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<\/p>\nDr. Donna Chirico, professor of Psychology at York College, recently appeared on the “Arthur Aidala Power Hour” (AM 970) to discuss the 50th anniversary of Italian Americans being recognized as an affirmative action group at the City University of New York (CUNY).<\/p>\n
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Chirico joined Dr. Anthony J. Tamburri, dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute at Queens College, CUNY, for a wide-ranging conversation with host Aidala about the history and ongoing impact of the designation.<\/p>\n
The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute \u2014 named in honor of the New York State senator who championed its creation \u2014 was founded in 1979 with the support of then-CUNY Chancellor Robert Kibbee. The institute is dedicated \u201cto documenting and preserving the Italian American experience through research, higher education advocacy, and cultural programming\u201d within CUNY.<\/p>\n
During the broadcast, Chirico and Tamburri expressed concern that the university appears to be doing less to recruit Italian American students, faculty, and staff. They also noted that many Italian American families continue to bypass CUNY in favor of private institutions, particularly Jesuit universities such as St. John\u2019s and Fordham.<\/p>\n
Chirico also mentioned the forthcoming book, \u201cEducating America and the<\/p>\n
Contributions of Italian Americans, for which she is the senior editor, will further explore the community\u2019s role and representation in academia.<\/p>\n