Political Science

Joshua believes that students learn when they are engaged and active in the classroom. His teaching philosophy is one where he is facilitating a group discussion more than lecturing to a class. 

His area of academic focus and expertise include: forensic social work, social work practice with individuals and groups, and gerontology. At Lesley, he teaches the following courses: introduction to social work, social work policy, social work practice with groups, research methods, program evaluation, social work practice with individuals and families, community mental health, contemporary families, and human behavior and the social environment. In addition, Joshua will be developing a special topics course to be implemented in the Spring semester. Finally, he will be working with the faculty to explore the possibility of developing a social work program. 

Joshua holds a Master of Social Work and PhD in Social Work from the University of Alabama. 

Arlene's teaching and scholarship have been focused on examining sociology and feminist theory and pedagogy from a cross-cultural perspective.

Her areas of academic focus and expertise include: sociology, qualitative methodology and ethnography, diaspora and transnationality, gender and globalization, and film and advocacy. At Lesley, she teaches the following courses: Sociology of Family Gender and Globalization Global Social Change Film, Media and Advocacy Dimensions and Methods of Cultural Exploration II. 

Arlene holds a BA from Tufts University, and a MA and PhD from the University of California Los Angeles. 

Michael's areas of academic focus and expertise include: issues of inequality and justice, American political thought, U.S. republicanism, alternative visions of the American Dream, Abraham Lincoln, and Progressivism. At Lesley, he teaches the following courses: Introduction to Political Science, U.S. Politics, Contemporary Political Thought, Elections and Democracy, U.S. Constitutional Law, and HBO's "The Wire": The Politics of U.S. Urban Inequality. 

Michael holds a BS from Georgetown University and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. 

Kazuyo specializes in sociology of family, race and ethnic relations, and transnational studies. Her research examines the welfare of children and adoptive family formation, in particular how race influences U.S. parents' transnational adoption decisions and practices. 

Her areas of academic focus and expertise include: family formation, adoption, and race and ethnic relations. At Lesley, she teaches the following courses: Sociology of Family, Sociology of Aging, Transnational Family Formation, Race and Ethnic Relations, Race in a Global Perspective, and Research Methods. 

Kazuyo holds a BA and MA in East Asian Studies from the University of Minnesota at Twin Cities and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. 

Janel brings her extensive experience as a clinical social worker with individuals, families, and communities to her courses.

Her areas of academic focus and expertise include: social work, ethics, and cultural competence. At Lesley, she teaches the following courses: Concepts and Skills in Professional Practice, Introduction to Social Work, Case Management in Social Work and Counseling, Child Welfare: Challenges and Solutions, Contemporary Issues in Counseling and Human Services, Human Services Internship and Seminar, and Research Methods in Social Sciences. 

She holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, a MSW and PhD from Simmons College, and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. 

Robin's areas of academic focus and expertise include: sociology and social policy. At Lesley, she teaches the following courses: Social Policy and Foundations and Systems in the Helping Professions. 

She holds a BA from the City College of City University of New York and a MA and PhD from the New School for Social Research. 

Amy Rutstein-Riley, PhD, MPH, is Dean of Faculty and directs the Center for Teaching, Learning and Scholarship. She holds a joint appointment in Sociology in PhD Program in Educational Studies in the Graduate School of Education and the Social Science Division of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Amy teaches courses in medical sociology, women’s studies, girls’ studies, research methods, adult learning and development, and interdisciplinary inquiry.

She is the principal investigator of The Girlhood Project, The Girlhood Project. Amy serves as Co-chair of the Lesley University Women’s Studies Steering Committee and the Women’s Center, and co-facilitates LEAD, leadership enrichment and development for women core faculty. Amy started The Girlhood Project in 2008, which brings together undergraduate and adolescent girls to talk freely about identity, body image, critical media literacy, and relationship health. 

Amy is a recipient of the prestigious American Association of University Women's Community Action Grant, which provides funding for projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. The project, which she worked on with Lesley Associate Dean for Career and Community Service Alice Diamond, is entitled Girls, Media, and You!

Education

BA, Simmons College
MPH, Boston University School of Public Health
PhD, Lesley University

Leela's areas of academic focus and expertise include: globalization and transnational migration, media and expressive culture, critical race theory, race, nation, and gender, cultural anthropology, Caribbean studies, and South Asian diaspora studies. At Lesley, she teaches the following courses: Global Issues and Challenges, Cultural Anthropology, Research Methods in Social Sciences, Anthropology of the Caribbean, Globalization and Transnational Cultures, and Anthropology of Media. 

She holds a BA from Haverford College and a MA and PhD from the University of Texas, Austin.