Dean’s Symposium Presentations
Classroom to Career Series: Arts & Science
Hear from alumni, professors and others on their successful and interesting careers in the arts, politics, media and more.
September 18, 2025
Noon, LaPenta School of Business, Henry Lecture Hall
Carmen Conte Widman ’96:
Emmy Award-Winning Journalist
Carmen Conte Widman is an Emmy Award-winning veteran journalist and a proud alumna of Iona. She is currently a supervising producer for CNN’s acclaimed prime time program “Erin Burnett OutFront” where she leads guest booking for Erin’s show.
Her career spans more than 29 years covering major world and breaking news events. Some highlights include the coverage of September 11, the Iraq War, seven U.S. Presidential Elections, the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Pope Francis in the U.S., three Papal Conclaves and the U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Same Sex Marriage which earned her an Emmy for breaking news coverage.
She has collaborated with various talents across the networks through the years including Erin Burnett, Lester Holt, Andrea Mitchell, Brian Williams, Chris Cuomo, Alisyn Camerota, Erica Hill, John Berman, Don Lemon, Poppy Harlow, Kaitlan Collins, Bob Costas and Mary Calvi.
Prior to her time at CNN, she worked at MSNBC for over 15 years as well as WNBC, ABC News and News 12. She received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, as a double major in Broadcasting and Journalism from Iona in 1996. She is married, a mom of two college students and is a fluent Italian speaker who enjoys travelling and cooking.
Past Events
October 25, 2023
"Navigating the Business of News"
Hosted by Dr. Jeanne Zaino
Featuring Iona Alumnus Chris Snyder as well as Kailey Schuyler and Caroline Elliott
October 19, 2023
"Researching the Nexus between Conflicts, Migration and Urbanization in Africa"
Dr. Derese Kassa
March 30, 2023
“Addressing Ableism and Autism in the Interdisciplinary Advanced Certificate in Working with Young Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and their Families”
Dr. Amanda Howerton-Fox & Dr. Michelle Veyvoda
November 2, 2022
"How Did We Get Here? Beyond the Red and Blue Divide."
New Rochelle Mayor, Noam Bramson and County Executive, Rob Astorino discuss current issues and topics circulating our country with Iona professor Jeanne Zaino, Ph.D.
October 27, 2022
Thomas Ruggio, MFA
Dean Stabile and Professor Ruggio discuss some of Thomas' recent work, including the rediscovery of a Cesare Dandini painting found at the Church of the Holy Family in New Rochelle, N.Y.
April 21, 2022
Jeanne Sheehan Zaino, Ph.D.
"How Did We Get Here? Beyond the Red and Blue Divide"
In “How Did We Get Here? Beyond the Red and Blue Divide,” Dr. Zaino discusses the current political climate and how we can move towards a better, more productive dialogue.
March 31, 2022
Galen Barry, Ph.D.
In this edition, Dean Stabile and Professor and Fulbright Post-doctoral Scholar Dr. Galen Barry discuss the aims and methods of Public Philosophy in Brazil and United States.