Faculty and Staff

Dr. Marcia Edwards, L.M.S.W.

Email: Marcia.Edwards@guttman.cuny.edu
Phone: 646-313-8035
Location: 805 – Guttman North

Department Chair and Professor of Human Services Dr. Marcia Edwards is a seasoned clinician, with over 30 years of experience in social services and social work education and expertise in HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, mental health, children and families, and the geriatric population. She has served as the Executive Director of a Scattered Site Housing Program, the Coordinator of HIV/AIDS Services for Samaritan Village, Inc., and a Consultant and Trainer for several non-profit organizations. In 1997, she received the Diego Lopez Award from the National Association of Social Workers for her role in creating a video and text guide for professionals and caregivers for people living with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Edwards has served on the advisory boards of St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center and the Humanities and Arts Magnet High School and also mentors Afro-Caribbean men and women pursuing their academic and vocational endeavors.

Prior to joining Guttman in 2013, Dr. Edwards taught social work and public health courses at CUNY’s York and Queens Colleges, St. Joseph’s College, Fordham University, Touro College, and Adelphi University, where she also worked as the Coordinator of Admissions for the Graduate School of Social Work. In addition, she has developed case management, CASAC, mental health and Train the Trainer (TOT) curricula for Fordham University, the Alcoholism Council of New York, and the Queens Comprehensive Perinatal Council.

Dr. Anya Y. Spector, L.M.S.W.

Email: Anya.Spector@guttman.cuny.edu
Phone: 646-313-8179
Location: Guttman North

Associate Professor of Human Services Dr. Anya Y. Spector earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from the Columbia University School of Social Work, an M.S.W. from Fordham Graduate School of Social Service, and a B.A. in Psychology from Barnard College at Columbia University. Dr. Spector also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at Columbia University. Dr. Spector’s career has included direct clinical practice in outpatient substance use treatment, as well as public health research and program evaluation at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Her mixed- and multi-methods research has focused on understanding the professional practices of human services providers in HIV prevention and substance use treatment. Dr. Spector’s work includes research on pedagogical practices in professional development, experiential learning, and self care with human services undergraduate students. She prioritizes mentoring students in research and manuscript preparation.

Dr. Nicole Kras, HS-BCP

Email: Nicole.Kras@guttman.cuny.edu
Phone: 646-313-8855
Location: Guttman North

Associate Professor of Human Services Dr. Nicole Kras earned a Ph.D. in Adult Learning and Development from Lesley University, a Master of Science in Education, and a Sixth-Year Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study as a Classroom Teacher Specialist from Southern Connecticut State University. Dr. Kras also received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a concentration in child development and mental health, and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Albertus Magnus College. Her research focuses on human services program design, the benefits of nature-based learning in higher education, and the influence of nature on human development. Dr. Kras currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Council for Standards in Human Services Education and the New England Organization for Human Services (former President).

Rev. Nancy Dominique Dessables, L.M.S.W.

Email: Nancy.Dessables@guttman.cuny.edu
Phone: 646-313-8846
Location: 608

Rev. Nancy Dominique Dessables, L.M.S.W., is a Licensed Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in workforce development, training, and career coaching. She has worked extensively in the areas of aging, adult learning, and higher education. As a recently ordained interfaith minister, Rev. Dessables infuses psycho-spiritual elements into her roles as a social worker and career coach. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University in addition to advanced professional certificates in Adult Learning and Career Development from the Cornell University School of Industry and Labor Relations and New York University. Rev. Dessables manages the field placement process for Human Services students at Guttman Community College. She also operates a private practice in career coaching and interspiritual counseling.