Department of Health Professions as an Associate Professor. In her new role at York, she brings her passion for the field, knowledge, clinical expertise, and leadership experience. Research interests include seeking and understanding further the clinical behavior of pathogens and the resistance mechanisms used by these pathogens. Other areas of interest/expertise are leadership, career preparedness, and pathways.

Margaret (Peg) Hickey

Assistant Professor
Nursing

Margaret (Peg) Hickey joins York College as an assistant professor of Nursing in the School of Health Sciences and Professional Programs. Her extensive clinical background involved caring for patients in the pre-op and post-anesthesia care units, with additional experience in nursing professional development and quality management. In her academic role, Hickey has taught pre-licensure nursing students in the clinical setting, the skills lab, and classroom with additional experience in simulation-based education. Hickey holds a master’s degree in nursing education, is a certified diabetes educator, and is currently a doctoral candidate in the Ph.D. program in nursing at Pace University. Her research focuses on health literacy, diabetes knowledge, and glycemic control in patients with Type 2 Diabetes who receive care from a safety net clinic in Jamaica, NY. As a lifelong resident of Queens, Hickey takes great pride in being a member of York's nursing faculty and is dedicated to educating future nurses and strengthening the nursing workforce.

Dr. Sabeen Humayun

Doctoral Lecturer
Health Sciences

Dr. Sabeen Humayun, a dedicated professional, moved to New York after marriage. Originally from Pakistan, where she attended medical school, Dr. Humayun left her profession to join her husband. Later, she completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Hofstra University while working as a Public Health Aide at the local County Department of Health. Her career advanced when she became an adjunct lecturer at York College, teaching Epidemiology and Basic Sciences. Dr. Humayun joined NY Project Hope, a FEMA-funded program to support the pandemic-affected population’s mental health. She then joined MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Long Island University. Today, she is a doctoral lecturer in the Department of Health Sciences at York and the founder of Al-Haadi Support Services, a nonprofit focused on mental health care and education for diverse populations in Long Island.

Benjamin Rispoli

Assistant Professor
Health Professions

Born and raised in Long Island, with both parents being healthcare professionals, Benjamin Rispoli quickly took a liking to the healthcare sciences. His accomplishments started early in high school- achieving Eagle Scout honors and becoming a United States certified sailing instructor. Professional degrees and collegiate honors ensued shortly afterward as Rispoli achieved a bachelor's and master's in Physician Assistant Studies, all while graduating Cum Laude. Continuing through five years of his physician assistant career, working through the COVID-19 pandemic, Rispoli serves the Bronx as an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant, delivering high-quality emergency health services in one of the busiest emergency departments in the country. His yearning to educate others about his experiences has only just begun. Rispoli’s drive for academic success and research has never been stronger as his new chapter begins at York College's Physician Assistant Program.

Dr. Qin Yang Latchman

Assistant Professor
Health and Human Performance

Dr. Qin Yang Latchman began her role as a substitute assistant professor at York College in August 2023 and transitioned to a tenure-track assistant professor position starting in Fall 2024 within the Department of Health and Human Performance. She now serves as the coordinator for both the Physical Education and Health Education programs in the department. Dr. Latchman is a dedicated educator and researcher with a strong foundation in kinesiology and health education. She earned her Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Texas Woman’s University (TWU), specializing in Adapted Physical Activity, and holds a master’s degree in Sports Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). In addition to her work at York College, she has taught a variety of courses at institutions such as SCSU and TWU. Her research, which focuses on autism spectrum disorders and cardiovascular health, has been published in several academic journals.

Dr. Paula Stewart

Assistant Professor
Occupational Therapy

Dr. Paula Stewart PP-OTD, OTR/L earned her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from York College CUNY (1997) and her Master’s in Health Science from Long Island University (2001). After 26 years of clinical experience, she went on to earn her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Barry University (2023). For over 2 decades, Dr. Stewart has earned a reputation of excellence working with children with special needs though she has worked with populations of all ages. She is the Executive Director and owner of Therapeutic Consulting Service (2001) and Co-Founder of Occupational Therapy for Kidz, Specializing in Sensory Integration (2010). Under both establishments, she has catered to families with children diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Learning Disorders, Neuromuscular Disorders and other conditions. Her ongoing connections to these businesses enhance her role in academia to bring real-time life experiences and current practices within the academic environment and now research. She has taught as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for York College for 8 years and has guest lectured at Columbia University, NYU, Down State University, and LaGuardia College.