The College of Staten Island’s Department of Nursing held its Nursing Pinning Ceremony in the Center for the Arts recently to honor the 61 nursing students who have completed their professional education this semester.

It was an especially proud moment for the nursing students, and faculty and staff, as the students’ friends and families watched as their loved ones received their unique College of Staten Island AAS pins, signifying their membership into a selective group of professionals.

Dr. Mary O’Donnell, Chairperson of the Department of Nursing in the college’s School Health Sciences, advised the graduates to “wear their pins proudly” as ambassadors of the CSI program.  Many of the graduates are nontraditional college students—several are parents or work outside of campus or hold previous college degrees or are second-career students.

Almost all of the AAS Nursing graduates have enrolled at CSI to complete their Baccalaureate degrees in nursing in order to better compete in the face of rising qualifications of employers of Registered Nurses in the New York metropolitan area.

Several graduates already have plans to pursue advanced-practice roles as Nurse Practitioners, and one student is already preparing to pursue a Master’s Degree to become a Nurse Anesthetist.

Dr. Susan Mee, Assistant Professor of Nursing at CSI, has noticed the changing landscape of the nursing profession and sees that many of the students have followed suit.  “More young men and women are entering our program as a first career” she said of the trends that have emerged in nursing. “Men have traditionally been underrepresented in nursing but that is changing, and CSI is proud to be a part of providing equality in our educational programs.” Dr. Mee believes that this is a sign that nursing is a “stable profession.”

CSI President Dr. William Fritz, whose mother is an RN, talked about the value of the Nursing Department in his remarks.  “For over 25 years, CSI has trained and graduated more than 5,000 nurses, who have gone on to become the backbone of healthcare on Staten Island.”

After the President’s remarks, Lucia Edwards, the evening’s student speaker, addressed those in attendance. She began her remarks by thanking the members of the faculty, administration, staff, and her fellow students, family, and friends. She thanked the faculty, especially, “who have worked long hours preparing for classes, creating exams, meeting with students, responding to emails, all while doing their own research.  They are the central reason why CSI’s Nursing Program is among the best in the region.”

In addition to thanking her professors, Edwards was sure to emphasize the support that she and her peers received from family and friends. “Whether it was financial support, child care, proofreading papers, or adjusting your schedules to accommodate ours, we thank you.”

She also spoke, personally, as a wife and mother of two small children, of the trials and tribulations of a student with a family and a job.  Edwards, whom like many of her peers, enrolled at CSI to finish her baccalaureate degree, admitted that “the program was rigorous, but I never complained because it was something I wanted to do.”

She ended her speech with a quote from President Woodrow Wilson who, she says, “Captured the essence of who we are as soon to be official Registered Professional Nurses. He said, ‘you are not merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget that errand.’

The pinning ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition. Often more personally meaningful than the graduation ceremony, it signifies nurses’ official initiation into the profession of nursing. The modern ceremony dates back to the 1860s, when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in recognition for her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War. To share the honor, she, in turn, presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates.

Each school’s pin is unique and holds its own symbolic meaning. CSI’s nursing pin reads, “Scientia In Actione,” or “Knowledge in Action.”

The College of Staten Island cultivates an atmosphere where scholarship is achieved both within the classroom and without.  Students discovered just what that means when they helped to discover an important geological find in Northern New Jersey this semester.

A few times per semester, Dr. Jane Alexander’s Sedimentology class take trips that allow them to study, in person, the same geological phenomena they read about in their textbooks. This is all done in the context of her classroom lectures; however, two of her students, Victoria Rivelli and Sean Thatcher, were so interested in what they found during the excursions that they volunteered time after class to join Dr. Alexander’s research team.

The research involved studying an outcrop of sedimentary rock in North Bergen, NJ that had been recently exposed and the group studied how the different structures had formed. The students logged their findings and discovered that the sedimentary rocks at the base of the Pallisades Sill may be from a different formation to the one that was previously identified, or as Dr. Alexander put it, “the map is not right.”

Other features in the rocks may not have been formed in the manner previously theorized. These are very interesting developments, especially for two undergraduate students who never planned on focusing on sedimentology at CSI. The discovery was so fascinating that Dr. Alexander and her students presented them at the recent Geological Society of America (GSA) conference.

“It was nerve wracking,” said Rivelli of presenting their poster to thousands of geologists from across the country. “Our poster ended up attracting a lot of attention. Dr. Alexander added that the group had “found simple but interesting things. The Palisades Sill is such a landmark now due to our field trip; other Professors want to take their students to the site.”

The current findings only served to prove that more information about the site needs to collected and Dr. Alexander has received a grant to further her and her students’ research of the site.

“In the future,” Dr. Alexander explained, “our work will include additional field sampling and logging of detailed transects through the metasedimentary rocks. These samples will be analyzed for major, trace, and rare-earth elements to ascertain changes resulting from the metamorphism. Thin sections will be made to allow an interpretation of mineralogical changes, and how these relate to the observed geochemistry. Sedimentary logs will be made as samples are collected in the field, so that it will be possible to separate variations due to metamorphism from sedimentological variation within the Lockatong and Stockton Formations, and to compare the sections where there has been sediment remobilization with those where there has not.”

Part of the CUNY Baccalaureate program, Rivelli is taking the course in order to fulfill her geology and agricultural science requirements said she was attracted to the idea of studying under a female scientist. “In my experience,” she said, “women are not represented nearly as much as men are in scientific fields of study. It was refreshing to work with a female geologist.” While studying with Dr. Alexander, Rivelli realized she actually had an affinity for geology and decided to pursue it a little more wholeheartedly.

Sean Thatcher, who is minoring in geology, never thought he would be able to have such immediate success studying geology. A few years ago, he was in an accident that left him in a wheelchair and he did not think it would be possible to study geology so thoroughly. Dr. Alexander made it a point that if she was taking her class on a fieldtrip, they would go to a site that was wheelchair accessible, which is how the class ended up behind new construction, in the back of a parking lot right next to a newly exposed outcropping in North Bergen.

Thatcher, undeterred, became the class’s unofficial data recorder. “Dr. Alexander was really great about this (finding an accessible site), I can’t do what everyone else could so I did a lot of the data recording.”

Both students feel that they learned more than they believed they would from studying with Dr. Alexander. “Science is something that needs to be done,” said Rivelli about her work in Dr. Alexander’s sedimentology class. At CSI, students are learning that the classroom extends far beyond its four walls and that even the most humble of roads can hide fascinating discoveries.

CSI student Chandramauli Akidari, recipient of the second annual ARP scholarship, speaks at the fifth annual ARP luncheon.

The Academy of Retired Professors (ARP) celebrated the end of the academic year by awarding their second annual scholarship to Chandramauli Akidari, a School of Business student, triple majoring in Accounting, Finance, and Economics.

Adikari, an international student who is a native of Sri Lanka, noted the many benefits that he has experienced at CSI, “The quality, unique standards, phenomenal tutoring services, and outstanding professors are making my career a safe ride in my life.” He thanked the professors for the honor of recognizing him with a scholarship and the financial relief that it will afford him while he pursues his dream to practice and teach accounting.

Joan Hartman, retired Dean, presented Chandramauli Adikari as this year’s ARP Scholarship recipient. The award provides faculty with the opportunity to remember exceptional students they taught at CSI. Scholarships given in the name of retired faculty and staff express appreciation of and respect for those students who follow them.

Joining the members of ARP at their fifth annual luncheon in the Center for the Arts were special guests CSI President Dr. William J. Fritz and his wife, Dr. Bonnie Fritz. The President praised the contributions of the retired faculty and noted their crucial role in the history of the College, making special mention of their connection to CSI and its predecessor institutions’ past presidents. To honor and remember the rich history of CSI and its predecessor institutions, Dr. Fritz announced that portraits of the former presidents have been installed outside the President’s Office for all visitors to view.

Prof. Currie presented Jennifer Lynch, Associate Director of Annual Giving, with a certificate of appreciation for her assistance with coordinating their efforts during the academic year.

Those also in attendance included:

Howard Baumel, Joel Berger, Fairfid (Lorie) Caudle, Margaret Currie, Sherman Heller, Ann Helm, Jed Luchow, Roberta Klibaner, Ann Merlino, Peter Nigro, Howard Pierano, James Sanders, Morty Schiff, Joel Schwartz, David Seeley, Miriam Tausner, Roberta Vogel, Yousef Mohamed, Steve and Erika Zuckerman, and Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs Janine Scaff.

Co-chaired by retired Professors Irene Deitch (Psychology) and Richard Currie (English), ARP seeks to provide opportunities for its members to come together for social, recreational, and educational purposes, in support of the College and student success. ARP is comprised of faculty from CSI and its predecessor institutions, Staten Island Community College and Richmond College.

Recent College of Staten Island graduate and standout softball star Danielle Ponsiglione will be the guest of honor this week when she returns to the CSI diamond, but the multiple record holder and three-time CUNYAC Pitcher of the Year, is battling a new competitor, and many former teammates, family and friends will be on hand for a benefit game in her honor.  Diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma, Ponsiglione is in her second round of battling the disease, her first coming shortly after her career at CSI in 2012.  To offset medical expenses associated with treatment, CSI will host the event this Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at 7:00pm at the CSI Softball Complex.  The evening will feature multiple three-inning games from a variety of teams.  Entry fees collected from the participants as well as money generated from raffles and prizes will be donated to Ponsiglione’s family.

Appropriately titled “No One Stands Alone,” the evening will feature many present and former CSI Alumni, many of whom played side-by-side with Ponsiglione, going head-to-head on the diamond.  Members of the New York Panthers, New York Havoc and Staten Island Saints will also be on-hand with the theme focused on raising revenue.  Raffle prizes will be awarded and concessions will be available as well, all in the name of one of CSI’s finest alumni.  Current CSI Head Coach Stella Porto is a principal organizer of the event, and was quick to cite the importance of the event in a recent interview with the Staten Island Advance.

“Danielle represents (a combination) of strength and courage,” said Porto. “She was someone who overcame many injuries throughout her career with me at CSI and I’m praying that the strength and courage continues for what (I believe) is the game of her life.”

A two-sport star at CSI, Ponsiglione also played volleyball, but the setter was best known for her dominance in the circle for the Dolphins, where she helped guide the Dolphins to a pair of CUNYAC titles and NCAA Division III Championship Tournament appearances.  In her stellar four-year career, Ponsiglione claims al-time career records for wins (55) and complete games (77).  She logged almost 200 more innings pitched than any other Dolphin, topping out at 543.0, and her career 2.32 ERA stands third all-time, while her career 337 strikeouts rank second.  Ponsiglione’s 20 wins during the 2010 season are also a CSI record.  Alongside her athletic prowess, Ponsiglione was a valued member of the CSI family, lending herself to CSI’s valued Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a collection of community service projects.

Ponsiglione has stayed close to softball and to CUNY.  Her father, Michael, just completed his first season as Head Coach for Brooklyn College, where he won Coach of the Year honors.

To sign up to participate in the event, or to donate funds or offer up a raffle prize, please contact CSI Head Coach Stella Porto at (908) 463-1300.  In-person registration at the CSI Softball Complex will begin at 6pm on Wednesday.  Should rain interfere with the festivities, a rain make-up date will be announced.

Photo courtesy of Lucy Farfan-Narcisse.

THE BANNER – A delegation of 19 international higher education leaders congregate in the Green Dolphin Lounge in 1C on May 1, 2014. Hosted by the Center for International Service, the International Visitor Leadership Program wrapped up its three week tour of United States’ colleges and universities.

The program was organized by the Office of International Visitors which is part of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, a bureau of the United States Department of State. The program was arranged by Ms. Ann Driscoll and Colin Ackerman of World Learning, an international nonprofit which promotes international exchanges of education and developmental knowledge.

Then Interim President, now full time President of the College of Staten Island, William Fritz, was there to mark the rare and influential occasion by welcoming the congregation of international visitors. President Fritz referenced a recent Business Insider article which cited CSI as New York States’ “most underrated college,” as evidence of CSI’s desirability for potential international students stating.

“CSI has national as well as international ranking,” said President Fritz.

The topic of conversation between the international visitors was “Contemporary Challenges in Higher Education.” With visitors ranging from Armenia, Bolivia and Chile, to the Slovak Republic, Somalia and South Africa, there was no lack of interesting conversation between various cultures and customs which all share a common ideal of the importance of higher education.

Dr. Stephen Ferst, Executive Director of the Center of International Service, pointed out how “unique” CSI is due to the existence of an international service office which sets it apart from other CUNYs. CSI’s blend of community college and four-year degrees is another thing Ferst cited which makes “a particular college like CSI attractive [to educators from abroad].”

After opening remarks by Dr. Ferst, President Fritz and Dr. Michael Kress, Vice President of Information Technology and Economic Development for CSI, the various visitors broke off into multiple groups to network, as well as to discuss challenges facing higher education and CSI’s role on the international stage.

Three of these visitors – Ms. Samira Alvarado Arzate, International Affairs Coordinator and Secretariat of Education for Sonora State University in Mexico, Ms. Maram Albalbisi, Quality Assurance Manager for Effat University in Saudi Arabia, and a representative from Djibouti who has asked to remain unnamed – shared some of their opinions of CSI.

All three mentioned “the wide campus space” and the “large amount of degrees available” as some of the key qualities that make CSI outstandingly attractive to other visitors and potential students.

“CSI is a research campus, which has great importance to many students, especially for those studying the sciences,” said Ms. Albalbisi.

Also present at the event was Mr. Bosco Johnson Rukundo, a lecturer and coordinator for the Masters of Science Economics program at the National University of Rwanda. With Rwanda suffering from social upheaval and economic trouble, and its reliance on the agricultural industry, Mr. Rukundo, more than most people, knows the dire importance of higher education.

“In my country, most people lack higher education and therefore have fewer skills,” said Mr. Rukundo. “We need those critical skills in the sciences to create not only jobs but sustainable jobs that aid in the long term.” Mr. Rukundo indicated that affordable and accessible colleges like CSI make great strides in helping international workers get the skills their country needs. This exportation of knowledge is one of the key themes of the program.

Since the Center of International Service has been on the CSI campus, multiple international students have come to CSI looking for a chance at an affordable and comprehensive college degree and experience.

One of the attendees of this leadership program, Naomi O., is a young woman from Japan who currently attends the College of Staten Island and works for the Center of International Service.

Ms. Naomi O. works as an intern for the Center of International Service, is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Management, and speaks more than three languages. Naomi moved from Japan to Hong Kong and eventually made her way to the United States, specifically Staten Island, NY.

“Communication between people [on the issue of higher education] is essential,” said Naomi. In order to reach the most amount of people domestically and abroad, higher education leaders, according to Naomi, need to “broaden communication of the issue of higher education across universities and countries.” She added that initiatives like the International Visitor Leadership Program were fundamental to the dissemination of knowledge and higher education throughout the world.

The group eventually departed from the Green Dolphin Lounge and toured the ongoing Undergraduate Research Conference occurring in 1P as well as the library.

“Contemporary Challenges in Higher Education” is not just the title of this international summit but it is also the theme of most of the struggles facing both the United States and the international stage. With modern technology on the advent and a growing global socioeconomic disparity, it is and will be the continuing focus of attention for world leaders to promote higher education and the dissemination of knowledge to as many people as possible.

CSI now finds itself at the spearhead of new initiatives like these, more so than many other American universities. Promoting internalization of education, CSI now stands as a potential gateway for immigrants, or any other person, to reach the goal of higher education relatively easier than most other colleges and universities in the world.

This article was written by Michael Roach for the May 22, 2014 issue of  The Banner and is reprinted here with permission.  Read more from The Banner>

Nina Giacobbe and Basant Zaki celebrate their accomplishments at the College of Staten Island’s Honors Convocation.

The 2014 graduates of The Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program received their certificates of completion during the College of Staten Island’s Honors Convocation.

John Ferrandino, Nina Giaccobe, Arthur King, Alex Medina and Basant Zaki were joined by their family, friends, mentors and faculty to celebrate all that they have accomplished during their time as students with The Melissa Riggio Program.

In what can only be described as a joyful evening, the students were filled with an enormous sense of pride and accomplishment. It has been an incredible journey for these 5 young adults to get where they are today.

As quoted by John Ferrandino in his speech during the Tuesday May 27^th program reception, “ as the legendary baseball player Derek Jeter says, there may be people who have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do”.

The College of Staten Island celebrated a magical evening on Monday, raising over $7,000 in funds to help support former graduate and softball star Danielle Ponsiglione as part of “No One Stands Alone” Benefit Night at the Tomas D. Morales Baseball Field.  Over 60 former teammates joined Ponsiglione alongside members of the New York Havoc, New York Panthers, and Staten Island Saints Silver squads for an evening of softball and raffles that garnered overwhelming support to help offset medical costs associated with Ponsiglione’s fight against Stage IV Melanoma.

Principal organizer Stella Porto, who coached Ponsiglione throughout her collegiate career at CSI which saw a pair of CUNYAC titles and multiple pitching records, was floored by the level of support.  “Leading up to the event people said they would come, but then to see them actually come and participate, it’s just overwhelming.”  Porto helped organize the event with Kathy Kelly, Athletic Director at St. Joseph by the Sea High School.  Members of the Brooklyn College softball team, coached by Danielle’s father, Mike Ponsiglione, were also on hand to help in the event.

Porto was busy with registration for nearly two hours leading up to first pitch.  Participants paid $20 to play and the funds kept flooding in through raffles, 50/50, and concession sales, which sold out.  Ponsiglione, the guest of honor who also played collegiate volleyball at CSI, spent part of the evening pitching for the CSI Alumni team, but was then mostly busy milling through the crowd of nearly 500 people who came to pitch in.  Prior to kick-off Ponsiglione addressed the growing crowd of supporters.  “I can’t believe this support for me and I am so grateful,” she said.  She later told the Staten Island Advance, “I didn’t know I knew this many people…it’s insane.”

When it came to softball, the teams gathered to play three, three-inning games on the modified baseball field.  The NY Havoc turned back the CSI Alumni, 4-2, and then St. Joseph by the Sea High School blanked the NY Panthers, 2-0.  In the evening’s final game, the Staten Island Saints Silver squad came from behind to score a walk-off win over the Panthers, 5-4.  The laid-back atmosphere among the players served as a backdrop to overwhelming donations and raffle ticket sales throughout the night.  There were 22 raffle prizes in all, including an all-expense paid week-long trip to California wine country, an estimated $4,000 value.  The teams spent just as much time posing for pictures with Ponsiglione and her family in-between games, proof-positive that the night was more a show of support for Ponsiglione than anything else.

“We want her to know that no matter what treatment she’s getting or what doctor she’s seeing, we’re going to be there with her,” said Porto, who has also been active on social media to promote straight donations be sent to Danielle via www.gofundme.com/a4gpts.  To date, over $15,000 has been raised, and that figure will go above the $20k mark with last night’s gross as well.

Those interested in making donations to No One Stands Alone can do so by visiting the donation website at ?www.gofundme.com/a4gpts.  On August 16, the Staten Island Yankees will also take up the cause, as part of all ticket sales for that evening will go toward the campaign.

Suri Duitch, CUNY Dean for Continuing Education and Deputy to the Senior University Dean for Academic Affairs, Kayce Freed Jennings, and Alexis Booker are joined by CUNY Chancellor James B. Milliken.

When Alexis Booker first enrolled in the College of Staten Island’s adult education program to earn a General Equivalency (GED) Diploma, little did he expect that a few years later he would be standing on stage next to nine others at the 12th Annual Peter Jennings Scholarship Laurel Award ceremony held at The City University of New York (CUNY)’s Graduate Center.

The June 2014 event, held to honor students who graduate from CUNY’s Adult Literacy/GED programs, awarded $1,500 scholarships to Booker and nine others who have successfully earned their GED and have enrolled at a CUNY college.

The funding for this important program was made possible by the generous contributions from the Peter Jennings Foundation, named after the anchor of ABC TV’s World News Tonight who died in 2005 at age 67.

It was in 2003 when Jennings was awarded the CUNY Chancellor’s Medal for his extraordinary achievements in journalism and his contributions as a role model and catalyst for a better-informer citizenry.  Jennings took a strong interest in CUNY’s Adult Literacy/GED Program and spoke passionately about its mission. More than 100 GED graduates have launched their academic careers at CUNY with the help of the Peter Jennings Scholarships.

The scholarships, supported by his widow, Kayce Freed Jennings, are funded through the generosity of the Abernathy MacGregor Group and the Peter Jennings Foundation.

The ceremony was moderated by Jay Hershenson, CUNY Senior Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Secretary of the Board with remarks by CUNY Chancellor James B. Milliken and a Keynote Address by Manhattan Borough President The Honorable Gale Brewer.

Suri Duitch, CUNY Dean for Continuing Education and Deputy to the Senior University Dean for Academic Affairs, who, along Kayce Freed Jennings, introduced the scholarship recipients. Duitch told the attendees the story of how Alexis, who lost his mother when he was eight and became a father when he was 18, became motivated to go to school.

“After many years of working and wondering how his life would have been different had he stayed in school, he happened to overhear a conversation between a mother and son, the other encouraging her son to go back to school,” Duitch said. “Alexis decided to take her advice and enrolled in an High School Equivalency (HSE) class at College of Staten Island’s Adult Learning Center. He felt fearful about comprehending the work and competing with a younger generation, but he soon got into the rhythm of being a student.”

Dean Duitch also addressed Booker’s “gift for writing and willingness to be open to criticism,” adding, “Alexis also became the scribe for a disabled classmate who couldn’t take notes in class and the two became close friends.”

Alexis Booker is now a proud freshman at CSI where he plans to major in Journalism and Communications, and to someday write short stories and children’s books.

Dr. William J. Fritz, president of the College of Staten Island, is joined by fellow honoree John Catsimatidis at the Annual Golden Age Awards Banquet held by the Latino Center on Aging.

Dr. William J. Fritz, president of the College of Staten Island (CSI), received the Effective Leadership Award on behalf of CSI at the 22nd Annual Golden Age Awards Banquet held by the Latino Center on Aging (LCA).

According to Mario E. Tapia, president and chief executive officer of the LCA,  Dr. Fritz and the college received the award for significant contributions and exemplary commitment to the betterment of the Latino/Hispanic communities throughout the world.

The June 2014 event took place at the Inter-Continental, The Barclay, in New York City, with Rafael Pi Roman, a producer and host with WNET’s Channel13 and Giovanna Drpic, host and producer of the Emmy-nominated “Money & Main$treet” on Verizon Fios1 News, acting as the masters of ceremony. The 2013 commemorative journal co-chairs included Rita DiMartino and Jean Fuentes.

Dr. Fritz was joined by fellow Golden Age Award honorees: Dr. Félix Eudardo Nallim, Humanitarian; Dr. Antonio Pérez, Community Leadership; Rafael Pi Roman, Community Service; John Catsimatidis, Corporate; and Mr. Saul Greenberger, Corporate.

Dr. William J. Fritz signs the Memorandum of Understanding for the groundbreaking new Physical Therapy program with Yongming Shou from Shaoxing University.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation in China are currently provided by untrained individuals who are mostly physical educators, and the number of individuals requiring rehabilitation in China is staggering.

To help with this situation, delegates from Shaoxing University in the Zhejiang Provence of China met on the College of Staten Island campus with key members of CSI’s faculty and staff, headed by Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, Dr. Jeffrey Rothman.

Their goal is to develop a high-quality physical therapy educational program for China that would meet North American standards of accreditation.

With only one physical therapy education program in China located at the Polytech University in Hong Kong, the Shaoxing University delegates are aiming to form relationships with North American colleges and universities that can assist them in collaborating with faculty from Shaoxing on matters related to curriculum, course content, and research with a possible exchange program for students and faculty envisioned for the future.

The delegation was welcomed to CSI by Dr. Rothman and Dr. Stephen Ferst, Executive Director, Center for International Service, as they went on a tour of the CSI Department of Physical Therapy to meet with its faculty members. They soon met with CSI President Dr. William J. Fritz,  Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Fred Naider, Dean of Science and Technology Dr. Alex Chigogidze, and Professor Maureen Becker, Director of Clinical Education, Department of Physical Therapy and Interim Founding Dean of the School of Health Sciences, and signed the letter of intent to memorialize the collaboration and promote relations and mutual understating between the institutions.

“I am excited that our Doctor of Physical Therapy students will be offered the potential of overseas study and experience,” Dr. Fritz told the delegates. “We are proud of the opportunity to play a role to assist China in providing competent physical therapy and rehabilitation services.”

Dr. Fritz also noted that the collaboration will “increase the civic prosperity of Staten Island,” and informed the delegates of the College’s Interdisciplinary High Performance Computing Center and “the opportunities it provides our students.” He also discussed the recent creation of three new schools on campus, the School of Business, the School of Education, and the School of Health Sciences.

Dr. Rothman, working with Dr. Robert Chen, an internationally renowned sports physical therapist, met with the visiting Shaoxing University faculty and administrators in order to begin a valuable relationship that will see CSI’s Department of Physical Therapy program faculty, staff, and students assist in establishing Shaoxing University’s Physical Therapy program to meet the tremendous needs for rehabilitation services for its large population. Dr. Rothman, during his visit with Dr Chen last year, toured several rehabilitation centers in China. It was evident during his visit, and following discussions with medical staff, that there is a high number of children in China with physical disabilities and adults with a multitude of physical and motoric problems that would benefit greatly from physical therapy services.

This collaboration with Shaoxing University will also allow for faculty and student exchange between the respective universities. In addition, CSI DPT students will be offered the potential for overseas study experience in their professional field, including, but not limited to, strengthening clinical practical training in Shaoxing University’s affiliated hospitals and expertise in Chinese traditional medicine and knowledge.

Shaoxing University considered several other U.S. physical therapy programs including a prestigious Manhattan-based private university, but decided to work with CSI after reviewing the curriculum and program resources, and meeting with CSI’s international office and administrative support.

The meeting with the delegation from Shaoxing was such a success that the University has also expressed interest in collaborating with other academic fields of study at CSI, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Nursing, Education, Engineering, and Business.

By establishing a collaborative relationship with Shaoxing University, CSI has the opportunity to play a monumental role in assisting China in providing competent physical therapy and rehabilitation services that are urgently needed by the Chinese population, while greatly enhancing the international reputation and presence of CSI and CUNY.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $55 million in state funds for the CUNY 2020 program. The College of Staten Island will get a share of the funding. (Associated Press)

STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE — The College of Staten Island will get a share of $55 million allocated in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s CUNY 2020 program.

The funds are given to foster eight innovative projects on 20 City University campuses, designed to connect academics with economic development. Programs funded are supposed to support the training and creation of more than 3,800 jobs by 2020.

“The CUNY 2020 program is designed to connect the innovative academic programs offered by New York City’s public universities to local economic development,” Cuomo said in a statement announcing the program.

“In today’s economy, universities are not just classrooms and research facilities; they support thousands of local jobs and are often the to economic driver in local communities. With these awards, the state is pleased to provide funding that will help CUNY continue to offer a world-class education to hundreds of thousands of students, while also supporting new jobs and investment in the surrounding communities,” the governor said.

Included in the $55 million is a $15 million grant for a CUNY consortium on data, analysis and technology. CSI will work cooperatively with the CUNY Graduate Center, the CUNY School of Professional Studies, City College, New York City College of Technology, and Manhattan Community College on establishing and expanding a project called the “CUNY Center for Big Data Consortium.”

In his report to the College Council, CSI President Dr. Wiliam Fritz said the CUNY 2020 grant would be used to develop the college’s high-performance computing center, along with its School of Business.

“CUNY 2020 will provide training for graduate students and business professionals to meet the current industry demand for big data analysts in the public and private sectors,” Fritz said.

“Over a five-year period the CUNY Consortium project activities will yield an economic impact of approximately $26 million in wages, and $8.7 million in tax revenue,” he said.

The CUNY 2020 funding is in addition to the $10 million Staten Island lawmakers secured in April for CSI’s computer project from the $138 billion state budget.

Also included in the $55 million from CUNY 2020 is a $9 million grant for a CUNY consortium to develop new sources of energy and fuel products.
In this initiative, CSI will work cooperatively with City College, Bronx Community College, and CUNY School of Public Health “to renovate existing space to create a hub for transportation technology, sustainable fuel and product development for CUNY’s automotive technology program.”

According to the proposal, students in the program would be able to study use of renewable fuels, hybrid vehicle use, air quality and traffic patterns of electric vehicles on the roads.

Read the Governor’s press release>

This article was written by Diane Lore and first appeared in the Staten Island Advance and on SILive.com on July 28, 2014.  It is reprinted here with permission. All rights reserved.

Christopher Cruz-Cullari, Executive Director of the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development (center) is joined by CSI President Dr. William J. Fritz (left) and Deputy to the President Kenichi Iwama at a recent celebration at the new Merrill Avenue campus.

The College of Staten Island’s Office of Continuing Education and Professional Studies has moved to its new satellite campus located at 130 Merrill Avenue on the West Shore of Staten Island. The new location provides CSI continuing education students access to eight dedicated classrooms wired with Smart Board technology as well as a computer lab.

Two informational Fall Open Houses are scheduled for Saturday, September 6, from 9:00am-Noon, and Wednesday, September 10, from 6:00-8:00pm.

Visit www.csi.cuny.edu/continue to learn more about courses and programs featured at the Open House.

In addition to the advantages of holding courses in state-of-the art classrooms, “we have the opportunity to make a greater impact in our community,” noted CSI Continuing Education Administrative Director, Jasmine Cardona. “Our programs allow individuals to become more employable, increase earning potential, or develop the skills needed to make higher education attainable.”

The CSI Continuing Education Program is transforming lives by offering professional development in emerging careers in fields such as healthcare, technology and business. In addition, there are programs and courses that can prepare local residents for college, including remediation and English language development courses, as well as many other community-based programs that are available to meet the diverse needs of the Staten Island community.

For more information about the CSI Continuing Education Program call (718) 982-2182.

CLIP and CUNY START

The CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) and the CUNY START Program have also moved their offices, though they are both remaining on campus. CLIP has moved to room 1L-204 in the Library and CUNY START has moved to their new home in 4N-207A in the Engineering Science and Physics building.

CLIP, an intensive English language program for students who are non-native English speakers provides a full-time immersion approach to English language study that does not draw upon a student’s financial aid allocation; students pay only a nominal fee for the program.

This July, CLIP moved to the library just up the stairs from the CUNY Immersion Programs office making it easier for CLIP students to navigate between the programs. It also offers CLIP students a more centrally-located position on campus.

“We will be more readily available to our students and serve more who need the resources we provide,” explained CSI CLIP Coordinator Elizabeth Schade. “At CLIP, students find a home with other students with the same goals.”

CLIP was launched by the City University of New York (CUNY) in 1995 and is offered at nine CUNY colleges. It is an intensive ESL program offering 25 hours of weekly instruction to entering freshmen. The low cost of the program–$180 per student for the semester—enables the students to study remedial college level courses at CSI without using their financial aid.

Approximately 100 students will be served by CLIP in the library this fall semester when classes begin September 8th.

For more information about CSI CLIP, call Coordinator Elizabeth Schade at (718) 982-2981 or visit their Facebook page .

Rounding out the moves, the CUNY START Program has moved to Building 4N on the CSI campus.

CUNY Start is a low-cost, intensive remediation program for students who have been accepted to the College of Staten Island but still need to pass two or more sections of the CUNY Assessment tests.

Director Donna Grant said that the move means that “the students will have more access to the same labs and resources as the Engineering students,” which she believes will motivate more of the program’s students to pursue the sciences at CSI.

CUNY Start offers both a full time program for students who need to retake the math assessment test and the reading and/or writing assessment tests, and a part time program for students needing to retake either the math assessment or the reading and writing assessment tests. The program costs $75 per semester, including all books and materials, and allows participants to save their financial aid for credit courses.

For more information about the CSI CUNY START Program call (718) 982-3069.

CSI brings home the honors at the 7th Annual Statewide Student Science Competition in Lake George, NY.

For the seventh year in a row, a College of Staten Island student earned first- place honors in at least one category at the 22nd Annual CSTEP Statewide Student Conference at The Sagamore on Lake George in Bolton Landing, NY.

In his first presentation ever, Joseph Lingo earned first place in BioChemistry for his poster titled “Targeted and Lipid-Complexed Forms of Curcumin as a Remedy for Brain Tumors,” which studies the culinary spice turmeric and its anticancer properties. Lingo believes that his lab’s research “brings the promise of replacing chemo- and radiation therapies, which cause serious side effects without actually curing the disease.”

Senior Psychology major Lee Han earned Honorable Mention in the Psychology Category for his poster “Mind Wandering and Eye Movement.” Han spent 126 hours in the lab studying CSI students and their ability to focus on lectures.

As it is every year, the competition was fierce as the CSI students presented alongside students from such prestigious New York universities as NYU, Columbia, Syracuse, Cornell, and LIU—as well as all 24 CUNY colleges. The conference weekend is a time and place where CSTEP students from all over the state have the opportunity to interact with likeminded students and attend workshops that address academic development, networking, social development, and graduate school.  They learned about interviewing and table etiquette.

“Many CSTEP students are first-generation graduates,” explained Debra Evans-Greene, CSI Project Director for the Office of Access and Success Programs. She believes that programs such as CSTEP “level the playing field for students belonging to historically underrepresented groups or families that are financially unstable.”

She went on to discuss the CSTEP conference and the dose of healthy competition that it provides, saying that it “gives the students an opportunity to hone their presentation skills.  It holds them accountable and helps them become specialists in their fields.”

The conference is also a great initiation into the world of math and science for those who did not present but are preparing to do so in the near future. Mark Blounte, a sophomore Biology major was selected to serve as a CSTEP Ambassador for the conference while he is preparing his poster for next year.  He called the chance to attend this year’s conference a “huge opportunity.”

Mark worked most of the conference, helping organize the presenters’ research and show attendees where to go but he admits he took every opportunity to “observe and learn” from the students presenting.

Originally from Guyana and planning on researching embryonic development—he wants to be a cardiologist—Mark said that the best part of the conference was “the research—seeing how dedicated the researchers are to their fields. An event like this is definitely a stepping stone for many students.”

Evans-Greene, who has been with CSI’s CSTEP program for 20 years said over that time, “students have really benefited and they are constantly returning to the program as Master’s and PhD students to mentor the undergraduates and continue their research with our amazing science faculty.”

After last year’s victory, Evans-Greene predicted a seventh win in a row. She now claims that she is done with predictions because it would be more of a surprise if at least one CSI-CSTEP student did not win a category. “That is just how great our CSTEP program and our students are.”

For the second consecutive year, the College of Staten Island (CSI) has been named a U.S. News & World Report Best College.

In the 2015 edition of the “Best Colleges” issue of the magazine, CSI is ranked 115th in the overall Best Colleges list for Regional Universities (North), representing a positive growth of 20 positions, affirming CSI as a leading senior college of The City University of New York. When exclusively reviewing this list for public universities, CSI is ranked 36th.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the magazine’s ranking model offers “reliable and consistent data on nearly 1,800 schools to allow [parents and students] to compare them.”

“We are proud that CSI continues to climb in the U.S. News ranking model,” commented CSI President Dr. William J. Fritz. “Whereas rankings cannot fully capture the educational landscape of a college or university, the continued growth and national recognition of the high-quality education at the College of Staten Island is long overdue, and is the result of the exceptional efforts and dedication by our faculty, staff, and students. Once again, CSI is proud to join the flagship colleges of CUNY on this distinguished list and source of pride.”

“It is extremely gratifying to see the College of Staten Island gain national prominence,” added Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Fred Naider.  “Our continued growth in the national ranking landscape is a reflection of our renowned faculty and the College’s commitment to excellence and access.  We are very proud of our growing list of achievements by our students and faculty.”

CSI was first named one of “America’s Best Colleges” in the North by U.S. News & World Report in 2014. Since 2012, Washington Monthly magazine named CSI one of “America’s Best-Bang-for-the-Buck Colleges”; Business Insider, the leading business and technology news Website, named CSI to represent NY State in its list of top schools in the country with great academics and high acceptance rates; and G.I. Jobs magazine ranked CSI in the top 15% of “Military-Friendly” schools in the country. Most recently, TIME magazine ranked CSI 48th out of 2,500 institutions of higher learning in the country when graduation rates, tuition, and the percentage of students who receive Pell Grants were equally weighted. When affordability was chosen to be of primary importance, CSI topped out as 22nd in the country.

View more Institutional, Faculty, and Student Awards>

For the last four years, the College of Staten Island Breast Cancer has brought together the entire borough of Staten Island, as well as students, alumni, staff, friends, and families of the CSI community, to raise awareness and funds for the Staten Island Breast Cancer Research Initiative (SIBCRI).

Directed by Dr. Donna B. Gerstle, Professor and Director of CSI’s Center for Environmental Science, the SIBCRI is a multidisciplinary approach aimed at making a positive impact on breast cancer incidence and mortality on Staten Island and beyond.

Since its inception, the Walkathon has been symbolic for SIBCRI supporters, as it provides them with a setting to gather with family and friends, and unite under the mission to spread awareness and eradicate this life-altering disease.

The two-kilometer Walkathon will take place Saturday, October 11, 2014 on the CSI campus. Registration and sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. on the Great Lawn, the Walkathon begins at 10:00 a.m.

Join us for group yoga and zumba before and after the Walkathon. Hand-knitted scarves, blankets, and other items lovingly crafted by supportive community groups across the country, will be available for purchase.

Registration fee for walkers is $25 and includes an SIBCRI t-shirt, water bottle, and tote. All contributions are tax deductible.

Registration for CSI students with a valid Dolphin Card is free. The first 150 registered students will receive a Student Health Kit with a SIBCRI t-shirt. Student Health Kits are compliments of the CSI Campus Activities Board (CAB).

For more information call (718) 982-3920.

DR. DONNA GERSTLE  is determined to find out why there is a correlation between length of residency on Staten Island, puberty, and mortality from breast cancer. Her quest in the laboratories of the CSI Center for the Environmental Science involves long hours reviewing a broad spectrum of data. Her enduring commitment is matched by her life-long passion.

WALK ROUTE – Starting at 10:00am on the Great Lawn, each Walkathon participant will cover the two-kilometer walk route once. Along the Walkathon route, walkers will find Live Green, Embrace Pink lawn signs containing facts on how to promote energy efficiency and a greener lifestyle for all, in addition to important facts about breast cancer prevention. At the end of the Walkathon, walkers will have the opportunity to meet with Health Educators from CSI’s Staten Island Breast Cancer Research Initiative (SIBCRI).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU4RV05JN5U[/youtube]“Iron Man of the Mask” Franc D’Ambrosio performs an Italian Heritage Benefit Concert featuring hits from Broadway in The Phantom Unmasked, at the College of Staten Island Center for the Arts on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 7:00pm. Tickets cost $35 with the proceeds benefiting the Italian Studies program.

Tickets may be purchased at the CSI Center of the Arts box office, charged at 718.982.ARTS (2787) or Order Online Today

 Franc D’Ambrosio is best known as the “Phantom” in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Affectionately known as “The Iron Man of The Mask,” he was awarded the distinction as the “World’s Longest Running Phantom.” This accomplishment was immortalized in a cemented hand ceremony and he retained this title for a decade.

The Phantom Unmasked is a cabaret-style concert that will include a selection of some of Broadway’s hits intermingled with the fascinating personal story of his life. As an ItalianAmerican who was born into a family of bakers in the Bronx, as a child D’Ambrosio could likely have never predicted that his career would include studying with Pavarotti, taking the lead role in Phantom of the Opera, and teaching in conservatories across Italy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjDYAUJu34o[/youtube]“Franc, like many of us at CSI, knows that an experience abroad can change a student’s life,” comments Gerry Milligan, co-coordinator of the CSI Italian Studies program, adding “and has generously donated his time to support students at CSI, permitting all ticket proceeds to benefit the Italian Studies Fund, a scholarship developed to help send CSI students to study abroad in Italy.”

Franc D’Ambrosio’s passion for teaching his craft to young artists leads to Italy each summer.  He teaches at the Accademia Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti in Lucca, Italy.  He has lectured for the University Of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (at famed Spoleto, Italy). He also works with the Cherubini Music Conservatory in Florence, Italy, and American University in Washington DC. In addition, D’Ambrosio participates in numerous lecture series for such prestigious institutions as the New Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, the famed Julliard School NYC, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. While touring the country, D’Ambrosio makes himself available to local school outreach programs across the U.S. and Europe. He offers both lecture and master class formats.

Dr. Maureen Becker has been appointed the Interim Founding Dean of the College of Staten Island School of Health Sciences effective August 27, 2014. Dean Becker will lead the Nursing and Physical Therapy Departments and organize the School so that these departments function cohesively and complement one another.

Dean. Becker holds a Doctorate in Health Sciences from the Institute of Physical Therapy, a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy. She was the Director of Clinical Education and Deputy Chair at the College of Staten Island for 22 years. She was one of two full time faculty members who has been a member of the combined Bachelors/Masters Physical Therapy program since its inception.

She has served as the Director of Clinical Education (DCE), securing 227 Physical Therapy education contracts which equates to more than 500 actual clinical sites nationwide. She was instrumental in the college’s transition to a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program.  Dean Becker accompanied representatives from the Nursing Department for an exploratory trip to Costa Rica in April 2011 through UNIBE. Additionally, Dean Becker has been an integral part of CSI’s Physical Therapy program entering into agreement with Shaoxing University to develop a high-quality physical therapy educational program in China that would meet North American standards of accreditation.

Dean Becker moved to Staten Island from Brooklyn as a teenager, she was part of the first co-ed class to graduate from St. Joseph by the Sea High School in 1977. Dean Becker’s parents have lived on the Island for more than 40 years and she and her family will soon become residents of Saint George. She is the co-founder of a not-for-profit organization, the Staten Island Slim Down, which has helped over 5000 Staten Islanders lose weight and promotes better health/wellness through healthier lifestyle choices for the last five years.

Dean Becker has received numerous awards and professional honors in her field including the Staten Island Community Health Hero Award, The Richmond University Medical Center “ Commitment to Excellence Award,” and the New York Physical Therapy Association Appreciation Award. As Dean of the School of Health Sciences she will administer a School with the two doctoral programs at the College.

The College of Staten Island (CSI) and Baruch College were recently honored by the visit of nine EducationUSA advisers from Peru, China, Mauritius, Sweden, India, Burkina Faso, Malaysia, Georgia, Congo and a country coordinator from Mexico.

EducationUSA advising centers are located in U.S. embassies and consulates, partner institutions, bi-national cultural centers, U.S. and foreign NGOs, universities, and libraries in 170 countries. Their role is to provide international students with comprehensive information about U.S. higher education through individual and group advisement sessions, fairs, outreach events, webinars and social media.

The summer visit to CSI and Baruch allowed the advisers to explore two flagship campuses of The City University of New York (CUNY) in person.

“Campus visits are critical to overseas EducationUSA advisers because they provide a firsthand look at university systems that are in most cases drastically different from those overseas. The visits help advisers explain and promote U.S. study and highlight campus programs and advantages available – often only in the United States,” said Ms. Dorothy Mora, a Program Officer at the U.S. Department of State, Educational Information and Resources Branch, summarizing the importance of such visits.

Guests had an opportunity to interact with the administration, faculty, staff and students, tour the campuses, learn about the international admission process at both undergraduate and graduate level and discover all the programs and services that CUNY colleges have to offer to international students.

The conversations with the administration and the faculty allowed for the exchanges of ideas and possible future collaborations. Dr. Fred Naider, CSI Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs stated “The energy in the room was impressive and I felt a spirit of intellectual interchange. We look forward to growing this activity.”

Overall, the conversations with students, the on-campus stay at CSI’s Dolphin Cove, and the tour of New York City gave the international advisers a glimpse of what life of an international student in New York is about.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/TM7p_sE7aSQ[/youtube] In 1967, Lou Reed, with his band The Velvet Underground and Nico, famously sang “Heroin,” which troubled many listeners with its near endorsement-like treatment of the drug. Later, in the 1990’s, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails wrote the song, “Hurt,” which chronicled the massive emotional and psychological devastation left behind due to use of the drug. The song received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Song in 1996, and was subsequently recorded by Johnny Cash as one of his final releases.

Over the several decades that pop culture and music have attempted to highlight the effects that heroin and other drugs have caused people the world over, none have addressed heroin in quite the way that College of Staten Island Psychology major and now YouTube rapper sensation Michael Stendardi has with “~Neuroscience Minds~.”

Stendardi’s award-winning music video needs your vote today to win a People’s Choice Award from Brainfacts.org.

By blending the strength of pop music as a vehicle for his message with his class’s knowledge of the chemical responses of the human brain to drugs, Michael, or “NeuroMic,” as his YouTube handle reads, hopes to make people aware of the brain’s response to these drugs.

The video, which Michael produced last spring as part of a class project for Dr. Dan McCloskey’s Physiological Psychology class, has already garnered great reviews and even earned Michael an award for “Best Song” from the 2014 Society for Neuroscience Brain Awareness video contest.

The project tasked students with making videos to teach the general public about the brain. In the video, Michael raps throughout the halls of the CSI Center for Developmental Neuroscience (CDN) describing the effect of drugs on the brain. A big part of that video was a poem by Michael about heroin and its effects on the brain.

Dr. McCloskey was impressed and told the class about the Society for Neuroscience Brain Awareness Video Contest and “Michael just took off with it,” exclaimed Dr. McCloskey. “It was almost as if he wrote the lyrics for this song overnight, but the accuracy of the information and quality of the rhymes shows that a lot of thought and research went into it.”

“Neuroscience is a strength at CSI,” Dr. McCloskey continued. “It’s nice to have an anthem.”

Michael then recruited his friend, Joe Ocasio, aka, “The Janitor,” who created all of the instrumentals and donated his time and video/audio producing expertise.

The quirky and catchy video has earned plenty of recognition since he posted it to YouTube this past August and he is now setting his sights on a People’s Choice Award from Brainfacts.org, which you can vote on here http://www.brainfacts.org/Educators/Get-Involved/Articles-Folder/Peoples-Choice. Voting ends on September 30.

The video, produced by @Janitorsbeats, can be watched in full here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=TM7p_sE7aSQ

The Legal Studies Institute (LSI) at the College of Staten Island (CSI) presents “Choosing Not to Choose: Autonomy, Paternalism, and Public Policy,” its inaugural annual lecture that covers Law, Philosophy, and Public Policy on Monday, September 29th at the College of Staten Island Center for the Arts, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island.

The presenter is Cass R. Sunstein, Professor at Harvard Law School and founder and director of the Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy. Previously Mr. Sunstein was Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. He has testified before congressional committees on many subjects, and he has been involved in constitution-making and law reform activities in a number of nations.

The presentation will discuss how governments and private organizations sometimes make “default” choices for individuals—for example, when they select a health care or retirement plan for them unless they opt out of it. Alternatively, these organizations sometimes force individuals to make an active choice between two or more alternatives as a condition of employment or the receipt of some other benefit or service.

Professor Michael Paris, coordinator of the LSI at CSI, says the presentation attempts to answer some philosophical questions: When should organizations, sometime called “choice architects,” use defaults to make or encourage particular choices for individuals (which is a kind of paternalism), and when should they force individuals themselves to make their own active choices (arguably another kind of paternalism)?

“Drawing on his vast knowledge in law and behavioral economics,” Paris notes, “Professor Sunstein examines the puzzles and paradoxes of institutional rules and freedom of choice in many different contexts.”

“Choosing Not to Choose: Autonomy, Paternalism, and Public Policy” will be held at 4:45pm on Monday, September 29th at the College of Staten Island Center for the Arts, 2800 Victory Boulevard. The event is free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Student Government Association, and the Legal Studies Institute.

Mr. Sunstein has authored hundreds of journal articles and more than 20 books, including Worst-Case Scenarios (2001), Republic.com (2001), Risk and Reason (2002), Why Societies Need Dissent (2003), The Second Bill of Rights (2004), Laws of Fear: Beyond the Precautionary Principle (2005), Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness (with Richard H. Thaler, 2008), Simpler: The Future of Government (2013) and, most recently, Why Nudge? (2014) and Conspiracy Theories and Other Dangerous Ideas (2014).

ABOUT THE LEGAL STUDIES INSTITUTE

The Legal Studies Institute is housed within the Departments of Political Science and Philosophy. At the core of the LSI is a new academic program of study, a minor in Legal Studies. Students opting to minor in Legal Studies will have access to introductory and upper level courses in law and philosophy, American constitutionalism, law and society, criminal law and procedure, and law and public policy. Students in any major may minor in Legal Studies. For more information, visit the Legal Studies course catalog webpage.

The LSI also offers an array of counseling services and co-curricular programs and events for students interested in careers in law and/or public policy. It also offers pre-law advisement and career counseling services to all interested College of Staten Island students and graduates. Workshops or panel discussions are held each year about the law school admissions process and career options in law and related fields. We host specialists in LSAT preparation, deans of admission at area law schools, and attorneys practicing in various practice fields, all for the purpose of providing students with access to the practical knowledge and networking opportunities they need to succeed in law school and the profession beyond. The LSI also sponsors and coordinates student internships in law. Students receive college credit for legal internships in a variety of practice settings, including the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office, Legal Aid’s Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation Divisions, and small firm practice. In conjunction with the Provost and the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, the LSI sponsors an annual lecture which brings a prominent legal scholar or practitioner to our campus each year.