The Advocacy Committee contributes to the development of AATI-CAL’s advocacy policies. The committee maintains and updates a list of actions and initiatives to support Italian programs in California; it collects and shares information about both challenges and successes; it collaborates with other AATI-CAL constituencies on initiatives that foster the study of Italian; and it proposes new actions, partnerships, and strategies to the association aimed at promoting and safeguarding Italian programs across the state. 

Teresiana Matarrese, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Marie Bertola, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara

Gloria Bustos-Ramos, Sierra College, Rocklin

Pietro Pesce, Pepperdine University, Malibu

Valeria Trapani, La Scuola International School, San Francisco

The Election Nominating Committee shall be a standing committee composed of five persons serving staggered terms of three years. At least two of the five members shall represent elementary and/or secondary levels of instruction. Any member of the Chapter may suggest to the President the names of potential appointees to the Nominating Committee. The names of the members of the Nominating Committee will be announced to the membership through the Chapter Newsletter and its official Chapter Website and Social Media.

Justin Ehrenberg, Lodi High School, Lodi, Committee Chair

Diego Brol Batres, California State University Long Beach and Herbert Hoover High School, Long Beach and Glendale

Irene Hatzopoulos, University of California-Riverside, Riverside

Alessandra McCarty, Stanford University, Stanford

Francesca Ricciardelli, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

The AATI-CAL Italian/Italian American Community Outreach Committee recognizes the deep and enduring presence of Italians in California. Given its history and ongoing vitality, the committee’s mission is to cultivate meaningful connections with the Italian and Italian American communities of which we are a part, through reciprocal collaborations such as shared visibility on websites, participation in one another’s events, and joint initiatives. 

Sienna Hopkins, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, Committee Chair

Jo Tatro, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, Committee Chair

The K-12 Credentialing, Certification, and Educational Pathways Committee is dedicated to strengthening and expanding pathways into the profession of Italian language education throughout California. It also works to identify barriers to entering the profession and promote practical solutions that strengthen recruitment, support educator development, and build a sustainable pipeline of highly qualified Italian language educators.

Hilary Stern, Fondazione Italia, Los Angeles , Committee Chair

Arianna Strippoli, Palisades Charter High School, Pacific Palisades

James Fortney, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

Martina Scattolin, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Justin Ehrenberg, Lodi High School, Lodi

The Membership Committee is dedicated to building and growing AATI National and AATI-CAL's membership among instructors of Italian throughout California in order to strengthen opportunities for Italian across our community.  Therefore, the committee is tasked with developing and distributing promotional materials to raise awareness of AATI-CAL’s mission and benefits.  It designs and implements membership drive campaigns that encourage current members to invite and mentor prospective colleagues. 

Laura Godio, Pasadena City College, Pasadena, Committee Chair

Antonella Mattia, College of the Canyon, Santa Clarita 

Benedetta Liccardo, La Scuola International School, San Francisco

Alba Boyer, American River College and California State University Sacramento, Sacramento

The New and Emerging Professional Educators Committee brings together graduate students and early-career professionals in California interested in Italian language, literature, culture, and education. Its members represent a wide range of professional pathways, including K–12 education, community colleges, universities, research, language pedagogy, translation, and other fields connected to Italian studies. The committee's mission is to help the next generation of Italian educators become active participants in the life of AATI-CAL and the broader profession. 

Giacomo Frazzetta, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Committee Chair

Sofia Lo Ciacio, University of California-Los Angeles

Irene Hatzopoulos, University of California-Riverside, Riverside

Diva Zeckua Barajas, California State University, Long Beach

The AATI-CAL Newsletter committee is dedicated to curating biannual volumes of the AATI-CAL newsletter, centered around a special topic.  Each volume includes a letter from the president  which is in discussion with the contents within.  The newsletter also establishes working relationships with California-based Italian or Italian American organizations as a way to create not only community, but a revenue source via advertisements included within the publication.  The Newsletter is released every October and every May. 

James Fortney, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

Zenaido Ramos-Bustos, Sierra College, Rocklin

Francesca Ricciardelli, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

The AATI-CAL Professional Development/Conference Committee is dedicated to fostering collaboration and growth among K-12 and higher education instructors of Italian in California.  The committee’s main objective is to organize two annual professional development events: one in Southern California each fall and one in Northern California each spring.  These local events feature networking opportunities, pedagogical workshops, cultural programming, and scholarly presentations accessible to California members of AATI and beyond.  

Claudia Canu Fautré, La Scuola International School, San Francisco, Committee Chair

Alessandra McCarty, Stanford University, Stanford, Committee Chair

Chiara Pelagatti, Lowell High School, San Francisco

Teresiana Matarrese, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Arianna Strippoli, Palisades Charter High School, Pacific Palisades

James Fortney, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

The Social Media/Website Committee oversees AATI-CAL’s online presence and digital communications. The committee creates, maintains and updates the association’s website and social media platforms; it curates and shares content that highlight AATI-CAL initiatives, member accomplishments, and resources for Italian programs in California and it proposes new strategies, tools, and campaigns aimed at strengthening the association’s visibility and engagement across digital platforms.

Francesca Ricciardelli, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Committee Chair

Cristina Farronato, University of Berkeley, Berkeley

Diego Brol Batres, California State University Long Beach 

Irene Hatzopoulos, Diversity of California Riverside, Riverside