When her children asked for advice about choosing a college,
JoAnne Zissel knew exactly what to suggest. The ideal college, she
pointed out, would offer a well-rounded education — strong
academics, campus activities and a chance to help others.
So JoAnne urged them to apply to St. John’s University. Today her
daughter, Erica Zissel ‘11Ed, is a senior in The School of
Education at St. John’s. Joanne’s son, Edward Zissel ‘09CPS, is a
graduate if the Hospitality Management Program in St. John’s
College of Professional Studies.
A long-time employee of the University, JoAnne expected nothing
less. “I’m very grateful to St. John’s,” she said. “The University
has helped my children become wonderful, well-educated
adults.”
Foundations for Success
An Adolescent Education major with a concentration in social
studies, Erica participates in St. John’s many Greek-letter and
honor societies. She belongs to the executive board of Kappa Delta
Pi, the education honor society; Phi Eta Sigma, the freshman honor
society; and Omicron Delta Kappa, the leadership honor society. She
is also a member of the Dean’s Scholars, the highest academic honor
in The School of Education.
Erica often joins her mother in St. John’s varied service
activities. As a St. John’s employee, JoAnne often joins her
daughter. “We enjoy doing community service together,” said JoAnne,
a member of the Service Opportunity Council for University Service
Day. “We did the same thing when Erica was in Catholic
school.”
Erica also benefits from The School of Education’s connections with
the city’s public and parochial schools. She is a student teacher
at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, in Bayside, Queens. She will
pursue her graduate degree at St. John’s after earning her
bachelor’s degree in December 2011.
JoAnne also thanks St. John’s for preparing her son, Edward, to
prepare for success in a growing industry. As a Hospitality
Management major, he studied with professors who are scholars as
well as practitioners in the field. Today, he works at the Marriott
Marquis Hotel in Manhattan.
Part of the Family
For JoAnne, sending her children to St. John’s was more than a way
to prepare them for success: it meant seeing them become part of an
extended “family.”
JoAnne has worked at St. John’s for six years. She works in
Academic Support for Student Athletes, in the Division of Academic
Support Services. The office provides mentoring and advisement to
help achieve in the classroom as well as the playing courts and
fields.
St. John’s has 17 BIG EAST, Division I men’s and women’s teams —
nearly 270 student-athletes, including 89 in this year’s entering
class. “It’s a big caseload,” said JoAnne, “but the whole office is
dedicated to this work. That’s the way St. John’s is: thoroughly
committed to helping every student succeed.”