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Since its inception in 2011, the Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies at Â鶹´«Ã½ÔÚÏß has offered 35 free programsÌýranging from cultural events to educational activities thanks to the generosity of its donors and the support of the University.

Equally important for the fulfilment of the Inserra Chair’s mission to promote Italian and Italian American culture in all its variety – from history to literature, film, theater, food, design, architecture, business, and more – has been the regular andÌýenthusiastic participation of a diverse audience. Students, professors, staff and Â鶹´«Ã½ÔÚÏß alumni, along with local residents and NYC-based supporters continue to remind the Chair of the importance of this work by attending and providing feedback. After all, what is a lecture, a concert, or an exhibition without an engaged audience?

Below,Ìýour participants share their insights on the meaning and value of cultural events on a campus that, while offeringÌýopportunities for academic growth, also serves its community through a calendar of original and stimulatingÌý.

• STUDENTSÌýhave expressed great enthusiasm about cultural events because they give them the chance to explore their fields of study beyond the classroom experience. They are inspired by the contributions of artists, scholars, and professionalsÌýwho serve as role models for them. After attend‌ing panels, book presentations, or film screenings, a good number of students often choose to develop their final projects around the topicÌýof the event because of theÌýinvaluable insights that it offered them. Some students have even identified their future professional paths thanks to events such as translation-focused programs.Ìý‌

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• ‌PROFESSORSÌýwho have embraced the cultural events as part of collaborative endeavors,Ìýare able to enrich the teaching experience by incorporating the events into their syllabi.ÌýThey often require their students to attend these events in lieu of a regular class meeting. While some professors opt for extra-credit only, it is the intra-curricular approach that truly complements and enhances the content of the class. Linking‌Ìýteaching units to the subject of the events prepares the students and offers opportunities for reflection andÌýcreation both before and after the event. Professors can collaborate on the development of these activities on Canvas and share the results such as final papersÌýthat are centered on an event’s theme.ÌýThese cultural events provide professors with a uniquely interactive and interdisciplinary approach to teaching.‌‌

• TEACHERSÌýfrom the K-12 system, and in particular middle andÌýhigh schools,Ìýoften bring students to events that provide opportunities for cultural and linguistic enrichment in line with their curriculums. In some cases, special events are designed to bring high school and university studentsÌýtogetherÌýin order to create a bridge across the two systems and introduce students to the ‌university environment (seeÌý). The InserraÌý‌Chair ‌occasionally provides funds for transportation to/from campus. Events always provideÌýProfessional DevelopmentÌýopportunities through our ADP Center. To learn more, inquire at the event registration table about how to obtain credits.

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• COLLABORATORSÌýshare the commitment to promote the rich variety of the Italian culture with a wide array of programs. The success of the Inserra Chair’s robust calendar of Italian and Italian American cultural activities and events is the result of the dedicated efforts of many. We are grateful to all of those who collaborate with us both within and outside of the University.Ìý

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• STAFF MEMBERSÌýcherish the opportunity to attend cultural events at the end of a day of workÌýthat are just stepsÌý‌â¶ÄŒaway from their offices. Events not only provide cultural nourishment at a personal level,Ìýthey also directlyÌýconnectÌýstaff contributions to the work of professorsÌýand students. Staff members often bring families and friends to these events. These cultural and social exchanges and interactions connect the many components of our complex University community.

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• ‌â¶ÄŒCOMMUNITY MEMBERS, ALUMNI AND DONORSÌýattend these events not just because they are by Italian origin, or because they are passionate Italophiles, but also because they find the subjects covered by the events to have broad, if not, universal interest.ÌýRegardless of their backgrounds, or professional fields, or ages, they always find something stimulating and interesting to enjoy. They also appreciate the exceptional opportunity to take advantage of these programs at no cost. Events ‌of this caliber would most likely entail a ticket if presented at a theater or auditorium off campus. Additionally, community members appreciate that the vast and diverse Inserra calendarÌýholds events in their own area, at an easily accessible and welcoming campus that eagerly serves the local community,Ìýsaving them a trip to New York to be part of a cultural scene.‌

Ultimately,Ìýthe Inserra cultural programs continue to attract interest because they represent an occasion for social encounters, personal relations and professional networking – over food, as Italian customs require!

Your presence and support is an engine of inspiration for present and future programs. We hope to see many more of you this year for our excitingÌýÌýof events.ÌýFollow us onÌýÌýandÌýÌý– and feel free to send us your valuable feedback.