ADMINISTRATION

	PAUL J. THOMPSON Principal Paul Thompson often says that when founding UAMA, he dreamed of establishing a high school that he "would have wanted to attend." Mr. Thompson was born in Washington Heights, NYC, and grew up in the Bronx. His early artistic influences include Afro pics, Kraftwerk's Numbers, and the New York City graffiti movement. At 18 he purchased a trumpet from a pawn shop and began to study music with Wadada Leo Smith. He believes that if he had not found an outlet for self-expression through the arts and non-traditional art education as a young person, he would not be where he is today. After earning a B.A. from Bard College and an M.F.A. at the California Institute of the Arts, he went on to compose music for orchestra, film and television; this includes works for Slanguage and Eyewitness Blues, both written by the theatrical group Universes and produced by New York Theater Workshop. He has also composed for Kodak and MTV, and orchestra works include Purple, Black and Green (American Symphony Chamber Orchestra), Achebe (The New Century Players), and soundspace: spacesound, a collaboration with architect Michael Rotondi, creating music for the Carlson-Reges House in Los Angeles. As a record producer and performer he has worked with the Pharcyde, Delinquent Habits, LV, Black Eyed Peas, Chocolate Genius and Me'shell NdegeOcello. But Mr. Thompson considers his current gig--As Principal of UAMA--his most challenging yet. "I've tried to integrate my life as an artist into the school," says Mr. Thompson. "We use the arts as a vehicle toward personal expression and as a means of making subjects stimulating that students might not have found relevant in the past."
	PHILIPPE CADET Dean As UAMA's first Dean, Mr. Cadet helps ensure that all students enjoy a safe and welcoming learning environment. Mr. Cadet received his B.A. in American History and African American Studies from Adelphi University, where he was a four-year starter on the men's soccer team. Mr. Cadet has worked closely with young people throughout his career. Initially, he taught history for six years, and then become a juvenile justice counselor. He was also the director of an after-school program and a truant officer with the New York City Department of Education. Mr. Cadet enjoys spending time with his family, along with cooking, playing soccer, and talking politics. He believes that "success will be achieved by any means necessary."
	KATHERINE GRESSEL Director of Partnerships and Development As the primary liaison between UAMA and its partners, Ms. Gressel works on coordinating after-school programs and internships, setting up special trips and events, and fundraising for UAMA's arts programs. Ms. Gressel brings an interdisciplinary background in arts education and community art. She has led youth mural projects in New York and San Francisco, and exhibited artwork at the Brooklyn Public Library and smaller galleries. She has worked as a teaching artist for the Brooklyn Museum, the CityKids Foundation, and Community-Word Project among other organizations, and is an active founding board member of several youth arts nonprofits and a freelance public art project manager for the renowned artist team Kristin Jones and Andrew Ginzel. Ms. Gressel's enthusiasm for finding students internships comes from personal internship experiences in program evaluation at Groundswell Community Mural Project, development/fundraising at CITYarts, and grants administration for the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (and, when she was a New York City high school student, giving tours at the Guggenheim Museum). Ms. Gressel holds a B.A. in art from Yale and an M.A. in arts administration from Teachers College/Columbia. When she is not doing arts education related projects, she enjoys singing a cappella, exploring Brooklyn, and spending time with close friends and family.
	LIZETTE LISA LUGO Parent Coordinator As UAMA’s Parent Coordinator, Lizette Lisa Lugo serves as the face of the school to parents, and the primary liaison between parents, students, faculty, and administration. Her enthusiasm and energy provide a welcoming environment that promotes a positive academic, family oriented atmosphere. Ms. Lugo comes to UAMA with more than 15 years of experience in education. Originally trained as a Head Start teacher, she aims to build a strong foundation in students, and empower their parents. Her expertise also extends into the areas of Delinquency Prevention, Academic Intervention, and Social and Emotional Development. She has spent five years as an Assistant to the Director of Testing and Academic Scheduling at Kingsborough Community College. Presently, Ms. Lugo is pursuing a dual Degree in Early Childhood Education and Sociology at Brooklyn College.
	ALMA ENCARNACION Office Manager Alma Encarnacion describes herself as a "jack of all trades." At UAMA, she is responsible for: schedules, budget, admits/discharges/approvals for orders and payroll, transcripts, report cards, and "anything else asked of me!" However, she came to UAMA well-prepared for the challenges associated with working in a startup school; before this position, she helped start another new high school, the Bard High School Early College Program. She is currently enrolled in the College of New Rochelle, pursuing a B.A. in Liberal Arts. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Alma is married with four beautiful girls. She loves collecting DVDs and having movie nights with her family. Of her job at UAMA, she says, "I love working here because I love that we provide art and musical experiences that I wish I had been exposed to at our students' age."
	ILEANA ACEVEDO Office Assistant As UAMA's Office Assistant, Ileana Acevedo handles transcript requests, student schedules, report cards, grades, suspension and building permit entries, and health forms, among other important tasks. Born in Puerto Rico but raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Ileana attended Franklin K. Lane High School. Before coming to UAMA, Ileana was a childcare provider--she loves children and has two young children of her own. She enjoys spending time with them and her husband, going to movies, and traveling to visit her family in Pennsylvania. Of her work at UAMA, she says, "I love and adore the kids. I always encourage them to stay in school and graduate--they hear my lectures about that all the time! I have developed very good friendships with the kids and can't wait to see my babies graduate!"
	DIANA HERNANDEZ Technology Coordinator/Extended Studio Aide Diana Hernandez is more than UAMA's Extended Studio Aide; she is the bridge between faculty, students and administration in the areas of technology and equipment. In addition, she assists in providing a vital link between our school principal and Extended Studio educators. Her love of music and reading complement UAMA's vision of and academic and artistic environment. As a parent, she recognizes that having positive role models assist in our children's development. Her experience as a graduate of Franklin K. Lane High School in Queens has empowered her understanding of the necessity of a sound education.
	AMY ROSA School Secretary As the UAMA School Secretary, Amy Rosa is responsible for many duties. These include: payroll, orders of supplies, and maintaining records of employees as well as students. She extends her expertise in many other areas that are requested of her at UAMA. Employed at the school from its very beginning, she took part in shaping the UAMA vision for students. Ms. Rosa holds an Associates Degree in Business Management and Business Administration. As a wife and mother to a beautiful little girl, she understands the true value of family and education, stating, "I love and enjoy working in this educational environment, especially because of the bond I have developed with our students; they are loving, funny, and adorable. I look forward to seeing all my babies become graduates of UAMA."