Higher Education Committee

The New Jersey Italian and Italian American Heritage Commission

Higher Education Committee

Rationale
The Higher Education Committee (HEC) is designed to promote the Italian culture and language for the community through the university system. The HEC also provides training and professional development for instructors of the Italian language and culture.

Description
The Higher Education Committee drew together non-Commission academics and institution personnel from New Jersey to recommend programs for the Commission and the Institute to co-sponsor. The Higher Education Committee also initiated its own projects and programs through the Commission.

Mission
“The purpose of the Higher Education Committee is to serve the needs of New Jersey students currently enrolled in or bound for in-state two-year, four-year institutions and graduate programs, and educators of Italian Studies, Italian American Studies, and relevant areas of specialization:

The committee will spearhead efforts toward the creation of new opportunities -- and the promotion of pre-existing opportunities – to study the Italian language and culture in NJ school districts and institutions of higher learning.
It will collaborate with the International Relations Committee in the establishment of internship opportunities for students.
The Committee will advance the preparation and professional advancement of Italian teachers through collaboration with teacher certification programs, and teachers’ associations.
It will engage in collaborative efforts with the Institute and its satellite centers to provide the academic and general communities with cultural programming, workshops, and seminars.

The committee will also promote the formation of, provide sponsorship for, and assist in the networking between on-campus youth groups whose missions and activities are aligned with those of the NJ Italian and Italian American Heritage Commission.

Members
Committee Chairperson Dr. Nancy Carnevale
Cav. Joseph Coccia
Dr. William Connell
Edvige Giunta
Mary Ann Puccio
Dr. Catherine Puglisi
Dr. Mary Ann Re
Marylou Romano
Dr. Gilda Rorro Baldassari
John Simone
Dr. Marisa Trubiano
Dr. Alessandro Vettori
Cathy Vignale
Dr. Laura White
Dr. Rosa Zagari Marinzoli

Programs and Activities

Organizing professional development conferences for teachers
Organizing student-related conferences
Disseminating Italian Heritage CD to community

Historical Activities

Co-sponsoring Italian Heritage Day with ITANJ in March 2004
Co-sponsoring Italian Heritage Day with ITANJ in March 2004
Organizing Teach the Teachers Days in June 2004
Organizing conference on Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 2005
Organizing Panel at NECTFL conference in May 2004
Supporting the Coccia Institute’s Scuola Fantasia in 2004
Developing the Italian Heritage multimedia CD

Meetings
The HEC will meet on a quarterly basis. The next meeting will be April 4, 2006 at 4:00 pm in Room 332, Scott Hall, 43 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ. Contact the Commission office if interested in attending.