Outreach Counseling Program

A major component of the Calandra Institute's specialized counseling unit is outreach services to Italian-American students in high schools and CUNY colleges. This service enables counselors to have a positive impact on Italian-American students at various stages of their development.

High School

At both public and parochial schools, counselors promote interest in higher education through career/college counseling, career testing/assessment, and through presentations and information dissemination. Counselors frequently arrange trips to various CUNY campuses throughout the academic year. They also work closely with high school drop out prevention programs that target at-risk Italian-American students. In addition, counselors provide cultural enrichment through a variety of activities, such as films/videos, lectures/presentations, and trips to museums and other points of interest to Italian-Americans.

High schools currently serviced for Spring 2001:

Bronx:

. Lehman H.S.

Brooklyn:

. New Utrecht H.S.

Queens:

. John Adams H.S., Francis Lewis H.S., W.C. Bryant H.S., St. Francis Prep, Holy Cross H.S. and Christ the King H.S.

Staten Island:

. New Drop H.S. and Susan Wagner H.S.

College

Counselors are assigned to a number of CUNY campuses, providing support to Italian-American students navigating the maze of higher education. The retention and development of these students is of prime concern to the Calandra Institute, and is accomplished by several means. Career and academic counseling is provided, as is information on scholarships and Calandra internship opportunities. Counselors assist students at community colleges to develop and refine plans for continuing their studies at senior institutions, and help undergraduates with plans for graduate education.

Social, cultural, and leadership activities are an important part of a college student's ongoing development. Toward this end, counselors help establish and develop, as well as provide advice to Italian-American student clubs on the various campuses. They coordinate club-sponsored cultural activities and other events and celebrations sponsored by the Institute and the greater campus community. This type of activity reaches a peak during Italian Heritage and Culture Month each October.

Colleges currently serviced for Spring 2001:

Four-Year Colleges:

· City College

· Hunter College

· Queens College

· College of Staten Island

· John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Two-Year Colleges:

· Kingsborough C.C.

For more information, contact Calandra Institute