Liz Cardiello and Valerie Mastriocovo: I am the Gabelli School
Uncategorized | Mar 17, 2021 | Gabelli School of Business
Liz Cardiello and Valerie Mastriocovo joined the staff of the Gabelli School of Business in 2007. For the past 14 years, they have worked together to support our faculty and staff every day with great enthusiasm and professionalism.
In this week’s “I am the Gabelli School,” Val and Liz share their thoughts on the transformation they’ve seen at the school, and tell us what it’s like to also be the proud parents of Gabelli School graduates.
What are three words that come to your mind that describe Gabelli School of Business?
Val: Family, dedication, and support.
What do you enjoy most about your role at the Gabelli School?
Liz: One of the things I enjoy most about working with the faculty is, as much as Val and I support them, they support us in return. I have formed many friendships since working at the Gabelli School, and for that I am grateful.
Describe a moment when you felt particularly proud to be a part of the Gabelli School of Business.
Liz: A moment when I felt particularly proud was during the Awards Night Ceremony for the 2016 graduates. Val and I received the Rev. Garret J. Fitzgerald Award, which is given to the business faculty, administration, or staff members who made a significant contribution to the Gabelli School. We had no idea we were receiving the award until Dean Rapaccioli announced our names, but it’s a great feeling to know your work is appreciated. There’s also a funny side note. My son Anthony was a senior at the time and said to me, “It’s pretty funny when it’s your awards night and it’s your mother who wins an award.”
Val: One of the memories that stands out for me is the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hughes Hall. I remember when I first joined Fordham’s business school, formerly known as the College of Business Administration, Dean Rapaccioli kept a card by her desk with a drawing of Hughes Hall. She expressed that she wanted Hughes Hall to one day be the home of our business school. I had never imagined that five years later this would become a reality. I saw firsthand how vision, hard work, dedication, and the generosity of others can make anything possible. I felt such pride knowing that I was part of Fordham’s history.
Is there a member of our community who has inspired you? Why?
Val: To select one individual who has inspired me would be difficult because I am inspired every day by all the deans, faculty, and staff. I have the privilege of working with such a caring, hard-working, and supportive team, and I feel blessed to be part of it. Our students should also be acknowledged for the resilience they have shown in the face of this pandemic. They serve as a reminder to all of us of how important it is to work together.
As parents of Gabelli School alumni, what do you think stands out most about the education your children received?
Val: As a parent, I learned the value of a Jesuit education, and in particular, the importance of the Jesuit mission of cura personalis. My son Robert graduated in 2012, and what impressed me most was how he came out of his comfort zone and gained more confidence in himself. Dedicated educators like Nancy McCarthy and his advisor, Rosanne Conte, as well as the leadership of the deans, the Gabelli School gave my son a transformative educational experience that has translated into personal and professional success. He is currently working for Transamerica as a compliance consultant.
Liz: I feel the administration and faculty are very supportive of the students. Students receive an excellent education and really have the opportunity to achieve success in their future.
Both of my sons attended the Gabelli School. Nicholas graduated in 2012 and holds a B.S. in Business Administration. He is also commissioned with the New York Army National Guard Military Police. He is a two-time combat veteran with deployments overseas, and is now an operations officer for the 106th Regional Training Institute. Anthony graduated in 2017 after completing the five-year undergraduate accounting track, majoring in public accountancy, with a minor in psychology. As a student, he worked for Public Safety as a campus shuttle driver and at Ram Van. He is now assistant director of intercampus transportation (Ram Van), and is earning his MBA.
