Armory College Prep Team

Rita Finkel

Co-President & Director of Armory College Prep

rfinkel@armorytrack.org

212-923-1803 Ext. 7010

Rita Finkel has worked at The Armory since April 2006, overseeing budgets, audits and financial strategies. She is also involved in developing and supporting sponsor relationships, educational development and special events here at the Armory. Her prior experience includes being the Executive Director of the Fencers Club, the oldest continuously running fencing club in the United States.

Alberto Aquino

Director of Youth Programming

alberto@armorytrack.org

212-923-1803 Ext. 7024 

Armory College Prep’s mission to send students "to and through college" deeply resonates with Alberto’s personal beliefs. Since he began working at The Armory, Alberto has designed and delivered an academic program that sets his students up for long-term success. Prior to assuming this position, he served as a fifth grade math teacher at HYDE Leadership Charter School in the South Bronx and worked closely with community partners and students' family members in reaching student achievement. Alberto began his career in education in Clarksdale, Mississippi, while completing his two-year commitment to Teach for America.

Clayton Harding

Director of College Counseling

clayton@armorytrack.org

212-923-1803 Ext. 7025

Clayton Harding has worn many hats prior to becoming ACPs Director of College Counseling: Margins/Options Specialist on the AT&T Divestiture Team at Merrill Lynch; nationally-published author of SAT & LSAT-prep manuals for The Princeton Review; Funk bandleader/bassist/song-writer for both Deep Pocket, and Brooklyn Funk Collective; and President/Founder/Publisher of The ProTesters test-prep company and its subsidiary, the PLR Publishing Co, to name a few. However, what he is most proud of are two things: winning the first-ever Slam Dunk Contest at Syracuse University in 1978, and, of being one of a very select group of people to have scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT…twice!

Mary Rose Synek

Director of Writing & Arts Achievement

msynek@armorytrack.org

212-923-1803 Ext. 7082

Mary Rose is in her 11th year at The Armory. She lives to help students tell their stories, guiding them through every step as they create, organize, and bring to life their personal statements for college admission. During the academic year, her students study the ever-evolving subject of themselves through acting, writing and reading the great works of historic and global masters. Through ACP’s unique summer program, Mary Rose uses theatre and Broadway visits to enrich her student’s cultural awareness in preparation for college. Mary Rose has taught for LEAP, NYC public schools, Cornell University and coached privately. She has appeared in over 50 plays, has directed theater productions and has produced 9 documentaries. She earned a B.A. in English Communication Arts from St. Mary’s University and an MFA from CUNY’s Brooklyn College.

olicia williams

Manager of success

owilliams@armorytrack.org

212-923-1803 EXt. 7028

Meet Olicia Williams, a two-time Big 12 Conference Champion and three-time NCAA All American who has made a name for herself in the world of athletics. After graduating from Baylor University with a Bachelor's degree in Corporate Communication, Olicia has remained deeply involved in the sport that has brought her so much success. Running for her nation also competing at Olympic trails and professional for New Balance.

She then volunteer assistant Track and Field coach at Baylor University, Olicia has had the opportunity to mentor and train athletes, sharing her experience and expertise with the next generation of champions. Her dedication and commitment to the sport also extends beyond the university as mentoring and served as a distance coach for Saint Anthony's High School on Long Island.

Chris Vaios

Director of Testing & Academic Achievement

cvaios@armorytrack.org

Since joining ACP in 2014, Chris has been a pivotal catalyst for our students' remarkable academic success. His insightful mentorship and unwavering guidance have significantly elevated the program's caliber, empowering our high school students to not only seize their full potential in college but also to excel in their future endeavors. Chris's dedication has not only shaped their academic journeys but has also set a new standard for excellence within our educational community.

Currently a Senior Partner and President of State Group, a high-tech consulting firm, Chris has made a significant impact in the fields of telecommunications and education over the course of more than 35-years career. His evolution from an engineer researcher to executive leadership in top-tier tech firms has been marked by a commitment to innovation and excellence. With expertise in telecommunications technologies and sharp business acumen, Chris's influence has been pivotal in areas ranging from ionospheric research to advancements in video and speech coding technologies, and the development of secure signaling protocols. His contributions have been integral to the advent of modern broadband and big data networks.

Raised in a humble family of farmers, Chris deeply values the simple pleasures, drawing wisdom from nature's rhythms, and the virtue of diligent work. These early life lessons shaped his drive to make a meaningful difference globally. His philanthropic efforts in education, championing personalized and collaborative online learning experiences, have significantly transformed educational models. Chris's commitment to ensuring accessible, high-quality education for students from less-privileged socio-economic backgrounds not only mirrors his own upbringing but also embodies his firm belief in education's power to catalyze profound change.

A stalwart supporter of Khan Academy for over a decade, Chris has played a critical role in promoting accessible education worldwide. His exemplary career epitomizes not just his commitment to technological and educational advancement but also his unrelenting effort to foster societal betterment, serving as an inspiring testament to the enduring power of dedicated leadership.

KAREN GUTIERREZ

Assistant Director of Youth Programming

karen@armorytrack.org

212-923-1803 Ext. 7081

Karen is a graduate of Manhattan Business Academy High School and is currently studying Human Services and Science at Bronx Community College. She has worked with New York City youth for over 6 years and has been part of the Armory College Prep team since the summer of 2015.

Arielle S. Joasil

Academic Coach

Arielle's academic and professional pursuits are deeply interwoven with her passion for innovation and education. As a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering at Columbia University, she is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge machine learning and image processing algorithms, which are pivotal in unraveling the complexities of various organ systems. Her work stands at the intersection of technology and biology, aiming to provide groundbreaking insights into the structure and function of the human body.

Beyond the lab, Arielle is committed to guiding the next generation of scientists and engineers. Since 2022, she has been a dedicated ACP Math and Science Coach, where her expertise has been instrumental in mentoring students, particularly those facing academic challenges. Her previous experience at UMass Lowell, tutoring and mentoring freshmen and transfer students, has equipped her with a nuanced understanding of the educational needs of diverse student populations.

Arielle balances her intense academic and coaching commitments with a love for the outdoors and a passion for music. Her leisure time is often spent in the warmth of nature's company or in the joyous pursuit of music, singing along to her favorite tunes. This blend of rigorous scientific inquiry, impactful mentorship, and personal hobbies highlights Arielle's multifaceted personality—one that nurtures growth, embraces challenges, and celebrates life’s simple pleasures.

Juan B Rodriguez

Academic Coach

Juan is a driven and multifaceted individual, whose dedication to education and mentorship comes to the forefront in his role as an academic coach for the Armory College Prep program since 2022. As a PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University, he stands out as an academic and a role model for young math and science enthusiasts. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers in this program highlights his passion for intellectual growth and sparking curiosity.

 Originating from Washington Heights in Manhattan and raised in New Jersey, Juan's journey in academia is distinguished by a Cum Laude honor from Columbia University, where he completed both his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering. His Computer Science and Electrical Engineering minors further augmented this accomplishment, reflecting his broad interests and interdisciplinary skills.

 In pursuing a PhD, Juan is engaged in cutting-edge research at Columbia's nanobiotechnology with publications on protein binding kinetics, the mechanochemistry of cytoskeletal filaments, and the development of nanoscale devices using motor proteins. His current research project is focused on developing a biohybrid actuator capable of macroscale force through the self-assembly of motor proteins. He has also played a pivotal role in developing an advanced seizure detection device, utilizing deep learning techniques and EEG technology for epilepsy monitoring. 

 Juan's technical proficiency encompasses diverse skills, including Data Science, Python, MATLAB, and various engineering and computer programming disciplines. He has also worked as a teaching assistant for undergraduate students studying biomechanics and wet lab work, where he honed his teaching ability. His comprehensive skill set renders him a valuable member of the scientific community. It empowers him to effectively communicate complex concepts to the young minds he mentors in the Armory College Prep program.

Ananda N Gonzalez

Academic Coach

Ananda's journey through the literary world is as rich and varied as the narratives she weaves. A Cum Laude graduate with both a Master of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University, she has been decorated with several prestigious fellowships, marking her out as a talent in fiction and poetry. Her academic achievements are rivaled only by her professional prowess, exemplified in her role at The Wylie Agency, where her keen eye for new talent and her expertise in managing intricate publishing processes came to the fore.

 Her tenure at Hachette Book Group allowed her to delve into the editorial sphere, sharpening her skills in manuscript editing and media coordination, complementing her ability to craft compelling stories with a knack for presenting them to the world. At Ark Media, Ananda's research supported the production of high-profile documentary series, while her time at Girlie Action saw her successfully pitching to media giants such as The New York Times and Rolling Stone. These roles have honed her understanding of the industry's pulse and the art of effective communication.

 Beyond the confines of publishing and media, Ananda expresses her artistic versatility through dance, choreography, and music, underscoring her narrative dexterity with rhythmic and melodic flair. Her linguistic agility extends to advanced Spanish, while her imminent foray into publishing short fiction is eagerly anticipated. Since 2020, Ananda has channeled her passion for mentorship into her role as an academic coach with ACP, guiding high school students in English and SAT preparation, particularly those from underrepresented socio-economic backgrounds. Her multifaceted engagement with the arts and education reflects a profound commitment to enriching the tapestry of storytelling and empowering the next generation of voices.