Most of us have been aware of Italian AMERICAN Studies Programs/Chairs at:
Stoney Brook/SUNY, Queens College/CUNY,  Lehman College/CUNY,
Pilla Program at John Carroll. (Which ones have I left out?) I thought there 
is a Chair at UConn, but I couldn't locate them on UConn's Web Site. 

[No, not Long Beach State, that Graziadio Chair is  focused on Italian Culture 
and Italian Language exclusively, with no interest in Italian American Studies.]

But for those of us who weren't aware, there are two budding Italian American 
Programs at Niagara U. and Holy Cross. Hopefully they will both have at least 
modest Web Sites in the near future, so that we can follow and admire their 
progress. Nevertheless, we Congratulate them, and hope that nearby OSIA and
UNICO Chapters, and any others offer a hand of support. The information in 
their own words follow.
=========================================================   
From: Dr. Daniel Pinti
Coordinator, Italian Studies
Associate Professor of English
Niagara University

Everything here is in its early and exciting stages,... I came to Niagara 
University in January, and created two new courses for the English 
department, one on Dante and one on Italian American literature (offered 
annually).  

The dean was very interested in these new offerings,  and suggested I use 
them, along with some other courses, to put together a minor in Italian 
Studies.  (Remember that NU is not a very big place; we don't have a separate 
major in Italian, and a stand alone I-A Studies program is not really possible.)  
I  took this opportunity and am trying to  run with it.  The minor has just 
recently been approved, and we're currently  lining up study abroad options for 
students and beginning a student club for undergraduates interested in Italian and 
Italian American culture.

We're working on...establishing contacts with the (considerably large) 
Italian American community in western New York.

I've been working... to arrange some funds for an Italian American Studies 
Speakers Series next academic year, then an Italian film series the year after, 
from a local Italian American who is interested in establishing a fund on 
campus to support programs that promote Italian culture.

The Italian American literature course I teach will be offered annually...  
I taught it this fall for the first time to a group of 33 students.  
I'll teach Dante again in the Spring ,and next Fall, with an added service 
learning component which will encourage students to combine their classwork 
with service projects in or related to the local I-A community.  

Students currently in the Italian language, and I-A Lit courses here are 
being encouraged to pursue the minor...

Dr. Daniel Pinti
Associate Professor of English
Coordinator, Italian Studies
Niagara University, NY 14109
716-286-8629
=====================================================
From: Rev. Vincent Lapomarda
College of the Holy Cross

       Since 1995, I have been the Coordinator of the Italian American
Studies Collection here at the College of the Holy Cross.  As I wrote in
the article on "Higher Education" in the encyclopedia  on THE ITALIAN
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE (p. 287), Holy Cross leads undergraduate
institutions with the largest collection of published works in the field.

        As for courses, I have been teaching  a seminar on the Italian
American Heritage every other year since the fall of 1997 and Holy Cross
itself offers opportunities for students to build their own programs in
Italian Studies.

Sincerely,
Rev. Vincent A. Lapomarda, S. J.
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA 01610

[ Rev. Lapomarda has contributed close to three dozen articles to the 
encyclopedia mentioned above, and has published a study, CHARLES 
NOLCIN: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF AN ITALIAN AMERICAN IN THE 
AGE OF JACKSON (1997).