Category: Newsmakers

A near-capacity audience of over 300 students, faculty, and alumni occupied the Williamson Theatre on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, for the third annual “Careers in Finance, Economics, and Accounting Summit” hosted by the Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business. The summit featured experts from various sectors of the financial world, and included a keynote address via remote link and a panel of executives. Each speaker shared details of their own career paths, imparted advice about strategies for landing one’s first job and career advancement, and emphasized the importance of networking.

In her introduction to the evening, Founding Dean of the Chazanoff School of Business Susan Holak introduced the program by noting that CSI Macaulay Honors College and Chazanoff School of Business alumnus Thomas Brigandi, CFA, who has already had great career success, has been a significant supporter of the School and had been working on the program for several months. Dean Holak also added that this was the third consecutive year that this event had been held, with a different group of panelists presenting each time.

With its panel organized by Mr. Brigandi, the event featured professionals from a range of backgrounds and at various career levels. Since its inception, the Career Summit has become a mainstay of the annual calendar of the Chazanoff School, drawing students, faculty, and alumni to the College each November.

Following the keynote address via Skype by United Nations Economist Dr. Utku Teksoz, the panelists spoke about their career paths and the opportunities that they took advantage of along the way. Moderator Kyrill Firshein posed questions and scenarios to panelists Matthew Anthony; Katherine Brigandi; Joshua Burrell, CFA; Edward Cotler; Jonathan Dong; Antonio Rodriguez, CFA; and Deepika Sharma, CFA; all of whom have extensive experience in the fields of Accounting, Economics, or Finance. At the conclusion of the formal program, Dean Holak invited audience members to a reception and networking session in the adjacent atrium, where students could meet and interact with the panelists.

Dr. Jonathan Peters, Professor of Finance at the Chazanoff School, stated that “this is a fantastic chance for the students to hear from real field professionals about issues and opportunities in these areas. It is very important to have outside validation of the learning that takes place in the classroom, and it’s great to be able to demonstrate some of the advantages that come from being located in New York City.”

In addition to Mr. Brigandi and his sister Katherine – herself an alumna of the Macaulay Honors College and the Chazanoff School of Business – other alumni of the School of Business were present in the audience. Those who were recent graduates of the School found the advice from the speakers to be relevant and extremely useful, and at the networking reception following the panel presentations they also connected with current students to offer guidance and insights.

One such alumnus was Joseph Maggio, who earned his CPA license after graduating from the School of Business in 2017, and who returned to his alma mater just to attend the event. Joe, who now works as a staff accountant and who attended the first career summit as a student, noted that he “learned so many useful life lessons from the panel, intangibles that aren’t taught in the classroom,” and that he “felt inspired walking out of there.”

Current graduate student Richard Pallarino, who works in the accounting industry, said that “being around some of the top finance professionals from different backgrounds is an advantage that not many other schools can offer, and CSI is making this happen at least once a year.” Pallarino also noted the value of the contributors’ viewpoints to students who are about to embark upon their own professional careers, stating that it was “great to see the other side of the equation and have access to such astute panelists.”

One aspect common to all of the speakers’ presentations related to being outgoing and confident, and that students should demonstrate their determination and leadership through personal connections. The panelists spoke of their own experiences – both positive and negative – that brought them to their current careers and positions. After the panel concluded, Andrew Colbeck, the staffperson and technician for the Con Edison Trading Room in the Chazanoff School of Business, who has extensive experience in the Wall Street environment, remarked that “you would not see a higher-level group of people in these fields at any college anywhere in the country.” Pallarino neatly summed up the value of the event by saying that the Career Summit is “something that each student should attend and take advantage of.”

The Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business hosts many events and student professional development opportunities through its Dean’s Special Speaker Series, Tuesday Business Briefs discussions, Student Club events, and classroom guest lecture opportunities. Students, faculty, and alumni from across the College are welcome to attend and contribute to the conversations relating to business and its place in modern global society.

The English Department’s Schwerner Writers Series hosted Staten Island Poet Laureate Dr. Marguerite Maria Rivas on October 29 in the Center for the Arts Screening Room.

Dean Sarolta Takács opened the event by talking briefly about serving on the committee that recommended Dr. Rivas’s appointment as Poet Laureate. Then, Lee Papa, Chair of the English Department, introduced Dr. Rivas.

Dr. Rivas read from her anthology Tell No One: Poems of Witness and also a number of new poems. Some of the topics that she covered were 9/11, her hobby of welding, and her Peruvian roots, which was inspired by a report of scientists discovering the mummified remains of a young girl in Peru. Dr. Rivas related how she was appalled by the idea that the remains would become the subject of study, as she felt the body should just be left to rest in peace.

In the Q&A session that followed Dr. Rivas’s presentation, a member of the audience asked her how welding and poetry were connected. She mentioned that the activities were vastly different in nature, but were both acts of creation.

Dr. Rivas is a native Staten Islander who graduated from Tottenville High School. She holds associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees from the College of Staten Island. After receiving an MA in English, she enrolled in a doctoral program at Drew University. She taught at the College of Staten Island as an adjunct professor while pursuing her doctoral studies at Drew. She is currently an Associate Professor of English at Borough of Manhattan Community College where she teaches writing and literature.

Her title as Poet Laureate is a four-year, unpaid appointment, based on the recommendation of a selection committee comprised of Borough literary and arts specialists. In her position, Rivas performs community outreach and advocates for poetry and literacy in the Borough.

Founded in 2003, the Schwerner Writers Series invites accomplished and emerging poets, fictionists, and essayists to visit the College of Staten Island and read from their work. The readings are free and open to the public. The series is a crucial part of the cultural lives of members of the CSI community, providing students, faculty, staff, and Staten Island residents with an opportunity to interact with visiting writers and have conversations about literary craft and the writing life.

By Lara Saguisag and Terry Mares

On Sunday, October 27, the Friends of CSI’s annual Literary Brunch featured Rev. Dr. Kathleen (Katie) Cumiskey, Chairperson and Professor in the Department of Psychology at CSI. The event’s lead sponsor was Victory State Bank, with generous event support from Carol and Rocco Berardi, and Lynne Persing.

Before the formal program got underway, guests mixed and mingled, enjoyed a seasonal brunch, and perused the festive raffles table in hopes of going home with a prize. 

Carol Berardi, President of The Friends of CSI, opened the program with a warm welcome, and noted the importance of The Friends, as well as the Literary Brunch, “I’ve been a member of The Friends of CSI since 1989 and I am honored again to serve as its President. Over the years, The Friends have raised funds through various activities, such as Dinner Shows at The Center for the Arts, International Programs, and the Starlight Ball. Our Literary Brunch is a great tradition for a worthy cause—raising scholarship funds for deserving students over many years.” 

CSI Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. J. Michael Parrish brought greetings from the College and acknowledged the integral role that the Friends of CSI have played in supporting the College and student scholarships for more than 43 years, noting, “The Literary Brunch has become a signature event associated with the Friends through the years and I can’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate an event that is uniquely identified with them, than by featuring the timely and extraordinary work of a member of the CSI faculty.”       

Cumiskey opened her presentation by asking everyone to take out their phones and look at their last photos taken, Web searches, and social media postings; then to consider that this is what we are leaving behind for future generations to see about our everyday lives. She further added that our digital legacy will be far more than previous pre-digital generations have left behind, and it is now something to consider just as importantly as a will.        

In Haunting Hands, Cumiskey described her research with undergraduate students, and the ways in which their being digital natives translates to their representing and sharing of loss, such as a perceived sense of ongoing connection to the deceased, via Instagram and Facebook posts, continued texting to the deceased, and re-viewing of videos as if the deceased were still present. Cumiskey was clear to point out that her research is not being viewed through a lens of right or wrong and makes no moral judgments.

The presentation continued with a look at earlier memorial practices such as posed photos of the dead in the late 19th Century, spirit photography, and intricate braiding of the deceased’s hair into memorial jewelry and artwork—all as ways to keep a connection to a departed loved one. She notes that each era has incorporated methods available at the time to represent and share loss. Digital media has now ushered in a new realm and Artificial Intelligence is on the horizon with technologies to digitally keep the dead alive. A clip from an episode of Black Mirror (Netflix) chillingly depicted this possibility.

A lively Question and Answer session addressed the many thought-provoking points Cumiskey raised. A round of applause was accentuated with the presentation of a bouquet to Cumiskey from Berardi, on behalf of The Friends of CSI, for a fascinating presentation.            

“The brunch is a very popular signature event for the Friends of CSI,” said their College liaison, Jennifer Lynch, Associate Director of Annual Giving. “The event is unique in that our guests are fed, literally and figuratively, with a delicious brunch and intellectual food for thought. Rev. Dr. Cumiskey’s compelling look at the role that digital media is playing in the expression of grief and loss left attendees with much to think about, including their own digital legacies. The funds raised from this distinctive event go to scholarship support that makes a difference for our students.”

Haunting Hands: Mobile Media Practices and Loss is published by Oxford University Press, 2017.

By Jennifer Lynch

SI Live – The School of Business at the College of Staten Island was renamed for philanthropists Lucille and Jay Chazanoff during a heartfelt dedication and reception Saturday attended by some 250 guests on the campus of the Willowbrook institution of higher learning. Read more at SI Live.

By Carol Ann Benanti

Representatives from the Staten Island community including elected representatives, members of the scientific community, local high school administrators, and students, faculty, and administrators from the College of Staten Island gathered at the College on September 16 for an event that formally launched the plan to develop the CSI Genomic Research Facility. The facility, the first of its kind in the Borough, will allow faculty and students to conduct genome sequencing and analysis to search for genetic variations in DNA that may cause the development or progression of diseases or conditions such as cancer and autism, which are taking an enormous toll on the Borough.

The CSI Genomics Research Facility is made possible through the generous allocation of $1.25 million in funding by Borough President James Oddo, Council Member and Minority Leader Steven Matteo, and Council Member Joseph Borelli.

After greetings and an introduction by Vice President of Economic Development, Continuing Studies, and Government Relations Ken Iwama, CSI President William J. Fritz underscored the significance of this new facility in terms of the College’s Strategic Plan, Opportunity to Ascend, and the Strategic Priority of Borough Stewardship, stating that “CSI is increasingly viewed as Staten Island’s anchor institution, meaning that we are a central entity the integrates economic, human, intellectual, and institutional resources with the community.” He also explained that the facility addressed another Strategic Priority, Destination Campus, making CSI an institution that will be attractive to high-caliber faculty and students.

Chang-Hui Shen, Professor and Chair of the CSI Biology Department, followed Dr. Fritz with a comprehensive overview of the genomic research process and the state-of-the-art equipment that will be utilized in the facility. During the presentation, Dr. Shen noted that the genomic research facility will “transform research and medicine on Staten Island where cancer and intellectual disabilities are significant issues.” He added that the facility will leverage its community-based partnerships through collaboration with local hospitals, the CUNY High-Performance Computing Center, and the Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities.

Councilmembers Borelli and Matteo, as well as Deputy Borough President Ed Burke, also made brief remarks at the event highlighting the critical role of the College of Staten Island in advancing community based research to address some of the most pressing issues within the borough.

Besides generating critical research, the facility will also serve as a center for genomic education, providing an academic foundation for high school and college students interested in pursuing careers in research or other professional opportunities in this burgeoning field, which is predicted to have an economic impact of $41.2 billion by 2025.   

The CSI Genomic Research Facility, which will be housed in the Biology Department, with an anticipated opening in 2021, is the latest center for technological and scientific innovation at CSI. This facility will join the College’s highly successful CSI Tech Incubator, the CUNY High-Performance Computing Center, and the new CSI Makerspace in the Department of Engineering and Environmental Science, which is currently under construction.  

By Terry Mares and Ken Iwama

In June 2019, a group of 13 international business students from the College of Staten Island/CUNY (CSI) experienced firsthand the challenges and rewards of doing business in Florence, Italy.

The group, all students in the Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business at CSI, spent nine days in the Tuscan city, visiting a host of businesses from the pharmaceutical sector to fashion design, from high-end automotive cross-marketing to wine production. These were complemented with a variety of lectures ranging from the development of accounting in Italy to online marketing, managing across cultures, and how to ensure employees embrace a corporate culture.

The itinerary also included tours of some of Florence’s signature visitor attractions such as the Uffizi and Accademia art galleries. And there was even a little “down time” at a hands-on cooking class that was as fun as it was instructional.

The program was coordinated in conjunction with Florence’s Lorenzo de Medici Institute, which offers a vast array of courses for students of all ages, ranging from international business to language and culinary arts. The participating CSI students prepared for the trip during the spring semester with classwork, readings, and other exercises, and they will receive academic credit toward their degrees.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the students to experience some of Italy’s leading manufacturers and brand leaders such as Ferragamo and Ruffino,” said Professor Alan Zimmerman, who has organized and led eight similar tours to Italy and Ireland for CSI business students. “Not only did they meet with senior management, but they were able to learn how Italy has established a reputation for innovation and style and, in some cases, they were invited to observe production.” To this point, the students toured Menarini Group, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Florence.

Professor Zimmerman noted that the chance to experience another culture was a major incentive for the students to join the tour. CSI Adjunct Professor of International Business Bill Serrao also accompanied the group.

The trip was a milestone for CSI, since the participants included a student from the AHRC NYC Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program. AHRC NYC is a non-profit entity dedicated to supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout New York City. “Our student and his companion have returned from a trip that will last with them forever,” said Ife Okoh, AHRC NYC Program Director. “This trip marks a space in the history of the program and is a true testimonial for our partnership with CSI.”

“This was a wonderful opportunity for all of us,” said student Emily Colon (junior; Management major) on the final evening of the tour. “We were able to experience a wide range of businesses and learn as one. I will remember it all of my life!” Other members of the group commented that the tour was not only an excellent opportunity to observe how one small country can compete on a worldwide basis in many business sectors, but also that the experience of the Study Abroad week will certainly enhance their résumés and work search.

Research is already underway to plan the next overseas trip for the College’s business students, likely to take place during the summer of 2021.

By Warrick Bell

The CSI Tech Incubator is working diligently to close the gender-gap in tech. The Tech Incubator officially launched a 15-week Girls Who Code program. [View the Gallery.]Girls Who Code is a national non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does.

The Girls Who Code Club at the CSI Tech Incubator allows high school students to join a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models. Through this program, high school students use computer science to design and build a project, solving real-world problems through code. Girls Who Code, with partners like the CSI Tech Incubator, is leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st-Century opportunities.

When asked of the significance of a program like Girls Who Code, Computer Science Professor Sarah Zelikovitz stated, “Girls Who Code helps young women enter the tech world by giving them a comfortable environment where they can explore technology, ask questions, find mentors, and join a network. The energy at these meetings, the lessons learned, and the lifelong friendships and contacts that are formed give these young women strength to succeed.  At CSI, we strive to ensure that women, although a minority in most classes, thrive, feel included, and have a support network to carry them over difficult times, classes, and decisions.”

Throughout the Spring 2019 semester, GWC members were able to learn coding, build community, and learn from inspiring role models. Following a team deliberation, program participants elected to focus their group project on developing a tutoring platform called Teens Who Tutor.

To bring this project to fruition, members utilized a wide variation of platforms and languages, such as:

• Adventure/Platform Game in Scratch – block-based programming language
• Info App in Thunkable – block-based programming language
• Chatbot in Python (using trinket.io platform) – text-based programming language
• Quiz Game in Python (using trinket.io platform) – text-based programming language
• Interactive Magazine Website in JavaScript and HTML (using trinket.io platform) – text-based programming language
• APIs in JavaScript, JQuery, and HTML – text-based programming language

During the program, the CSI Tech Incubator facilitated a Women in Tech Panel where members had the opportunity to hear stories from successful women in different areas within the tech industry. Panelists included Kathryn Jonas, Software Engineer at TeachersPayTeachers; Clara Nice, Software Engineer at Squarespace; Dr. Sarah Zelikovitz, Computer Science Professor at CSI; and the moderator was Jasmine Cardona, Executive Director of Economic Development, Continuing Studies, and Government Relations.

The club was facilitated by CSI students Ellie Chen and Kaylyn Torres, who is the Treasurer of Emerging Ladies in Technology (ELiTe), and a member of CUNY Women in Technology NY. Kaylyn is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and was recognized as a Next Scholars and Academy Ambassador. She participated in the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program at Twitter NYC and has held internships at GoReadyMade as a QA Engineer Intern, and TeacherPayTeachers as a Back-End Engineer Intern. This summer, she will be interning with Verizon Media, working on the Mobile Test Engineering team at Tumblr. As a special thank you, the CSI Tech Incubator granted a full scholarship for Kaylyn to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration—the world’s largest gathering of women technologists. Kaylyn was selected from a pool of applicants, from which she was recognized based on her work and impact within the community.

The successful inaugural cohort, consisting of girls in grades 9-12, attending Lavelle Prep, Wagner, Staten Island Tech, St. Joseph Hill Academy, Curtis, Petrides, and CSI high schools and residing in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and New Jersey, concluded with a graduation ceremony showcasing each student’s work throughout the semester. In recognition of their hard work and dedication, students received certificates of completion as well as a gift bag consisting of an Amazon HD tablet, an Adidas bag, and CSI Tech Incubator swag. For more information on Girls Who Code, please visit https://girlswhocode.com/.

For more details on the Girls Who Code Club at the CSI Tech Incubator, please visit the student-created Website, https://gwcclub-csi-ny8376.weebly.com/.

 

This past weekend, more than 300 new freshmen moved into the Dolphin Cove Residence Halls at the College of Staten Island (CSI). Nearly 200 campus community volunteers – including students, student-athletes, faculty, and staff – assisted the new students as they moved their belongings to their new dorms. Students from across the New York City boroughs and throughout the world now call Dolphin Cove their new home as they prepare to begin their college journeys. Students were also greeted by CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez and College of Staten Island President William J. Fritz, who presided over the annual and highly anticipated waffle brunch. Chancellor Matos Rodríguez, CUNY Trustee Michael Arvanites, and select CSI staff toured the campus including the newly announced, Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business at the College of Staten Island.

Other activities on Move-in Day included town hall events, a DJ, and an evening barbecue. Returning students will move into the residence halls on Monday, September 2.

“I am pleased to welcome our incoming freshmen to Dolphin Cove, and to have the opportunity to provide them with a delicious breakfast as they move in. I also want to thank Chancellor Matos Rodríguez for visiting our campus to meet our students and graciously provide assistance. There is certainly excitement in the air as we embark on another academic year, giving our students the Opportunity to Ascend. Go Dolphins!” says College of Staten Island President, Dr. William Fritz.

“It was wonderful to visit the College of Staten Island with CUNY Trustee Michael Arvanites for move-in day, and to see President Fritz and his administration and staff come together to welcome the students and their families. While watching the students wheel their belongings into the Dolphin Cove, it struck me that I was the one who was being moved. Their educational journey begins here on this beautiful Willowbrook campus, and there is no telling where it will take them,” said Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “As this school year unfolds, we will be working hard to make sure that they, and all of CUNY’s students, have the best possible environment to pursue their passions – during their time here with us and beyond. Ultimately, it is their progress that provides the most meaningful measure of success for this University.”