Donna Cucunato, M.A.
Associate Professor

E-mail: cucunato@chapman.edu
Phone: 714-744-7808
Fax: 714-744-7035

Professor Donna Cucunato joined the Chapman University faculty 29 years ago as a dance educator.  She developed Chapman's dance program and acted as its director for 16 years.  Her belief in preparing a versatile dancer led to grant writing which mainstreamed art into the curriculum in elementary schools.  Production grants assured campus performances across dance styles and cultures.  Her interest in pedagogy led her through several transitions as she left dance and assumed the position of Liberal Studies coordinator.  Subject mastery through interdisciplinary courses and civic engagement mark her approach to undergraduate teacher preparation curriculum.  Continued commitment to the value of an arts based approach to education, she developed and directed a 12 year program which placed students with dance, music and physical education skills in local elementary schools.  Current interests include the investigation of student perceptions and attitude change in relation to civic engagement and global citizenry as an outcome of completing the Liberal Studies curriculum.  Professor Cucunato completed her Masters of Arts in Psychology at California State University at Long Beach after a career as a professional dancer.

Curriculum Vita