Halls that once teamed with the uniformed young ladies of Rosemary Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school, at one time echoed with excited giggles and exchanged homework advice.
Now the halls of the same building are filled with a diverse population of graduate students attending Long Island University (LIU) right here in Rockland County.
The Rockland branch of the private university located in Orangeburg, provides convenient hours for evening and weekend classes to accommodate their student body comprised of an array of busy individuals.
Everyone from fresh college grads, to stay-at-home moms, bustle through the halls of Rockland's LIU campus, gaining an education from well-informed teachers, most of whom work in the fields they teach.
Each class is made up of approximately 16-20 students, in order to ensure a close-knit and comfortable environment, where individuals can receive needed help from professors.
Dr. Robert Penna, who teaches Literacy as an adjunct at LIU, is also the School Superintendent of the Guttenberg School District in New Jersey.
His experience in various schools has greatly contributed to his teaching over the last ten years at LIU.
Student Dana Golden, 28, shared that she is attending LIU to receive her second Masters.
"I went to Hartford for my undergrad studies, and then received a Masters at Manhattanville. I'm currently teaching in the Bronx," she said.
Golden, who is married and lives in Suffern, went on to say that she greatly appreciates the night classes because they are accommodating to her busy schedule.
Maura Hartnett, 23, shared that she is starting her second year, pursuing a Masters in Literacy.
She graduated from Dominican College with a degree in English and Education, and is now teaching second grade in Riverdale. She too commended LIU's ability to accommodate its students' working schedules.
Jacquelyn Keeley, 24, also graduated from Dominican, with a degree in Elementary Education and Humanities. She is currently participating in the weekend program at LIU, and teaching fourth grade in the Bronx.
"I really appreciated the scholarship I got when I came here, since I had gone to Dominican. That's an extra boost," she said gratefully.
Director of Academic Advisement Lisa Coppola shared that her department assists in job placement and resume review for students.
She explained that the department provides various career panels that have proven to be helpful in preparing students for "the real world."
According to Coppola, a relatively new resource for students is a book of compiled resumes that serve as examples to those who are still in the process of putting their own together.
"We have such positive feedback on these, usually seven out of ten graduates follow up on our services, which is encouraging," she said.
Coppola added that the department is unique in a graduate level setting.
"Normally, graduate students don't have this kind of necessary support provided for them. But we feel that it's important to help them at this crucial time in their lives when they're either entering or changing careers," she explained.
Coppola shared that the department also provides new student orientations and information from and about professors at the institution.
"We have such a diverse population of students. Everyone from fresh college grads, to stay-at-home moms who have decided to return to school make up our student body," Coppola said.
She added that although the student population is increasing, she feels the location of the school is very appropriate.
"We are so centralized, being right near Routes 303 and 9W, so residents from Rockland and New Jersey can get to us very easily," said Coppola.
Program Director for Special Education and Literacy Elaine Geller shared a little about the program she oversees.
"We are under the department of education, and run a lot of our programs in conjunction with childhood and special education," she said.
Geller went on to explain that most schools are looking for dually certified applicants, so that they are able to serve more than one purpose wherever they are employed.
She added that the school offers an additional program, which allows students who are already certified to teach, to add a Masters in an additional field.
Geller, like Coppola, spoke highly of the student body at LIU.
"We have people from all different walks of life. A lot of our students are actually people who want to change their careers. I think a huge attraction for our school is the diversity we have here, as well as the flexible hours for classes," she said, adding, "We also have a very good reputation for producing well-trained people."
Program Director for Health Administration Patricia Latona, who is also a registered nurse, shared proudly about her program.
"Our instructors are registered nurses, and we are tapping into Rockland's resource of non-for-profit organizations. In addition, any student who is currently working in a legitimate non-profit organization has a third of their tuition covered," she said.
Latona added that she also works with Rockland's Business Association, which has brought a lot more exposure for the university.
"There is such a demand for high quality products of institutions, and we provide those in our graduates," she said.
Latona added that health care, in general, is changing and growing in various fields.
"What's unique about Rockland is that it's such a small community, and therefore it's much easier to network in this area. Our goal is really to provide quality services and to meet the needs of the constituents out there," she said.
Peter Reiner, Director of Admissions and Marketing at LIU, shared about the counseling program, directed by Dr. Kathleen Keefe-Cooperman.
"The school's area of counseling for mental health has grown since the tragedy of 911, four years ago. People have developed emotional difficulties in coping with problems, and so we're incorporating the field of mental health with our counseling program," he explained.
Reiner went on to share a little about the Business Administration, directed by Dr. Lynn Gunnar Johnson.
"We offer a fast-track program here, which allows students to get their degrees in 28 months. This accelerates the pace of work, and also provides classes in the evenings and on weekends for students," he explained.
Reiner continued in sharing the unique incentives offered for the program.
"There is a tuition 'freeze' offered for students, which means that their tuition cannot go up during their time here. Also, free textbooks are offered for those who participate in the program, and a $25 per credit reduction is offered for the 60-credit program," he said.
Assistant Provost for the school Nancy Hogan shared some history of the school, which she has been with since 1996.
"Long Island University was actually established in the 1940s, but this particular branch in Rockland was established in 1980. This year, we're celebrating our 25th anniversary," she said.
Hogan added that she has seen a 40-percent increase in enrollment since she came in 1996.
"We are glad to be located here in the midst of such a wealth of resources, and it shows. We love the students here, and are glad to cater to their needs. We were just approved to begin a program where students will be able to receive a Masters in Pharmacy, which is very exciting," she said.
