I am pleased to share with the College community the appointment of Dr. Michael Pappas as the Director of the Discovery Institute. Over the past several years, Dr. Pappas has taught classes on campus in Biology, Nursing, and Medical Technology, and most recently served as the College’s Acting Director for the Discovery Institute (DI).
He received his PhD from New York University Medical Center. Michael has over 25 years of experience in preparing and managing grants and contracts in both the public sector and private sector and has served as a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Institute of Research.
The Discovery Institute develops and manages multiple educational programs using interdisciplinary themes engaging intermediate and high school students. The Institute’s unique discovery learning system allows students to learn more actively and effectively. The DI’s Teaching Scholars program trains and places CSI students at public schools partnering with public and private institutions to serve as mentors and role models. The Institute also provides professional learning development for teachers at local public schools by extending new teaching strategies and facilitates parent involvement in the public education process. The programs are supported by College resources and grants from state, federal, and private institutions. Our active grants include a six-year Federal grant, “The GEAR-UP Program” ($3.7 million); a five-year New York City Department of Education grant, “The Tech-Prep Program” ($460 thousand), for Staten Island schools; and a newly awarded three-year “Medical Laboratory and Assisting Program” ($531 thousand) in Biotechnology for Manhattan schools.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Pappas to his new role as Director of the Discovery Institute at CSI.
-Dr. E.K. Park
