Leadership Team

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.

René C. Hernandez
Assistant Director
Rene.Hernandez@baruch.cuny.edu

René C. Hernandez is the Assistant Director for New Student Programs at Baruch College, where she leads the strategy and execution of initiatives that support student transition, engagement, and success. With over fourteen years of experience in higher education, her work focuses on building strong entry points into the college experience and making sure students feel connected, supported, and prepared to navigate Baruch from day one.

She leads core transition efforts including the First-Year Seminar (FYS), the Transfer Student Network (TSN), and peer leadership development, shaping how new students experience the institution and how student leaders are trained to support them. Her approach centers on creating clear structures, meaningful connections, and consistent support systems that help students build momentum early in their academic journey.

René has led initiatives that expand student engagement and strengthen early student outcomes through intentional programming and mentorship. She holds a Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration and Quantitative Analysist Certificate from Baruch College’s Marxe School of Public and International Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She was inducted into Phi Alpha Alpha, the global honor society for public affairs and administration, and is a Certified Peer Educator through NASPA.

Nirma Golder
Peer Mentor Coordinator
Nirma.Golder@baruch.cuny.edu
(646) 312-4274

Nirma Golder is the Peer Mentor Coordinator in New Student Programs at Baruch College, where she leads the development and implementation of peer mentorship initiatives that support student transition, engagement, and success. Her work focuses on creating strong entry points into the college experience, ensuring that first-year and transfer students feel connected, supported, and prepared to navigate Baruch from the start.

She oversees key mentorship programs, including the First-Year Seminar (FYS) and Transfer Student Network (TSN), as well as the recruitment, training, and ongoing development of student leaders. Through this work, Nirma helps shape how new students experience the institution and how peer mentors are equipped to guide them. Her approach centers on building clear structures, fostering meaningful relationships, and creating consistent systems of support that strengthen both student engagement and leadership development.

Nirma has led efforts to expand mentorship programming and streamline operations that support hundreds of students each year, with a focus on intentional program design and cross-campus collaboration. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration at Baruch College’s Marxe School of Public and International Affairs and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the City College of New York. As a proud CUNY alum, she is deeply committed to advancing equity and inclusion in higher education and to creating environments where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.