in 1957, she co-founded cabrini college and became the first chairman of its english department. she taught there until she retired in 1970. after retiring from teaching in 1970, she continued to publish poetry and scholarly works. in 1975, she published "the italian american novel: a document of the interaction of two cultures", which examines the work of 70 italian-american writers. it was the first major scholarly work of its kind, and laid the groundwork for analysis of recurring themes in italian-american literature, such as the "isolated immigrant" and the "alien marginalized by the established society." her sonnet collection, "primo vino" (1975), also celebrates italian americans, focusing on the family, the home, community life, outstanding italian americans, and residents of "little italy."