Un Saluto from the New Director of the Coccia Institute

Salve! I am thrilled to be named the Director of the Joseph and Elda Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America. The Coccia Institute has been highly recognized throughout the world, and I am excited to extend its scope on themes of Italian Americana on a national and international scale.

I look forward to working with old and new colleagues in the Montclair State community to advance the growing interest in Italian and Italian American fields of study. I’d welcome the opportunity to meet with all of you in the Italian American community, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at rotellam@montclair.edu.

I have big shoes to fill with the departure of Dr. Mary Ann Re, whose energy and commitment to the Institute, Montclair State University, and the Italian American experience will be greatly missed. She was an active participant on numerous committees on campus, including the President’s Commission on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  She was a fixture at all things MSU related and was beloved by everyone—she is especially remembered throughout CHSS for sharing the generous donations made by Ferrero Rocher. We wish her all the best in her next adventure; she can be reached at maryann.re@gmail.com.