STAC chats are "fireside chats" with business leaders, entrepreneurs, or influential thought leaders sharing their insights on various and relevant topics.
Upcoming STAC chats
Stay tuned for future STAC Chat events hosted by the St. Thomas Aquinas College community. Thank you!
Previous STAC chats and Talks
April 12, 2022: Life Lessons with John Starks
John Starks, NBA All-Star and NY Knicks player for 8 years
Our STAC Chat "Life Lessons with John Starks" was a wonderful event, where STAC students and the community met and heard from John Starks, NBA All-Star and NY Knicks player for 8 years!
John was joined by Ms. Samantha Bazile '07, STAC’s Director of Admissions & Chief Diversity Officer, in the Romano Student Alumni Center to discuss life lessons, and all enjoyed a reception which followed the insightful STAC Chat.
Special thank you to John for speaking with our STAC community!
View photos from the event here.
April 5, 2022: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health and Illness - You Are Not Alone!
Cindy Hsu, CBS2 News Emmy Award-Winning Anchor and Reporter
Cindy Hsu, CBS2 News Emmy Award-winning Anchor and Reporter, joined us for a “STAC Chat” in the College’s Lougheed Library. Hsu covered the topic “Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health and Illness - You are not Alone!” which was hosted by Thomas Flood, STAC Vice President for Institutional Advancement. The STAC Chat covered the topic of a mental health journey, which has been intensified during the pandemic and living in isolation.
Important Note: If you are ever in need of assistance, please reach out to STAC’s Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) for current STAC students at 845-398-4065 or to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (available 24/7 in English and Spanish) at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741.
March 25, 2022: "Career Paths" - STAC Chat Roundtable
Vinny DeLucia, Senior Managing Director, Webster Bank
Vinny DeLucia of Webster Bank joined STAC students for a discussion in the Career Center regarding career paths.
A professional with 35+ years’ experience in banking, DeLucia explained more about his own career journey along with the experiences he had along the way, which provided a frame of reference so that students could compare/contrast while thinking about their own career plans.
March 24, 2022: "Find Calm and Confidence on Stage, Screen, and Public Speaking"
Patricia Stark '88, Media Trainer, Public Speaking Trainer, Certified Body Language Specialist and Calmfidence® Coach
Patricia Stark is an entrepreneur, author, and STAC alumna, who discussed her communications career and shared tips for finding confidence during interviews, media jobs, on-stage performances and more. Stark's personal & professional development firm specializes in public speaking training, media training, body language, communication skills, and performance anxiety relief. She is the author of CALMFIDENCE: How to Trust Yourself, Tame Your Inner Critic, and Shine in Any Spotlight.March 8, 2022: "Navigating Your Career" - STAC Chat Roundtable
Mike Monohan, President and CEO of Big Sky Management Group LLC
Mike Monohan shared tips with current STAC students on navigating careers. He covered his personal career story, tips on networking, ways to learn from supervisors, and provided heartfelt stories about people he has worked with. STAC students learned about the direction Mr. Monohan took his accounting degree in, but they also gained an understanding as to "tools" he gathered along the way.
November 15, 2020: Giving Tuesday 2020
STAC's Institutional Advancement Team
STAC’s Institutional Advancement team members, Jacques Tortoroli, Linda LoRe, and James Errico discussed the significance of STAC’s “Giving Tuesday” initiative which took place on Tuesday, December 1st, 2020, focusing on the College’s mission of access, affordability, and admissions for all.
November 2, 2020: Social Justice & Equity on Campus
STAC's Social Justice & Equity Forum
Listen in on “STAC Talks,” hosted by Jacques Tortoroli, VP of Institutional Advancement at St. Thomas Aquinas College, as he speaks with guests Samantha Bazile, STAC's Director of Admissions, Cindy Garvey, Associate Director of Financial Aid, and Nick Migliorino, Director of Student Engagement as they discuss the College's Social Justice and Equity (SJE) Forum.
October 26, 2020: Student-Athletes Balancing Sports and Academics
Nicole Ryan, STAC Athletic Director and Matt Schuster, STAC's Men's Ice Hockey Coach
Listen in on STAC’s Athletic Director, Nicole Ryan and Men’s Ice Hockey Coach Matt Schuster as they discuss ways STAC student-athletes build determination and sportsmanship, develop critical life skills such as leadership and personal discipline, and make lifelong friendships with like-minded peers.
October 19, 2020: STAC Talks Radio Show
Angela McDonnell, STAC Hospitality Management Program Coordinator and Daniel Dominguez, Current Student
Join host James Errico, as he speaks with Angela McDonnell, Coordinator, Hospitality Management Program at St. Thomas Aquinas College and Daniel Dominguez, student in the Hospitality Management Program. Learn how a Daniel’s entrepreneurial spirit is opening doors to a new (and delicious) business venture: Daydream Creamery!
October 13, 2020: STAC Talks Radio Show
Sean Pica, Executive Director, HudsonLink for Higher Education in Prison & Eldredge Blalock, Hudson Link Alumnus
Join host Jacques Tortoroli, as he speaks with Sean Pica, Executive Director of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, and Eldredge Blalock, alumnus of the Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison program.
October 5, 2020: STAC Talks Radio Show
Garvenchy Nicolas '14 & Ludgar Mednard
Join host Jacques Tortoroli, as he speaks with Garvenchy Nicolas '14 & Ludgar Mednard as they discuss the Haiti ABC Foundation. Garvenchy is a proud alumnus, a Project Manager in the New York Financial District area, the Creative Director of the Vinshek fashion clothing line, and the Founder and CEO of the Synergy Today Foundation. Ludger Mednard is the Founder and President of Haiti ABC Foundation Inc., an organization that empowers children through education.
September 29, 2020: STAC Talks Radio Show
Dr. Kirk Manning, Vice President and Dean for Student Development
Join host Jacques Tortoroli, as he speaks with Dr. Kirk Manning, Vice President and Dean for Student Development. They will discuss what makes STAC student life unique, the College’s new Social Justice & Equity Forum, and how Student Engagement has been impacted by COVID-19 protocols.
September 24, 2020: STAC Talks Radio Show
Michael DiBartolomeo, Vice President for Enrollment Management
Join host Jacques Tortoroli, as he speaks with Michael DiBartolomeo, Vice President for Enrollment Management. They will discuss Enrollment & Challenges during a pandemic.
September 15, 2020: Education and Criminal Justice
Sean Pica, Executive Director, HudsonLink for Higher Education in Prison
Sean Pica, Executive Director of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, discusses the topic “Education and Criminal Justice”. Sean serves on STAC's Criminal Justice Advisory Board. He also recently founded and launched New Beginnings, a reentry housing initiative for Hudson Link students.
September 14, 2020: STAC Talks Radio Show
Kenneth D. Daly, President of St. Thomas Aquinas College
Join host Jacques Tortoroli, as he speaks with President of St. Thomas Aquinas College, Kenneth D. Daly.
August 26, 2020: There is No New Normal
David Sable, Author, Entrepreneur, Social Activist
As a senior advisor at WPP, Sable mentors and consults across the company. WPP is a British multinational communications, advertising, public relations, technology, and commerce holding company headquartered in London, England. He is a designated LinkedIn Influencer, ranking among the most widely read business leaders in the world.
August 6, 2020: Race and Ethnicity in America
Dr. Marcia Chatelain, Author and Associate Professor of History and American Studies, Georgetown University
Hear from Dr. Chatelain, a scholar of African American life and culture who is a frequent public speaker and consultant to educational institutions. Chatelain delivers lectures and workshops on inclusive teaching, social movements, and food justice.
August 4, 2020: Professional Athletes: Being Prepared for What's Next
Tom Laidlaw, former NY Ranger and Entrepreneur
Tune in to hear Tom Laidlaw, as he chats with Dr. Jacques Tortoroli and co-host Gary Dworkowitz. Laidlaw has a lot to share: "Fitness, motivation, discipline, dedication, passion, and integrity are not just words I read about, but words I live my life by. This is the True Grit Life and it is glorious."
July 31, 2020: Entrepreneurial Spirit and Social Responsibility
Jack Teeling, Co-Founder, Teeling Whiskey
The Teeling family has deep roots in the Irish whiskey industry dating back to 1782 when Walter Teeling had a craft distillery in the heart of Dublin City. The Teeling Whiskey Company was founded or "reborn" by Jack Teeling in 2012. Over the last eight years, it has established itself as the leading and most progressive Irish whiskey producer.
Watch Video / Listen on Spotify
July 23, 2020: Political Psychology and Racial and Ethnic Politics
Dr. Camille Burge, Associate Professor at Villanova University & Assistant Director of The Center for Peace & Justice
Hear from Camille D. Burge, a scholar of American politics with an emphasis on racial and ethnic politics and political psychology. Her research revolves around three key themes of Black-White relations, the role of emotions in Black public opinion and political decision-making, and intersectionality.
July 9, 2020: Stress, Mental Health, and Resilience
Dr. Jean King, WPI Peterson Family Dean
In this STAC chats episode, hear about ways to connect with students and colleagues, cope with stress, and stay resilient during the challenging times we are facing together.
June 8, 2020: Design Thinking
Owen Rogers, Senior Partner, IDEO
June 3, 2020: Times of Transition
Teresa Kenny, Supervisor, Orangetown
LCM 247 Studio’s Patrick Heaphy and St. Thomas Aquinas College moderator, Angela McDonnell, Professor of Hospitality Management, LIVE streamed an interview with Teresa Kenny, Orangetown Supervisor about her vision for growth in Orangetown in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
