The Office for the Advancement of Research (OAR) celebrates the women among our faculty, staff, and researchers who are making significant contributions to their research fields. We take pride in the diverse group of women across the John Jay Community who lead and participate in scholarly endeavors. Continue reading to honor the richness of perspectives, achievements, and wisdom.

Pioneering Paths and Shaping Futures

In celebration of Women's History Month, we honor the remarkable journey of Karol V. Mason, the first woman and African American to serve as president of John Jay College. Her story is not just one of personal achievement but a testament to resilience, audacity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Karol's path to leadership was anything but conventional. In an exclusive interview with Sherieann Holder, the Communications Manager for the CUNY Office of Research, she reflects on her unexpected journey, revealing, "Being a college president was not on my radar at all." Initially drawn to law, Mason practiced for nearly 30 years before joining the Obama administration, where she oversaw grant programs and witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of justice initiatives on communities. Her trajectory took a bold turn in 2017 when she became the president of John Jay College, marking a historic moment for the institution and women of color in academia.

Throughout her career, Mason has confronted challenges, including racial and gender biases. Recalling instances of skepticism regarding her qualifications, she notes, "I've spent my life exceeding other people's expectations." Yet, she remains undeterred, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one's goals and forging ahead despite adversity. As president of John Jay College, Mason has spearheaded initiatives aimed at enhancing student success and advancing justice-related endeavors. Notably, she has championed efforts to improve graduation rates and secure funding for essential programs, underscoring her commitment to ensuring equitable opportunities for all students.

Looking ahead, Mason remains steadfast in her dedication to empowering future generations. "I feel a sense of responsibility to make sure that I'm not the last," she affirms, emphasizing the importance of opening doors and creating pathways for others to succeed. Her vision extends beyond her tenure as she endeavors to institutionalize initiatives that will endure long after she departs. With a bold goal of raising a $250 million endowment for student success efforts, Mason exemplifies visionary leadership and a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy of impact.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Maureen Allwood

John Jay College staff in the Office for the Advancement of Research join the college community in mourning the recent loss of Professor of Psychology Dr. Maureen Allwood, a longtime member of our Research Advisory Committee and 2023 OAR Scholarly Excellence Award Winner.

Dr. Allwood’s colleagues recognized her exceptional contributions to research on the psychological effects of exposure to trauma among young people of color. Her students revered her as a dedicated mentor and instructor. OAR staff valued her tremendously as a friend and advisor whose commitment to service exceeded her professional obligation.

Her wisdom and genuine care for her colleagues within the John Jay College community made her an invaluable contributor to the office's mission and our day-to-day work.

Dr. Allwood’s groundbreaking study, Youth Exposure to Gun, Knife, and Physical Assaults: Assessing PTSD Symptoms Across Types of Assaults, Race, Ethnicity, Sex, and Context, examined posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following physical assaults and weapons-related victimization, as well as the moderating roles of demographic characteristics and the context of victimization. This study was featured in John Jay College’s Impact Research Magazine in 2023.

Dr. Allwood’s most recent grant from the National Institutes of Health(NIH) was awarded to her research project, Physiological Reactivity and Reactive Aggression among Violence and Trauma-Exposed Youth. In addition to her scholarly and professional accomplishments, Dr. Maureen Allwood is remembered for her generous mentorship and rare gift of friendship. Her legacy will inspire students and aspiring scholars and highlight women's significant impact in shaping our shared history. Read more about what faculty are saying about Dr. Allwood's important contributions.

In celebration of International Women's Day, CUNY and John Jay College faculty members organized an event titled "Writing Women: A Conversation about Writing about and among Women." The discussions that took place during the event were truly inspiring. The panelists, who were luminaries in their respective fields, shared their insights on the complexities of writing about women's experiences. They also echoed the spirit of inclusivity and empowerment that embodies the essence of this special day. The discussions covered everything from the challenges of representation to celebrating triumphs over adversity, with each aspect of the female narrative shared with intelligence and thoughtfulness. Above is a snapshot from the event, highlighting some of our faculty members who write about justice, equality, and realizing women's full potential. Pictured from left to right are Olivera Jokic, Victoria Bond, Veronica Schanoes, Lissette Acosta Corniel, Kathleen Collins, and Anru Lee.

John Jay Women Making History

Kathleen Collins is the producer and co-host of Indoor Voices, a podcast highlighting the scholarly and creative work of people at CUNY. Since 2017, the podcast has reached a sizeable and appreciative audience. In the Fall 2023 semester, Dr. Collins initiated an author speaker series in the library, where she hosts John Jay authors to discuss their published works with particular emphasis on the research process. This happens during Community Hour in the Library classroom, and they have had five speakers in the Fall and six this Spring.

Dr Collins describes her work, especially during Women's History Month, as "It is a pleasure to carry out both of these projects. They allow me to shine a light on the diverse activities and people in our CUNY community and make new connections between people who might not otherwise meet. They have certainly broadened my engagement with the CUNYverse, and I’ve met amazing people and gotten to know areas of the university I never knew existed. I hope they do the same for those who listen to the podcast and who can attend our library author talks."

Senior Director Sasha Cotton from the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) at John Jay College, engaged in a dialogue with President Joe Biden and police chiefs from various parts of the country at the White House. The focus was on highlighting the significance of partnerships between communities and law enforcement in addressing and thwarting gun violence.

The NNSC's Group Violence Intervention is a crucial strategy employed to cultivate partnerships among law enforcement, Community Violence Intervention agencies, and local communities to prevent gun violence.

Susy Cullen, Director of Sponsored Programs in the Office for the Advancement of Research (OAR), was nominated by Dr. Anthony Carpi, Vice Provost for Research, International Partnerships, & Student Professional Advancement, as the John Jay College Heroine 2024.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of grant submissions and navigating the complex funding world, Susy stands out as a shining example of grace and determination. Her commitment to supporting faculty members, along with her knack for handling technical challenges with ease, is truly admirable. Susy's dedication hits home, especially during Women's History Month, reminding us to celebrate the incredible impact of women like her who play a pivotal role in shaping our academic landscape.

As the Diplomacy Lab Program Coordinator at John Jay College, Rosemary Barberet champions change and facilitates student engagement in real-world challenges outlined by the U.S. Department of State through the Diplomacy Lab program. This program allows students to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, human rights, conflict, and stabilization, directly contributing to the policy-making process. She is also a pivotal figure in organizing parallel events and showcasing top presentations at the NGOCSW Forum, which coincides with the Annual Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Representing two NGOs at the UN, the International Sociological Association, and Criminologists without Borders, Rosemary works with colleagues from Illinois State University and Montclair State University to co-sponsor four annual panels. Together, they curate and co-edit themed issues for academic journals, including the International Journal for Crime, Justice, and Social Democracy and the International Journal of Comparative & Applied Criminal Justice. Last spring (2023), she was elected to the Executive Committee of NGOCSW/NY for a two-year term. 

Rachel Marshall, the Executive Director of the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution at John Jay College, and Policy Attorney Chantelle Williams took the spotlight as a guest lecturer at Columbia Law School, shedding light on the pivotal role that prosecutors play in shaping the legal landscape. In October 2023, she hosted a Webinar on Restorative Justice in Action: New Approaches in the Most Serious Cases. You can watch it here. This panel featured diverse expert perspectives to explore the effectiveness of restorative justice approaches in responding to violent crime. Building on real-world experience, it focused on teaching prosecutors how to implement restorative justice approaches that prioritize crime survivors. It also discussed how prosecutors and local communities can collaborate to promote and expand restorative justice initiatives. 

Bettina Messias Carbonell, Associate Professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, published a book titled Consequential Museum Spaces, examining how African American history and culture is—and historically has been—represented in culturally specific and mainstream museums. Dr. Carbonell argues that African American museums provide a corrective history that is both argumentative and pragmatic: these museums educate and enlighten, and they seek to effect change. She will present her work to the John Jay Community on Wednesday, April 10, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the Moot Court. Register here to attend.

Kim Liao, alongside John Jay College Professor Tim McCormack (PI), won a $150,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to support the Vertical Writing Program’s Project, titled Improving Transfer Student Writing Success with Upper Division Rhetoric-Based Writing Courses. Since the Fall of 2022, she has enhanced her writing education by spearheading the Writing in the Disciplines (WID) initiative. With a track record of success, including a $13,000 CUNY curricular grant for the Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies Initiative (BRESI), Liao has demonstrated her commitment to advancing writing education and diversity within the English major curriculum. Additionally, she has developed the WID Technical Writing course for STEM majors, showcasing her dedication to interdisciplinary learning.

Elaine Yi Lu, Professor and Director of Public Policy and Administration at John Jay College, was elected Chair of the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM). Her appointment as the 10th person and the first minority woman to hold this esteemed position in ABFM's 35-year history is a testament to her exceptional leadership and dedication to the field. Lu's achievement celebrates her individual success and signifies a significant step towards greater diversity and inclusion within ABFM and the broader financial management community.

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