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Articles by Richard Pietras
Brooklyn College Kicks Off Its Centennial Journey with the Reopening of the East Quad
Students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and community partners gathered at Brooklyn College for a day that celebrated both a renewed campus landmark and the beginning of the College’s next great chapter. The program featured the reopening of the transformed East Quad and the launch of The Road to 100, a new initiative leading to Brooklyn College’s centennial in 2030.
Brooklyn College Receives $3 Million Federal Grant to Expand Student Success and Career Readiness
Brooklyn College has received a five-year, $3 million federal grant that will support new and expanded efforts to help students succeed in college and prepare for life after graduation. Funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III, Part A Supporting Institutions Program, the award will provide an initial $1 million to support the college’s “Reaching Out for Opportunities, Transformation, and Support” (ROOTS) initiative.
Eduardo Andres Alfonso Named Curator of The Art Gallery at Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is pleased to announce the appointment of Eduardo Andres Alfonso as curator of The Art Gallery at Brooklyn College, bringing to the role a dynamic record of exhibition-making, interdisciplinary scholarship, and a deep commitment to expanding public engagement with contemporary art. An accomplished curator and architect, Alfonso joins Brooklyn College from The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut, where he served as associate curator.
Laura Ascenzi-Moreno Receives Spencer Foundation Grant to Examine Equity in Reading Education
Professor Laura Ascenzi-Moreno, in collaboration with Faythe Beauchemin, associate professor at Boston College, received a $75,000 grant for the two-year project, Centering Multilingual and Multidialectal Students within Reading Policies and Curricula in an Era of the Science of Reading. The award runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028.
Building Bridges: More Than 800 Gather at Brooklyn College for the 21st Annual CUNY BMI Conference
More than 800 students, alumni, educators, professionals, and community advocates gathered at Brooklyn College on October 2 for the 21st Annual CUNY BMI Conference, “Building Bridges: How Communities Protect & Empower.” Held at the Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts, the conference celebrated the leaders and visionaries who have shaped the CUNY BMI movement while inspiring the next generation of changemakers.
Christian Martinez Receives Inaugural Posit Impact Award
Christian Martinez, an adjunct lecturer in Brooklyn College’s Psychological Research M.S. program in the School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences, received an inaugural 2026 Posit Impact Award in the Open Source Contribution category in Houston in September. The award honors individuals and teams using data science tools to create meaningful impact, with awards presented across six categories, including open-source contribution.
Andrew Delamater Awarded 2026 Gantt Medal
Brooklyn College Professor of Psychology Andrew Delamater has been named the recipient of the 2026 Gantt Medal, one of the highest honors awarded by the Pavlovian Society, recognizing individuals who have made distinguished contributions to psychology, physiology, behavioral neuroscience, psychophysiology, mental health, or medicine through research grounded in Pavlovian concepts.
Brooklyn College Presidential Lecture Series Brings Global Leaders Together for Conversation on Peace, Leadership, and Women's Empowerment
With world leaders gathering in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, Brooklyn College welcomed Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Founding Executive Director of the CUNY Institute on Gender, Law, and Transformative Peace Leymah Gbowee and women’s economic empowerment advocate Thelma Ekiyor to the Claire Tow Theater on September 22 for a conversation about leadership, activism, and the work of building stronger communities.
Brooklyn College Earns Top Marks for Quality, Value, and Social Mobility in National Rankings
Brooklyn College continues to earn national recognition for providing a high-quality, affordable education that transforms students’ lives. New rankings from U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, The Princeton Review, and Money underscore the college’s impact on student success, economic mobility, and long-term career outcomes.
Presidential Lecture Series Welcomes Leymah Gbowee and Thelma Ekiyor
Brooklyn College is pleased to welcome the extended campus community to the next installment of the Presidential Lecture Series on Tuesday, September 22, featuring President Michelle J. Anderson in conversation with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee and social entrepreneur and peacebuilding leader Thelma Ekiyor.
Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema Earns Spot on MovieMaker’s 2026 Best Film Schools List
For the seventh straight year, Brooklyn College’s Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema has been recognized by MovieMaker magazine as one of its Best Film Schools for 2026, earning national recognition for its hands-on approach to filmmaking, industry-connected faculty, and commitment to student success.
Brooklyn College Named Among The Princeton Review’s Best 392 Colleges for 2027
Brooklyn College has once again been recognized by The Princeton Review as one of its Best 392 Colleges in the nation for 2027, placing the college among a select group of institutions chosen for inclusion in the education services company’s flagship college guide. In addition to being featured in The Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition, Brooklyn College was also included among The Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges, Best Northeast Colleges, and Green Colleges.
Leora Yetnikoff Named Inaugural Peter and Anne Lipke Endowed Professor at Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is proud to announce the appointment of Associate Professor of Biology Leora Yetnikoff, Ph.D., as the inaugural Peter and Anne Lipke Endowed Professor in the School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences. This distinguished appointment marks a major milestone for the school and underscores Brooklyn College’s commitment to advancing scientific research, exceptional teaching, and student mentorship.
Brooklyn College Mourns the Passing of Trustee, Alumnus, and Philanthropist Murray Koppelman ’57
The Brooklyn College community is saddened by the loss of Murray Koppelman ’57, a proud alumnus whose enduring commitment to the college shaped the lives of students for decades. As a trustee, benefactor, and advocate for educational access, he devoted his time and resources to strengthening the institution and creating opportunities for others. Murray Koppelman passed away on August 12 at the age of 95.
Brooklyn College Names New Dean for the Murray Koppelman School of Business
Brooklyn College has named Shalei V. K. Simms, Ph.D., as the new Dean of the Murray Koppelman School of Business, effective July 1, 2026. Simms currently serves as Dean of the School of Business at SUNY Old Westbury, where she leads an AACSB-accredited school serving one of the most diverse student populations in the SUNY system.
School of Education Faculty Member Publishes Evidence-Based Guidelines on AI in Teaching - Brooklyn College
Doctoral lecturer in Brooklyn College’s School of Education Norman Eng recently published an article in Faculty Focus titled “Should We Integrate AI into Our Teaching? Evidence-Based Guidelines for Deciding When AI Belongs.” The article examines emerging research on the educational impact of generative AI and offers practical guidance for faculty navigating its use in teaching and learning.
Professor Helen Phillips Wins U.K.’s 2026 Climate Fiction Prize for "Hum" - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is proud to announce that Professor of English and acclaimed novelist Helen Phillips has won the 2026 Climate Fiction Prize for the novel Hum. Published in 2024, Hum imagines a near-future world shaped by artificial intelligence, environmental degradation, and pervasive surveillance.
Faculty Front at Center at Faculty Day - Brooklyn College
The 29th Annual Faculty Day Conference and Awards Ceremony at Brooklyn College brought together faculty, staff, and students for a day of interdisciplinary dialogue, innovation, and celebration of academic achievement on May 20 in the Student Center. Aleah Ranjitsingh (left), Assistant Professor of Africana Studies, and Dale Byam, Associate Professor of Africana Studies.
Brooklyn College to Salute Class of 2026 - Brooklyn College
On May 28 at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn College will proudly celebrate the accomplishments of approximately 4,000 graduates at its 101st Commencement. This year’s ceremony marks a milestone not only in academic achievement, but the extraordinary resilience and determination of a deeply diverse student body. Students arrive at Brooklyn College from across New York City, the United States, and around the world, bringing with them a wide range of lived experiences, identities, and aspirations.
Corey Robin Awarded Prestigious Berlin Prize Fellowship by the American Academy in Berlin - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College proudly announces that Corey Robin, Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center, has been awarded a 2026–27 Berlin Prize Fellowship by the American Academy in Berlin. During his fellowship year, Robin will advance his new book project, King Capital, which reinterprets major economists as political theorists. The project argues that influential accounts of capitalism are, at their core, disguised visions of politics.
Brooklyn College Hosts Second Annual Perinatal Mental Health Summit in Brownsville - Brooklyn College
On April 24, Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson joined professors Jacqueline Shannon and Haroula Ntalla to bring together clinicians, researchers, advocates, community leaders, and students at Brooklyn College for the 2026 Perinatal Mental Health Summit, a daylong convening focused on strengthening maternal and reproductive mental health care for parents, infants, and families.
Brooklyn College Hosts Urgent Discussion on Black Maternal Health Crisis - Brooklyn College
On April 23, Brooklyn College’s Presidential Lecture Series gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall for a timely conversation on the Black maternal health crisis in the United States. National leader Liz Dozier joined President Michelle J. Anderson, alongside remarks from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who has lent support for the College’s perinatal mental health programming, to examine systemic inequities and explore collaborative solutions.
Brooklyn College Paleontologist Stephen Chester and Colleagues Reveal New Clues About Early Primate Evolution - Brooklyn College
A new scientific study led by paleontologist and Brooklyn College and CUNY Graduate Center Associate Professor of Anthropology Stephen Chester is shedding fresh light on how the earliest known primate relatives evolved and spread across North America after the extinction of the dinosaurs. The research—published as the cover article in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology—was conducted in collaboration with scientists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Bridging Brain Science - Brooklyn College
Andrew Delamater has spent his career asking fundamental questions about how minds—human and nonhuman alike—learn from experience and how brains and artificial neural networks encode various forms of knowledge based on those experiences.
SEEK at 60! | Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is proud to join the City University of New York (CUNY) throughout 2026 in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) Program.
Senator Chuck Schumer Delivers $800,000 Federal Investment to Brooklyn College to Strengthen Perinatal Mental Health Care - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College, part of The City University of New York (CUNY), has received $800,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending in FY 2026 to advance its Integrated Care Model for Perinatal Mental Health Initiative, a comprehensive academic and community-based effort to address New York City’s maternal mental health crisis and expand access to culturally responsive care in under-resourced communities.
Powerful Puppet Theater Series “Layer the Walls” Comes to Brooklyn College - Brooklyn College
Step inside New York City’s past through a breathtaking fusion of history, storytelling, and visual artistry. “Layer the Walls,” an acclaimed puppet theater production by Grand Pistachio, arrives at Brooklyn College for two unforgettable performances that bring the city’s immigration stories vividly to life for audiences of all ages.
Brooklyn College Transforming Arts Equity Through Performances of "Reconstructing" - Brooklyn College
The Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College is proud to announce it is co-presenting Reconstructing, a new professional play arriving on campus as part of the Under the Radar Festival. The production will offer one of New York’s most diverse—and often culturally underserved—student bodies, as well as the surrounding community, access to high-quality theater they rarely have the opportunity to experience.
Brooklyn College Celebrates Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke With Prestigious Presidential Medal of Honor - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College proudly awarded its Presidential Medal of Honor to Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke on November 14 at the college. The medal, one of the college’s highest distinctions, celebrates Clarke’s enduring commitment to civic leadership, support of higher education, advocacy for underserved communities, and her transformative impact on Brooklyn and the nation. President Michelle J.
From the President’s Desk: Economic Mobility in the Age of AI - Brooklyn College
I’m proud to share an op-ed I co-authored with Aaron Olson, Executive Vice President at Aon: “Economic Mobility in the Age of AI: What Colleges Must Do Now.” It will be featured in an upcoming book about a Chronicle of Higher Education festival on “Innovation Amid Uncertainty.” The op-ed focuses on how colleges can prepare students for careers in a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by artificial intelligence.
Senator Andrew Gounardes Visits Brooklyn College to Champion Higher Education Initiatives - Brooklyn College
On October 29, Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson welcomed New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-26), Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Revenue, for a dynamic campus visit. The day included viewing the East Quad with Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Alan Gilbert, where campus improvement projects will soon be underway thanks to a capital grant from New York State secured by Senator Gounardes in 2019.
Leadership and Career Readiness Take Center Stage at Presidential Lecture Series - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College students had the rare opportunity to hear firsthand from Paul Griggs, a senior leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), during an engaging Presidential Lecture Series event with President Michelle J. Anderson. Held in partnership with the New York Jobs CEO Council and attended by more than 160 people, the student-focused talk kicked off with a dynamic introduction by the council’s executive director, Kiersten Barnet.
María E. Pérez y González Honored by New York City Mayor’s Office - Brooklyn College
María E. Pérez y González, professor of Puerto Rican and Latinx studies and co-director of the María E. Sánchez Center for Latinx Studies at Brooklyn College, was recently awarded a prestigious Citation of Honor by the New York City Office of the Mayor. Pérez y González was one of only three honorees, recognized for her lifelong dedication as a scholar, educator, and former chair of the Department of Puerto Rican and Latinx Studies. The award was presented by Deputy Mayor Ana J.
Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman Visits to Discuss Higher Education Priorities - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson welcomed New York State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman (D-29), who serves as Chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on Higher Education, to campus on October 15 for a meaningful discussion on the future of public higher education, as well as critical issues impacting students, faculty, and the broader community.
Faculty Help Lead Statewide Symposium to Advance Nature-Based Climate Solutions - Brooklyn College
Just ahead of Climate Week, Professor Jennifer Cherrier and Associate Professor Brett Branco, Earth and Environmental Sciences, participated in a statewide symposium on September 16 that focused on natural and nature-based features (NNBF) for shoreline resilience.
Dr. Lucy Shapiro ‘62 Honored with 2025 Lasker-Koshland Special Achievement Award - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is proud to announce that Dr. Lucy Shapiro ’62 has received the prestigious 2025 Lasker-Koshland Special Achievement Award in Medical Science. Shapiro majored in biology at Brooklyn College while also pursuing her passion for fine art, specifically painting. She was named the Alumna of the Year by the Brooklyn College Alumni Association in 2017 and received a Distinguished Alumni Award at commencement in 1983.
✰PREMIUM New leadership at the Brooklyn College Cancer Center
MIDWOOD — Brooklyn College is proud to announce that Professor Alexander Greer of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has been appointed the new director of the Brooklyn College Cancer Center. Greer succeeds founding director Professor Maria Contel and has been affiliated with the center since its inception.
Celebrated Chamber Musician and Alumnus Mark Kroll Returns to Brooklyn College - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is pleased to welcome back distinguished alumnus and acclaimed chamber musician, recording artist, scholar, and teacher Mark Kroll ’68 for a special series of events this month. Kroll has performed worldwide as a harpsichordist and fortepianist, in both solo recitals and as a collaborative chamber musician.
Brooklyn College Named No. 1 in Nation for Student Return on Investment by Forbes - Brooklyn College
Reaffirming its quality and value, Brooklyn College was ranked no. 1 in the United States for offering students the best return on their investment in Forbes’ latest “Top 25 Colleges With the Highest Payoff” ranking. “We are proud that Forbes has recognized the extraordinary quality and value of a Brooklyn College education,” said President Michelle J. Anderson. “Being ranked first among colleges with the highest payoff affirms Brooklyn College is a transformative investment.
Championing AI Literacy - Brooklyn College
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms the landscape of education, faculty at Brooklyn College—and around the globe—are debating both its promise and its pitfalls. From simplifying time-consuming administrative tasks to sparking new debates about academic integrity, AI is already reshaping how professors teach and how students learn. But one thing is clear: AI isn’t going anywhere.
Brooklyn College’s Bring a Weasel and a Pint of Your Own Blood Fest Comes to Life World - Brooklyn College
Written and presented by 2025 Brooklyn College M.F.A. playwriting graduates, the 17th annual Bring a Weasel and a Pint of Your Own Blood Festival will take place at the recently reopened Life World performance space in Brooklyn on September 4–7. This year’s playwrights are Kurt Chiang, Ann Marie Dorr, Claire Greising, and Andrew Hardigg. Isidora Farias ’25 (B.F.A., acting) and Ali Hosseini ’25 (M.F.A., acting) will also perform in the festival.
New Leadership Announced at Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema - Brooklyn College
As the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema gets ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary this fall, Brooklyn College announced that Professor Paula J. Massood, former head of our cinema studies program, was named dean of the School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts (SVMPA). With a permanent dean now in place at SVMPA, the college is pleased to announce a transition in the administrative structure of the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema.
Brooklyn College Recognized for Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College has received the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) Champion Award for its exceptional dedication to fostering partnerships with SDVOBs and promoting economic opportunities for service-disabled veterans. “We are deeply honored to receive this recognition,” said Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson. “Supporting veteran-owned businesses is not only our responsibility, it’s a privilege.
Leadership, Legacy, and the Enduring Power of History - Brooklyn College
It’s nearly impossible to look at Brooklyn College’s Department of History without encountering the lasting influence of David Troyansky. A renowned scholar of European and French social and cultural history, as well as the history of aging, Troyansky joined the faculty in 2005 and quickly became a cornerstone of the department, Brooklyn College, and the CUNY Graduate Center.
Paula J. Massood Named Dean of School of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is pleased to announce that Paula J. Massood will serve as the new dean of the School of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts (SVMPA) as of July 2025. Massood has served as interim dean since July 2024 and will continue working with the SVMPA’s talented staff and faculty.
Brooklyn College Named a “Best Value College” for 2025 by The Princeton Review - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s top colleges for delivering an exceptional education at an affordable price. The Princeton Review has included the college on its prestigious Best Value Colleges for 2025 list, honoring just 209 institutions across the country.
Professor Katie Rose Hejtmanek Wins Fulbright Award - Brooklyn College
Professor Katie Rose Hejtmanek has been awarded a highly coveted Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for the 2025–26 academic year—an honor that will take her to the vibrant city of Tbilisi, Georgia, where she will join the internationally renowned Free University of Tbilisi as both a researcher and educator.
Derrick Adams Accepts Prestigious 2025 Native Son Award for Bold Celebration of Black Identity - Brooklyn College
Associate Professor of Art Derrick Adams—an acclaimed contemporary American artist whose vibrant multimedia creations redefine representations of Black life—was a 2025 Native Son Award honoree at its annual event on June 11. The Native Son Awards, a cornerstone celebration during Pride Month, spotlights gay Black men who are breaking barriers and shaping culture across the arts, media, politics, and activism.
Brooklyn College Breaks New Ground—Literally—in Statewide Push for Clean Energy - Brooklyn College
Drilling began last week at Brooklyn College on a geothermal test well that marks the college’s and CUNY’s bold leap toward a fossil fuel-free future. In partnership with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) under the Decarbonization Leadership Program (DLP), a 500-foot-deep test borehole was drilled to assess the college’s geothermal potential. The program directs NYPA to develop energy and emissions profiles and decarbonization action plans for the State’s largest carbon-emitting facilities.
Brooklyn College Celebrates Class of 2025 - Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College of the City University of New York celebrated its historic 100th Commencement on May 23 at Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn. This significant milestone recognized the accomplishments of more than 3,000 graduates, including recipients of bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as advanced certificates. The ceremony continued the proud legacy of over 165,000 Brooklyn College alumni who have gone on to become influential leaders and agents of change around the globe.
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