World Class Education in Our Own Backyard

Staten Island Advance - Saturday, January 26, 2008

Her friends told Raechel Strobel she should go away to college.

But she didn't listen, the 18-year-old former Curtis High School student told a gathering of high school principals and guidance counselors yesterday at the home of Dr. Tomás D. Morales, president of the College of Staten Island.

Dead set on being a math teacher, the Sunnyside resident enrolled in The City University of New York Teacher Academy at CSI, a scholarship program geared to help students become math and science teachers.

Now entering her second semester at the Willowbrook school, she hasn't regretted her decision to stay home for a second.

"The College of Staten Island represents the heart of Staten Island," Ms. Strobel, a poised, articulate freshman, told a breakfast crowd of about 40. "I truly feel that CSI was the best opportunity. It's a phenomenal place to get an education."

Ms. Strobel and several other students who spoke yesterday cited faculty accessibility and CSI's close-knit atmosphere as school strengths.

'BEST-KEPT SECRET'

The nosh-and-chat session at Dr. Morales' well-appointed Todt Hill home drew representatives of public and private schools on the Island and also a few from Brooklyn. While omelets, fresh fruit, bacon and coffee were served, the event's intent was to whet administrators' and students' appetites for CSI.

"It's all about telling our story and building a relationship with the Staten Island high school community," Dr. Morales said before the meeting. "We're the best-kept secret on Staten Island."

Despite perceptions to the contrary, Dr. Morales said CSI is pretty much on par with more prominent CUNY schools such as Baruch and Hunter colleges.

Entering freshmen have similar high school grade averages and admissions test scores, while the faculty boasts such luminaries as history professor Richard Gid Powers, author of several books, including "Secrecy and Power: The Life of J. Edgar Hoover," and music professor Sylvia Kahan, a concert pianist and author.

Hence, the school's slogan: "CSI: World Class, Right Here!"

"We're the only public [college] on the Island," Dr. Morales said, noting CSI is one of few schools offering associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs. "The people on Staten Island deserve a Tier I public institution."

He and other administrators talked up the Teacher Academy, along with the Macaulay Honors College -- both full-scholarship programs -- and the Verrazano School, a competitive, rigorous education program for top students.

ATTRACTING STUDENTS

Dr. Gail Simmons, dean of science and technology, noted that in September, CSI received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The money, to be allocated over five years, will provide scholarships and enhance science, technology, engineering and math programs.

Dr. Morales also touted CSI's teaching, nursing and physical therapy programs. He acknowledged that the physician assistant program, which requires students to complete their degree off Staten Island -- a situation some students previously told the Advance they were unaware of -- "ran into some bumps." But, he added, "We're trying to get on track."

Students are the No. 1 priority, so Dr. Morales said 63 more course selections are being offered this semester.

Another goal is expanding the school's computational center, which houses its super computer. The machine is the most powerful in the CUNY system.

"It will create an economic engine," said Dr. Morales, who recently launched a campaign to double the school's $2.7 million endowment.

While Staten Island is the school's bread and butter, the president said he also wants to attract students from around the city and state.

In March, CSI will establish a monthlong pilot program offering non-stop shuttle service between the St. George Ferry Terminal and the campus, said Dr. Morales. The shuttle will run between 7 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. The plan is to have it run full-time come September.

"This is not an option for us," he said. "This is about opening the campus to the rest of the city."

Dr. Morales also hopes to build three "state of the art" residence halls to house 600 students by May 2010. Details are still being worked out.

SUCCESS STORY

Hal Harris is the kind of student CSI wants to attract.

The 21-year-old history major and Brooklyn Tech High School graduate originally commuted from Harlem to CSI. A senior, he now lives on the Island and will pursue an advanced degree in African-American studies after graduation.

Harris said he was unfocused when he entered CSI four years ago, until Professor Calvin Holder took him under his wing. Harris went on to participate in three internship programs, including one in South Africa, where he taught children about HIV.

"CSI has given me more than any CUNY school has," said Harris, who has taken courses at other colleges in the system. "CUNY trumps colleges like Hunter because of the sense of community it builds."

Principal Timothy Gannon of Port Richmond High School said he is impressed by CSI.

While some high school seniors may have viewed CSI as a fall-back choice for college, that's no longer the case.

"They have great programs there," said Gannon. 

By Frank Donnelly
Reprinted here with permission from the