New Full-Time Faculty for Fall 2024

Kirt Bowen

Assistant Professor | EMS-Paramedic

Kirt Bowen returns to KCC, this time as a full-time assistant professor in the Department of Allied Health, Mental Health and Human Services, teaching EMS-paramedic courses. Kirt helped secure full accreditation for KCC's paramedic program and served as program director from 2014 to 2019. He has also taught at LaGuardia Community College and Borough of Manhattan Community College. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Kirt moved to the United States in 1997 to explore new career opportunities. The first in his family to graduate from college, he holds an associate degree in paramedic studies from LaGuardia Community College, a bachelor of science in physician assistant studies from Touro College, and a master of public administration in emergency and disaster management from Metropolitan College of New York. In addition to being a paramedic, he has worked as a physician assistant in emergency medicine, critical care, and correctional medicine.

Antonino DeSalvo

Lecturer | EMS-Paramedic

Antonino DeSalvo has joined Kingsborough Community College as a full-time lecturer and psychomotor skills coordinator in our paramedic program after 10 years as an adjunct. As psychomotor skills coordinator, he will oversee training in essential physical skills for paramedics, using lifelike simulator manikins. He began taking EMT courses at South Beach Hospital in Staten Island and Beekman Downtown Hospital while enrolled as a biology major at St. John's University. He took a break from college to pursue a paramedic career, working full time in the New York City EMS system. He ultimately completed a bachelor's degree in health care administration with a concentration in emergency medical services from Columbia Southern University. Nino brings extensive emergency medical expertise to his new position, including over 30 years at Maimonides Medical Center, where he recently retired as EMS supervisor. Outside of work, he enjoys hobbies such as taxidermy, making model emergency vehicles, and inventing. He holds a patent for an innovative training system using video cameras in manikin to help students master the endotracheal intubation.

Laura Landau

Assistant Professor | Political Science

Originally from Providence, Rhode Island, Laura Landau moved to New York City as an undergraduate and fell in love with the city. She joins KCC’s history, philosophy and political science department as a full-time assistant professor, teaching American Government and Politics in the fall and Environmental Politics in the spring. Laura's academic journey began with a dual degree from Barnard and the Jewish Theological Seminary, followed by a master's in city planning from Pratt Institute, and a PhD in human geography from Rutgers University, where she discovered her passion for teaching. Her research interests include environmental and social justice, community organizing, climate change, and public space as social infrastructure. Outside of academia, Laura has worked with the USDA Forest Service and regularly contributes to The Nature of Cities. An avid traveler, she has visited 23 countries.

James Pacello

Doctoral Lecturer| English

Staten Island native James Pacello joins KCC's English department as a doctoral lecturer, where he'll be teaching Composition I and II. With a diverse teaching background spanning Japan and NYC colleges, James holds degrees from the College of Staten Island, Hunter College, and Rutgers University. His research focuses on how students apply what they learn about writing in an English class and transfer, translate, or adapt their knowledge to other contexts that involve writing. An avid biker and rollercoaster enthusiast, James is excited to be joining CUNY, "a university system known for helping propel students into the middle class and beyond."

Paula Saff

Lecturer | Accounting

Building on her experience as an adjunct since 2015, Paula Saff joins Kingsborough Community College’s business department as a full-time lecturer, where she will be teaching accounting classes. With over 20 years of real estate accounting experience, the Brooklyn native brings practical knowledge to her accounting classes. While teaching at Kingsborough, Paula earned a master’s degree in accounting from Brooklyn College using CUNY’s tuition benefit. She also studied for and passed the four CPA exams and became a licensed CPA. A grandmother of five, Paula enjoys Kingsborough's diverse student body and maintains strong family connections to the college. Two of her sons attended KCC, one of whom graduated and continued to Baruch College, while the other transferred to Brooklyn College. Her husband is also a Kingsborough graduate.

Lisa Schneider

Lecturer | Business Administration

Lisa S. Schneider joins Kingsborough Community College as a full-time lecturer in the business department. A Brooklyn native and Long Island resident, Lisa builds on 13 years of experience as an adjunct assistant professor at Kingsborough. She holds degrees from Nassau Community College, Long Island University-C.W. Post, and Touro College's law school. She has been practicing law since 1989 and is a member of the New York State and Nassau County bar associations. She is admitted to practice law in New York State and U.S. federal courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Her legal background includes in-house corporate counsel work. She is also a court-certified mediator. Her legal career inspired her shift to teaching, which she finds rewarding. She looks forward to collaborating with colleagues and inspiring students. Outside work, she enjoys cultural activities and travel—and her two feline “fur children.”

Ms. Roxanne West

Lecturer | Surgical Technology

Roxanne West comes full circle, returning to teach at the college where she received her training. A certified surgical technologist with over a decade of experience, Roxanne is transitioning from adjunct clinical instructor to full-time lecturer in KCC's surgical technology program. She earned an associate degree in surgical technology at Kingsborough Community College and then a bachelor’s degree in health communications at New York City College of Technology. Roxanne has worked at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, NYU Hospital for Joint Disease, and, for the last eight years, at Northwell Health (Manhattan Eye Ear Throat Hospital). At Northwell, she co-founded and chaired the DEI Committee there, earned the Rising Star Award in 2023, and received a nomination for the President's Award for leadership. When not teaching or in surgery, Roxanne enjoys watching and playing softball and spending time with family and friends.

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