Inside the Core and the English Department Offers Free SAT/College Prep Courses  

This summer the Core teamed up with the English Department to provide free verbal SAT and college preparation classes to local students, a project funded by the Provost's office. This is the third year we are offering these classes to the local community. This year, like last year, the classes were held online. The first year (2019) we offered the classes in person. This year, we had two classes, each taught by a faculty member from the English Department: Professor Mildred Antenor and Professor Jessica Cavagnaro. The whole project is a great example of "harvesting our treasures" as well as collaboration among divisions, both of which are crucial for moving forward in light of our strategic plan. Dean Karen Passaro assisted us in getting the classes up and running; Amy Phillips of the TLTC helped with the technology; Rev. Forrest Pritchett and Mary Clare Callum spread the word in the local communities; and Dr. Angela Weisl, Chair of the English Department, connected us with faculty. With all of us working together, we were able to offer free college prep classes to thirty-nine students.

The idea for these classes grew out of conversations between Dr. Laura Pallitto, former Associate Director of the Core, and myself regarding the need to offer SAT and College prep classes for students who cannot afford the tutoring and other support many higher income students get, making the college application process much less equal or just. Laura Pallitto and Melinda Papaccio (of the English Department) taught the first classes in 2019; last year the classes were taught by Laura and her husband, Dr. Rob Pallitto of Political Science. The class involves verbal SAT preparation, tips on writing the college application essay, an overview of the application process, and a preview of what to expect in college English writing classes. This year Professor Maribel Landrau, who helped with the logistics of planning and coordinating the student applications, and I were extremely happy to be able to continue this project, which we hope to expand, if possible, in the future to include a math class as well.

Prof. Mildred Antenor

Our faculty were two very experienced and engaged members of the English Department: Professor Mildred Antenor is an educator, author, and social commentator who has appeared on: "The O'Reilly Factor", Fox 5's "Good Day Street Talk", a public affairs program and WPIX-NY channel 11, Morning News to name a few. Her book, The Gladioli Are Invisible: A Memoir, is currently available on Amazon.com and her website, MildredAntenor.com. You can also listen to her on WBGO 88.3 FM radio where her commentaries focus on women's matters and social issues.

She calls upon her life experiences of breaking down economic and racial barriers as a 1st generation Haitian-American woman to inspire others to confront life's challenges. Throughout her journalism career, Mildred has written, edited, and developed stories for publications, including: The New York Times, Black Enterprise Magazine, The Village Voice. Mildred is a graduate of St. John's University and has a M.A.L.S. in liberal studies from Rutgers University. She holds memberships with New York Women in Communications and New York Women in Film and Television. She is a participant with Essex County's Principal For A Day Program and is fluent in French and Haitian Creole.

Professor Antenor was very happy to teach the SAT/College preparation course. She says, "This program gives high school students essential information for college prep. I'm so happy to participate as their instructor." We are also very pleased that Professor Antenor is joining us this fall as a professor in the Core, as well as continuing to teach in the English Department.

Prof. Jessica Cavagnaro

Professor Jessica Cavagnaro has been teaching English Writing at Seton Hall since 2004. She started off as a TA while completing her Master's in English, working with Nancy Enright, then Director of First Year Writing. After completing her degree, she continued working as an English Adjunct Professor, teaching first year writing, College English I and II. Professor Cavagnaro has also taught Business Writing classes.

Her full-time position is teaching in the South Orange/Maplewood school system, where she has been teaching since 2005. She resides in West Orange, with her family and pet dog. Professor Cavagnaro helped to spread the word about the free course to her colleagues in the SOMA school system. Like Professor Antenor, she also was very excited about participating in this summer course. She says, "I was thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of students. I was able to build authentic connections with them while supporting them through the college process." Navigating the college preparation and application process can be challenging, particularly for students who might not have the resources to take expensive SAT/ACT preparation courses or the knowledge to get through the daunting application process.

This course, which we hope to continue to offer in the future, helps to bridge that gap by making college more accessible, a truly realizable goal for more students. The Core and those joining together with us are happy to be part of making these courses and potentially the goal of getting into and attending college a reality for the students we are serving with this program.

Categories: Campus Life, Education