In the News

CUNY SPS Academic Director of Communication, Culture, and Society and Assistant Professor of Sociology and Human Relations, Dr. Melanie Lorek collaborated on this Teaching Sociology article with Dr. Sara Martucci, adjunct faculty also in the Sociology and Human Relations programs, and Dr. Daniel Douglas. The research interrogates assumptions about online learning and the measurement of student learning outcomes. By analyzing data from students enrolled in introductory sociology courses, the study found no evidence that sociology courses increased empathy, whether online and asynchronous or in person. Additionally, the article highlights the need for new approaches to assessing how sociology helps students understand the perspectives and lived experiences of others.

CUNY SPS Nursing Professor Dr. Jan Oosting penned an op-ed piece for Health Care Business News. Dr. Oosting's article focuses on the importance of addressing nursing education affordability issues to help increase the availability of pediatric medical care in the US. "Reducing financial barriers to nursing education is the most urgent priority, especially for graduate programs, given how heavily the system relies on nurse practitioners to compensate for the physician shortage," she says. She also points out that new federal regulations now curb the total amount of student loans that individual nursing students can borrow, which will make the affordability issue even more critical.

Dr. Andrew Marcum, CUNY SPS academic director of the Disability Studies programs, provides expert testimony in this SmartBrief article on the disability community's concerns about recent aggressive downsizing and restructuring at the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Marcum voices concern over the shifting of special education to the US Department of Health and Human Services. “The reason that we stopped having the health department oversee education for disabled students is because of the recognition that it’s not a health issue, it’s an educational issue,” Dr. Marcum said. “It’s how do we make our classrooms accessible? How do we make our curriculum accessible? How do we make the teaching accessible?” Of equal concern is that the civil rights of disabled students will no longer be enforced through the Department of Education. Instead, enforcement was transferred to the US Department of Justice. Dr. Marcum said that history shows why advocates are wary of treating civil rights as administrative details. “People fought for these protections and rights over a period of decades,” he said. “Congress itself enacted these measures, and the courts ratified these measures.”

CUNY SPS Disability Studies Program adjunct faculty members Mark Friedman, Ph.D., founder of the website MyTechforAll, and Ruthie-Marie Beckwith, Ph.D., a national leader in disability rights, were the featured keynote speakers at the Green Mountain Self-Advocacy Conference in Vermont, attended by more than 600 self-advocates, family members, and professionals. Their keynote presentation focused on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support people with disabilities in everyday life, promoting greater independence, communication, and opportunity. Through live demonstrations and practical examples, attendees learned how AI tools can assist with job interviews, doctor visits, communication, organization, and daily decision-making. The session also emphasized the importance of using AI safely and responsibly while helping bridge the digital divide for people with disabilities.

In this Real Simple feature story, CUNY SPS Psychology program faculty member Dr. Lauren Mahoney is frequently quoted for her expert testimony. The article examines people who have multiple social circles, or "floater friends." As Dr. Mahoney points out, “Being a floater friend can absolutely be a strength. These individuals are often socially intelligent, emotionally perceptive, adaptable, curious, and capable of connecting with people from very different backgrounds." But sometimes floater friends can feel that they lack the deeper friendships people often need for support. According to Dr. Mahoney, “We need to feel remembered, prioritized, emotionally safe, understood, and valued for who we are rather than for the role we play.” However, she also points out that if the floater friend feels fulfilled with their diverse social life, then there is "nothing to fix."