Dr. Cheryl Smith Appointed Associate Dean of Weissman

We are delighted to announce that, starting in Fall 2024, Dr. Cheryl Smith will officially assume the role of Associate Dean for the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences at Baruch College. This appointment follows Smith's two academic years as Interim Associate Dean and her two decades of dedicated service to the College since her arrival in 2003.

Throughout her time at Baruch, Smith has taken on a significant array of leadership roles. She has directed the English Immersion Program, coordinated the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) initiative, served as Faculty Liaison to the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and directed the Great Works of Literature Program. Additionally, she has co-chaired the college’s recent self-study for Middle States accreditation, acted as Faculty Director of Baruch’s Honors Program, and served as Dean’s Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Smith's scholarly endeavors are as thoroughgoing as her administrative acumen. Her current book project, Poetic Justice: Poetry, Protest, and Democracy in Public Higher Education, now under review at a leading academic press, delves into the transformative role of poetry in education, linking it to themes of expression, educational equity, social liberation, and democracy – values that she enthusiastically brings to her new appointment.

"I couldn't be happier," she said. "The Weissman Dean's Office is full of dedicated, inspiring people. It's a privilege to work alongside them, serve our ambitious students and faculty, and advance our shared mission of access, equity, and excellence." 

As Smith steps into her new role, we are so pleased to continue benefiting from her extensive experience, collaborative spirit, and unwavering advocacy for the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences in this pivotal moment for the College and the humanities as a whole.

Weissman Graduate Adriana Cuca Publishes in Esferas Journal

Graduating in style as part of Baruch’s class of 2024 is not Adriana Cuca’s only reason to celebrate. This past month marked an equally significant academic achievement with the inaugural publication of her research in the student-run journal, Esferas. Her assiduously argued paper, which delves into the impact of Francisco Franco’s fascist regime on Spanish theater censorship, is the culmination of the distinct interdisciplinary focus she cultivated during her years at Baruch. With a dual major in Political Science and Spanish, Cuca's success demonstrates how students at Weissman are able to approach their educational trajectory as a process of discovery, creating and combining disciplines and fluencies. “It's really cool how all these areas of study just fell into this paper," she said. "I was able produce something that really is a product of everything I'm interested in.”

Cuca’s journey toward combining Poli Sci and Spanish began unexpectedly in Spring 2023 during a drama class taught by Modern Languages Assistant Professor Victor Sierra Matute. The course’s intellectual scope struck surprisingly close to home, and she soon found her interest especially kindled by the historical conditions of Franco’s regime and its complex influence on cultural production. Encouraged by Professor Matute and the input of Professor Isolina Ballesteros, she embarked on an independent study to further explore this topic. “I started doing research for the Creative Inquiry Expo, and over the summer, the project just bloomed,” Cuca recalls. “It turned into a deep exploration of how Franco's leadership influenced the creation of theatrical works during that time” she explains. “Specifically, I explored how playwright Alfonso Sastre presented his work and how the government responded to it.”

The research process was not without its surprises. Cuca discovered overlooked details, such as the involvement of well-known artists in the governmental execution of censorship laws, highlighting the interconnectedness of political and cultural spheres during the regime. She also found that the steady evolution of these laws was marked by subtle yet significant changes in their use of language, which reflected shifting political views seemingly without altering a law's essence.

As Cuca graduates, she looks forward to future opportunities in research and writing. “I would love to work in some sort of research institute, but really anything to continue writing,” she says. Especially unusual for an undergraduate, a publication of this kind marks a significant milestone in her academic career, showcasing her ability to contribute to scholarly discourse in a truly interdisciplinary way. We have a feeling, it won’t be the last.

Weissman M.A. Arts Administration Students Shine at the AAAE Conference in San Juan

The final weekend in May marked a proud moment for the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences as four of its M.A. Arts Administration students traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to participate in the 45th Annual AAAE (Association of Arts Administration Educators) Conference.

Among the attendees, Juan Posso Ospina presented his research titled "This Accordion is Calling Us to Fight: An Analysis of Protest Vallenato, Illustration, and Oral Tradition as Mechanisms to Solve Collective Action Problems," winning Best Paper by an Emerging Arts Administrator. Ospina's presentation delves into the cultural movements of Colombia, examining how protest music, illustration, and oral traditions serve as vital tools in addressing collective societal challenges. His work highlights the potential for cultural practices to foster community engagement and social change, providing valuable insights into interdisciplinary collaboration and the role of arts administrators in promoting diversity and inclusion.

Joining him were students Emily Mack, Christina Lynch, and Tamae Vassell, who were all selected to attend the conference as AAAE Mentees. This year-long mentorship program is highly selective, recognizing emerging leaders in arts administration.

This representation at the Conference is a testament to the caliber of the Arts Administration program, showcasing the impactful work of its students on an international stage. Their participation not only highlights their individual achievements but also reflects the program's commitment to nurturing future leaders and changing the face of the field.