Kelly D'Souza
Visiting Instructor of First Year Seminar
Prof. Dorinda D. Bolander, J.D.
Professor Bolander has a degree in Accounting from Marist College and a Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School. She has over 25 years of experience in accounting, business, operation management, and tax research and is a published author regarding legal issues in international law and environmental law. Her interest lies in exploring the legal and ethical parameters surrounding the business world today. Outside of the classroom, she is an avid horse lover and outdoor enthusiast and enjoys living on her horse farm with her husband and four children.
PROF. DORINDA D. BOLANDER, J.D., “Your Voice as a Leader”
How will you apply your morals to real world situations while considering the Franciscan values of Diversity, Optimism, Respect and Service?
This seminar focuses on the evolution of human rights and explores the interaction of ethics and morals and how these two fundamental ideas shape our behavior. In this class we will engage in discussions surrounding significant moral and ethical issues which have shaped our society.
Through case study, debate, and the presentation of real-life ethical dilemmas, students are encouraged to find a voice and to develop their ability to articulate and defend their perspectives. Through this exploration, students will develop their research skills, their awareness of current topics, and their abilities to communicate orally and through writing in a collaborative atmosphere.
Prof. Zach Brimmer MBA
Professor Brimmer has a degree in management and a Masters in marketing from Siena College. He has been working at Siena since graduating in 2020 as the Associate Director for Strategy Communications and Experience. Outside of Siena, you can find him training for his next marathon, building Legos, golfing, skiing or spending time with his friends and family.
Prof. Zach Brimmer MBA: "Experiencing Life: Perspectives and Powerful Moments"
Welcome to "Experiencing Life: Perspectives and Powerful Moments" a class that delves into the profound tapestry of human experiences, exploring how the moments we encounter shape the narrative of our lives. In this unique journey, we recognize that life is a mosaic of both joyous and challenging events, each offering a different lens through which we view the world.
One of the central themes of this course is the power of perspective. We will explore how the same event can be perceived in countless ways, emphasizing the subjectivity inherent in our interpretations. By acknowledging the diversity of viewpoints, we aim to foster empathy, understanding, and a deeper connection among classmates as we navigate the multifaceted nature
of our collective experiences.
At the heart of our exploration is the belief that even the smallest moments possess the potential to be transformative. Through a Franciscan lens, we will examine the impact of creating powerful, positive moments in our lives and the lives of others. This perspective aligns with the Siena experience, emphasizing personal growth, community, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Prof. Patricia Clickner
Patricia Clickner holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She recently obtained her 200-hour Yoga teacher certification. She has co-owned and operated a business with her husband Don since 1998 and has been an instructor in higher education for 19 years.
Prof. Patricia Clickner, "Cultivating Mindfulness "
In this class, we will explore yoga's ethical practice by learning about the Yamas and Niyamas (part of Patanjali's eight-fold path a.k.a. The Yoga Sutras) among other parts of practicing mindfulness (specific concentration on meditation and breathing techniques). Students will begin to understand how living "skillfully" and "mindfully" can add richness and depth to their lives no matter what career path they have chosen.
PROF. KELLY D’SOUZA
Kelly D'Souza is an instructor in the First-Year Seminar program. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Education from Siena College and a Master's Degree in Education from SUNY Potsdam.
PROF. KELLY D’SOUZA, “HEROES”
What does it mean to be a hero? From superheroes to news stories, we are drawn to tales of heroic deeds. How has our understanding of heroism changed through the ages, and what does it mean to be a hero today? Through the themes of Heritage, Nature, Diversity, and Social Justice, we will examine how heroes impact our daily lives and the values that we prize.
Prof. Kelly D’Souza, “Pop Culture's Impact on Social Movements”
What is pop culture, and why is it important? Though pop culture is often viewed as being separate from “more serious” social movements, the connections between the two are significant. Throughout this seminar, we will examine how popular culture is defined and its influence on social/political movements. By analyzing specific examples of media, such as protest music of the 1960s and 1970s and social media activism of today, we will explore the impact of popular culture. Through the themes of Heritage, Nature, Diversity, and Social Justice, the class will consider the complex relationship between popular culture and social movements.
Dr. Catherine Engh
Dr. Catherine Engh received her PhD in English from the CUNY Graduate Center. She has taught a range of undergraduate courses, many of which have focused on questions of nature, social justice, and cultural representation. In her role as researcher, she explores these topics as they arise in British Romantic writing; her scholarship in Romanticism has appeared or is forthcoming in English Language Notes, The Wordsworth Circle, and European Romantic Review. As a first year seminar professor, she loves seeing students develop as readers, writers, and individuals who take charge of their own learning.
Dr. Catherine Engh, “Environmental Storytelling”
In this class, we will consider the role of storytelling as a means of environmental appreciation and activism. Reading a range of works, from the religious writings of Saint Francis to the scientific writings of Rachel Carson and the political speeches of Greta Thunberg, we will ask: How do stories organize the relationship between human beings and the living world? Can narratives about nature move us to care about environmental problems? In what way do environmental storytellers engage with the Franciscan values of heritage, nature, diversity, and social justice?
Over the course of two semesters, students will explore the topic of environmental storytelling through the lens of their personal experience, through works of environmental media, and through debates in religion, ethics, philosophy, and politics. They will develop reading, communication, writing, and critical thinking skills that will enhance their ability to participate in—and enjoy—the social and intellectual life of college and the world beyond.
Prof. Morgan Flynn
Morgan Flynn is an instructor in the First-Year Seminar program. She holds a Master’s Degree in Literacy from SUNY Albany and a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Siena College.
Prof. Morgan Flynn, “Developing Leaders”
How do people start to view themselves as leaders? In this course, we will study leadership development and leadership qualities through analyzing and discussing biographies, self-help texts, historical leaders, and current leaders of students’ lives. Our goal will be to understand how leaders develop a purpose in life and how students can use their background, strengths, and opportunities to become leaders in their communities. The literature, films, and discussions in this course will focus around the themes of Heritage, Nature, Diversity, and Social Justice.
PROF. ANNE GODSON-GLYNN
Anne Godson-Glynn is a Siena graduate and veteran First-Year Seminar, English, and writing instructor. She is also a former administrator who served as the Siena College Writing Center director for many years. She holds degrees in History and English and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Education at Northeastern University. Her research interests include anti-racist pedagogy, social justice education, and culturally sustaining teaching and learning.
PROF. ANNE GODSON-GLYNN, “The Civil Rights Movement”
In this seminar, we'll examine the history of systemic racism in the United States and the non-violent social justice initiatives developed during the civil rights movement. Special attention will be paid to change agents whose stories are rarely included in history books. How did they overcome obstacles, harness their courage, and empower others to push for change? What is the legacy of their work? Together, we'll ask these questions and many others as we look from the past to the future to discover the depth and breadth of civil rights era activism.
DR. BRITT HAAS
Dr. Haas, Co-Director of First Year Seminar, is an historian specializing in American public policy, who is also interested in culture, gender, and international relations. She has been awarded grants for her research and awards for teaching excellence.
DR. BRITT HAAS, “WOMEN: THEIR VOICES, THEIR VALUES, THEIR VISION”
Both men and women are invited to take this course, which will critically analyze what writers, activists, thinkers, and artists have to say about Heritage, the Natural World, Social Justice, and Diversity in order to understand if and how women’s perspectives about these ideas differ from men’s. Looking across time and across geographical boundaries, we will examine how women are valued (or not) in each of these four topic areas, paying particular attention to the roles women play, the policies they advocate and/or are the targets of, and the images of women presented through literature, music, art, media, etc. in order to gain a better understanding of the complex, gendered world in which we live.
Dr. Britt Haas, “Music: The Soundtrack of Our Lives”
Music provides the soundtrack for our lives. It is all around us. And yet, what do we really know about it? This course seeks to critically address that question. We will explore how music both shapes and is shaped by our culture and cultures beyond the United States.
Fr. Louis V. Iasiello, OFM
Father Louis V. Iasiello, OFM has been appointed a Siena College Franciscan Scholar in Residence. Father retired from the Navy as the 23rd Chief of Navy Chaplains (Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) in 2006 with the rank of Rear Admiral (2 Stars). Right after his retirement he was appointed President of the Washington Theological Union; two years later he was appointed co-chair of a Federal Task Force by the Secretary of Defense. In 2010, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy assigned Father to the nation’s only pontifical seminary, the Pontifical College Josephinum. He was appointed Professor in the School of Theology and the Institutional Director of Pastoral Formation. His final two years at the seminary he was assigned additional responsibilities as the Executive Director of the Josephinum Diaconate Institute, a national program providing online intellectual formation and graduate programs in theology in English and Spanish for dioceses throughout the United States and overseas. Father holds a B.A. in History from Saint Bonaventure University, an M.S. in Education from Niagara University, he is a distinguished military graduate of the Naval War College where he earned an MA degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and was awarded a Ph.D. in the Humanities from Salve Regina University. In 2002 the Navy sent him to participate in Harvard University’s Senior Executives in Government program. Father has lectured and written extensively on the ethics of war and leadership and religious topics.
Fr. Louis V. Iasiello, OFM, “Life As Pilgrimage”
SEEKING PILGRIMS. We are all on a journey through life, a journey that promises more fulfillment if we approach our journey as a lifelong pilgrimage and not a daytrip. For the past 25 years, Father has led pilgrims to the Holy Land (Jordan, Israel, Palestine), a region sacred to all three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Some who travel with him sign up to take a tour; when these travelers return home they report being better informed about the geopolitical realities, religions and rich history of the region. Others elect to make their experience a pilgrimage; when they return home, they describe their journey to the region as a transformative experience. It is Father’s belief that we are all given the choice of passing through life as a tourist or as a pilgrim; this seminar has been designed to empower students to approach life as pilgrims. Students will be introduced to some tools to empower them to approach life as a pilgrim: tools which may be used to advance their human, spiritual, intellectual and moral (virtue) development. The seminar is also designed to help students address the challenges we face as individuals with dual citizenship: citizenship in the earthly kingdom and citizenship in the Kingdom of God. Like Saint Augustine, Saint Francis and other pilgrims through history who have approached life as pilgrimage, students will reflect on the duties and responsibilities expected of them as citizens of both kingdoms. Finally, this seminar has been designed to assist first year students in building critical study habits such as writing and communication skills and organizational and leadership skills. It is the professors goal to empower students for success: first, as students as they begin their undergraduate journey, and ultimately, as citizens who will journey as pilgrims through life. (N.B. [Please Note]… while seminar participants will embark on a short one day trip as part of the curriculum, there is no overseas pilgrimage scheduled as a part of this seminar). Discamus invicem (Let us learn together).
Dr. Kraig Larkin
Kraig Larkin is a graduate of the University at Albany where he studied History and Psychology before receiving his Ph.D. in History from Stony Brook University. He has taught history and sport studies courses at the University of New Hampshire, Colby-Sawyer College, and Stony Brook University.
DR. KRAIG LARKIN, “Sports, Politics, & Society”
Recent controversies surrounding players kneeling during national anthems or the start of soccer games to protest systemic racism, pay inequity between the U.S. men's and women's national soccer teams, and efforts to restrict the participation of transgender athletes in high school sports are just a few examples that have drawn attention to how sports can serve as a space for broader social, political, and cultural debates. This course will explore the evolving place of sports, past and present, through a critical lens with an eye toward understanding how sports is shaped by our heritage and influences our relationship to the natural world. In doing so, we will seek to determine how sports can reflect identity and a sense of belonging, outline the ways in which sports at the local, national, and global levels have created platforms for social and political activism, and impacted contemporary understandings of social justice in a changing world.
Dr. Kraig Larkin, “Human Rights”
This seminar focuses on the meaning and evolution of human rights from a variety of perspectives. What are human rights and how did this category of rights come into existence? Who has human rights and what happens if such rights are violated? What role have they played in the past and in the twenty-first century? We will use an interdisciplinary approach to think about these and other questions related to human rights. We will explore the subject of human rights in relation to Heritage and the Natural World during the fall semester, and Diversity and Social Justice in the spring term.
Dr. Barbara Lewis
Barbara Lewis is a visiting professor in the First Year Seminar program. She earned her B.A. from the College of St. Rose and M.A. from Syracuse University in English, and her Ph.D. in composition and rhetoric from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She has taught college writing courses for many years, and her research has focused on writing center practices and on the role writing plays in the work of science and engineering.
Dr. Barbara Lewis, Constructing Identity: Exploring the Self
As we move through our lives, we build and rebuild our understanding of our own character, what we like and dislike, and what we believe. Over the year of this course, we will read, write and think about the process of self-exploration and how that process is affected by Heritage, the Natural World, our beliefs about Diversity, and our understanding of Social Justice. We’ll consider such questions as: What is our Heritage, and how do the communities we belong to shape our unique self? What do our stories tell us and others about ourselves? How do we describe/understand our relationship to the natural world? What have other writers and researchers said about the process of exploring the self? What can we learn from others who work to protect the environment and eliminate injustice?
DR. MICHELLE LIPTAK
Dr. Michelle Liptak is a Senior Teaching Professor in First Year Seminar and Co-Director of the program. She has been teaching writing, literature, and women's studies at Siena since 2001 and is the co-founder of Gleanings: A Journal of First-Year Student Writing. She regularly presents her work in pedagogy and literary studies at regional and national conferences, has received several grants for course development, and specializes in theories related to gender and trauma.
DR. MICHELLE LIPTAK, “Trauma Narratives”
In this course, we will explore traumatic experiences - both real and fictional - that are shared through various forms of storytelling. Thinking of trauma as a signal or mark of oppression and subjugation, we will carefully consider whose stories are represented and remembered (and whose are not) while also examining the role of larger social, political, economic, and cultural influences and institutions. Some of the issues that will be explored while "reading" narratives of trauma and triumph include: memory (individual, collective, and cultural), bearing witness, testimony, loss, responsibility, and survivorship.
DR. MELODY NADEAU
Dr. Nadeau is a Teaching Professor in the First Year Seminar program. She has developed and taught courses focusing on her interests in English Language Learning and teacher education, with emphasis on language and education issues faced by immigrants and refugees in the US as well as English language as a means of access to the global community. Dr. Nadeau particularly enjoys designing and teaching special courses that combine English language learning and teaching with community service.
DR. MELODY NADEAU, “GLOBAL EDUCATION AND MIGRATION”
The new millennium has ushered in an unprecedented age of globalization, with business and educational organizations requiring offices on multiple continents and students from every corner of the world to be seen as current and effective. Yet many in the US continue to espouse a narrow view of diversity as including only multi-skin- color Americans. This course explores the realities of voluntary and involuntary migration, worldwide business, and international education, and the necessity of a global lingua franca with which to conduct these many faceted cross-cultural interactions.
DR. MELODY NADEAU, “WORDS AS ACTION IN A MEDIATED SOCIETY: NOT JUST STICKS AND STONES"
We’ve all experienced pain as a result of someone’s words. You may be remembering one such experience reading this right now, something that resurfaces whenever you think about hurtful language. This common human thread is what keeps most of us from speaking cruelly to others— empathy restrains us from saying whatever we like. Fascination with this phenomenon has led to the study of communication, laying out basic principles for interaction among and across cultures, using only words as tools to accomplish a variety of tasks.
But what happens when words are mediated, diluting empathy with a keyboard or video camera or smartphone? What responsibility do we have, as humans who espouse Franciscan values, to care for others with our words? And what does this do to our own rights of free speech? This course explores the pragmatic tension between the right to express ourselves and the responsibility to care for others, and ways this tension has increased with the prominence of social and popular media.
PROF. JEFF SIMONDS
Jeff Simonds received his Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Goddard College in 2013. Since then, he has taught Composition and Creative Writing courses at Siena College, Hartwick College, and Holyoke Community College. His short fiction has appeared in Pif Magazine, Alexandria Quarterly, and The Amateur Masters. In 2014, he put out his first short story collection: You Are Not Allowed To Come Back After.
PROF. JEFF SIMONDS, “TRUE CRIME”
Why are we interested in true stories of murder, violence, and survival? Is it to prepare ourselves if we ever face the same kind of evil (learning these stories “could be like a dress rehearsal,” according to Dr. Sharon Packer, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences)? Do these stories give us an adrenaline rush? Do we learn violent stories out of sympathy for the victims (or relief we are not the perpetrator)? With the popularity of podcasts like My Favorite Murder and Serial, docuseries like Making A Murderer and The Staircase, or books like Mindhunter and I’ll Be Gone In The Dark, it is clear that our cultural fascination is not waning. In this class, we will examine why these stories interest us, what we can learn from them, and how these stories of criminality shape us and our society.
TRIGGER WARNING: While this class will not dig too deep into the most horrifying details of murders, this is a class about true crime—and as such, there will be mentions of violence against women, abuse, and other triggering topics. Prof. Simonds is available to speak with anyone nervous about content.
PROF. JEFF SIMONDS, “Villains”
From a young age, we are told stories of “hero versus villain”—Harry Potter thwarts Voldemort, Batman fights the Joker, Dorothy versus the Wicked Witch of the West, etc. But, as we get older, the idea of “the villain” gets a lot more complicated. Some villains believe they are the heroes. Some villains are more charismatic than the heroes. Sometimes, the villain and the hero are one-in-the-same. In this class, we will look at the concept of “the villain,” both in pop culture and in the real world. What can we learn about ourselves from how we treat those we vilify? What can we learn about the world from exploring those we label as “the bad guy”? From entertainment to politics, from sports to elections, this class will critically examine what it means to be a “villain.”
DR. KIMBERLY STEIN
Dr. Stein is an instructor in the First Year Seminar Program. She has a BA in English from Tufts University, an MA in Secondary English Education from Columbia University Teachers College, an MA in Educational Leadership from the College of St Rose, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Russell Sage College. Her research centers on the promotion of social justice education as a demand for equity for all students.
Dr. KIMBERLY STEIN, "OUT OF BOUNDS"
This course will be an exploration into the topics and ideas that have at one point or are currently restricted, disapproved, frowned upon, off limits, and taboo. Students will read, write, think, and discuss to develop ideas about how the values of society are reflected in human resistance. The course will demand an open mind, sustained focus, intelligent judgement, and fearless inquiry into sometimes sensitive topics.
Dr. Kimberly Stein, “The American School”
An introduction to the foundations of American education exploring the historical, philosophical, and social contexts of schooling. Student will explore the purposes of education within a democracy where the goals are influenced by politics, the law, global competitiveness, multiculturalism, and social justice. Students will study the intersections of race, culture, immigration status, language, gender, sexual orientation, and ability within education.
