About Us

Toni Blackwell, associate dean of students

Toni grew up in New York City and attended Russell Sage College in Troy, New York where she received her bachelor of arts degree in creative arts therapy with a concentration in drama therapy. After working for a short period of time at a halfway house in New York City serving schizophrenic clients, Toni began her career in higher education as a residence hall manager at Pace University in New York.

Toni found her passion in working with college students and left Pace to pursue her master's degree at the College of New Jersey in Trenton, New Jersey, where she received her M.A. in counseling and higher education administration. Toni has begun her coursework toward a doctorate in educational leadership. She has been working in higher education for more than 30 years and has a strong background in diversity and inclusion. Most recently, Toni worked as an associate dean of students at Mills College in Oakland, California, where she supervised the Career Services, Counseling, Disability Services, Wellness and Community Outreach, and Spiritual and Religious Life departments.

Working at Berklee is allowing Toni the opportunity to continue the work she loves with college students while being closer to family and friends. She is very excited about her position and is looking forward to getting to know and interact with the talented students at Berklee.

Administrative Staff

Barbara Chitouras, receptionist

Barbara grew up in the metro Boston area, where she attended Massachusetts College of Art, majoring in illustration. She has more than 20 years of experience as a receptionist; she has also worked as a freelance artist, tour guide, day care teacher, window dresser, and retail clerk. She enjoys travel and photography, and was in a joint show with her husband in 2005, for which they exhibited photography from Southeast Asia, Oceania, Central America, Europe, and the United States. She loves working in Berklee's unique, creative environment.

Academic Advising Staff

Hillary Booker, academic advisor

Prior to her work at Berklee, Hillary earned a M.S. in college student development and counseling at Northeastern University. Hillary originally came to the Counseling and Advising Center back in September 2010 as an intern working with the international advising team. She assisted the international advisors in the many facets of international student advising and conducted focus groups to develop better ways to address the advising needs of international students.

Hillary has worked in higher education as a graduate assistant at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, and as a career assistant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Kathryn Hencir, academic advisor

Kathryn has a background in both music and advising, thus making for a rewarding experience at Berklee. She received her B.A. in music from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, earning some credits toward her degree while studying music at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

She enjoys travel, volunteering, the beach, and just about any outdoor activity. Being a co-chair of the Gracenotes Volunteer Committee, Kathryn has led several volunteer events for the college, including a trip for faculty and staff to New Orleans to build homes in the Musician's Village following Hurricane Katrina. She loves experiencing the rich musical and cultural environment at Berklee, and enjoys working closely with students, faculty, and staff at the college.

Sandra Musella, associate director of Academic Advising

Sandra graduated from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas with a bachelor's of science degree in education. She began her career at Berklee in 1989 in the Housing Office. In 1993, she moved to the Music Synthesis Department (now known as the Electronic Production and Design Department), serving as assistant to the chair. She came to the Counseling and Advising Center (CAC) in 1995 and has worked in myriad positions at the CAC.

Sandra also holds a master's of education degree in counseling and psychology. She immensely enjoys her work with students, whether on an individual level or in a group setting. Sandra is passionate about her job and is committed to student development and education.

Disability Services Advising Staff

Bob Mulvey, director for Disability Special Services

Bob has been at the CAC since 1989. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts and raised in the neighboring town of Acton. He completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst before attending graduate school at the University of Vermont and eventually returning to UMass to receive a master's in education.

Bob has approximately 30 years of experience in education as a high school English teacher, special education teacher/counselor in secondary alternative schools, and as a college instructor at the graduate school at Lesley College, Bunker Hill Community College, and in the Professional Music Department at Berklee. He continues to actively study guitar and piano.

Gabriel Roses, special services advisor

Gabe is a homegrown Bostonian who earned his B.S. in archaeology and anthropology at UMass Boston in 2000. During his undergraduate studies, he attended an archeological field school and spent a semester studying in Oaxaca, Mexico. He began working at Berklee in 2000 as a temporary employee in the Auxiliary Services Office and eventually landed at the front counter of the Counseling and Advising Center in 2003.

Gabe left the center in April of 2005 to complete his M.Ed. in mental health and school adjustment counseling at Cambridge College. During this time, he interned in a small alternative public high school in North Quincy, a day home for developmentally delayed adults, and a partial hospital for children and adolescents in Allston, Massachusetts. Gabe is delighted to be working with Berklee's students as a special services advisor.

International Student Advising Staff

Cara Frankowicz, assistant director of International Student Services

Cara serves as student advisor for international students with last names A-J; she is also responsible for developing and presenting programs, workshops, and informational seminars for the international student population at Berklee. Cara worked in the Office of Admissions at Berklee for one and a half years before accepting her current position in the Counseling and Advising Center.

Cara graduated from Berklee in 2006 with a B.M. in violin performance. Originally from Pennsylvania, she started out studying geology in college. However, a growing interest in Irish traditional music led her to leave her geology studies behind and move to Ireland, where she lived for two years prior to beginning her studies at Berklee. Before settling into a career in international education, she held a variety of jobs including filleting fish, working as a pharmacy technician, teaching music, and touring as a fiddle player with various productions. Cara maintains an active performance schedule and continues to enjoy taking classes at Berklee.

Gosia Torzecka, international student advisor

Prior to joining the Berklee Team, Gosia, a native of Poland, was a practicing U.S. immigration law attorney. She received her master's in law in Poland in 2000, and her master's in political science, also in Poland, in 2002. In 2004, she received her LL. M. in American law at the Boston University School of Law. Gosia's interest and desire to work in an international academic setting brought her to Berklee, where her personal experiences as an international student in the U.S. and her legal experience are welcome assets.

Gosia serves as an advisor for international students with last names Q-Z and also focuses on optional practical training (OPT) issues. She provides students with information pertinent to student employment before and after graduation, presents OPT workshops, and oversees students during the OPT period.

Andrea M. Tikofsky, associate director of International Student Services

Andrea received her B.S. in consumer economics with a focus in marketing from the University of Maryland–College Park and completed a master of science degree in college student development and counseling at Northeastern University. Andrea's education and work experience has focused on the needs of international students in various settings on campus, including residence life, cultural adjustment, immigration advising, and international admissions. Andrea serves as the primary international student advisor for international students whose last names start with the letters K–P and she coordinates all SEVIS reporting for Berklee. She is very happy to be working with the talented international students attending Berklee.

Personal Counseling Staff

Karen Grimes, M.A., LMHC; director of Counseling Services

Karen is a licensed psychotherapist with a master's degree in counseling psychology from Lesley University. In 1992, she graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a bachelor's degree in rehabilitation services. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she worked in a variety of settings, including psychiatric and eating disorder hospitals as well as community mental health centers. Karen is an avid traveller and a strong advocate of cultural diversity. She is also a vocal supporter of the rights of persons with psychiatric disabilities.

Lisa Listerman, M.S.W., LICSW, ACSW; assistant director of Counseling Services/clinical training coordinator

Lisa is a licensed psychotherapist with a master's degree in social work from Boston University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Williams College. Before coming to Berklee, Lisa worked with children, adolescents, young adults, and families in a variety of settings, including community mental health, residential/day treatment programs, and an inpatient eating disorder hospital. Lisa has many years' experience supervising interns and master's level clinicians. Her professional interests include the treatment of psychological trauma, eating disorders, and supervision.

Liz Salvucci Bailey, M.A., LMHC; psychotherapist/wellness specialist

Liz is a licensed psychotherapist with a master's degree in counseling psychology, and a bachelor of science degree in transpersonal psychology, both from Lesley University, as well as a degree in business administration. Liz is also certified in mind-body therapies and was a yoga teacher for several years. Before coming to Berklee, she was in private practice and was a senior staff therapist in community mental health. She has provided workshops on self-care and stress management to staff at various organizations, including the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. At Berklee, she provides psychotherapy, offers wellness programming (including leading the weekly meditation group), and has supervised counseling interns for several years. Liz is also a musician and artist.

Brandin Dear, M.S.W., LICSW; psychotherapist/multicultural specialist

Brandin Dear is a licensed psychotherapist with a master's degree in clinical social work from Smith College. He completed his clinical internships at a therapeutic high school and the UMass Amherst counseling center. He also holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Mount Holyoke College and studied at Sussex University in Brighton, England. Brandin has worked in crisis stabilization and outpatient services. He has also provided consultation around cultural competency. Brandin enjoys treating a wide variety of clients both at Berklee and in private practice. He has a deep commitment to diversity and the work it takes to protect it.

Naoko Metz, M.A., LMHC; psychotherapist/multicultural specialist

Naoko is a licensed psychotherapist with a master's degree in counseling psychology from Trinity Western University and a bachelor's degree in biology. She has provided counseling to children, adolescents, adults, and families within a variety of organizations, including the Ministry of Child and Family Development, a community-based counseling agency, and a college-counseling center. Naoko is originally from Japan, and until her relocation to the U.S., she spent the majority of her adult life in Canada. She enjoys travelling, fine arts, and meeting with people from various cultures.