Director Dawn Vetrano
Describe your journey to Plaza College. When did you begin here? In what capacity did you begin at Plaza? When did your job change? What is your current title?
My journey to Plaza began from an advertisement in the New York Times requiring an adjunct professor to teach English classes in night school. I was just married and teaching high school English full-time, but my husband was going back to graduate school, so we wanted to fund some of the expenses on our own, I started in September of 2005 teaching 2 classes; in winter 2006 I was teaching and advising; in spring 2006, I was assisting Dr. Dee with night school; and in June 2006 I was made the Extended Day Coordinator, a full-time position. In September of 2007, I became the Director of Student Services.
Where did you grow up? Where did you attend college? What degrees do you hold?
I spent my early years in the Bronx and moved and grew up in New Rochelle, NY- Queen City of the Sound. I attended Iona College and New York University. I hold a B.A. in English Literature and Communications, and Master Degrees in Literature and Secondary Education. I’m a certified high school teacher.
As Director of Student Services, what is a “typical” day at Plaza like for you? What are the kinds of services you help provide our students?
A typical day in Student Services is always changing, and there is never a day where something is either black or white. There is a lot of email communication with students, faculty, administration, and state and federal agencies.
In Student Services we provide: academic record keeping, registration, academic counseling, distribution of report cards, certification services to city, state and federal agencies, one-to-one support, re-admittance to the school, semester start-up, organization of graduation, coordination of late finals, opening and closing of the building, and coordination with financial services, admissions, and faculty. There is more, but I don’t want to brag.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role here at Plaza?
The most rewarding portion of my role is to actually work with students to help them solve academic problems and successes. Each student and their needs provide a unique experience, and this feels most like the classroom for me. The ultimate goal is to see our students graduate and meet all their long-term goals.
What will be the greatest challenges facing our students in 2010?
Our students’ greatest challenges come with the ever unstable economy, and being able to balance school, personal/family and/or work needs during these tough times. The outbreak of the flu and the N1H1 outbreak will be hard on students who have school age children.
How do you keep the energy flowing on a daily basis? Any dietary or caffeine must-have for you?
Energy, well, I naturally have a lot of it thanks to genetics, but I do drink coffee, at max 3 cups a day. Otherwise, I rehydrate with water all day to save the voice and try to do yoga on my time off.
When your day at Plaza is complete, how do you unwind? What are some of your favorite hobbies or past-times? What keeps you sane?
Time away from Plaza, what is that? Seriously, I am an avid reader with 2 or 3 books going at a time. I play chess and took lessons, do yoga, spend time with family and friends, walk my dogs at least twice a day, and take in all types of movies and shows. I do like to shop for me and for other people, but sometimes just being able to window shop and look at things clears my head. I have a strong unit of people who have always supported me in my decisions.
At this year’s Grammys, for whom will you be rooting: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, or Lady Gaga? Explain.
Beyonce = class, but Gaga is very interesting and looks and behaves more and more like Marilyn Manson with each performance.
Finish this sentence: In order to succeed at Plaza College, students must: be in attendance to learn both the personal and group skills needed to be successful in their chosen fields.
What does a student/employee of Plaza have to say about Director Vetrano?
“Working for an individual like Director Vetrano for the last couple of years has been a privilege.She serves as a role model and inspiration for women of all age groups, including myself.” Alexandra Palma, B.B.A. Student / employee in Student Services