Topic - COVID-19 (101)

Iona College Nursing Students Gain Historic Experience Vaccinating 550 People Against COVID-19 (News 2813)

ptascio — Thu, 06 May 2021 17:46:16 +0000

Iona College Nursing Students Gain Historic Experience Vaccinating 550 People Against COVID-19 (News 2813) ptascio Thu, 05/06/2021 - 13:46 Iona College Nursing Students Gain Historic Experience Vaccinating 550 People Against COVID-19New bachelor’s degree program in nursing provides solutions through the pandemic as students “Learn Outside the Lines” May 6, 2021

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Over 550 individuals are now protected against COVID-19 thanks to students in Iona College’s new nursing program. Describing the opportunity to serve their community as both emotional and historic, students said they were grateful for the hands-on experience gained through the pandemic.

“It feels humbling,” said student Nico O’Leary ’21, of New Rochelle, “This has been a horrible year for everyone. So, the fact that we’re able to give back in this way is enormous.”

Her cousin, Amanda O’Leary ’21, of Pleasantville, also enrolled in the nursing program, said it was rewarding “to help everyone move in the right direction and take a step toward normalcy.”

As Iona joins in celebrating National Nurses Week, the College is also busy training the next generation. Iona’s new Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing offers two pathways to a bachelor’s degree: a traditional four-year undergraduate program; and an accelerated, 15-month, second-degree program for students who already have a bachelor’s in another field. Iona accepted its first class of 18 elite, accelerated-degree students in the fall of 2020, and already nursing is the most sought-after program for the fall of 2021.

Dr. Sandra Davé, director of Iona’s Nursing Clinical Arts Center, enlisted the help of students to administer the COVID-19 vaccine over a series of six clinics she set up in her private practice. Davé has been practicing as a family and gerontological nurse practitioner with her husband in New Rochelle for over 20 years, and she started working at Iona when the nursing program launched.

True to the profession of nursing, Davé said it’s all about working to improve the health and well-being of the community – and doing so with compassion. “We had an instance where we actually had a patient burst into tears,” she said. “One of our students went to comfort her, and she was saying, ‘No, no, these are tears of joy.’ And then she spun around and said, ‘Actually, they’re mixed with tears of sorrow, because I lost a lot of people through the pandemic.’”

Bernabe Gonzales Jr. and Rocio Vanegas, of Mamaroneck, received their first doses of the Moderna vaccine together, choosing to get it at the exact same time from the O’Leary cousins.

“It feels good to have a little bit of protection in me,” said Gonzales.

“It feels surreal,” added Vanegas. “But I’m excited to be here, and just get this over with, and hopefully it ends soon. It’s a little emotional, given everyone who has passed away.”

Jonah Murasso ’21, of Eastchester, said the flood of emotions from patients has been common. He added that the vaccination effort has been “a great moment to be a part of. I could not be happier doing what we’re doing here.”

After graduating from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Science degree in integrative neuroscience in 2019, Murasso decided to pursue nursing because of the profession’s versatility and job prospects. He chose Iona’s accelerated program in particular, he said, because of the high caliber of experienced nursing professionals and educators leading the program.

“Looking at all the other nursing programs that are in progress now, we’re one of the only ones that has been able to facilitate having classes in person and going to clinical hours in person,” Murasso said. “We’re one of the only programs that has actually made it into hospitals as students. So, that really validates my choice.”

ABOUT IONA NURSING
Iona University’s rigorous, values-oriented Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing offers two pathways to a bachelor’s degree: a traditional four-year undergraduate program open to both freshmen and transfers; and an accelerated, 15-month, second-degree program for students who already have a bachelor’s in another field. Both pathways prepare graduates to sit for the National Certification and Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Iona’s nursing program is housed in a state-of-the-art, 7,500 square-foot learning facility complete with all of the newest equipment, technology and simulated learning opportunities. Small-group, clinical instructional settings with an 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio ensure personalized attention. Iona accepted its first class of 18 elite, accelerated-degree students for the fall 2020 semester, and already nursing is the most sought-after program for the fall of 2021. Learn more at www.iona.edu/nursing.

ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.

Iona College Students Help Local Business, Nonprofit Navigate COVID-19 (News 2803)

ptascio — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:25:14 +0000

Iona College Students Help Local Business, Nonprofit Navigate COVID-19 (News 2803) ptascio Tue, 04/27/2021 - 16:25 Iona College Students Help Local Business, Nonprofit Navigate COVID-19Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Empowers Students to Learn Outside the Lines of the Classroom in Service to Community April 27, 2021

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Iona College’s Dr. Rasheda L. Weaver dreams of establishing a social impact lab at the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, where students can “Learn Outside the Lines” of the classroom and help solve real-world challenges in the community. It’s a dream that successfully started to form this semester as Iona students partnered with two local organizations to help them navigate business challenges arising during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s all about service-learning. Yes, we teach students in the classroom, but we’re connecting them to a real community problem, and we’re expecting them to move the needle on the problem,” said Weaver, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and innovation. “The first step is belief. You have to believe you can do something.”

Eleven students are currently enrolled in Weaver’s Social Entrepreneurship, Civic Engagement and Community Development class. Working in teams, the students have been tasked with helping two local organizations identify and solve challenges related to connecting with customers during COVID-19.

The two partner organizations are Impact100 Westchester, which has raised over $1.8 million for high-impact, nonprofit grants in the county; and Nurish, a social enterprise that aims to build community for parents with young children (ages 0-6) while helping them tackle parenting challenges through a mobile app. Students are currently conducting market research, surveying customers and working in close collaboration with both organizations to prepare key findings and strategic recommendations.

“Our goal is to blur the lines between classroom learning and real-world experiences to empower our students to positively impact our community through their actions,” said Christoph Winkler, Ph.D., endowed professor and founding program director at the Hynes Institute. “Dr. Weaver engages our students in powerful ways, adding another vital element to our growing interdisciplinary entrepreneurship program.”

Chyanne Blakey ’22, a double major in business marketing and entrepreneurship from Queens, N.Y., said that when she first came to Iona, “it was almost like I was doing a 360, because I had to discover what I was interested in on campus.” She always knew she wanted to be a business major, but when she took her first marketing class, she “just immediately fell in love because it is the most creative business class – in my opinion at least,” she said with a laugh.

Blakey’s first course in entrepreneurship – Introduction to Entrepreneurship – was with Weaver in 2019. Today, Blakey is not only taking Weaver’s Social Entrepreneurship class, but she’s also assisting with the professor’s first book, Social Entrepreneurship: A Practical Introduction to Social Enterprise. The book aims to be the go-to source for people seeking to combat societal issues like poverty, racism, climate change, hunger and more, using entrepreneurial techniques. Blakey is composing case studies on different social enterprises across the globe to present at numerous scientific conferences, including Iona Scholars Day and the EMES International Research Network’s Social Enterprise Conference in Spain.

“I tell my students, ‘You can be your own hero. You can be the change.’ And you can see the light bulb going off in their heads. You can see them becoming more empowered,” Weaver said. “When I educate someone in my classroom, they take that education with them for the rest of their lives. That’s the power of education.”

That’s also the power of example.

“I’m at the point where she’s really a mentor for me. The goals I see her obtaining in her life are some of the goals I want in my life, and it’s amazing that I get to see that unfold. It’s like fate,” Blakey said. “The highlight of my day is going to my courses. It’s so transformative that even online, the engagement we get is just amazing.”

Want to learn more? Weaver and her students presented as part of Iona Scholar’s Day, which is available for viewing online. Explore all that the Hynes Institute has to offer at iona.edu/hynesinstitute.

ABOUT THE HYNES INSTITUTE
The Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation was established in 2017 through a record-setting $15 million gift from James P. Hynes ’69, ’01H and Anne Marie Hynes. It is an interdisciplinary program that fosters the development of creativity, leadership and entrepreneurship skills critical for success in a global economy. The Hynes Institute offers two undergraduate majors – a Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurial Leadership and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship, as well as an advanced certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Located at the center of campus, the Hynes Institute is housed in a 3,800-square-foot, state-of-the-art coworking space offering a modern and sustainable home for creativity on campus and beyond. In addition, the Hynes Institute operates its GaelVentures Incubator at 748 North Avenue. Explore the Hynes Institute and get in touch to learn more today!

Iona College Interim Dean to Moderate Virtual Finance Panel on October 1 (News 2297)

ptascio — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:53:52 +0000

Iona College Interim Dean to Moderate Virtual Finance Panel on October 1 (News 2297) ptascio Tue, 09/29/2020 - 10:53 Iona College Interim Dean to Moderate Virtual Finance Panel on October 1 Westchester County Association hosts panel of top banking and finance professionals to discuss impact of finance industry in the COVID-19 recovery September 29, 2020

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Dr. Richard Highfield, interim dean of the LaPenta School of Business at Iona College, will moderate a virtual panel on October 1 focused on the impact of finance during the COVID-19 recovery. The Iona College community is invited to join; pre-registration is required.

“Students at Iona know the value of learning outside the lines. This event will offer timely and relevant perspectives from the world of finance. Not only will this help inform a student’s worldview; it will also provide great insight into an important career path,” Highfield said. “It is a privilege to moderate such a distinguished panel.”

Hosted by the Westchester County Association, the event will include featured speaker William Keller, regional chief investment officer for Wells Fargo Private Bank. His economic commentary will discuss the following:

Economic Impact and Reactions to COVID-19 Pandemic
National Trends Leading up to the Election of 2020
How to Rebound from Record Unemployment Levels

An interactive panel discussion with banking experts will follow. Panelists include:

William C. Keller, Wells Fargo Private Bank: William C. Keller is a regional chief investment officer located in the Bethesda, Maryland, Wells Fargo Private Bank office. Keller leads a team of investment professionals who deliver comprehensive, custom, diversified portfolio management for clients of The Private Bank.
Joseph Roberto, PCSB Bank: Joseph Roberto is the president & CEO of PCSB Bank. PCSB Bank is a full-service New York bank with locations throughout Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Rockland counties.
David Lewing, KeyBank: David Lewing serves as the market president for KeyBank’s Metro New York Market, including the Hudson Valley and Leader of Middle Market Banking. He oversees the delivery of commercial banking and capital markets solutions to mid-sized companies doing business in metropolitan New York City.
Frank Micalizzi, M&T Bank: Frank Micalizzi is the regional president for the Connecticut, Westchester, Rockland and Bronx marketplaces.
Mike Vitale, Sterling National Bank: Michael Vitale serves as senior managing director and senior vice president of Sterling National Bank based in White Plains. Vitale heads up one of The Bank’s Westchester-based commercial teams with a focus on commercial real estate, multi-family, C&I, construction, property management banking, and not-for-profits.
Dr. Richard Highfield, Iona College (Moderator): Dr. Richard Highfield is interim dean for the LaPenta School of Business at Iona College. Prior to Iona College, Highfield was interim dean for Central Washington University. Before CWU, he was dean and professor at the University of New Haven from 2008-2011.

EVENT DETAILS:
“Banking & Our Regional Economic Outlook: Impact of the Finance Industry During COVID Recovery”
Zoom Webinar: Pre-registration Required
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020
2-3 p.m.

Iona College President Talks with NJTV’s Steve Adubato about Innovation in the Age of COVID-19 (News 2295)

ptascio — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 19:16:44 +0000

Iona College President Talks with NJTV’s Steve Adubato about Innovation in the Age of COVID-19 (News 2295) ptascio Mon, 09/28/2020 - 15:16 Iona College President Talks with NJTV’s Steve Adubato about Innovation in the Age of COVID-19 September 28, 2020

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Iona College President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., sat down with NJTV’s Steve Adubato for a virtual one-on-one interview to discuss college in the age of COVID-19, highlighting how innovation will be critical to the future of liberal arts higher education.

“We had already put in place the groundwork for innovation – to be able to deliver our coursework, our content, in alternative modes. This [served] us very well through COVID. Our enrollment is up 15 percent this year, which is unheard of in this environment,” Carey said during the interview, which aired on NJTV and WNET and can now be viewed on YouTube. “We feel like this is an opportunity as well as a challenge.”

Part of that innovation is reflected through Iona’s revamped courses and new degrees. In particular, Iona this year launched a new bachelor’s degree in nursing, which welcomed its first class of 18 students this fall. With both a traditional four-year program and an accelerated, second-degree program, the nursing degree adds to Iona’s growing presence in the health sciences – with a distinctive Iona edge.

“One of the things that I feel will be unique to our program here at Iona – as you probably know, Iona is well-known for its business acumen and its business education,” Carey said. “We’ve also started the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and our nurses are going to be learning in the Hynes Institute… So they will have the support to think through different situations, and to be innovative within their own career. I feel that’s going to be a real distinguishing factor to our nursing program.”

Although the interview first aired on September 18, it was filmed in July, as Iona was preparing its return-to-campus plans. Among other actions, the College:

required every student, faculty and staff member to submit a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to campus;
started the fall semester three weeks early, on August 10, so that finals would conclude before Thanksgiving to limit holiday travel;
began surveillance testing on August 19, randomly testing 250 students for COVID-19 each week;
instituted detailed quarantine and isolation procedures to help contain any potential spread;
required the campus community to wear masks and monitor daily health symptoms on the Gael Care mobile app; and
reinforced the Iona credo that “Gaels Take Care of Gaels.”

When asked about planning through uncertainty, Carey went back to the founders of Iona College: Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Congregation of Christian Brothers in Ireland, and Saint Columba. While both would become world historical figures, they also both started out facing very specific challenges of providing education and opportunity to the poor and disenfranchised.

“I remind people of that every day. We have to address the situation that’s put in front of us. There’s always going to challenges. You plan the best you can, and you prepare to adjust,” Carey said. “As long as you’re following the information and you’re guided by the right principles and values, you’ll come out on the right side of history.”

FOX Business Reports: Iona College Opens for In-Person Classes (Media Mentions 2314)

ptascio — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 19:40:41 +0000

FOX Business Reports: Iona College Opens for In-Person Classes (Media Mentions 2314) ptascio Thu, 10/01/2020 - 15:40 FOX Business Reports: Iona College Opens for In-Person ClassesIona College president Dr. Seamus Carey discusses Iona has reopened safely after being one of the first colleges to close its doors when the pandemic broke out. August 18, 2020 Fox Business

Iona College Institutes Rigorous Testing, Health Monitoring, and Safety Protocols to Welcome Students (News 1945)

kwilliams — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 14:06:39 +0000

Iona College Institutes Rigorous Testing, Health Monitoring, and Safety Protocols to Welcome Students (News 1945) kwilliams Tue, 08/25/2020 - 10:06 Iona College Institutes Rigorous Testing, Health Monitoring, and Safety Protocols to Welcome StudentsIona’s ‘Return to Campus Plan’ Reflects Months of Planning Informed by New York State Health Guidelines August 18, 2020

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – As the COVID-19 pandemic quickly spread throughout Westchester County and New York State, Iona College was one of the first institutions of higher learning to take swift and decisive action to protect its students, faculty, and staff.

In March 2020, when the first cases were identified in New Rochelle, N.Y., Iona made the decision to accelerate its spring break to send its students home early, began ramping up for online learning for its spring semester, and formed a task force that met daily to stay abreast of the rapidly evolving healthcare crisis.

Now, as Iona College is one of the first to welcome its students back to campus for in-person learning, it has once again taken swift and decisive action—instituting a “Return to Campus” plan informed by New York State public health guidelines. The Return to Campus Plan is a comprehensive operational plan that details new safety policies, testing and monitoring procedures, student and staff supports and more to support a healthy and successful semester. In addition to circulating its Return to Campus Plan to its entire community, Iona hosted a series of webinars for current and prospective students and parents detailing what to expect this semester.

To date, actions taken by Iona College to support a safe return to on-campus learning include:

Classes began on August 10 online due to testing delays. In-person commenced on Monday, August 17.
Every member of the Iona community is required to be tested for COVID-19 within 14 days of returning to campus. Free testing is offered through Montefiore Hospital in New Rochelle.
Students were permitted to choose either in-person or remote learning for the semester.
Fall semester will end before Thanksgiving break to minimize student travel and exposure.
Traditional fall break has been canceled and classes will be held on Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day.
All classrooms are outfitted to support students attending in-person or online: classroom seating is spaced for social distancing; professors will teach behind plexiglass shields; instruction will be live streamed for those learning online.
Occupancy in residence halls is a maximum of two students per room.
Elevators, restrooms, kitchens, lounges, and laundry areas will have reduced capacity.
Offices, waiting rooms, and highly trafficked spaces have been reconfigured.
Face masks are required at all times on campus.
Every student has been provided a PPE pack which includes two reusable face coverings, hand sanitizer, a reusable thermometer, face shield, lanyard, and reminders of hygiene protocols and instructions on what to do if students experience symptoms.
Students and employees are required to conduct a daily symptom check using the Gael Care app.
Anyone experiencing symptoms will not be allowed on campus.
Hand sanitizer stations are available inside campus buildings and at the Gael Express shuttle stop, with posted reminders to wash hands and/or sanitize regularly.
Restrooms, lobbies, lounges, lunchrooms, stairways and common areas are sanitized regularly throughout the day. An electrostatic sprayer will be used daily for disinfection in all common areas and bathrooms. Event spaces will be sanitized before each use.
Classrooms, common spaces and elevators will be sanitized each night. Disinfecting wipes will be provided in each classroom and students and faculty will be asked to wipe down their spaces before and after use.
Protocols have been established for continued testing, tracking, quarantining, and isolation.

Gaels Take Care of Gaels: By the Numbers

15,000 disposable masks were ordered; 2 cloth masks were distributed to each student.
1,000 Iona branded masks were made by the Facilities Team.
6,000+ health and safety signs are on display throughout campus, reminding all to wear masks, keep safely distanced from each other, frequently wash hands, and engage in other safe practices.
4,000 “Welcome Back” kits were created for all students, including two masks, hand sanitizers, a face shield and a thermometer.
80 gallons of hand sanitizer are in stock.
275 additional hand sanitizer stations have been installed on campus.
Over 700 desks were removed from classrooms.
Over 2,500 floor decals were placed to indicate physical distances.
120 plastic shields were built for professors to teach behind.
5,000 face shields were distributed.
375 wipe dispensers were added and 400 surface-cleaner bottles were deployed on campus.
Over 100 student leaders have received training on effective ways to act as ambassadors for campus health and safety.

Reopen NY: Iona College Welcomes Students Back to Classrooms for In-person Learning (Media Mentions 2315)

ptascio — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 19:47:55 +0000

Reopen NY: Iona College Welcomes Students Back to Classrooms for In-person Learning (Media Mentions 2315) ptascio Thu, 10/01/2020 - 15:47 Reopen NY: Iona College Welcomes Students Back to Classrooms for In-person LearningWith careful protocols which include mask wearing requirements, social distancing, enhanced cleaning and the “Gael Care App” which students, faculty and staff use daily to track symptoms, Iona College has reopened its campus. August 17, 2020 Eyewitness News ABC7

With Testing, Cleaning (and a pledge), Iona opens Monday for In-person Classes (Media Mentions 2316)

ptascio — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 19:51:55 +0000

With Testing, Cleaning (and a pledge), Iona opens Monday for In-person Classes (Media Mentions 2316) ptascio Thu, 10/01/2020 - 15:51 With Testing, Cleaning (and a pledge), Iona opens Monday for In-person ClassesIona College, one of the first schools to close and send students home in March, is also one New York’s first colleges welcoming students back on campus for the fall semester. August 17, 2020 Lohud

Iona College Creates Virtual Commencement Ceremony to Honor Graduates in the Age of COVID-19 (News 726)

ptascio — Tue, 19 May 2020 16:14:40 +0000

Iona College Creates Virtual Commencement Ceremony to Honor Graduates in the Age of COVID-19 (News 726) ptascio Tue, 05/19/2020 - 12:14 Iona College Creates Virtual Commencement Ceremony to Honor Graduates in the Age of COVID-19Class of 2020 makes history as Iona’s 76th annual Commencement ceremony was forced to go virtual.

Iona College hosted a virtual Commencement ceremony to honor graduates until it is safe to do so in person, with Hannah McGowan ’20, president of the Student Government Association, delivering remarks on May 16, 2020.

May 19, 2020

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.— It was a Commencement ceremony no one will soon – or ever – forget. As COVID-19 forced the Class of 2020 to socially distance, cherished events and pivotal milestones such as Commencement were forced to go online. But that did not stop the Iona College community from coming together to experience these special moments with their loved ones from home. In fact, many say, the shift stretched and strengthened the College’s foundational mission of service, creativity and adaptability, as all united to celebrate a remarkable class in remarkable new ways.

From the Baccalaureate Mass to the Alumni Association Senior Toast; from the Student Leader Gael Awards to the Honors Recognition and Multicultural Ceremony – Iona students, families, faculty, staff and alumni joined in spirit over the past week to honor the Class of 2020.

The culminating event took place on Saturday, May 16, when Iona College held its 76th annual Commencement ceremony, virtually. In addition to producing and streaming a high-end video production on the College’s custom Commencement website, the broadcast was also televised free of charge to the College, complements of Altice/Optimum, with just under 10,000 unique viewers watching throughout Westchester, Long Island, Rockland, New Jersey and Fairfield County, Conn.

Although confronted with limitations, Iona aimed to preserve as much of the traditional pomp and circumstance as was possible. This included a performance by the Iona College Pipe Band, the National Anthem sung by Oliva Berry ’22, the alma mater sung by Allyson Kuppelmeyer ’20, and an invocation from Fr. Gerard Mulvey.

Darrell P. Wheeler, Ph.D., MPH, ACSW, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, served as Master of Ceremonies as the College conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as awards and other distinctions. As each name was read, a personalized slide with the graduate’s photo and a congratulatory message appeared on the screen. At home, meanwhile, graduates shared photos of themselves on social media wearing caps, gowns and regalia as they posed with family members on a proud, even if unexpected, day.

Maria Bartiromo, anchor and global markets editor, FOX Business Network – FOX News Channel, delivered the keynote address. Acknowledging that graduates are launching into the next era of their lives during a very difficult time, she remained optimistic.

“You are truly living through history… There is so much need and opportunity in the world today to be a force for good. We will get through this,” she said. “Work hard. There are no shortcuts. Find your passion. Love what you do. And always do the right thing – always.”

For her outstanding achievements as a trailblazer for women in journalism, and for her deep dedication to truth in reporting, Iona College conferred upon Bartiromo the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa.

Iona College President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., started by sharing a quote by literary critic Hugh Kenner, which he called a “useful reminder in many different situations.”

“He wrote: ‘What you are taking for granted is always more important than whatever you have your mind fixed on,’” said Carey. “A new reality has forced us to look more deeply into who we are as individuals and as a community… This new reality may help you see, in a new light, how and why your Iona education is so valuable. Because of it, you don’t just have a career path, but underlying skills, knowledge and values – things you may have been taking for granted – that will enable you to see the world differently and adapt to it.

“At this moment of uncertainty, as you’re leaving and we reluctantly let go, I suggest you pay attention to what you can see with all the skills you have learned. But also, take the time to pay attention to all the things you typically don’t see, all the things you take for granted. More than occasionally, walk away from your screens and look up in awe at the vast, wondrously strange universe you occupy,” Carey continued. “Iona has prepared you to live a full life. We look forward to witnessing the many ways that you will carry forward the Iona legacy by fighting the good fight. We look forward to the world built on your love.”

Hannah McGowan ’20, president of the Student Government Association, delivered the welcoming remarks on behalf of the undergraduate class, saying: “Our college journey started…at our freshman orientation, when we were told the world is run by the people that show up. Little did we know that we’d show up and have to go home. As students, we have shown up and shaped the vision of our College’s future. We have rolled with the punches and been able to transition in the face of uncontrollable change. Of course, this isn’t how we pictured our college graduation; the world is asking us to show up in a different way… We can show up by living out Iona’s mission, continuing to show our passion for service, dedicating ourselves to our community, and choosing to remember our fondest college memories. I’m honored to be part of this class that will move the world by showing up.”

On behalf of graduate students, Jarlyne Batista Monzon ’20MBA, community manager of the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, said: “Times like these remind me that I made the right decision to study and practice entrepreneurship since being an undergrad. Entrepreneurship reminds us to not look at problems as obstacles, but as opportunities to innovate and reimagine our ever changing world. Although it is bittersweet to be having graduation this way, nothing can take away our hard work.”

Dimitris A. Halaris, associate vice provost for Information Technology at Iona College, thanked Altice/Optimum for generously broadcasting the Commencement free of charge, saying it was an important component in helping to ensure access, accessibility and social distancing.

“The convenience of the television broadcast enhanced the comfort and emotional benefits for our graduates while providing broader access for family members who may not have had the Internet at home. It also supported the safety aspect of social distancing,” Halaris said. “At the same time, the broadcast offered an added benefit of being able to record the special event to a DVR. It was a wonderful addition, and we are so grateful for the partnership.”

A tentative date of Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, has been reserved to honor the Class of 2020 with an in-person ceremony on Iona’s campus, circumstances permitting.

To view the virtual Commencement ceremony and other events, please visit graduation.iona.edu. For a full list of graduates, honors and awards, please see the Iona College Commencement 2020 Program.

As COVID-19 Closed Schools, Iona College Educators Thought Beyond the Campus to Support Local Schools, Families Online (News 716)

ptascio — Mon, 18 May 2020 19:55:13 +0000

As COVID-19 Closed Schools, Iona College Educators Thought Beyond the Campus to Support Local Schools, Families Online (News 716) ptascio Mon, 05/18/2020 - 15:55 As COVID-19 Closed Schools, Iona College Educators Thought Beyond the Campus to Support Local Schools, Families OnlineIona College’s free, online tutoring program was recently featured on NBC Channel 4.

When all K-12 schools closed, Iona College education majors began virtual tutoring for local elementary students. Iona students Molly Hines ’22 and Julianna Barbieri ’22 tutor and 3rd graders from Greenvale School in Eastchester.

April 21, 2020

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — As COVID-19 forced schools to close, Iona College’s Education Department was quick not only to bring its own curriculum online, but also to look beyond the campus and see a greater need – supporting the community’s K-12 students.

Emblematic of the College’s mission of service, faculty engaged undergraduate Education majors to help support elementary students and ease the homeschooling burden for parents by offering free, online tutoring and literacy lessons. Originally piloted in partnership with two Eastchester schools, the Iona College Tutors Online program this week launched more broadly to the public and was the subject of a “Lesson in Giving” feature on NBC Channel 4.

At the same time, seniors and graduate students who normally would do their student teaching in an actual classroom have risen to the occasion and successfully shifted to online platforms as they plan and teach their classes remotely.

“Our continuous efforts, even prior to this pandemic, to foster and maintain personal relationships with the local schools and their teacher and student populations, has really made all of this possible,” said Malissa Scheuring Leipold, Ed.D., chair of the Education Department. “In addition, we try to carry on the original mission of Iona’s founders, the Christian Brothers – to educate those in most need. How fitting in this time! As an Education Department we are all really committed to this and work closely together to make this happen.”

Twenty sophomores kicked off the online tutoring effort by working with 11 students in small, grade-level groups from two Eastchester elementary schools: Waverly (grades K-1) and Greendale (grades 2-5). Amanda Howerton-Fox, Ph.D., assistant professor, said the goal of these pairings is threefold: First, to help Iona students gain the practical skills they need to improve as teachers; second, to engage K-12 students in meaningful literacy experiences; and lastly, to relieve some of the burden of homeschooling that many parents are experiencing.

Meanwhile, 22 seniors are doing their online student teaching with seven local schools including Ward Elementary, New Rochelle High School, and Salesian High School in New Rochelle; St. Francis Xavier Universal Pre-K and Preston High School in the Bronx; Colonial Elementary in Pelham; and Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers.

Ellen Small, director of Student Teaching at Iona College, said that the student teachers were able to immediately transition to a virtual learning environment with the support of their classroom teachers, school administrators, parents, children, and college supervisors.

“The willingness of our ‘village’ to impart mutual support demonstrates the importance of fostering community relationships,” said Small, a 45-year educator. “I recently read that success is based on your ability to be flexible, to adapt and to be able to pivot when faced with a challenge. The 22 student teachers have done just this. I could not be prouder of them. As the famous mathematician Peter Hilton said: Adaptation to change is itself a hallmark of a successful education.”

Iona student teacher Maria Kalten’20MSEd said everyone’s support allowed her to be more directly involved, and to know that the work being created was developmentally appropriate. “Once we had goals to work towards, the priority became providing curriculum to students in a way that was engaging and interactive,” she said. “This experience made us feel empowered, in that we were deepening our skills as upcoming teachers and that students as well as teachers were seeing us as part of the education team.”

Looking to expand its impact, the Iona College Tutors Online program launched this week to provide free, online tutoring for any students in grades 2 through 12. Developed between the Education Department and the Office of Mission & Ministry, online tutoring is available from 4-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Parents can sign up via www.iona.edu/onlinetutoring for online, drop-in tutoring with Iona College volunteers.

Mark Kessler, an Eastchester parent of a kindergartner and 5th grader who are being tutored remotely, said: “These online classes have been great for the kids, especially my kindergartner who really needs some group learning right now. It’s awesome that they’re jumping in, just when we all need some help. Plus, it adds a touch of normalcy.”

Iona College’s free, online tutoring program was recently featured on NBC Channel 4.

Juliana Barbieri’22, an Iona sophomore involved in the literacy tutoring, said: “I had never had any experience in distance learning until the coronavirus outbreak. It feels amazing to give back to the Westchester community, as we’ve been hit pretty hard with this pandemic. And getting positive feedback from parents was very reassuring, especially during times like this when there can be an overload of stress on parents/guardians.”