Teachers College has announced the election of Christina M. Capodilupo Schwefel (Ed.M. & Ph.D. ’09), Dennis Holtschneider and Tom Rogers (Ed.D. ’05, M.A. ’02) to its Board of Trustees. 

“Christina, Dennis and Tom have achieved great professional success while demonstrating a profound commitment to the well-being of society through their work across mental health, education policy and equity,” said President Thomas Bailey of the new members, who were appointed throughout 2024. “We’re proud to welcome them to the College’s Board of Trustees.” 

“This Board’s newest members have already established themselves as alumni and friends who care deeply about Teachers College’s community and future,” said Leslie Morse Nelson, Chair of the Board. “Their experience will strengthen our collective work on the Board of Trustees to support TC’s continued success.”

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Christina M. Capodilupo Schwefel (Ed.M. & Ph.D. ’09) is a graduate of and adjunct faculty member in the College’s Counseling Psychology program. She currently serves as a consultant for several private practices in the Boston area and acts as a supervisor of clinical practice for students in the doctoral program at TC. Previously an assistant professor at the University of Hartford, Schwefel focuses on research topics such as body image, eating disorders and microaggressions. With extensive publications and presentations, she has consulted with academic institutions across the country regarding their policies on gender and race.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Schwefel is the founder of Forme Barre, a boutique fitness company that she operated for over 12 years before selling the company in 2022. In addition to Teachers College, she is an alumna of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the College of the Holy Cross. An engaged supporter of youth hockey and a member of the Corporation of the Winsor School, Schwefel lives in Greenwich, Conn. with her husband, Harry, four children, and many pets.

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Dennis Holtschneider is a consultant with Nygren Consulting, where he works with executive and governance leaders on matters of strategy, organizational change and leadership development. He previously served as president of both the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and DePaul University, the largest Catholic university in the nation, from 2004 to 2017. Holtschneider also served as executive vice president of his alma mater, Niagara University, clinical association professor of higher education at SUNY Buffalo, and assistant professor of higher education at St. John's University, in addition to lecturing at Harvard University. He also held leadership positions with Ascension Health, the nation’s largest non-profit health system.

Holtschneider is co-founder of the Institute of Global Homeless (IGH) which assists cities on six continents to address street homelessness and is the primary advisory to the United Nations on this topic. He has served on numerous boards, including the St. Louis Symphony, where he led its strategy committee. His doctorate in higher education policy is from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education.  

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Tom Rogers (Ed.D. ’05, M.A. ’02) is the superintendent of the Syosset school district. Under Rogers’ leadership of more than 10 years, Syosset has won numerous accolades for its performance and inclusivity. Rogers previously served as the district superintendent for Nassau County, CEO of Nassau BOCES and the executive director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, an education policy advocacy organization supporting senior school administrators.

Rogers is a graduate of Teachers College’s Educational Administration program and the University of Buffalo. His philanthropic work includes service on the Board of Trustees of the Rauch Foundation and has served on numerous boards including the Long Island Children’s Museum Board (Vice-Chair), the Teachers College President’s Advisory Council, the Middle States Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools, and the Long Island Arts Alliance. His wife, Lisa Mulhall (M.A. ’99, Ed.D. ’05) is also a TC alum, and they credit the College with steering them into their careers and one another.