Cassandra Evans

Cassandra Evans is an Assistant Professor of Disability Studies at CUNY School of Professional Studies. She teaches in the BA and MA in Disability Studies programs, the MS in Disability Services in Higher Education and in undergraduate General Education.  

Dr. Evans’ doctoral research and dissertation, publications, and current book project examine mental health disabilities, mitigation of sexual and physical abuse, how physical and sexual trauma exacerbate disabilities, institutionalization, and transition experiences in mental health housing. She also examines the history, humanities, and beginnings of artwork produced by people (or “voice-hearers”) accessing services at the Hearing Voices Network in both New York and California and services offered in Spanish. She explores the intersectional stigma associated with identifying as both a Latinx-American immigrant and as a person with disability. She now also considers how intersections of race, gender, disability, class and (non)citizenship impact disabilities, and how occupations like art can mitigate these oppressive frameworks. 

Prior to joining CUNY SPS, Dr. Evans has worked as an instructor in California and New York community colleges where she taught philosophy, counseling and career development. She has also served as a college academic counselor for student with disabilities and veterans.  She earned a BA in Journalism at San Diego State University, an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling and MA in Philosophy, also from SDSU, as well as a doctorate in Disability Studies at Stony Brook University. She has worked for both SUNY and CUNY schools, including LaGuardia Community College and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Dr. Evans was awarded the John F. Kennedy, Jr. Writing Fellowship from the CUNY School of Professional Studies in 2019/2020, for which she mentored eight graduate students in Disability Studies in their work to publish research and present new research projects. Dr. Evans co-authored book chapters on the idea of community for people with disabilities, mental health treatment, and institutionalization history, and peer-reviewed articles on shame and stigma surrounding people with disabilities.

Dr. Evans lives on Long Island with her human daughter and Labrador son. She enjoys yoga, swimming, hiking, and travel—particularly food journeys.