Staff

Robert Kunicki, PhD
Director, New Student Programs
Robert.Kunicki@baruch.cuny.edu
(646) 312-4271

Dr. Robert (Rob) Kunicki is Director of New Student Programs at Baruch College, where he leads the design and continuous improvement of the college’s first-year and new transfer student experience. His work focuses on helping students navigate the transition to college, develop as learners, and build a strong foundation for long-term academic success.

Rob works across academic and administrative units to create a more connected and coherent student journey. He leads large teams of staff, faculty, and student leaders, and brings a data-informed, design-driven approach to strengthening student engagement, retention, and success. His work is grounded in the belief that student success is not accidental—it is intentionally designed through thoughtful systems, strong relationships, and meaningful learning experiences.

He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Higher Education Administration in the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, where he teaches graduate students and integrates his administrative practice with the study of higher education systems, policy, and student success.

A first-generation college student, Rob was born and raised in New York City and brings a deep understanding of the experiences of students from immigrant and working-class communities into his work. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban Education from the CUNY Graduate Center, an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University, and both a B.S.Ed. in Adolescence Education (Mathematics) and an M.S.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from St. John’s University. His scholarship focuses on college student retention, degree completion, and Latinos in higher education, with a growing interest in how artificial intelligence is shaping student learning and the future of higher education.

Stephanie Gika
Associate Director of Orientation
Stephanie.Gika@baruch.cuny.edu
(646) 312-4270

Stephanie Gika is the Associate Director of Orientation.  For more than a decade, she has helped shape the Orientation experience for incoming Baruch students, designing programs that welcome and support first-year and transfer students as they begin their college journey.  In her role, Stephanie oversees the planning and delivery of Orientation, hires and trains the Orientation Leader team, and works closely with campus partners to create engaging programs that introduce students to the resources, expectations, and opportunities available at Baruch.  Stephanie holds an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from New York University and is a Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach.  Drawing on her background in academic advisement and her deep understanding of the student experience, she designs Orientation programs that bring students together, helping them feel supported, connected, and ready to begin their time at Baruch.

Rene Hernandez

Assistant Director
Rene.Hernandez@baruch.cuny.edu

Nirma Golder

Peer Mentor Training Coordinator
Nirma.Golder@baruch.cuny.edu