From the Newsroom to the Classroom: Professor Athanasia Biska’s Mission to Share Greek Culture

By: Chala Civan and William Conboy

In the mid-1990s, while Professor Athanasia Biska was working as a journalist for Greece’s leading TV station Antenna, she visited Adelphi to interview Dr. Anagnostis Agelarakis, a professor of anthropological archaeology and physical anthropology. According to Biska, Dr. Agelarakis was conducting research on the remains of 200 to 250 Athenian hoplites from the Periclean era, shedding new light on ancient Greek history. 

“His passion and dedication left a profound impression on me, and we remained in contact over the years,” she said.

By 2008, Dr. Agelarakis proposed introducing a Modern Greek language course at Adelphi to enrich the university’s curriculum and share the values and contributions of Greek culture with students. Around the same time, Biska was working as a consultant for philanthropist Theodore Spyropoulos, a leader in the Greek-American community. 

“I shared this vision with him, and he generously established an endowment to fund the program,” Biska said. 

Dr. Raysa Amador, then chair of the Languages Department, spearheaded the development of the course. After a rigorous interview process, she suggested Biska take on the role of instructor. 

Professor Biska’s dedication to embracing language, journalism and Greek culture helps inspire students to dive deeper into cultural exchanges and connections. Photo from Research Gate

“While teaching wasn’t initially part of my plan, my deep love for Greek language and culture inspired me to accept the challenge,” she said. She began teaching in August 2009, and said that it has been an incredibly rewarding journey ever since. 

Biska’s professional journey has taken her across Athens, London and New York, shaping her into a multifaceted professional with a passion for Greek language, culture and education. Her academic foundation began with a degree in political science from the University of Athens, followed by a master’s in communications from City University of London. She further enriched her expertise through significant doctoral research, and her career in journalism began in Athens, where she started as a reporter for Acropolis newspaper. In London, she honed her skills as a producer for the BBC and a correspondent for Greek media, gaining invaluable global media experience. 

For the past 23 years, New York has been the center of her professional endeavors. As the head of Antenna TV’s newsroom, she had demonstrated exceptional leadership in journalism. Beyond her editorial role, she has taught Modern Greek, served as a consultant and PR professional for various foundations, and worked as a ghostwriter, all while championing Hellenic heritage. Through her television programs, she introduced the institution of charter schools to a broader audience and facilitated opportunities for Greek educators. Her interviews paved the way for seconded Greek state teachers to teach in U.S. schools with Greek programs, and her efforts directly led to the establishment of the first Greek charter school. 

The Delphian asked her about the benefits of learning Greek in today’s globalized world. 

The Greek flag. Photo from Flickr

“Learning Modern Greek is more than acquiring a language; it’s a gateway to enhanced communication, cultural understanding and critical thinking in our interconnected world,” Biska said. 

She emphasized that Greek is foundational to the English language; our alphabet and countless words like democracy, biology and philosophy derive from it. Biska said that learning Greek can help sharpen linguistic skills essential for global careers.

The benefits don’t stop there, according to Biska, however.

 “Greek enriches education by adding depth to fields like philosophy, law, medicine and history, where Greece’s contributions are foundational,” she said.

When asked if she has advice for students aspiring to become journalists, Biska said: “Embrace curiosity, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to truth. Journalism is about digging beneath the surface, much like Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, where escaping shadows reveals deeper realities. Stay versatile. At Antenna, I adapted across roles—reporting, producing and hosting—embracing new platforms while upholding ethical standards. Never stop learning.” 

Combining that mindset with cultural depth is a surefire path to success according to her.

According to Biska, seminars in digital media, data journalism, ethics and AI are essential to staying relevant in a rapidly evolving field. 

She recommends students start by building strong networks — her interviews with Congress members grew from relationships nurtured at events and conferences — and let your passion guide you.