Deborah Wright, Director
The last 18 years of Deborah's career in higher education have been spent working as an administrator and faculty member with adult learners. She has been inspired by the words of C.S. Lewis who said, "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." In her position as Director, Deborah feels privileged to watch goals and dreams unfold for students completing their bachelor's degrees. Deborah is a first generation college student in her immediate and extended family. She will tell you that receiving her undergraduate and graduate degrees has had a profound impact on the direction of her life, and that she is ecstatic to be able to help others achieve success.
Rachael Cossingham, Assistant Director of Academic Advising
Rachael has worked for more than seven years in a variety of advising positions, spending the last two working with adult students at Lesley University. As the spouse of an active duty Air Force member, she lived and worked overseas for several years as both a work/life specialist and as an academic advisor. In those roles, she advised active duty members and their families on issues like finances, employment, academics, and family life. Rachael's greatest passion is helping adults pursue and exceed their educational goals. She is able to do this as both an advisor and an adjunct faculty member. Rachael holds a master's degree in Human Relations as well as a graduate certificate in Academic Advising.
Gene Ferraro, Assistant Director for Academic Advising
Gene has been working as an academic advisor with adult students for more than 12 years. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Lesley, teaching in the areas of writing, human development and management. Prior to joining academia, Gene spent 10 years working with adults in the field of employment and training, and before that he spent 16 years working with developmentally disabled adults. What Gene loves most about working with the adult population is their motivation. Adult students are very serious about their work and bring so much of their life experience to the classroom. As both an advisor and an adjunct faculty member, Gene feels that he learns as much from the students as what he is able to provide to them.
Brian Greene, Academic Coordinator
Brian made the leap to higher education after several years in the Massachusetts State House and nearly a dozen years overseas. He understands the challenges of adult students well, as he completed his own undergraduate degree several years removed from high school, and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Intercultural Relations at Lesley University.
Jessie Haigh, Assistant Director of Academic Advising
Having completed an individually designed degree program herself, with multiple independent studies, Jessie understands the benefits of customized study. She helps students determine what they want to accomplish, and encourages them to think creatively about how they can finish their degree. She also helps students decide which learning modalities will work best for them, and encourages them to take advantage of the unique options LCAL offers adult students, including the opportunity to develop independent study projects. Prior to coming to Lesley, Jessie worked at Cambridge College and the Brazilian Cultural Center of New England. She has a B.A. in Fine Arts, with a focus on Ceramic Sculpture, from Hampshire College, and an A.L.M. in Management from the Harvard Extension School.
Andy Joseph, Assistant Director of Academic Advising
Andy came to Lesley with several years of experience working with adult students as an academic advisor. He has taught for many years as an adjunct faculty member at several liberal arts colleges in the Boston area. Andy holds graduate degrees in psychology and in theology with a specialization in ethics.