Rosemary Sclafoni

Description

Rosemary Sclafoni talks about her experience as an adult Extended Day student at LaGuardia Community College and later career at the college, eventually becoming Director of Academic Computing

Timestamped Summary of tape:
(00:55) In 1976 Rosemary Sclafoni came to LaGCC as a student to take a few courses in order to obtain employment in the public school system. Was intimidated at first but first name recognition at registration relaxed her.
(04:12) Talks about professors that encouraged academically, including Dr. Richard Lieberman, Social Sciences, and Professor Robert O’Pray, Office Technologies
(06:13) Sclafoni had stayed at LaGCC for a 2 year degree in Office Technology (Secretarial Science at the time)
(06.37) She was asked to help at the “Bilingual Volunteers of American,” a Saturday program for students. Discusses experience.
(07:19) Through the Coop program, she had an internship at LaGuardia as a secretary. Later she was offered a CLT position at LaGCC and held that position for about 10 years.
(10:25) Sclafoni felt LaGCC was very supportive of her academically and the experience as a student with the counseling staff was wonderful. Compares here experience at LaGCC to that as her later experience at Baruch College.
(13:59) Describes the student body in the mid 70’s, where they lived and age groups. “Many of the students that had attend were here at LaGCC learn skills to obtain jobs.”
(16:03) As an Extended Day student, Sclafoni had joined study groups and attend her classes but didn’t have time to participate in the social part of the college. Describes the campus as well
(22:44) She understood that computing would open doors for everyone and believed it was an important aspect.
(23:23) Talks about here academic path (Bachelors and Masters) and creating her position as Director of Academic Computing, felt computing was very important and many students didn’t have computer access.
(24:54) In her position of Director of Academic Computing she had to coordinate with the Academic Division in particular and the college community access and opportunity for computer resources and make them available to students.
(26:06) She encouraged computing for teaching and learning for faculty.
(27:00) Felt having the E building made the college more of a campus and the renovation of the C building made it airy and light and other impressions of the changing campus (pool, library, etc)
(31:30) “The most unique thing [about the college] is the people and attitude people take. The attitude of the faculty and staff is supportive and approachable and encouraging.”
Ends around 35:00