NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 2011) Jeanne Zaino, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Honors Program at Iona College, was presented with the prestigious Dr. Carol S. Russett Award from the American Council on Education’s (ACE) National Network of Women (Westchester Rockland Region). The ceremony honoring Professor Zaino’s excellence in education was held recently at a luncheon at the Knollwood Country Club, Elmsford. It marked the first time that an educator from Iona had won the award.
The Dr. Carol Russett Award is presented to a woman educator who:
• Exemplifies the mission of the ACE/National Network of Women Leaders
• Dedicates herself to higher education by serving her students, colleagues and institution generously
• Demonstrates a personal commitment to professional growth and enrichment
• Unselfishly has given of her time and energy in assisting other women in their professional development as a mentor and role model
• Demonstrates an interest and concern for her community outside the academic environment.
Dr. Zaino stated: “I am honored to receive this award and deeply indebted to the American Council On Education’s National Network of Women. Dr. Carol Russett, for whom this award is named, is a role model for all educators and I can only hope to follow in her footsteps and those of all the female educators who have received this award years past.”
Brian J. Nickerson, Dean of Iona’s School of Arts and Science, said: “This award validates what Iona College already knows: Dr. Zaino is one of the most dedicated educators one can find in higher education. We are not only proud of her accomplishments, we also try to model her behavior in our own professional lives. I am thrilled that ACE provided this richly-deserved recognition.”
Dr. Zaino earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Connecticut, Storrs where she was an honors student and a university scholar. Upon graduation, she remained in Storrs to get a masters degree in survey research and work as a research assistant at the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research. She continued her graduate work at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she earned a second masters degree and a PhD in political science. Her dissertation focused on the use of polling in the White House.
At Iona, she teaches courses in American government, the presidency, courts, voting, elections, public opinion, political parties, and research methods. Her most recent research focuses on post-2000 electoral litigation, the importance of poll workers and the pedagogical benefits of metaphors.
Her work has been published widely in educational journals. Currently, she is working on a book for Prentice Hall tentatively called Countdown. In addition, she frequently comments on political and electoral issues in the media. She has recently been quoted major media outlets and has been a frequent guest on local and national television with appearances on WCBS, News12, Fox 5, RNN, WNBC, Good Day New York, Good Day Street Talk, and Strategy Room. She is a regular contributor to Fox News’ live on-line show, “Online.Com,” and has also been a weekly guest with a recurring spot on Bob Marrone’s “Good Morning Westchester” (WVOX).
PHOTO: Professor Jeanne Zaino, left, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Honors Program at Iona College and Heather McDonnell, Associate Dean of Financial Aid and Admission, Sarah Lawrence College, who was the guest speaker at the awards luncheon honoring Professor Zaino.
Congratulations Dr. Zaino
You faithfully answer questions about political topics on WVOX and I, as one listener, appreciate your honesty whether I agree with you or not. You deserve this tribute.