The People Who Power WP: Eliana Antoniou

Every month during the academic year, we will spotlight a different member of the WP faculty or staff who plays a powerful role in student success.

Name: Eliana Antoniou

Title: Professor of Mathematics and GS-LSAMP Coordinator

Years at WP: 22

Tell us about yourself: I grew up in a small village on the island of Cyprus. I was the youngest of six siblings and the first in my family to pursue a college education. I came to the United States as an international student and attended The College of New Jersey as a mathematics major with a minor in Italian. I am married and have three children aged 19, 18, and 15. One of my greatest pleasures is hosting dinner parties, cooking, and coming up with recipes that incorporate ingredients that enhance flavors and combinations of different cuisines. I am actively involved with the Greek-American and Cypriot-American communities. I am on a scholarship committee for AGAPW, the Association of Greek American Professional Women; I have served as the director of Sunday Church School at St. Athanasios Church for eight years; and I am currently coordinating the oratorical festival at St. Nicholas Church and have served multiple times as a judge for oratorical festivals in New Jersey. 

Describe your role on campus: I am a faculty member in the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the University’s coordinator for the GS-LSAMP program, a National Science Foundation-funded program that provides academic support and specialized advising for students from historically underrepresented groups who wish to enter non-medical STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professions.

A defining moment at WP: At the end of a semester, one of my students came to my office to bring me an apple because apples are symbolic of wisdom and knowledge, and that is what he said I represented. His gesture left an impact on me and made me realize that small acts of kindness make a difference. It means a lot to know that as educators, we can make a difference in our students’ lives.

Favorite part about your job: Interacting and mentoring the students I teach. I love sharing my knowledge and making sure that math is not a boring subject and instead a skill for endless possibilities.

Fun fact: For many years, I have taught Greek-Cypriot Dance for the youth of Lampousa Cypriot American Association that helps promote culture, traditional dance, and customs of the island of Cyprus. The group meets weekly and has 25 dancers, ranging in age from 4 to 28 years old.

Finish this sentence: "WP is a powerhouse of inclusivity and knowledge." William Paterson University is an institution in which everyone, regardless of their background, can successfully pursue their interests. We take pride in our tightly knit community and academic expertise of faculty.

04/29/24