Liz Cardiello and Valerie Mastriocovo: I am the Gabelli School
Profiles | Apr 08, 2021 | Gabelli School of Business
Liz Cardiello and Valerie Mastriocovo joined the staff of the Gabelli School of Business in 2007. Since then, 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” series, Val and Liz discuss what it’s been like to be the proud parents of three Gabelli School alumni, and share their memories about the transformation of Hughes Hall.
Describe a moment when you felt particularly proud to be a part of the Gabelli School of Business.
Val Mastriocovo remembers an early image of Hughes Hall, which served as an inspiration for the vision of the Gabelli School’s Rose Hill home.
Val: When I first joined Fordham, Dean Rapaccioli kept a card by her desk with a drawing of Hughes Hall. She said that she wanted Hughes Hall to one day be the home of our business school. I could never have imagined that five years later this would become a reality! The ribbon-cutting ceremony will always be an important memory I have, and I saw firsthand how vision, hard work, dedication, and the generosity of others can make anything possible.
Liz, what was a proud moment for you?
Liz: During the Awards Night Ceremony for 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. My son Anthony was a senior and said, “It’s pretty funny when it’s your awards night and it’s your mother who wins an award.”
How has working at the Gabelli School changed for you from when you began until now?
Val: Through the wise leadership of Dean Rapaccioli, our school has increased its visibility and expanded its curriculum, and we have received national recognition for many of our programs. I have seen our curriculum grow as faculty are eager to work with each other to create the best learning experience for our students. All of this was possible because of the comradery we all share at Gabelli. Liz and I initially worked in separate buildings on campus until Hughes Hall was dedicated. Since moving into Hughes, I now work side by side with Liz. I could not ask for a better colleague and friend.
As parents of Gabelli School alumni, what do you think stands out most about the education your children received?
Liz: The administration and faculty are very supportive of the students. Students receive an excellent education and really have the opportunity to achieve success.
Both of my sons attended the Gabelli School. Nicholas graduated in 2012 and holds a B.S. in Business Administration. Anthony graduated in 2017 after finishing the five-year accounting track and is now in the pre-MBA program. The experience they both had with the undergraduate deans who mentor students in each year really made an impact. Having a dean for each year means that the dean will actually know each student, and that made their contact more effective and personal.
Val: 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 at the Gabelli School gave my son a transformative experience that has translated into personal and professional success. He is currently working for Transamerica as a compliance consultant.
Reading recommendations?
Liz: A Good Neighborhood by Therese Ann Fowler, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and The Holdout by Graham Moore.
