Meet the Staff

Ryan Travia is Associate Vice President for Student Success at Babson College, having previously served as Babson’s first associate dean of students for wellness. As AVP for Student Success, Ryan provides leadership and strategic direction for a comprehensive portfolio that includes: accessibility services, counseling and psychological services, COVID-19 Testing Center, health services, religious & spiritual life, student advising & success, and wellness & prevention services. Ryan serves as a senior on-call dean, responding to student and campus crises, and chairs the Campus Assessment, Response, & Evaluation (CARE) Team, a multidisciplinary committee that functions as a hybrid students of concern and behavioral intervention team.

Prior to joining the Babson community, Ryan spent a decade at Harvard University as the founding director of the Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Services (AODS). In this capacity, Ryan provided vision and leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive substance abuse prevention program focused on education, intervention, policy development, and coordination with treatment providers. As the first substance abuse prevention specialist in University history, Ryan’s leadership saw the implementation of a multitude of programs that promoted safer practices among students and monitored the effectiveness of University protocol regarding alcohol and other drug abuse.

Hollister Hall, Room 222
781-239-4218
rtravia@babson.edu

Alison joined Babson College in September 2021. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Reed College, a master’s in social work from Boston University, and a doctorate in psychology from William James College. Dually-licensed as both a social worker and psychologist, Alison has 25+ years’ experience in the mental health field, 11 of which were as director of the counseling center at Curry College.

Park Manor South, Room 020
781-239-6200 Option 1

James joined Babson College in June 2019 and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2022. He earned his bachelor of arts from Gordon College and his doctorate from William James College. James has a variety of clinical experiences, including high school counseling, college counseling, and early intervention for psychosis in an outpatient setting. Prior to Babson College, he worked at Roger Williams University’s counseling center for four years, where he also trained as an intern and postdoctoral fellow. James’ clinical style integrates several approaches, including interpersonal therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. His clinical interests include anxiety, depression, identity development, substance use, and relationship issues. In his spare time, James enjoys exercise, fishing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Park Manor South, Room 023
781-239-6200 Option 1

Mebi joined Babson College in September 2021. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mercy College and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Boston College. Mebi is a licensed mental health counselor who spent five years working in the counseling center at Northeastern University, previously having worked as an in-home therapist at two Boston-based agencies. Mebi is fluent in Spanish.

Park Manor South, Room 018
781-239-6200 Option 1

Dr. Sarah Gilani joined the Babson community in 2019 as the staff psychiatrist for Counseling and Psychological Services. She completed psychiatry residency training at Tufts Medical Center. She has extensive experience working with college students. Dr. Gilani uses a thorough evaluation of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors to offer an integrative approach to treatment. She combines psychodynamic, supportive, and behavioral therapy, along with medication management, when necessary. Dr. Gilani has clinical interests in psychotic disorders, eating disorders, and the growing field of telepsychiatry. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.

Daniela (Dani) joined Babson College's CAPS in September of 2023. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Boston College, where she most recently graduated with a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling. Dani is currently accruing the necessary hours to become a licensed mental health counselor. In addition to her time at CAPS, Dani runs weekly play-based therapy groups for kids working on improving their social pragmatics and emotion regulation skills. Prior to joining CAPS, Dani worked as a clinician at a behavioral school and residential program for kids ages 5-14 who presented with a variety of complex emotional and behavioral needs. In her free time, Dani enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and music. Dani is fluent in Spanish.

Park Manor South, Room 025
781-239-6200 Option 1

Noah joined Babson CAPS in January of 2023, coming from an outpatient specialty clinic at Brigham and Women's Hospital where he provided counseling services and mental health support to folks 18 to 80 years old living with a chronic illness. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Butler University before going on to complete a Bachelor of Social Work and an advanced standing Master of Social Work from Colorado State University.

His clinical training and experience also includes college counseling at Colorado State University and the completion of a Mind/Body facilitation training through Benson Henry Institute connected with Mass General Hospital, utilizing mindfulness, meditation, and cognitive interventions. In his free time, Noah enjoys being outdoors (walks, hikes, adventures), playing and watching sports, and spending time with friends and family, especially his dog.

Park Manor South, Room 024
781-239-6200 Option 1

Cindy came to Babson in September 2021 from Advocates in Framingham, MA, where she provided therapy to a wide range of clients through a community mental health agency. She has a bachelor’s degree in counseling psychology and a master’s in clinical mental health counseling, both from Lesley University. Cindy completed her clinical training in the counseling centers at Wheaton College and Fitchburg State University.

Park Manor South, Room 024
781-239-6200 Option 1

Kathleen joined Babson College in September 2020. Bringing over a decade of administrative experience, she is energized by tending to both social and structural needs. Helping students is her calling. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Bridgewater State University, which she transferred to on a merit scholarship after graduating from Massasoit Community College. In her spare time Kathleen enjoys playing a variety of games, spending time with her family, and singing.

Park Manor South, Room 028
781-239-6200 (Counseling and Psychological Services)
781-239-5200 (Wellness & Prevention Services)

Polly McCabe has been a nurse practitioner at Babson since 2011. She previously served in the role of Associate Director starting in 2014. Polly earned her BSN from the Ohio Wesleyan University-Riverside School of Nursing and her MSN from Simmons College in Boston. She became a certified nurse practitioner in both Adult Primary Care and Women’s Health in 1995, followed by employment in outpatient settings that provided adult episodic care, primary care and ambulatory OBGYN services. Polly earned an International Society of Travel Medicine Certificate in Travel Health™ in 2014. Clinical areas of interest include sexual and reproductive health, travel health, wellness education and public health. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, golfing, traveling, sipping tea, and spending time with her husband, four grown children, and their dogs. She has also been a First Year Seminar instructor.

Hollister Hall, Room 004
781-239-6363

Teresa McLaughlin is an Adult Nurse Practitioner who joined Babson College as the Associate Director of Health Services in July 2023. Teresa obtained her Master’s of Science in Nursing from Yale University. Prior to joining Babson College, Teresa served as a Nurse Practitioner and HIV Specialist at Fenway Health in Boston for more than sixteen years. At Fenway Health, Teresa provided acute and primary health care services to a diverse patient population including HIV positive individuals and individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond. Teresa’s other clinical experiences and interests include primary care, college health, sexual health, travel health, and gynecological health. In her free time, Teresa enjoys spending time at the beach, swimming, yoga and spending time with her family.

Hollister Hall, Room 130
781-239-6363

Helena Stacey joined Babson College as a Triage Nurse in January 2020. In 2013, she entered nursing school after deciding to leave her profession as a trial attorney. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Curry College's ACCEL program in 2014. Prior to joining Babson College, Helena worked as a Certified Pediatric Nurse on an inpatient medical unit at Boston Children's Hospital. Some areas of her practice included diabetes, cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, sickle cell disease, lupus, and asthma. She is a loyal Boston sports fan and also loves watching college hockey. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, trips to the Cape, and spending time with her husband, four sons, and dog Maisie.

Hollister Hall, Room 132
781-239-6363

Ellie completed nursing school at Duke University after receiving her bachelor's degree in science at Providence College. She spent her first two years as a nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as both an orthopaedic/trauma and labor & delivery nurse. Prior to accepting the triage nurse position at Babson College, she worked as a pediatric nurse in the emergency department at Boston Children's Hospital. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and going to the Cape.

Hollister Hall, Room 131
781-239-6363

Alexandra joined Babson College in August 2020 as a Nurse Practitioner. Previously she worked as a Nurse Practitioner at a federally qualified community health center in Boston specializing in both primary care and substance use disorders and as a Registered Nurse on a cardiac step-down unit at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She obtained her Master’s in Nursing in 2016 from Simmons College in Boston. Prior to choosing a career in the medical field, she worked in advertising and got her BA in Art History at Union College in Schenectady, NY. She is a born and bred New Englander and you can find her on the beach in the summer and skiing (weather permitting) in the winter. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, two children, and their black lab.

Hollister Hall, Room 130
781-239-6363

Susana joined Babson College in August 2020 as a Nurse Practitioner. She obtained her Bachelor and Master of nursing from Binghamton University. Previously, Susana was a cardiac telemetry nurse taking care of patients with cardiac abnormalities in addition to an Adjunct Professor at Binghamton University. After becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she worked as a primary care provider at a federally qualified health center where she worked with underserved populations. Susana is fluent in Spanish. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, sleeping, hiking, kayaking, Muay-thai, cooking and dancing.

Hollister Hall, Exam Room
781-239-6363

Karla Hoxha Brown attended the University of Massachusetts where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She then completed her graduate degree at Regis College in their nurse practitioner program. Her initial experience as a nurse practitioner was in community health. She was a clinician at the Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center, a program of Fenway health, for 12.5 years. She served a diverse population including homeless youth, disenfranchised youth, HIV positive individuals and individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. She then transitioned to college health in 2016 at Suffolk University. She joined the Babson community in 2021. Her clinical experiences/interests include sexual health, gynecologic health, HIV medicine, hormone treatment, infectious diseases and primary care. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Hollister Hall, Room 130
781-239-6363

Dr. Sandra Marwill is a staff physician in the health services department.  She completed an internal medicine residency and fellowship at the Boston University Medical Center and received a Master’s in Public Health at Boston University. She has extensive experience in community health where she works as a primary care physician at the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center in Framingham Massachusetts.  Her clinical interests include prevention of heart disease, diabetes, women’s health and substance use disorders. Outside of work she enjoys cross country skiing, biking, running and swimming with her husband.

Hollister Hall, Room130
781-239-6363

Alison is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Educator. She helps students manage a variety of medical conditions and encourages good food and meaningful lifestyle changes to improve overall health and wellness. Alison will help you create strategies to meet your goals, fuel your body, and improve your relationship with food.

Alison earned a BA in International Studies from Colby College, and a MS in Food and Nutrition from Framingham State University, where she serves as a visiting lecturer and instructor. She also consults at a fitness center and teaches classes on a variety of nutrition topics. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, cooking, crossword puzzles, and spending time with her family.

Hollister Hall
781-239-6363

As the Director of Religious & Spiritual Life, Denicia supports various faith communities on campus, oversees a team of Chaplains and the daily operations of the Glavin Family Chapel. With a pastoral heart and passion for justice, she is intentional about creating spaces for religious diversity and tolerance.

Denicia is also a First Year Seminar Instructor where she facilitates classroom conversations and interactions around community engagement, microagressions and privilege. Her ability to understand and teach cross culturally, combined with a sense of humor and excitement, creates an environment for students to authentically learn and thrive. Denicia join Babson in 2016 as the Assistant Director of Faith, Reflection, and Chaplaincy. She has accompanied colleagues and students on Service Learning Immersion Trips to Indian River Florida, New Orleans, and Tanzania.

Denicia graduated from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with a MA in World Missions and Evangelism, concentrating on Cross Cultural Counseling, and a MA in Theology and Ethics. During her time in graduate school, she was the president of the Women Student Association and the Black Student Association. Denicia was a Pierce Fellow, which introduced her to contemplative practices and reflective tools. She completed her Overseas Mission Practicum in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, serving and assisting Muslim refugees from Sudan, Iraq and Turkey. This experience confirmed Denicia’s passion for cross cultural experiences and interfaith dialogue. Denicia received a BA in Human Development and Family students and a minor in African American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

In her spare time, Denicia enjoys reading historical and current research around mass incarceration and racial disparities within the Black community as well as helping women find confidence in themselves by deconstructing beauty standards and apprehensions around makeup and natural hair.

Phone: 781-239-5969
Office: Glavin Family Chapel, Room 101

Prior to entering the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry for a Master of Divinity degree, Joe enjoyed a career as a social worker in schools, with Catholic Charities, and in Fortune 500 companies as an Employee Assistance Professional. Joe has developed an appreciation for the unique gifts God gives individuals that, when shared in community, help make our world a better place. He has earlier degrees from Loyola University in Maryland (BA, English) and Tulane University in New Orleans (Master of Social Work).

Identifying and developing strengths as a path toward self-discovery and sense of purpose is a hope Joe holds for each student at Babson. As Catholic Chaplain, he brings the Ignatian concept of cura personalis—holistic formation of the entire person: physical, mental, and spiritual—together with opportunities for prayer and sacraments, service and retreat activities, spiritual accompaniment, and community building in helping students realize more fully the happiness that comes through loving relationship with God in the formation of one’s authentic self.

Phone: 781-239-5969
Location: Glavin Family Chapel

Darrell is an ordained Baptist minister. Darrell’s ministry is centered on advancing diversity, inclusion, and advocacy for the vulnerable and marginalized as aspects of the Christian tradition to inspire our world toward greater justice and love for all people. Darrell is a graduate from Wake Forest School of Divinity where he received his Masters in Divinity in 2017. Darrell also has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Central Oklahoma. 

Darrell’s preaching, teaching, leadership, and community engagement is inspired by the principles and scholarship of James Cone, James Baldwin, Kelly Brown Douglas, and Jeremiah Wright, Jr., and the examples of Martin Luther King, Jr., William Barber, II, Otis Moss, III, and others. Darrell is the former Executive Minister for Operations and Resource Development at Middle Collegiate Church in New York. Prior he was the Pastor for Formation and Outreach at the First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, Program Director for City Mission Boston's Urban Pastoral Ministry Program, and held leadership positions with the Massachusetts Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Darrell’s vision for ministry is to lead an intentional welcoming, affirming, and progressive Christian community, as he conspires to advance the economic, spiritual, and systemic liberation for all marginalized people.

Phone: 781-239-5969
Location: Glavin Family Chapel

With years of experience working as a Youth Director for a Muslim community, Saddam has a strong passion for supporting young adults in their spiritual journey. In addition to his experience working as a Youth Director for a Muslim community, he has also taught several business courses such as Entrepreneurship, Principles of Marketing, as well as Islamic Studies for both high school and undergraduate students. Saddam’s diverse teaching background has allowed him to develop strong communication and mentorship skills.

His educational background includes a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Human Resources and Marketing Management, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Jordan. Saddam also had successful career as a Business Analyst, Project Consultant and Coordinator. This combination of education and professional experience has equipped him with the skills necessary to understand the unique challenges faced by students in a business setting.

As a chaplain, he is eager to provide support and guidance to the Muslim students at Babson and to create a welcoming and inclusive community. Saddam believes in making himself accessible and available to all students and finding ways to help and support them and their needs. With a deep love for my faith and a commitment to serving others, Saddam is excited to be working at Babson and making an impact on the community.

Saddam is a well-rounded individual with a variety of interests and experiences. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, swimming, and reading books. He also loves to go camping and explore the outdoors.

Phone: 781-239-5969
Location: Glavin Family Chapel

Katia Santiago-Taylor is the director of Wellness & Prevention Services at Babson College. In her capacity she leads a comprehensive, student-centered, and evidence-based health program focused on four major functional areas: alcohol and other drugs, mental health and emotional well-being, sexual health, and violence prevention. In addition, Katia will provide ongoing leadership for the Peers On Wellness (POW!) peer health education program. Wellness & Prevention Services also includes programming initiatives, advocacy, and direct services for students impacted by gender-based misconduct.

Prior to joining Babson College she was the Policy Director at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) leading BARCC’s legislative agenda and statewide collaborations for systems change. She joined BARCC in February 2013 as the Manager of Systems Advocacy, overseeing BARCC’s Medical Advocacy, Hotline, Access to Forensic Information (AFI), Legal Advocacy, and Case Management Programs. Under her leadership, BARCC’s Incarcerated Survivor Support program was created. Prior to joining BARCC, she was at the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA), where she held several positions. She has been working in the Victim Services Field since 1999, first as a Victim Witness Advocate in the Middlesex County DA's Office, and at the Suffolk County DA's Office.

During her tenure at the Suffolk County DA's Office, she was a part of the Judicial Demonstration Project that created a model Domestic Violence Court at the Dorchester District Court, which required a great deal of work with interagency community collaborations and community-building. She also worked as an advocate in the Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit working with vulnerable populations and taking the initiative to create and actively participate in community outreach & education and training initiatives. She currently serves as a board member of Mass NOW.

Katia earned a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University. As a bicultural/bilingual Latina woman, Katia has a deep commitment and proven track record of promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in her work.

Hollister Hall, Suite 122
781-239-5201

Prior to joining the Babson College Community, Sophia attended Merrimack College for both her Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences and Master of Science in Community Health Education. In addition to her educational experience, she worked as a graduate fellow for the Office of Wellness Education at Merrimack, beginning her journey in the field of higher education with a focus on student wellness and overall well-being.

With a solid educational foundation and practical experience, Sophia has spent years cultivating a deep understanding of both the academic and practical aspects of holistic wellness. She is well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in the realm of holistic well-being, as her skill set incorporates crafting effective health education programs that foster collaborative wellness initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall quality of life of emerging adults in the college setting.

Hollister Hall, Suite 122
781-239-4491

Kathleen joined Babson College in September 2020. Bringing over a decade of administrative experience, she is energized by tending to both social and structural needs. Helping students is her calling. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Bridgewater State University, which she transferred to on a merit scholarship after graduating from Massasoit Community College. In her spare time Kathleen enjoys playing a variety of games, spending time with her family, and singing.

Park Manor South, Room 028
781-239-6200 (Counseling and Psychological Services)
781-239-5200 (Wellness & Prevention Services)