[dropcap sid=”dropcap-1432657014″]W[/dropcap]ITH A HUNGER FOR CHANGE, socially conscious Black and Latino Studies Assistant Professor Regina Bernard-Carreno finds innovative ways of bringing complex societal challenges into the classroom. Bernard-Carreno is known for augmenting her students’ coursework with such diverse assignments as producing a documentary about perceptions of feminism and feeding New York City’s homeless.
Last summer the Hell’s Kitchen native and resident of the Corona section of Queens tackled the issue of food politics, teaming with students to launch a pilot program to bring affordable organic produce to her neighborhood through membership in a food co-op. The program, covered by the New York Daily News and welcomed by residents, brought the problem of food access in low-income communities into focus for students.
Given Bernard-Carreno’s style of real-world engagement, it’s no surprise she was recently included in a list of “40 Under 40: Professors Who Inspire” compiled by NerdScholar, a website dedicated to fostering students’ financial literacy. The list highlights professors who, according to NerdScholar, “leave impressions on our lives that change the way we think, work and view the world around us.” Nominations were collected through student and faculty recommendations and media coverage highlighting universities with outstanding professors.
—Sally Fay