Meet the Counselors

Arlene DiFiore - Director of College Counseling and Student Services

Mrs. DiFiore served twenty-six years at Park Ridge High School as a counselor and guidance program leader/testing program coordinator and the last eight years as the Supervisor of Guidance at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes.

Mrs. DiFiore earned a B.A. in English and Communications at Rutgers University and her M.A. in Student Personnel Services from Montclair State University. Mrs. DiFiore is also a certified School Social W

orker and a certified Student Assistance Counselor.

Mrs. DiFiore resides in Montvale and loves her commute to work. She is married to her husband, Tom, and is a very proud mom of two grown children. She misses the days of their high school experience, especially watching them on the soccer field, in drama productions, and on the basketball court. Her advice for students and parents is to enjoy every minute at St. Joe's because graduation comes very quickly! Mrs. DiFiore enjoys spending time with her family, traveling with her husband, shopping, and power-walking in her spare time. When she is not in her office, she is often on the SJR track.

Michael Doherty (SJR '82) — Freshmen Transition Counselor

Mr. Doherty began his tenure as a faculty member of SJR in September of 1986. He is a 1982 graduate of St. Joseph Regional and earned a BA in English from Muhlenberg College (PA) in 1986 and a Master of Science in Education (School Administration and Supervision) from Iona College (NY) in 1992. In addition, he holds teaching certifications in both New Jersey (Elementary Education; English 7– 12) and Pennsylvania (English 7 – 12).

During the course of his 34-year tenure at SJR, Mr. Doherty has taught English and Theology and served as Vice Principal for Academics and Vice Principal for Discipline. From 1994 to 2020, he served as SJR’s Director of Admissions. Mr. Doherty is excited about his transition to SJR's Guidance Department beginning with the 2020-21 academic year.

From 1989-2023, Mr. Doherty has also served as the Varsity Basketball Coach at SJR

Laura Moore - Guidance Counselor

Mrs. Moore has a B.S. from Oklahoma State University in Business Administration and an M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Student Personnel Services. She has been employed at Ridgewood High School for the past 30 years serving as a college counselor. There she served as a lead counselor and site manager for Naviance. Mrs. Moore also has a teaching background, having taught accounting, economics, marketing, and sports and entertainment marketing.

Mrs. Moore states, “My goal is to cultivate, stimulate, and support inclusive environments that allow students to reach their highest academic and personal potential. Finding a great college for any student is about finding the right fit. College is a time of building character, self-worth, self-exploration, and marketable skills through an institution that will embrace those goals. It's particularly rewarding to work with the students at St. Joe's!”