People at Queens College

An Evening with Julian Bond and James Forman Jr.

QC alumna Sandra Bryan, coordinator, New York State Court Interpreting Services, discusses the challenges and rewards of a career as a court interpreter in this CUNY-TV “Study With the Best” feature.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk: Gail Pizzigati, Queens College BA '79, who talks about her experience volunteering in the "survivor's tent." Huge Opportunity to Become a Court Interpreter Today: Sandra Byran, a Queens College graduate, is a Coordinator for NYS Court Interpreting Services and discusses what it takes to be a court interpreter.

Dr. Alexander Bauer, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Associate Director, Sinop Regional Archaeological Project, Turkey, discusses the enthusiastic responses of students who he accompanied to an archaeological dig site in Turkey.

Dr. Azriel Genack, Distinguished Professor of Physics, talks about the many opportunities QC offers students to assist in research projects.

Dr. Christos Ioannides, Director, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies and Associate Professor of Urban Studies, talks about the high degree of cross-cultural exchange between Greek students and students from a diversity of other cultures that typify his classes.

Claudia Perry, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, finds she learns from her students and colleagues as much as she teaches them.

Richard McCoy (English) recounts a recent the surprises he experienced taking students to see a Shakespeare production in Manhattan.

Sima Gerber (Linguistics & Communications Disorders) describes the inspiration her students experience in dealing with children with a diversity of communications issues.

Susan Rotenberg (Chemistry and Biochemistry) describes how she's observed students create their own paths in their education at Queens College.

Susan Turkel, Associate Professor of Elementary & Early Childhood Education, describes how after many years of teaching she remains in awe of the effect diversity has in producing a stimulating classroom environment.

Vinod Menon of the Physics Department describes the important contribution that undergraduate students make to research at Queens College.

Dr. Cecilia McHugh, Professor of Oceanography, discusses creation of a program for undergraduate students to increase the representation of minority students doing field research in the geosciences at Queens College.

Edward Smaldone talks about his Queens College journey from a freshman barely able to read music to director of the school's Aaron Copland School of Music.

Michele Fraboni of the Elementary and Early Childhood Education Department describes her life-changing experience in coming to QC as an elementary school teacher and finding a new career in the college classroom.

Sports-industry jobs have never been easy to land — positions are limited and the competition fierce. But Matthew Higgins, executive vice president of Business Operations for the New York Jets, says there is still a way in. “There is no natural path to be part of a sports team or league,” says Higgins, “but the two I’ve seen work are internships and [ticket] sales.” Higgins, Queens College class of ’98, participated in the third annual Sports Alumni Roundtable, sponsored by the college’s Office of the President. He was joined by fellow alumni Frank Supovitz, ’79, senior vice president of events for the National Football League, and Howie Rose, ’77, sportscaster for the New York Mets and Islanders, to discuss their careers and the tough culture of the business. “The world doesn’t start at 9 o’clock in the morning and it doesn’t end at 5 p.m.,” says Supovitz, “You’ve got to get in somewhere, get involved, get seen, get known.”

Rep. John R. Lewis challenged Queens College’s 2009 graduates to “find a way to get in the way.” The Democratic Congressman from Georgia said, “You must stand up for what is right, for what is just, for what is good, you must do it — it is your calling.” The civil rights pioneer recalled growing up in rural Alabama when blacks, including his parents, endured the injustices of segregation. “But one day, at age 15, I heard about Rosa Parks, I heard the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the radio and I was inspired to get in into trouble.” Lewis’s activism began as a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). He later marched alongside King, and was the major organizer and keynoter of the March on Washington in August 1963, when King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.