I hope this mid-month message finds you well. I write with updates and information that you may find of interest.
I want to start by acknowledging a pair of recent holidays: last Sunday saw Diwali, recently added to the University’s calendar of official holidays, and I wish all who celebrated a joyful and prosperous festival. This week saw Veterans Day, and I extend my gratitude to all who have served and continue to serve our country—as a designated military-friendly institution, I take great pride in supporting the men and women of our armed forces, and thank our Director of Veteran Services, Laura Scazzafavo, for the work she does on behalf of that community. Whether through the Alumni Walk flag display, hosting of the Staten Island Ballet for Wednesday’s “Salute to Heroes” program, reading “Mia Learns about Veterans Day” to the little ones at the Children’s Center, or the Veteran Meet and Greet, these efforts served as powerful reminders of appreciation for those who serve.
It has been a typically busy spell since my last communication. Last week was our annual Graduate Student Research Conference, with some three dozen presentations and poster sessions. The event showcases the breadth and depth of research coming from the roughly 1,000 Master’s- and Doctoral-level students at the College of Staten Island and foregrounds the mentorship of so many of our wonderful faculty sponsors. Thanks to all who participated, but especially to Associate Provost Laxmi Ramasubramanian and her team for the work that went on behind the scenes and to Dean Amy Stempler for her inspiring plenary session remarks! The week also saw my participation in a CUNY-wide professional development series, the Chisholm-Sutton Leadership Program, for the Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK Program, now in its 60th year. I was honored to give closing remarks and pleased and proud that our own SEEK Director, Stephanie Allen, was chosen to participate in this important initiative. To learn more about the SEEK program and the students it serves, visit their site.
Last week was one of my personal favorite events, National First-Generation College Celebration, which recognizes our first-generation students (45% of CSI undergrads are the first in their family to pursue higher education) and those who support them! Many thanks to CAAS Director Jen Durando for her work in spearheading this celebration, which drew hundreds of students to the 1A Atrium. As a proud first-generation college graduate, I find special significance in this event. Growing up in a New York City Housing Authority project and raised by two parents who never graduated from high school, our family relied on and benefited from utilizing a network of services available to us. Those experiences have shaped my understanding of the power of community support and opportunity—in the many forms it comes by being a part of the CUNY family.
This week saw a monthly meeting of the CSI Alumni Association. The CSIAA has pledged a generous match to our annual fundraising campaign, which began Nov. 10 with CUNY Tuesday and runs through the Season of Giving, ending Dec. 31. Please consider supporting this cause, which supports the College’s greatest needs, by making a pledge. I once again have a friendly wager with my counterpart from York College, and our own faculty have challenged their HEO counterparts: here’s hoping to a successful campaign, one in which the true winners are our students!
The week also saw a visit from Borough President Vito Fossella, with whom I spoke regarding the state of the College, and the monthly consultation with the College Council Executive Committee, where we discussed the agenda for next week’s meeting. Among the topics we covered were staffing concerns, the state of the College’s 50th anniversary celebrations, and updates on our budget situation. Wednesday was the November Council of President’s meeting at CUNY Central, where the agenda included a presentation on faculty research, as well as discussions related to facilities, enrollment, academic affairs, and the upcoming budget cycle. That evening saw an event at Hunter College’s Roosevelt House to highlight CUNY’s rich history of women in the arts. It was a wonderful presentation and great conversations!
It’s a busy time of year for the Chazanoff School. Last week was the 11th Annual Accounting & Finance Career & Internship Fair—by all accounts, a tremendous success with new participation records and innovative processes. The event was a wonderful montage of highly engaged, enthusiastic students; a record number of recruiters available in person and online; technology updates like QR codes that streamlined interview appointment processes; and dedicated Chazanoff alumni who joined a virtual alumni Q&A session. Special thanks to Associate Professor Patricia Galletta, Deputy Chair of Accounting, for organizing! This week also held the Eighth Annual Careers in Finance, Economics, and Accounting Summit. The panel, “Networking – A Cornerstone of Career Success,” was moderated by CSI alum and Foundation Board Member Barnie Keller ‘97 and the post-event allowed our students to connect with the seven panelists. Thank you to another CSI alum and Board Member, Tom Brigandi ‘12, for organizing this amazing network activity.
If you are looking for something to do this weekend, you have plenty of on-campus options! From the 24th Annual Tournament of Heroes basketball games, to the student production of Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson or The Mom Coms comedy show in 1P. there is no shortage of entertainment opportunities available. I hope to see you at one (or all) of them!
Also, mark your calendars for next week to attend the CSI at 50: Provost Lecture Series featuring Professor James Kaser and be sure to stop into the recently opened gallery exhibit No Such Place as Away.
Until next time,
Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D.
