About Us

Jackie Geis is the Senior Assistant to the Director of the Hofstra University Museum of Art. Prior to joining the Museum, she spent 3 years as the department administrator for Global Studies and Geography in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Jackie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, along with a minor in Sociology, from Moravian College and a Certificate in Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management from Hofstra University. She has worked in a variety of industries including banking, cosmetics, healthcare and non-profits, acquiring experience in IT asset management, consumer packaged goods (CPG) marketing, web content, social media and event management.

Amy Garay Solomon is the Director of Education at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. She develops and oversees programs for P-12 students and varied community groups. Prior to becoming Director, Amy was a museum educator at Hofstra University Museum of Art. Amy taught middle school socials studies in Brooklyn, NY at an arts-based public school, where she also mentored student teachers. She taught as an adjunct professor of social studies education at New York University. Amy has a B.A. in International Affairs, with a minor in Art History from The George Washington University, and an M.A. in Secondary Social Studies education from New York University. She holds a New York State professional certificate in teaching social studies 5-12 and gifted and talented education 5-12.

Alexandra Sasha Giordano is an experienced art historian and dedicated educator. Prior to being appointed Director, Sasha served as the Communications Director, Assistant Director, and most recently as the Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the Museum. This past spring, 2023, she curated the exhibition When We All Stand, and developed free public programming that included an artists’ panel, Artists' Civic Responsibility. In 2021, as part of an accessibility initiative from The Museum Association of New York and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, she partnered with the Hempstead and Uniondale Public Libraries and created an online virtual series for their patrons, Romare Bearden: Overlapping Meanings. Previously, Sasha worked for The Metropolitan Museum of Art as the Assistant National Manager of Visual Planning, where she oversaw the development of exhibition campaigns that coordinated with merchandising, marketing, design, and curatorial departments. She has taught as an adjunct professor of art history at Hofstra University, Long Island University, Nassau Community College, Saint Joseph’s University, and SUNY Farmingdale College. Sasha holds a Master of Arts in Art History from CUNY Queens College. Her research interests include the preservation of cultural heritage and late pagan to early Christian iconography. 

Jonathan Fidis is the Communication Director at the Hofstra University. He works on promoting the Museum through social media and publicity campaigns. While he was a Hofstra student, Jonathan worked in the Emily Lowe Gallery as an Undergraduate Gallery Assistant. Jonathan earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Criminology with minors in Sociology and Linguistics.

Stephanie McGee is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. She creates, develops, and teaches the curriculum for the 21st Century program. This program helps expand on the importance of art and education. Previously, Stephanie was an outreach educator for the Long Island Children's Museum. She was an educator in Freeport Public Schools for kindergarten through fifth grade and worked as an assistant at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Stephanie received a dual BA of Fine Arts from Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Sara Flynn Schaefer is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra Museum of Art. She develops the Artifacts Alive! curriculum and delivers the program to local elementary schools. Prior to joining Hofstra, Sara was an elementary school teacher. She has taught fourth grade in New York City and throughout grades K-5 in Rockville Centre, NY and Baldwin, NY. Before teaching, she worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a Public Affairs Analyst where she delivered lectures and guided tours to college and community groups, and assisted with financial literacy programs.

Sara has a B.A. in Political Science from Pace University and a Masters in Elementary Education from Hunter College. Sara holds a New York State professional certification in elementary education.

Marisa (Ris) Aguiló-Cuadra is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra University Museum of Art where they develop and teach the curriculum of the Art Explorers and Art Travelers Through Time programs, primarily working with elementary school students. Ris has been working with children and families for more than ten years as a youth counselor and art educator in a not-for-profit setting. They are a multi-disciplinary artist with a studio background in drawing, painting, ceramics, music, and performance art, and a research background in Pre-Columbian art, women artists, and LGBTQ activist art. Ris majored in studio art and minored in art history at Stony Brook University, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. They hold a Master of Fine Arts degree from the City University of New York at Queens College.

Tamara Alfano is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. She creates, develops, and teaches the curriculum for the 21st Century program. This program helps expand on the importance of art and education. Previously, Tamara was a Planned Giving Specialist at Bideawee. She was a crucial member of the Development team and helped raise funds and awareness for homeless pets. Tamara has a deep personal connection to providing hands on art and learning experiences for children.