New Faculty
Michael Bermudez, Assistant Professor—Occupational Therapy
Michael Bermudez is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy. He received his Ed.D. in educational technology leadership from New Jersey City University in May 2019, his M.A. in educational technology from the same institution, and his B.S. in occupational therapy from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Prior to joining our faculty, Dr. Bermudez was an occupational therapist at St. Mark’s World, New York City. He worked in the occupational therapy field for almost 18 years. As an occupational therapist, he evaluated adult clients in various skilled nursing facilities in New York City where he performed treatments in a mostly geriatric and psychosocial setting.
Deborah Budash, Assistant Professor — Occupational Therapy
Deborah Budash is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy. She received her Ph.D. with a specialty in educational technology and e-learning from Northcentral University in Scottsdale, Arizona. She received her M.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in adult and community education and a B.S. in occupational therapy from the University of Pittsburgh. Deborah served as chair of the Master of Medical Science Program and Master of Health Science Program at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Budash is a dedicated educator with 15-plus years of online and on-ground teaching experience using innovative teaching strategies that promote student success. She is a prolific writer, reviewer and presenter with over 50 articles. She has been a respected occupational therapist with 20-plus years of experience working with general and specialized populations.
Sonja Lund, Assistant Professor—Counseling & Human Services
Sonja Lund is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling & Human Services. She recently received her Ph.D. in counselor education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She received her M.S. in education with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling from Old Dominion University, and her B.S. in psychology from Old Dominion University.
She was an academic adviser and co-director for the Career and Academic Resource Center at Old Dominion University. She also worked as a licensed professional counselor in the Department of Athletics and provided individual counseling sessions for approximately 20-30 student-athletes using a time-limited model of care.
Tracy Murray, Faculty Specialist—Nursing
Tracy Murray is a faculty specialist in the Department of Nursing. She recently completed the Juris Doctorate program at Widener University Commonwealth Law School. She received her MSN/CRNP in family practice from the University of Pittsburgh and a Certificate in nurse anesthesia from the University Health Center of Pittsburgh School of Anesthesia for Nurses. She earned her BSN from the University of Pittsburgh. Tracy joined the University nursing department’s nurse anesthesia program in January 2019. She is licensed as an RN, CRNP and CRNA.
She serves as a CRNA staff member with the North American Partners in Anesthesia at Moses Taylor Hospital.
Joseph Pellegrino, Assistant Professor—Exercise Science and Sport
Joseph Pellegrino is an assistant professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport. Joseph received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in New Jersey, where he also served as a teaching fellow, a Learning Workshop facilitator and a lecturer. He received his M.S. in exercise physiology, health and human performance from the University of Montana. He has a B.S. in biology and a B.S. in exercise science from Rutgers University.
His dissertation was titled “A Metabolic Examination of Endurance versus Resistance Trained Males & Females in Response to Acute Bouts of Endurance versus Resistance Exercise.” He is the editor for articles in the following journals: Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, Journal for the International Society of Sports Nutrition, Journal of Comparative Exercise Physiology and the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Andrew Stranieri, Lecturer—Exercise Science and Sport
Andrew Stranieri is a lecturer in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport. Andrew received his M.S. degree in kinesiology from the University of Rhode Island. He received his B.S. in health and exercise science from the College of New Jersey.
As an undergraduate student, Andrew was a research assistant in the Health and Exercise Science department and was a graduate teaching assistant in the Kinesiology department.