About the Team
Steinhardt Technology Services is made up of five functional areas:
System Technology and Security
Ashawn Knight
Senior Director, Information Security and Systems
Ashawn implements processes and systems, such as automation and proactive measures, to ensure a proper security posture for Technology Services and the Steinhardt community. He holds a Master’s in Network Security and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. When not admiring tech gadgets, he enjoys traveling with his family, volunteering at his church in their tech department (of course), and mentoring local youth on a positive, unique, and fun lifestyle.
Ronnie Guzman
Security Administrator
Ronnie is a security administrator at Steinhardt Technology Service. He is enthusiastic about technology and has a passion for helping others. He enjoys spending time with his family and furthering his knowledge to serve the NYU community better. Ronnie got his bachelor's in computer information systems from Lehman College.
Carlene Robinson
System Administrator
Carlene is a graduate of Long Island University. She began her career in healthcare, and after four years at a healthcare tech company, she discovered her passion for technology and transitioned to the tech industry. Carlene enjoys leveraging her creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills in her work. Outside of her professional pursuits, she loves riding her bike and reading, and she has even started a bakery business with her little sister, where she is responsible for designing cakes.
Alaa Abdulkarem
Endpoint Management Specialist
Alaa Abdulkarem is a junior at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, majoring in Business and Technology Management. She began her role as an Endpoint Management Specialist in October 2024, she oversees device management and ensures system security across the organization. She enjoys spending her free time exploring new places, watching shows, and learning new things.
Helpdesk Operations
Lucas Suarez-Orozco
Helpdesk Operations Manager
Lucas has been with Steinhardt Technology Services since 2015 as a part-time technician and an Admin Aid. In 2024, Lucas became the Helpdesk Manager Administrator and was put in charge of Zendesk, Steinhardt Technology Services ticketing system. Lucas lives with his wife, Lea, his daughter, Mars, and his dog, Lando. Lucas spends his free time watching horror movies and playing video games.
Nicole Ponce
Helpdesk Administrator
Nicole Ponce is the Help Desk Operations Administrator. She graduated from Rollins College with a Degree in Computer Science. She is originally from Florida and recently made the move to NYC! Her focus while working within the help desk environment is providing excellent service while finding new and innovative solutions to complex issues for end users. In her free time she enjoys exploring the city, trying new food spots, and hanging out with her cats.
Irfan Sadique
Helpdesk Technical Specialist
Irfan Sadique is an international student at NYU’s College of Arts and Science, majoring in Environmental Studies. Originally from Bangladesh, he is passionate about sustainability and the intersection of global climate challenges with local community resilience. He enjoys exploring city’s parks, volunteering at local clean-up events, and trying out new restaurants. In his free time, he likes watching movies, sketching cityscapes, and cycling along the Hudson River.
Hailemariam Mersha
Helpdesk Technical Specialist
Haile is a Helpdesk Technical Specialist at Steinhardt Technology Services. He is currently studying away from NYU Abu Dhabi where he double majors in Computer Science and Mathematics. Haile loves using technology to help people and make their lives easier. In his free time, Haile enjoys playing soccer, coding, and cooking. He also doesn’t skip leg days.
Mehedi Hasan Ashik
Helpdesk Technical Specialist
Ashik is a Helpdesk Technical Specialist at Steinhardt Technology Services, where he supports students, faculty, and staff by troubleshooting technical issues and improving day-to-day digital operations. He is currently studying Psychology and Business Studies at NYU, combining an interest in human behavior with organizational systems. Mehedi is passionate about using technology to enhance efficiency and create seamless user experiences. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new creative projects, reading, and relaxing around New York City.
Procurement
Zack Riccardelli
Operations Administrator
Zack Riccardelli is an Operations Administrator within NYU Steinhardt's Technology Services team. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Management from Siena College. He has experience in procurement support and high-quality customer service. In his role, Zack is responsible for developing internal procurement procedures and managing key administrative operations for Steinhardt Technology Services. During his free time, he enjoys reading, outdoor activities and watching horror movies.
Grace Zhang
Procurement Assistant
Grace has been with Steinhardt Technology services as a student worker since 2024. She is studying Finance and Accounting and spend her free time trying new restaurants and listening to music.
Audio Visual Media Operations and Desktop Support
Ray Pfaff
Senior Director, Audio Visual Media & Desktop Support
Ray is the Senior Director of Audio-Visual Media and Desktop Support at Steinhardt. He is also a freelance graphic designer and a devoted Wing Chun student. Ray graduated from the Macaulay Honors College, CUNY, with a dual degree in Corporate Communication and Digital Design and received his MA from the New School in Media Studies. Ray has been actively working within the fields of media and academics for over twelve years. He is constantly evaluating new ways to help the community identify their technology needs. In his free time, Ray storyboards, draws character designs, seeks to eat his way through the cities he visits with his wife and son, and works on restoring his beloved ‘78 Pontiac Trans AM.
Bruce J. Bickley
Audio Visual Media Manager
Bruce J. Bickley is one of the newest members of the NYU Steinhardt community, joining in the summer of 2019. A native of the Bronx, he started his higher education at the Borough of Manhattan Community College studying Corporate and Cable Communications before continuing at the New School studying Media Production, with a focus on screenwriting. He spent over fifteen years working at The New School’s IT department before joining the Steinhardt team. He brings with him an intensive background in media field production, mostly as a freelance sound designer, but lately, he has been spending his spare time as a freelance video editor.
Cliff Rene
Manager of Desktop Support
Cliff is the Manager of Desktop Support at Steinhardt Technology Services. He loves helping people get the most out of technology. When he is not doing that he enjoys reading, visiting art museums and walks in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. He is also a Trekkie! Previously he worked at Apple's Genius Bar as a senior Mac technician and technical trainer.
Ryan Tolliver
Tier 2 Support Technician
Ryan has been with Steinhardt Technology Services since 2016. First as a Contract technician and then as a Full-Time Support Technician. Ryan has solved over 2000 in-person tickets and has become a sign of assurance and reliability when met with computer issues. Ryan lives in West Harlem with his Grandmother. Ryan spends his free time working with Open Source Android, shopping at Coach or dodging cars and potholes while skating around in the busy city.
Elva M Perdomo
Desktop Support Technologist
Elva is a Desktop Tech at Steinhardt Technology Services. She started her NYU career at Stern’s IT Department as an undergraduate. After graduating in early 2022, she returned to NYU in November of 2023 at STS. Elva has experience in various types of software ranging from legal to creative cloud. When she’s not helping you with your tech issues Elva is usually salsa dancing somewhere in Brooklyn or cuddling with her quarantine kitty Pepper.
Miguel Caguana
Desktop Support Technologist
Miguel has been with Steinhardt Technology Services since 2023. First as a part-time IT Operations associate, then in 2024 Miguel became a Desktop Support Technologist. Miguel is a Queens native and completed his undergraduate degree at NYU. In his free time, Miguel enjoys working on repurposing used technology and watching movies.
Matthew Alan Lester
Audio Visual Technologist
Matthew Alan Lester, an Audio Visual Media Technologist with NYU Steinhardt’s Academic Technology Services team, brings over two decades of experience in higher education, with over a decade dedicated to NYU. Grounded and approachable, Matt harmoniously combines technical expertise with a genuine passion for fantasy and science fiction. Amid troubleshooting and supporting learning resources, Matt finds joy in crafting imaginative worlds through creative writing, drawing inspiration from the many realms of fiction. His academic journey at NYU includes a Master’s degree in Individualized Study (Myth, Narrative, and Storytelling) from Gallatin, a Certificate in Creative Writing from SPS, and a Diploma in Cybersecurity, also from SPS. Prior to joining NYU, Matt earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Technology and Film Studies from The Ohio State University. Matt’s hobbies and interests include creative writing, comic books, gaming, reading, and more. An unassuming human by day, he has been known to transform into an elf wizard by night but remains a hobbit at heart.
Paris Parks
Audio Visual Technologist
Paris Parks is an Audio Visual Media Technologist on the Steinhardt Technology Services Team.
Diana Prokopenko
Desktop IT Support Student Worker
Diana has been with Steinhardt Technology Services since May 2024 as a student worker on the Desktop Team, where her primary responsibilities are computer setups and helping users with software troubleshooting. Diana is currently pursuing her Computer Science BS at NYU Tandon with minors in Robotics and Integrated Media and Design. During her free time, Diana is an avid Roblox gamer, and dabbles in music making. She has two cats and her favorite card game is a Russian card game called Durak.
Felix Guo
Desktop IT Support Student Worker
Felix Guo has joined the Steinhardt Technology Services team, where he supports the office by assisting students and staff with technical issues and helping keep systems running smoothly. Originally from Shanghai, China, Felix is currently a junior at NYU studying Computer Science with a minor in Web Programming and Applications. He enjoys exploring the intersection of technology and finance, and outside of work, he’s passionate about building projects that make everyday life easier.
Juniper Mixon
Desktop IT Support Student Worker
Juniper has been with Steinhardt Technology Services since the summer of 2025 as a Desktop Support student worker. She has always adored computers and has been a self-taught programmer for close to 9 years. Juniper is currently pursuing her BS in Biomolecular Sciences at NYU Tandon and aspires to become a leading researcher in pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. In her free time, she enjoys photography and playing with her friend's cats.