Cultural Center

About Us

The Hofstra Cultural Center (HCC) is an internationally renowned organization that includes a conference and symposium component, performance arts, and the publication of the proceedings of its conferences and symposia. The goal of the HCC is to augment the offerings of the academic departments of the University by developing educational programs related to the cultural and interdisciplinary experience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and scholars.

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Center Administration

Athelene A. Collins
Executive Director
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Carol D. Mallison
Manager of Conferences and Events
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Jeannine Rinaldi
Senior Assistant to the Director
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Advisory Board

The HCC has engaged an Advisory Board who is responsible for advising and ensuring that the HCC continues to excel as a thriving center of the arts.

The Advisory Board is comprised of faculty, students, alumni, and administrators. Each Advisory Board member brings something unique to the Center and will advocate and network to expand HCC’s outreach in the community and meet its core values. In addition, the Board will review conference and speaker proposals, grant applications, and make suggestions for themes and University-wide programs.

Executive Director
Name Department Title
Anita Ellis Commuter Student Affairs Assistant Dean of Students
Athelene Collins Hofstra Cultural Center Executive Director
Benita Sampedro Romance Languages & Literatures Professor
Carol Mallison Hofstra Cultural Center Manager of Conferences and Events
Craig M. Dalton Global Studies & Geography Assistant Professor
David Henderson Drama and Dance Associate Professor, Department Chair
Ethna D. Lay Writing Studies and Rhetoric Associate Professor
Kari Jensen Global Studies & Geography Associate Professor
Mario H. Gonzalez Journalism, Media Studies & Public Relations Assistant Professor
Meena Bose Political Science Professor, Kalikow Chair
Stan Pugliese History Professor
Tammy Hensrud Music Adjunct Professor
Warren G. Frisina Honors College Professor, Honors College Dean

The Joseph G. Astman Distinguished Conference Scholars

This award was established in 1985 in recognition of the outstanding role of the late founder of the Hofstra Cultural Center, Dr. Joseph G. Astman. Dr. Astman was a humanist, a cultural comparatist and an international scholar who had the vision to establish the Hofstra Cultural Center as a forum for international scholarly thought.

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