C.V.
Brief Vita
Academic Experience
Assistant Professor of Public & Nonprofit Management, CUNY Baruch College Marxe School of Public & International Affairs, 2019-Present
Distinguished Lecturer, CUNY Hostos Community College, 2010-2013
College & Professional Service
Member, Asylum Liaison Committee, New York Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2020-Present
Site Visitor, Commission on Peer Review & Accreditation, Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs & Administration, 2022-Present
Faculty Liaison, Men’s Soccer Team, Baruch College Faculty All-Stars Initiative, 2026-Present
Education
PhD, Political Science Program, CUNY Graduate Center, 2015
MPA, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, 1998
JD, Hofstra University School of Law, 1995
Governmental Experience
Asylum Officer, US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 2017-2019
Commissioner, NYC Department of Juvenile Justice, 2002-2010
(In Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s administration, led a department with an overall budget of more than $100 million, approximately 1,000 staff, and over 15 detention facilities and group homes for juveniles in family and criminal court proceedings.)
Grants & Fellowships
Dean's Research Award, Baruch College Marxe School of Public & International Affairs ($1,500), 2025-2026
Public Affairs Fellowship, Howard J, Samuels State and City Policy Center, 2024-2025
Distinguished CUNY Scholar, Advanced Research Collaborative, CUNY Graduate Center, 2023-2024
Presentations & Papers
Moderator, “Urban Governance and Policy Response” Panel, “Asylum in the City: New York's Past, Present, and Future” Conference, Marxe School of Public & International Affairs, 2026
Presentation, “How to Prepare Clients for Affirmative Asylum Interviews: The Basics, Research Insights & Practice Tips,” at a Meeting of the New York Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Webinar, 2025
Co-Presentation (with Gabriella Tucciarone), “The Asylum Interview: Telling your Story,” at a Meeting of the African Cultural Alliance of North America, Webinar, 2024
Moderator, “How the Civil Rights Movement Influenced U.S. Immigration Policy,” sponsored by the Baruch College Robert C. Weaver Black Alumni Association, Webinar, 2023
Recognitions
Leading by Example Award, Marxe School Public & Nonprofit Management Students, 2024
Hispanic Star, Intersection Hispanic Stars LinkNYC Campaign, 2020
Special Act Award, USCIS Newark Asylum Office, 2018
Bright Idea Peer Award, USCIS Refugee, Asylum, & International Operations Directorate, 2018
Affiliations
Member, American Society for Public Administration, Society for History in the Federal Government, and the Centro Civico Ecuatoriano New York
Skills
Fluent in Spanish
Bar Admission
NYS Supreme Court's Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department, 1996