Faculty Stories

  Professor Sherrie Baver: Championing Environmental Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean Professor Sherrie Baver has dedicated her career to exploring the complex relationship between environmental justice and democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Her current research focuses on the implementation of “Environmental Democracy” in Mexico and Chile, with a passion fueled by years of fieldwork and a lifelong commitment to understanding the intersection of politics, culture, and the environment. A Passion for Latin America and Political… Read More »


  Katherine Chen and Her Path to the Colin Powell School Dr. Katherine Chen, Chair of Sociology at the Colin Powell School, is making waves in the field of organizational ethnography. With a keen focus on how organizations can empower individuals through collective decision-making, she draws inspiration from her diverse and motivated students at CCNY. Many of her students come from working-class and immigrant backgrounds, and Dr. Chen is dedicated to helping them connect their unique skills to broader societal issues. Discovering a Passion for… Read More »


  Yana Kucheva: Championing Housing Justice and Community Engagement Professor Yana Kucheva, interim chair of the Sociology Department at CCNY, explores the intricate intersections of housing, social inequality, and justice, She is also deeply engaged in community-based research. Currently the interim director of CCNY’s Sociology Department, Kucheva channels her passion for teaching and mentorship, inspired by her own mentor, Professor Hilary Silver. Please share something about your personal and professional background. I am a sociologist and… Read More »


  Societal Perspectives: Professor Larry Au's Journey In the academic realm, Professor Larry Au stands out for his interdisciplinary scholarship. Originally from Los Angeles and Hong Kong, Au has spent the last decade in New York City. He became an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department in Fall 2022. Au's research focuses on inclusive science and medicine, delving into precision medicine's globalization and the politics surrounding long Covid. As he works on his first book project on Chinese biomedical innovation, Dreams of Global Science:… Read More »


    Cultivating Leaders: Bobby Derival’s Impact at the Colin Powell School Bobby Derival, Executive Director of the MPA Program at the Colin Powell School, is passionate about creating positive social change through education and mentorship.  Derival’s background as a public health practitioner and entrepreneur brings a unique perspective to the MPA Program, emphasizing the importance of leadership development and challenging the status quo for a more equitable society.     What strategies do you employ for student… Read More »


  Bruce Cronin: “The Diversity of This Community Reflects the Diversity of N.Y. Itself” Influenced by his parents' activism as opponents of the war in Vietnam and supporters of civil rights, Political Science professor Bruce Cronin developed a passion for international politics, particularly human rights. After earning a degree in Political Science and Urban Studies at SUNY Albany, he pursued a career as a community organizer and later earned a PhD from Columbia University. Cronin’s scholarly work delves into human rights and international law, with a… Read More »


  Economics Professor Marta Bengoa: “The Students Are the Heart and Soul of the Institution” Professor of Economics Marta Bengoa is the first woman to achieve full professor status in Economics at CCNY,  and as such values her role as a mentor, particularly for women in Economics and Business.  Please share something about your personal and professional background, and what brought you to CCNY and the Colin Powell School. I am a Professor of Economics; my field is international economics with international trade specialization. I am the… Read More »


Professor Diana Greenwald’s academic journey was profoundly influenced by the post-9/11 era and the subsequent Middle East conflicts. Her academic focus revolves around the examination of local Palestinian politics in the West Bank, carried out under the backdrop of Israeli occupation. Her research encompasses data collection and analysis, including interviews with local politicians, shedding light on the intricate dynamics at play. Her work underscores the complexity of Palestinian lives under occupation and the resilience of individuals navigating these… Read More »


Professor Steven Tuber has been with City College for almost 40 years, and has been a full professor in the psychology department for more than 30 years. In a recent interview, Tuber described his passion for teaching, the nature of his work with children, his family’s background, and more. Tuber acknowledged the Colin Powell School’s mandate to provide a platform for diverse future leaders as being intertwined with the doctoral program’s mandate to provide the highest quality care to persons who are often ignored or mistreated by the mental health system.… Read More »


Norma Mayorga Fuentes, director of the Latin American and Latino Studies program, spoke to us about her experience at the Colin Powell School and what makes it special.  Please share something about your personal and professional background, and what brought you to CCNY and the Colin Powell School. I am an immigration scholar, a qualitative sociologist/ethnographer by training and a philosopher by default. When I was invited to give a job talk at City College, late spring of 2014, coincidentally scheduled within the newly renovated premises of the… Read More »


Subscribe to Colin Powell School Faculty Blog

Last Updated: 02/01/2020 00:41