March 6, 2024
Three Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) faculty members and 30 students from the Criminal Justice program in the Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department attended the Eastern Sociological Society’s 2024 Annual Meeting, “The Social Side of the Climate Crisis,” held in Washington, D.C. at American University from February 29 through March 3.
The conference explored societal factors related to the climate crisis, with sessions that featured policy makers, community leaders, sociologists and others from colleges and universities around the country.
“It is imperative for students to grasp the profound implications of the climate crisis on society and the criminal justice system,” says Professor Satenik V. Margaryan, who attended the conference along with Professors Shirley Leyro and Shenique Davis. (Professor Brenda Vollman, who was not able to attend the conference, was a key organizer of the trip, as was Antonette McKain, Director of Evening/Weekend and Off-Site Programs at BMCC.)
“Just yesterday, the Guardian published an article underscoring how detention facilities—jails, prisons, work camps and migrant detention centers—are frequently constructed in the most inhospitable locations, making them acutely vulnerable to the perils of extreme summer heat,” said Professor Margaryan. “Consequently, comprehending the effects of the climate crisis on society and specifically, on our carceral institutions, must be recognized as a crucial component of the criminal justice education.”
Professor Davis says of the trip to D.C. and conference participation, “Exposure matters. I’m truly honored to be part of a program that understands the importance of giving BMCC scholars early access to academic and professional conferences. Unlike my own experience, where I didn’t get this chance until grad school, these opportunities are invaluable for our criminal justice majors. I hope that we can keep opening doors for our students’ growth and success.”
The BMCC faculty presentations at the conference included “Humanizing Criminal Justice Education: A Call to Community College Faculty,” by Shenique Davis and Satenik Margaryan; “Elevating Voices and Fostering Change: Black Women’s Experiences in Criminology Graduate Education,” by Shenique Davis and “Exploring Feelings of Belonging and Membership of CUNY Noncitizen Students,” by Shirley Leyro.
In addition, Professor Leyro was awarded the Eastern Sociological Society’s 2024 Barbara R. Walters Award winner at the conference for her paper, “Exploring feelings of belonging and membership of CUNY noncitizen students,” published in the Journal of Criminal Justice Education and which related to the session she led at the conference.
Students gather knowledge and inspiration at the conference
BMCC Criminal Justice major Khalid J. Jemmott says what he enjoyed most about attending the conference was “being around such motivated and inspiring people, which has motivated me to continue to higher aspirations in my academic career and life in general.”
His main takeaway from the trip is, “If you’re in the room, you’re halfway there!” When reflecting on the value of attending an academic conference in another city, he says that “half the battle in the journey to success, is hard work and being comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Gabriela Gonzalez, also a Criminal Justice major, says, “The trip was amazing. I met a lot of good people there and gathered a lot of knowledge that I’m taking with me.”
Criminal Justice major Bianca Torres says about the conference, “I loved every minute of it! I wasn’t expecting to speak with anyone except the professors, but the conference was so enlightening, and it felt good to hear how many different things affect society and impact the climate crisis.”
Arafat Ogunbote, who is majoring in Criminal Justice, says the conference was a “mind-opener” for her.
“I used to be very scared talking about certain things but having a whole workshop about colorism was the best thing that ever happened to me as a student studying criminal justice,” she says. “I love that I was able to express myself freely and ask disturbing questions. I will never forget this opportunity. I have been talking about my experience nonstop with other students and friends!”
The full list of students attending the conference includes Arielle Achille, Anika Altaf, Keshay Ayers, Yamile Bastidas, Kayla Brown, Ariana Castillo, Pamela Cortez, Anthony De Leon, Alexon Dilone, Anika Douglas, Leslyann Encarnacion, Shirley Espinoza, Nassaiah Flores, Bryan Gonzalez-Morgan, Gabriela Gonzalez, Emanuel Hernandez, Khalid Jemmott, Joshuar López, Marisol Maldonado, Asia Negron, Arafat Ogunbote, Brenda Pavon, Janobia Powers, Maria Rodriguez, Luna Sanchez, Kerry Simon, Bianca Torres, Justin Trigueros, Samantha Vixama and John Wong.
Perkins Grant enables learning outside the classroom, including conference participation
The BMCC student and faculty trip to attend the Eastern Sociological Society’s 2024 conference was made possible by a grant under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, administered by the New York State Education Department and commonly known as “the Perkins Grant.”
Antonette McKain, Director of Evening/Weekend and Off-Site Programs at BMCC, is Principal Investigator of the Perkins Grant.
“This amazing work that our Criminal Justice program is doing to bring our students into the 21st century workforce through experiential learning expeditions—such as this trip to attend the Eastern Sociological Society conference—is exactly what the Perkins Grant has charged us to do. I am incredibly pleased that we are meeting students’ needs with these dynamic, interstate career opportunities,” said Director McKain.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
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Three BMCC faculty members and 30 students from the Criminal Justice program in the Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department attended the Eastern Sociological Society’s 2024 Annual Meeting
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“The Social Side of the Climate Crisis” was held in Washington, D.C. at American University from February 29 through March 3
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Professors Shenique Davis, Satenik Margaryan and Shirley Leyro presented talks on criminal justice education, the impact of students’ feelings of belonging and more
