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Join Bob as he interviews Dr. Joseph Scelsa the founder and president of the Italian-American Museum to be completed in Oct 2021.  

Professor Joseph V. Scelsa, (a Bronx native) received his doctorate in Sociology and Education from Columbia University Teachers College, his dissertation topic being “Constructive Pluralism”. In addition, he holds three Masters’ degrees in Sociology, Social Studies and Counseling. He is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State.

In 1984, Prof. Scelsa was appointed Director of the Italian American Institute of The City University of New York which was renamed the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute after the late State Senator John D. Calandra in 1987.  On March 1, 1999, Prof. Scelsa was named Dean of the Calandra Italian American Institute and elevated to Full Professor.  In October 2000, Dr. Scelsa was named acting Vice President for Institutional Development at Queens College, CUNY and on July 1, 2005, he was appointed Vice President for Outreach and Cultural Affairs at Queens College, CUNY.  Prof. Scelsa as Dean of the Calandra Institute created and served is Executive Producer and Host of ITALICS: The Italian-American Magazine which is co-produced by the Calandra Institute and CUNY-TV; seen on cable stations throughout the United States.

 In 2001, Prof. Scelsa founded the Italian American Museum and currently serves as its president.

Prof. Scelsa has authored and edited several books and has written various articles and reports on ethnicity, pluralism and education, notable the report on the Italian-American High School Student Drop-Out Rate in the New York City Schools (New York Times, May 1, 1990).  In 1997, Prof. Scelsa contributed an essay entitled, “The 80thStreet Mafia”in Beyond the Godfatherpublished by the National Italian American Foundation.  Prof. Scelsa was the historical consultant for A&E’s documentary, The Italians in America.  Prof. Scelsa is considered an expert in Italian-American affairs; he teaches and lectures extensively in Italian-Americans Studies and specializes in Italian-Americans and Civil Rights. 

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