NYFA’s Administration

Michael J. Young President/CEO

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Michael Young is the President and CEO of the New York Film Academy. Michael earned his Bachelor’s in Film and Visual Studies from Harvard University. His thesis film, McJew, was nominated for best documentary in the Student Academy Awards. After working as crew on films, commercials, and industrials in any role he could get, he went on to earn an MFA in Film Directing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He also studied acting for two years with the brilliant Meisner trained teacher, Suzanne Shepard. In 1992, NYFA founder Jerry Sherlock brought Michael to design its original curriculum of learning to make films by making films in an “intensive hands-on total immersion program,” and he helped start the school. In the years since, when not teaching or administrating at NYFA, Michael has worked on feature films, including as Cinematographer for the documentary Comrades and as Executive Producer on the documentary Turn Every Page, released in theatres in 2023 by Sony Pictures Classics.

David Klein Senior Executive Vice President/COO

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Klein is the Senior Executive Vice President at the New York Film Academy. Klein received his Master of Fine Arts in Film Directing at New York University’s Graduate School of Film and Television in 1995. He has worked closely with NBC News, the Guggenheim Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and New York City public schools to create innovative media arts programs. In his current position at the Academy, he oversees the operations, development, and delivery of programs in the various disciplines taught, including Acting for Film, Filmmaking, Musical Theatre, Broadcast Journalism, and Cinematography, at the Academy’s locations across the globe. As a film director and producer, Klein is a recipient of the Tisch Excellence in Producing Award for producing several short films, including Gone With the Moon and Butterfly Dance starring Vera Farmiga. He was awarded the Warner Brothers Post-Production Award for a film he wrote and directed titled To Dye For.

Dan Mackler Senior Vice President/CSO/Dean of NYFA Los Angeles

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MFA, NYU Tisch School of the Arts; BA, Dartmouth College. Russian film scholar. Consulted on Spike Lee’s 25th Hour. Director of feature film The Karaoke King.

Sonny Calderon Vice President of Academic Affairs

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MFA in Screen and Television Writing, USC. BA in Communications, University of Michigan. As co-founder, writer, and producer at Impressionista Films, created and produced award-winning branded entertainment for clients such as Hilary Duff, Miller Beer, DKNY, Ford Motor Company, Macy’s, DirecTV, and Martha Stewart.

Dr. Susan Ashe Dean of Students, NYFA Los Angeles

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Dr. Susan Ashe (she/her) is the Dean of Students for the Los Angeles Campus of the New York Film Academy. With a background in higher education and the film industry, Dr. Ashe brings a unique perspective to her role. She joined NYFA in January 2018 and oversees areas including student life, new student orientation, student clubs and events, housing, counseling services, student conduct, academic integrity, Title IX and sexual misconduct, student grievances, and CARE Team. As an instrumental member of NYFA’s team, Dr. Ashe serves on various NYFA leadership groups including the President’s Cabinet, NYFA’s Cross-Campus Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and NYFA LA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, NYFA’s Strategic Planning Committee, and more.

Prior to joining NYFA, Dr. Ashe served as the Director of Student Conduct & Integrity at Cal Poly Pomona University. She holds an EdD in educational leadership from the University of Southern California, where she completed her dissertation research on “Whiteness: A Narrative Analysis on Student Affairs Professionals, Race, Identity, and Multicultural Competency,” an MS in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University, and a BA in international business from Rhodes College. Prior to her career in higher education, Dr. Ashe held positions in the film and entertainment industry, including at ICM talent agency and Trimark Pictures.

Dr. Ashe believes in the transformative power of art to educate and unite. She finds inspiration in the passion, enthusiasm, and creativity that NYFA students bring to campus, as well as the compelling stories they create. Committed to fostering student success, Dr. Ashe is dedicated to cultivating inclusive environments at NYFA, providing students with the support they need to develop their craft and refine their skills as aspiring storytellers.

Rosa Belerique Vice President of Institutional Research and Effectiveness

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Rosa Belerique brings over 15 years of experience in higher education to her role as Vice President of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at the New York Film Academy (NYFA), a position she has held since 2017. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communications and a Master of Science in Student Development in Higher Education, Rosa possesses a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics of student success and institutional efficacy. Her journey in academia has been marked by a relentless commitment to advancing research and strategic planning initiatives, as well as fostering a culture of assessment and program review.

Rosa’s leadership extends far beyond the confines of her institution. As the 2021 President of the California Association for Institutional Research (CAIR), she played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of higher education research and planning in the state. Additionally, her involvement as a WASC Fellow, an Accreditation Leadership Academy (ALA) graduate and mentor, and her service on peer evaluation teams underscore her dedication to enhancing institutional quality and effectiveness on a broader scale. With her wealth of experience and dedication to the advancement of higher education, Rosa Belerique continues to leave an indelible mark on the field of institutional research and effectiveness.

Yonghui Chen Associate Vice President of IT & Systems

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Yonghui Chen has been at NYFA since 2008, where he developed the IT & Systems department from the “stone age” of technology to SaaS/PaaS with multi-level structure. In his current role as the Associate Vice President of IT & Systems, Yonghui leads and guides the professional services functions within the Academy’s Information Technology Services (ITS). He is responsible for the strategic planning and project lifecycle of core business systems (and integrations to related systems), including the student information system, student portal, CRM services, marketing, finance, and related solutions. He is also expanding the scope of developing technologies to benefit the campus community, implementing innovative applications for these technologies, and enhancing the university’s information technology function, particularly its focus on supporting teaching and learning. Yonghui received his MS degree in Information Technology. His favorite TV show is Friends, and in his spare time, he enjoys reading.

Prima Gonzalez Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

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Prima has been teaching domestically and internationally for 15 years, including locations such as India, France, Morocco, and Costa Rica. She is a consistent presenter at TESOL conferences and holds the level chair position on the CATESOL Board of Directors. She has years of curriculum development experience and shaped the academics of The ESL School at NYFA. As a native Angeleno, one of her goals is to connect students with the community via volunteering and cultural events.

Melissa Horvath Ph.D. Senior Director of Marketing

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Melissa Horvath, Ph.D., is the Senior Director of Marketing at NYFA. Throughout her career, she has created award-winning work at advertising and marketing agencies in NYC and NJ for a varied client roster, as well as for many colleges and universities. She has a wealth of knowledge in Higher Education having held prior roles as the Assistant Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Ramapo College of NJ for 9.5 years, Assistant Professor at Boston University’s College of Communication, adjunct instructor at NYC & NJ area colleges, and senior graphic designer at New York University.

Melissa holds a BFA in graphic design from Suffolk University, an MA in Media, Culture and Communication (Media Ecology), and a Ph.D. in Educational Communication and Technology – both from New York University. She wrote her doctoral dissertation on how social media use affects college choice, access, and transition for diverse students and first-generation students, and has also published articles on this topic and other marketing topics. Melissa is dedicated to supporting diversity and equity for all through her work, research, and in practice.

Colonel Jack Jacobs Chair of Veterans Advancement Program

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Colonel Jack Jacobs, the Chair of the New York Film Academy’s Veterans Advancement Program served in the U.S. military for more than 20 years and is considered a true American hero. Colonel Jacob is among the most highly decorated soldiers from that era, having earned the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest combat honor, two Silver Stars, and three Bronze Stars. After leaving the military in 1987, Colonel Jacobs had a successful career in the financial industry; he currently is the on-air military strategist for NBC and MSNBC. Jacobs was nominated for Emmys in 2010 and 2011 and was the recipient of the distinguished Edward R. Murrow Award for his NBC segment “Iraq: The Long Way Out.”

Viktor Kerney Director of Student Life

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With 20 years of experience in Student Affairs, Viktor has engaged with talented students and staff from different walks of life. He has a Master’s in Organizational Communication from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky.

He previously held professional positions at Occidental College, Loyola Marymount University, the University of Southern California, and Cornell University. Viktor is well-versed in developing and overseeing success initiatives for specific groups of students – particularly students of color, LGBTQIA+, transfer, and first-generation students. He has solid experience in student activities, student organizations, diversity and inclusion programming, student leadership development, and residential education.

Besides being a Higher Education professional, Viktor is a comic book writer and active board member of Prism Comics, an organization promoting the awareness of LGBTQIA+ creators, stories, characters, and readers in the comics industry. And a consistent panelist at WonderCon and San Diego Comic-Con, discussing diversity and inclusion in comics.

Veronika Kurshinskaya Community Outreach Manager

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Veronika Kurshinskaya is a writer, producer, and actress. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Political Science from Yaroslavl State University. Then, she studied theater at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and later received her Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the New York Film Academy. Veronika believes that through art we can inspire future generations to make the world a better place. In 2023, she successfully completed a professional development program at the internationally renowned Music Center of Los Angeles County as a Teaching Artist for Theater. Veronika’s passion is creating, organizing, and supporting outreach programs that help to reveal the beauty of storytelling to underserved children.

Kirk Lenga CFO

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Kirk Lenga has served as NYFA’s Chief Financial Officer since 2017. He has brought significant leadership experience to NYFA and has spearheaded several initiatives to improve the institution’s financial picture. Previously, he served at other universities and educational organizations in senior financial positions, including Associate Vice President for Finance at Long Island University and Director of Finance and Budget at the Institute of International Education. He has a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Policy & Management and a Master of Science in Public Management, both from Carnegie Mellon University.

James S. Miller III Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Interim Executive Director, 10 ARTS Foundation

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Jim Miller was a fashion industry entrepreneur before beginning his career in higher education at the Institute of International Education (IIE), where he served in various leadership capacities. Miller was the executive director of the Scholar Rescue Fund© (IIE-SRF), which has saved the lives and careers of over 900 threatened and persecuted scholars from 65 countries. Miller directed the Iraq Scholar Rescue Project, a public/private partnership, and was the architect of numerous innovative higher education and refugee programs including Camps to Campuses, the Artists Protection Fund (APF), and the Women’s International Network (WIN).

Miller leads NYFA training programs in cooperation with U.S. Embassies around the globe, in recent years with Embassies and Consulates in Russia, Kazakhstan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Cuba, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Yemen, Nigeria, and South Africa. He has managed distinctive programs and proposals with partners, including NETFLIX, Freedom House, MultiChoice Foundation, International American Development Bank (IADP), United Nations, UNESCO, European Commission, USAID, NCIG, OSF, and more. In his various careers, Miller has overseen more than USD $125M in international-funded projects and programs in the fields of Higher Education, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Aid and Relief. For a decade, Miller was the senior executive of Studio Art College International (SACI), an art and archeology college in Florence, Italy. Jim serves on numerous boards and is the founder of the Medhen Orphan Relief Effort (M.O.R.E.) and Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI) and served as a founding member of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA). Jim has presented at higher education conferences around the world and has authored numerous articles, including in peer-reviewed journals. He is an Executive Producer of documentary films. At NYFA, he serves as the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and is the Interim Executive Director of the 10 ARTS Foundation.

Crickett Rumley Senior Director of Film Festivals

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Crickett Rumley received her MFA in Film at Columbia University, adapted projects for Killer Films and PBS, and authored the novel Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell. The founder and senior director of the New York Film Academy’s Film Festival Department, she is based in Los Angeles. With diversity, equity, and inclusion at the foundation of her work, Crickett regularly develops educational programs and festival strategy for both NYFA’s diverse student body and international organizations. She has hosted webinars with TV writers Boo Killebrew and Gail Lerner, Jordanian filmmaker Zaid Abu Hamdan, BAFTA, Oscar, and Student Academy Award winners and nominees, as well as moderated panels with staff from festivals such as New Filmmakers LA, Hollyshorts, Austin, and Reel Sisters of the Diaspora. A regular juror for the Forum on Life, Culture, and Society’s International Short Film Competition, Crickett also sat on the jury for the 2021 Tallgrass Film Festival, one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee. You can find her doling out festival tips in Backstage Magazine and on Twitter at @Crickett_NYFA.

Dr. Mary Samuelson Dean of General Education; Chair of Liberal Arts & Sciences

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Dr. Mary Samuelson received her Ph.D. and MA degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and completed her undergraduate work in Cinema-Television and English Literature at the University of Southern California (USC). For the past four years, Mary has taught courses and advised students in the Cinema and Media Studies and Writing Programs departments at UCLA, the Cinema-Television department at Los Angeles Community College (LACC), and here at the New York Film Academy (NYFA). Her essays “Radical Moment: The National Recovery Administration and Hollywood’s ‘New Deal’” and “Wartime News Flow: Government and Studio Newsreels, 1941-1945” will come out in collections focusing on film and the law (September 2016) and the U.S. newsfilm (June 2016), respectively. Mary’s dissertation “The Patriotic Play: Roosevelt, Antitrust, and the War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry” is slated for book publication in Spring 2017.

Diana Santi Programs Director at NYFA Florence

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Diana Santi is an award-winning short movie, and commercials director and producer. She graduated in Film Studies at the Università di Bologna with honors and worked as First AD on many big-budget Italian commercials. In 2004 Diana moved to Los Angeles where she attended the New York Film Academy at the Universal Studios obtaining a diploma in Filmmaking. Since 2005, she is the Florence Programs Director for the New York Film Academy where her major duties and responsibilities include: being the liaison with the Italian Film Industry (Cinecittá, Gruppo Mediaset, Panavision, Euro Lab), as well as the Florence and Tuscany authorities, and establishing contacts with top Italian Film Directors and Actors Nanni Moretti, Vittorio Storaro, Dario Argento, Giorgio Pasotti to name a few. In August 2011 Diana founded Purple Reel Productions and directed a 15-minute short comedy titled “Florence in Love” with the support of the Tuscan Film Commission and the City of Florence that made it to the top 30 of the David di Donatello awards.

Sandra A. Schein, Ph.D. Associate Vice President of Student Health and Wellness, Dean of Students, New York Campus

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BA University of Pennsylvania, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa; Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara. Licensed Psychologist in the State of New York. Previously held positions include Director, Counseling and Career Services, Oxford College of Emory University (recipient of the Emory University Award of Distinction) and Director, Eating Disorders Program, Kaiser Permanente, Atlanta, GA. Academic interests include positive psychology, strengths-based education, and leadership development.

Susana Soto Associate Dean of Students & Title IX Coordinator, NYFA Los Angeles

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Susana Soto is a passionate student affairs professional who loves cultivating spaces for growth, development, self-reflection, and accountability. Prior to joining New York Film Academy as the Associate Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator for the LA campus, Susana worked as a Title IX, discrimination, and harassment prevention education specialist at California State University, Long Beach, where she facilitated workshops for students, faculty, and staff. Prior to her career in higher education, she served students in the K-12 community through education and social justice work with nonprofit and national organizations. 

Susana attended UC Berkeley for her undergraduate degree in public health and received a counseling degree for student development in higher education from CSU Long Beach. During her free time, she enjoys reading historical and science fiction, crocheting, and eating all kinds of delicious foods.

Elli Ventouras Dean of NYFA New York

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MFA, Parsons School of Design. M.A., New York Institute of Technology – summa cum laude. Currently Ms. Ventouras oversees the day to day Academic operations in the New York location. Previously, she was the Founding Dean for the New York Film Academy in South Beach where she contributed to the development of the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree programs in Filmmaking and Acting as well as the Conservatory and short term programs.

As a director, producer and editor, her Award winning film Voices screened internationally at: Golden Gate Documentary Film Festival in San Francisco (Distinguished for Special Artistic Value), Festival Du Cinema de Bruxelles (winner for the La Realisation Integrale Award), Festival Du Court Metrage De Lyon (winner of Le Senario). Voices was also Semifinalist at Boston Motion Picture Awards and was requested and screened as part of the activities planned in Athens, Greece for the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Other screenings include The Queens Theater in the Park in Flushing NY, Panorama Film Festival in Thessaloniki, Greece; Drama Short Film Festival in Greece, Miami International Short Film Festival, Barcelona Short Film Festival, and the Hollywood International Student Film Festival. Her film Modern Greek Tragedy was nominated for best international film at the Drama Film Festival and screened at the Molodost Film Festival in Russia.

Barbara Weintraub Senior Director of Career Development and Industry Outreach

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Barbara Weintraub has been a producer, a network executive and an entertainment career advisor. Her first job in the business was as an actor in a Martin Scorsese film, which convinced her she wanted to work on the other side of the camera.

Weintraub sharpened her production skills working with producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson on Beverly Hills Cop and Top Gun. She moved on to the senior management team and helped launch Movietime, which became E! Entertainment Television, the first cable channel exclusively programming entertainment content. During her tenure, she produced The Hollywood Reporter Executive Report with top Hollywood filmmakers including Brian De Palma and Ivan Reitman.

Launching her own production company, Weintraub produced a variety of television shows that included an NBC comedy special with Kelsey Grammer, Jason Bateman and Tony Shaloub, Diva Detective, a reality series for Women’s Entertainment Television (WE TV), 195 episodes of a game show for the USA network, and The New Adventures of Robin Hood, an action adventure series for TNT.

Weintraub is also a Founding and Board member of GreenLight Women.

Joy Zhu Executive Vice President for the China Region

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Ph.D. in Higher Education Management, University of Pennsylvania. MA and BA in English Language and Literature, Heilongjiang University. Visiting Professor at Heilongjiang University, Beijing Film Academy, Sichuan University of Media and Communications.

Dr. Zhu has spent more than two decades cultivating international collaborations. Some of her responsibilities at NYFA include managing international student recruitment and creating localization strategies in China.

Prior to joining the New York Film Academy, Dr. Zhu was previously a faculty member at Harbin Institute of Technology. She has also served as President of U.S.-China Economic and Cultural Development Association, which aims to advance collaboration between American and Chinese educational institutions.

As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Zhu’s academic interests include higher education internationalization and global engagement strategy. She co-authored American Film and Television Education and Works Research, published by All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Press, and Film and Television Production at Chinese and American Art Colleges, published by Communication University of China Press.