an interview with Dr. Santilli

1. Can you tell me about a significant ongoing, or academically relevant service experience in your life?

Dr. Santilli worked as a mentor/ESOL Teacher at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants for about three years. (I didn't know this until the interview!) She worked with the same family, but once she moved further away and started working at Siena, her time dedicated to volunteering diminished.

2. Why/How did you decide to become a faculty member?

She originally worked at Russell Sage College as an English professor until she went into retirement. A few months later, a spot for an English teacher opened up as Siena and the college invited her to come and teach.

3. How did you decide to pursue your field of study or discipline?

Dr. Santilli said that she always knew that she would be a teacher. "I never had to decide anything," she said. "Life decided for me."