About the Team
Steinhardt Technology Services is made up of five functional areas:
System Technology and Security
Ashawn Knight
Director Systems and IT Security
Email: ak8104@nyu.edu
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
Email: rg3878@nyu.edu
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
Email: cdr9679@nyu.edu
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
Email: aa10026@nyu.edu
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
Email: lso3@nyu.edu
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
Email: vnp3935@nyu.edu
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.
Janice Aragon
Helpdesk Technical Specialist
Email: jaa10087@nyu.edu
Janice is a student Helpdesk worker at Steinhardt Technology Services. Currently studying Information Systems Management, she enjoys seeing how technology makes her job and the workplace more efficient. Janice lives on Long Island, spending her free time re-watching her favorite movies, or reading sci-fi comics and books.
Luis Suarez
Helpdesk Technical Specialist
Email: las10138@nyu.edu
Luis joined Steinhardt Technology services in the fall of 2024. He begins as a Student Helpdesk Worker while studying at NYU. Luis is from southern California and is the youngest in a family with three children. Luis enjoys reading non-fiction stories and spending time with the people closest to him.
Procurement
Zack Riccardelli
Operations Administrator
Email: zr2256@nyu.edu
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.
Vania Singh
Procurement Student Assistant
Email: vs2908@nyu.edu
Vania joined Steinhardt Technology Service just this semester as a Student Procurement Assistant. Vania is an international student from India, and in her second year of a bachelor's degree studying business.
Audio Visual Media Operations and Desktop Support
Ray Pfaff
Senior Director, Audio Visual Media & Desktop Support
Email: raymond.pfaff@nyu.edu
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
Email: BB135@nyu.edu
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
Email: cliff.rene@nyu.edu
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
Email: rdt3@nyu.edu
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
Email: elva.perdomo@nyu.edu
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
Email: mac9907@nyu.edu
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
Email: matthew.lester@nyu.edu
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
Email: pp3006@nyu.edu
Paris Parks is an Audio Visual Media Technologist on the Steinhardt Technology Services Team.
Diana Prokopenko
Desktop IT Support Student Worker
Email: dgp9937@nyu.edu
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.
Ian Kuo
AVM Technician
Email: ik2333@nyu.edu
Ian is currently pursuing a degree in Music Technology at NYU Steinhardt. He joined Steinhardt Technology Services in September 2024 as a part-time technician. Born and raised in New York City, Ian enjoys making music in his free time.
Kaashvi Agarwal
Student Worker
Email: ka2750@nyu.edu
Kaashvi Agarwal has just joined the Steinhardt team, where she primarily takes phone calls and helps resolve issues. Originally from Delhi, India, Kaashvi is currently a senior at Tisch School of the Arts. She has a passion for making and watching films, which fuels her creative journey.