I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the newly elected President of AIAE. On behalf of the Executive Board, I would like to thank you in advance for you continued support and dedication to our organization. We remain strongly committed to our mission: to enhance the Italian-American image and presence in Education. All the money received from your donations and dues directly supports programs and projects that benefit our community.

2004 was a busy year for AIAE. In its ninth year, PROGRAMMA PONTE provided scholarships for 9 Italian –American college students to study at the prestigious Thomas Aquinas University in Rome. Learning about the European Union and its strategic partnership and a visit to the Italian Parliament are important aspects of the program.The Selection Committee was chaired by Professor Ida Corvino who was also the program director for 2004.The directors in Rome are Dr. Luigi Troiani and Dr. Stefano Semplici. The scholarship recipients were: Jamielyn Lobello (Brooklyn College) winner of the Bellucci-DePaoli Foundation Scholarship, Antonio Franze (Pace University), winner of the NYS Senator Serfin Maltese Scholarship, Jacqueline Aiello (Columbia University), winner of the Honorable Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi Scholarship, Anthony Vittorino (St. John’s University), winner of the Mauro and Josephine Maietta Scholarship, Olivia Batdorf (Franklin and Marshall College), winner of the Francesco DiStefano Scholarship, Jacob Gadd (Ramapo College), winner of the Scotto Brothers Scholarship, Laura Singer (Clemson University), winner of the Federazione Nazionale dei Cavalieri del Lavoro Scholarship, Robert Bradfield (St. Peter’s College), winner of the Istituto Superiore per la Comunicazione e L’Opinione Pubblica Scholarship.

In recognition of their leadership and accomplishments, the 2004 AIAE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS were presented to: Paula Savino Alleva for Lifetime Achievement; Cav. Joseph Coccia for the Promotion of Italian; Robert Viscusi for Educator of the Year, Higher Education; Adelina Valastro Tripoli for School Administration; Dr. Maria Palandra for School Administration; Robert Ingenito for Leadership and Heritage; Anthony Abbate for Private Enterprise; Diana Riccoboni Sommo for Educator of the Year, Secondary Education; Santina Aspromonte Haemmerle for Educator of the Year, Elementary Education, Irma Evangelista for Service and Leopoldo Cimini for Service.

Advisory Board

• Vito DeSimone, Chair, Co-Founder
• Mario Mignone, Ph.D., Co-Founder
• Dott. Luigi Troiani,  ISCOP, Rome, Italy
• Hon. Thomas Di Napoli, NYS Assemblyman
• Roberto Viscusi, Ph.D., Co-Founder
• Dott. Stefano Semplici, F.N.C.L., Rome, Italy
• Hon. Thomas Suozzi, Nassau County Executive
• Fred Gardaphe, Ph,D. 
• Andrew Vassalle, Esq. Legal Counsel
• Andrea Mantineo, America Oggi Editor
• Anthony Brusco, Publisher
• Richard Bellucci, M.D.
• Mary Sansone, Ciao

Programma Ponte Director - Ida Corvino Miletich, M.A.

Educator of the Year Director - Giuseppe Battista, Ph.D.

Scholarship & Awards Director - Leopoldo Cimini, B.S.

Membership Director - Phyllis Concilio Dunseath, M.S.

Public Relations Director - Ida Corvino Miletich, M.A.

Fund Raising Director - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Italian Language Council Director - Vito DeSimone (ABD)

Director of the or Poets’ and Writers’ Piazza - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it