The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute of The City University of New York began as the Italian American Institute to Foster Higher Education. In 1978, New York State Senator John D. Calandra, then chairperson of the Italian Legislative Caucus, called for the creation of an Italian-American institute to address historical, sociological, political, and cultural issues. The New York conference of Italian-American State Legislators initially funded the Institution in 1979 to address the educational needs and concerns expressed by Italian-American students, faculty and staff at CUNY. Eight years later, the Institute was renamed in honor of the late Senator John D. Calandra. In 1995, the CUNY Board of Trustees officially designated the Institute as a university-wide research institute devoted to documenting and preserving the Italian-American experience, under the aegis of Queens College.
The Italian American Faculty and Staff Advisory Council has its origin with Chancellor Kibbee’s directive appointing chairpersons of Italian American advisory committees at each CUNY college. The Council objectives are to advise the college presidents and Chancellor through the work of the Institute and its Dean on concerns affecting the University’s Italian American community and to safeguard accountability for Italian American personnel within the University. Additionally, campus delegates articulate the needs of students, faculty and staff at the individual campuses and deliberate ways in which the Institute can address them.
To learn more about the Council, or to express your interest in becoming a campus delegate, contact Dr. Donna Chirico, Chair of the Italian American Faculty Staff Advisory Council, by telephone at 718-262-2687 or by email at dchirico@york.cuny.edu.
Executive Committee
Chair: Donna Chirico, York College
1st Vice Chair: Diane Forte, Queens College
2nd Vice Chair: John Rose, Hunter College
Treasurer: Jennifer Marotta, BMCC
Recording Secretary: Kristina Varade. BMCC
Campus Delegates*
Baruch
Vince DiGirolomo
Sarah Rappo, Alternate
BMCC
Kristina Varade
Jennifer Marotta, Alternate
Bronx Community
Giulia Guarnieri
Silvia Carlorosi, Alternate
Brooklyn
Diane Forte
Lauren Mancia – Alternate
CCNY
Delegate needed
Alternate needed
College of Staten Island
Paola Ureni
Rosanne Carlo, Alternate
CUNY Central
Joseph Tirella
Alternate needed
CUNY Grad Center
Giancarlo Lombardi
Alternate needed
Guttman
Teresa Pignatello
Alternate Needed
Hostos
Susan Miceli
Ernest Ialongo – Alternate
Hunter
John Rose
Janet Rubel, Alternate
John Jay
Delegate Needed
Alternate needed
Kingsborough
Delegate Needed
Angela Toscano, Alternate
LaGuardia
Jerry G. Ianni
Alternate needed
Law School
Delegate Needed
Alternate needed
Lehman
Delegate Needed
Jennifer Poggiali, Alternate
Medgar Evers
Delegate Needed
Alternate needed
New York City Tech
Morris Hounion
Connie Mennella, Alternate
Queens
Alexandra DeLuise
Paula Costanzo – Alternate
Queensborough
Gina Capozzoli
Stephen di Dio
York
Donna Chirico
Samuel Ghelli
Calandra Institute
Dean Anthony Tamburri, ex officio
*Not all campuses currently have representation.