Transformative Learning in the Humanities (TLH) was a three-year initiative supported by the Mellon Foundation from 2020-2023. The grant supported public talks, symposia, and workshops as well as a series of intensive peer-to-peer faculty seminars for CUNY faculty at all ranks (including adjuncts) in the humanities, arts, and interpretive social sciences. TLH focuses on:

  • Equitable, creative, student-centered pedagogical research and methods designed for the rich diversity of CUNY students;
  • Greater recognition for the importance of teaching;
  • The role of an urgent and indispensable humanities for the future of CUNY students and a more just and equitable society.

In the third year of the grant period, we aimed to integrate and institutionalize what we accomplished to achieve long-lasting transformation at CUNY. This resulted in a day-long Student Summit, centering student voices and providing professional development, and a comprehensive resource, TLH in a Box, with all the resources you need to bring a program like TLH to your department, institution, or wider teaching community.

To learn more about the TLH initiative, please explore this site. You can also visit our FAQ, find resources and recent blog posts on TLH’s CUNY Academic Commons site, and follow TLH on Twitter. You may use your CUNY email address to join the TLH Commons group and receive regular updates right in your inbox. If you have questions or would like to connect with us, please send us an email at TLH@cuny.edu.

Teaching Resourcesnews, updates, blog

Matt Brim, Professor of Queer Studies, College of Staten Island, Faculty Co-Director

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH SHELLEY EVERSLEY, BARUCH COLLEGE

Shelly Eversley, Professor and Interim Chair Black and Latinx Studies, Baruch College, CUNY, Faculty Co-Director

Khanh Le, Queens College, Linguistics and Communication Disorders, Spring 2023 Pedagogy Co-Leader 

Virginia Diaz Mendoza

Virginia Diaz-Mendoza, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, SEEK Department, Fall 2022 Pedagogy Co-Leader 

Grace Pai

Grace Pai, Queens College, Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Fall 2022 Pedagogy Co-Leader 

Javiela Evangelista

Javiela Evangelista, Assistant Professor, African American Studies,
City Tech, Spring 2022 Pedagogy Co-Leader 

Jason Hendrickson

Jason Hendrickson, Assistant Professor, LaGuardia Community College, Spring 2022 Pedagogy Co-Leader

Wendy Hensel

Wendy F. Hensel, Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost, Principal Investigator

Annmarie Nicols-Grinenko, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Office of Academic Affairs

Annemarie Nicols-Grinenko, University Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development, Director

CHRISTINA KATOPODIS, ENGLISH STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Christina Katopodis, Ph.D. in English (GC-CUNY), Research Associate and Associate Director

JESSICA MURRAY, CUNY GRAD CENTER

Jessica Murray, Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology (GC-CUNY), Director of Digital Communications

Grace Handy, Masters student in Library Science and History, Queens College, TLH Research Assistant and Librarian

Gabriel Haro'

Gabriel Haro, Ph.D. student in Sociology (GC-CUNY), Research Intern

Natalya Petroff

Natalya Petroff, Ph.D., Senior Research Analyst, Institutional Research, CUNY, TLH Faculty and Student Survey Research

Annie Prince Periapurath

Annie Prince Periapurath, BA and MA Student in Economics, Hunter College,
Program Assistant

Yuma Carpenter-New, BA, MFA Poetry Student at Brooklyn College, Student Summit Coordinator and Student Mentor

Isabela Cordero, BA, MFA Student in Creative Writing at City College of New York, TLH-In-A-Box Coordinator

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH CATHY DAVIDSON, CUNY GRAD CENTER

Cathy N. Davidson, Distinguished Professor of English and Founder and Co-Director of the Futures Initiative at the Graduate Center, CUNY, Founding Faculty Co-Director of TLH

Nicola Blake

Nicola Blake, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Guttman Community College

Javiela Evangelista

Javiela Evangelista, Assistant Professor, African American Studies, City Tech

Donna Hill

Donna Hill, Assistant Professor of Professional Writing, Medgar Evers College

Christopher Lin

Christopher Lin, Visual Artist and Adjunct Professor, Hunter College

Donna McGregor

Donna McGregor, Assistant Professor, Analytical Inorganic Chemistry, Lehman College

Ana Ozuna

Ana Ozuna, Associate Professor Black Studies Unit, Humanities Department, Hostos Community College

Mary Phillips

Mary Phillips, Associate Professor of Africana Studies,
Lehman College

Maria Perez y Gonzalez

Maria Perez y Gonzalez, Interim Dean School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts, Brooklyn College, CUNY

Christopher Schmidt

Christopher Schmidt, Professor of English,
LaGuardia Community College

Cheryl Smith

Cheryl Smith, Associate Professor of English, Faculty Development Liaison at the Center for Teaching and Learning, Baruch College

Angela Briceno
College of Staten Island
Spanish Education (7-12) / Psychology

My name is Angela Briceno, and I am majoring in Education and Psychology. The reason why I chose these careers is to help future generations in different ways. Psychology helps me understand the behavior and way of thinking of different people. Education has helped me understand different learning methods that can help students want to excel in class or make them understand that education is important for their future. For me, the most important reason for going to college is to be able to become a professional with the career I wanted to choose. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to be able to provide important insights that will aid in the pedagogy and teaching of future generations of students.

Brendaly Capellan
John Jay College
Criminology

My name is Brendaly Capellan, a senior at John Jay College. I am majoring in criminology and minoring in sociology because those fields give me a better understanding of social behavior, delinquency, and criminality. I am getting a certificate in dispute resolution, which helps me understand conflict, its complexity and management. The most important reason to go to college is to learn about a field you are passionate about, so you can have a solid foundation and the adequate skills for that field. In the year ahead, I hope to graduate from college and enter a career where I can be an advocate that addresses the needs of the people in New York City. On the TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to gain leadership experience and use my voice to promote change.

Augustina Cudjoe
Bronx Community College
Nursing

My name is Augustina Cudjoe, and I am deeply passionate about nursing. Providing exceptional care and assistance to patients, especially the elderly, is a driving force in my life. Witnessing their recovery and overall wellbeing is immensely fulfilling, and becoming a registered nurse is my primary motivation for attending college. As a nursing major, I am confident in my ability to meet this demand and make a difference in the lives of those in need. I am thrilled to serve on the TLH Student Advisory Board for the spring 2023 term. It is an honor to have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and fellow students to participate in the decision-making process. As a board member, I hope to be a voice for my peers, advocate for their needs and concerns, and contribute to the program’s continued growth and success.

Abigail Garcia Vazquez
Baruch College
Marketing Management

My name is Abigail Miranda Garcia Vazquez and I am majoring in Marketing Management with a minor in Black and Latino Studies because I feel the best way to connect with people is to aid them in finding equitable products and services that make their lives more enjoyable. One main lesson I have learned at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is never to shy away from asking questions. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to advise professors to teach students how to be less focused on how society wants us to learn and place an emphasis on student growth, academically speaking.

Vincent Hadwin Tanujaya
Baruch College
Entrepreneurship

Hi my name is Vincent. I’m currently pursuing a major in Entrepreneurship. Most of the business in this world has made somewhat of an impact to the community as well as their respective countries. My dream is that I’d like to create a company, in which it is impactful and has strong values in terms of equality. Thus, pursuing this dream of mine, would require me to get into college. To me, the most important reason to go to college is that you can network with a variety of people from different backgrounds as well as gain a higher level of thinking to solve problems in the real world. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to be able to share my experiences and background and be an impact to the community.

Rosalind Hernandez
John jay college of criminal justice
Forensic psychology

My name is Rosalind Hernandez, and I am majoring in forensic psychology because I want to understand the human psyche critically.The most crucial reason to go to college is to Increase career balance and delight and to have the potential to impact my community. One of the things I’ve learned so far at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is Knowing that education and voice is a powerful tool that is essential in the world today. Something I would like to accomplish in the year ahead is time management.On the spring of 2023, TLH student advisory board, I plan to be a liaison between students, faculty, and the School’s Administration to create a better learning environment in the university.

Fatima Javid
Hunter College
Computer Science and Economics

I am a student at Hunter College doing a BA in Computer Science and Economics and a minor in Mathematics. I started college as an introverted but optimistic student, nervous at the prospect of navigating through college but excited to make friends and become independent. CUNY has allowed me to get a quality education at an affordable rate and discover my passions. I want to be in the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board to inspire student-centered learning and reflect on my experiences as a student to provide insight on how we can build a community that supports all CUNY students. The passion and kindness of my peers, and advisors inspires me to work harder and stay motivated in my college classes and I want to help other CUNY students.

Joie Ning
John Jay College
East Asian Political Studies

My name is Joie Ning and I am pursuing a CUNY BA degree in East Asian Political Studies because I am passionate about understanding the relationship between East Asia and the world. College education is important to me as a stepping stone to exploring my interests that I may choose to pursue in the real world. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to be able to implement change that will better improve students’ experiences with diversity and inclusivity at CUNY.

Trisha Roy
Queens College
Computer Science

My name is Trisha Roy and I’m a QC student who loves games, drawing, and has a passion for social issues. My major is in CS, but this may change. For me, I go to college because I want to figure out my future and just like everybody else- I don’t know what I will do yet, but that’s the point! On the Spring 2023 TLH SAB, I hope to make a meaningful impact towards institutional change.

Malina Seenarine
Baruch College
Journalism

My name is Malina Seenarine and I am majoring in journalism because I am interested in learning more about people and problems in our society. I love interviewing people and discovering new places. To me the most important reason to go to college is to create both personal and professional connections. College gives you the opportunity to grow and gain new skills. On the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to give my input on how we can improve learning in college to help students have more meaningful experiences.

Ivan Sirotkin
Baruch College
Finance

I am a majoring in Finance because I enjoy working as a team and want to challenge myself in a field that is ever-changing. I believe that college education is crucial to personal development because it exposes students to new communities, fields of study, and people of all backgrounds. College sharpens our career goals and offers an expansive opportunity for post-graduate employment. As a freshman, I’ve already noticed that Baruch and CUNY have an immense resource base, and it is instrumental that students utilize these offerings. I am excited for the chance to contribute to the Spring 2023 TLH Student Advisory Board and drive positively uplifting change in the CUNY community.

Melanie Torres
College of Staten Island
Psychology

I am a Psychology major with hopes of entering the Master’s Program for Social work at The College of Staten Island. Education is important and sharing knowledge in an environment where we find students from various backgrounds and walks of life, each having different goals and attributes to share with society. My time at The College of Staten Island I discovered that I am passionate about helping others. I have learned how to use my creative ideas, and my voice to express concerns that need to be addressed, this I will take with me even after I graduate. I have become an advocate for those in need and joining TLH Student Advisory Board I am honored and I will continue to share my experiences and ideas to help where applicable.

Siddrah Alhindi
Baruch College

I am a Macaulay Honors Senior at Baruch College, majoring in journalism and minoring in film. I chose these fields because I am passionate about representing my voice as a Muslim American female in them. To me, the most important reason to acquire a college education is to learn skills that can help you find successful career opportunities. One of the things I’ve learned at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is how you can become a well-rounded student with an impressive educational background while still attending an affordable school. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to accomplish my goals of learning how to implement the fundamental ideas that drive transformative learning.

Liesel Asomani-Anim
Lehman College

I am majoring in Nursing because I dream to one day be able to aid others in their vulnerable state. The importance of college is to get a clear idea of what career I want to branch out into, whilst also making connections with others of similar interests in the process. So far my time at Lehman, I’ve met a diverse variety of people who have similar goes and aspirations like myself. CUNY allowed me to find my sense of self, my strong/weak points, and the role I play in society. I would like to continue doing so in the coming year. As part of the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to help others find themselves and inspire them to better themselves along the way.

Adina Black
Queens College

I am Majoring in Computer Science and minoring in BALA. I believe that females should be encouraged to pursue careers in male dominated fields because we can! To me, the most important reason to go to College is because it provides us with endless knowledge that broadens our views and perspectives on the world and its needs. One of the things I have already learned at CUNY that I will use even after I graduate is the notion that as humans we must respect good thinking wherever it is found (shoutout to Professor Kuhn). On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to offer honest and raw insight to ways we can all progress our classroom experience, as students, and as teachers.

Dominique Clay
Brooklyn College

I am majoring in Business Management because I actually like spreadsheets. To me, the most important reason to go to college is to learn how to think critically. This skill is most important in navigating the workplace, being effective at your job, and being a good citizen. On the 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to be able to foster critical thinking skills in the classroom, in the student, so that they might be successful in whatever they choose to do. It’s important that we can discuss important issues affecting our society in a productive way so we can work on improving the well-being of all people.

Tahisha Fields
Baruch College

I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Black and Latinx Studies. I want to be a Clinical Psychologist. I teach art and fashion in a middle school in the Bronx for their after school program. These preteen and teenagers have shown me that during this stage is a world wind of adventures and turmoil. They need constant guidance, openness, consistency and a place for them to feel safe. Over the past almost seven years I have learned that being this constant source for these students has allowed them to be vulnerable in a school where that is never the norm for them. While still allowing them the understanding that just because you made a mistake, how can you learn from it so it will not occur again.

Vibodha Gallage Dona
Baruch College

I am majoring in Business communication with a specialization in Graphic Communications. I chose this major due to my interest in the career field of graphic design and marketing. To me, the most important aspect of college is to gain real-world experience while also learning more about ourselves and society. During this past year, I have gained so many hands-on experiences from college courses and CUNY-related internships and I hope everyone gets the chance to use those resources too! On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to help by being representative of the students’ voices as well as dedicate myself to the betterment of the future of engaged pedagogy. I love the message the TLH community sends and am very excited to be a part of this transformative change at CUNY!

Reyana Persaud
Queens College

I am majoring in psychology because I want to pursue a career in the health field of psychology. To me, the most important reason to go to college is to earn a degree because it’s good to expand your knowledge. Having a degree grants you better job opportunities as well. One of the things I’ve learned at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is how to efficiently master a resume and prepare for an interview. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to give it my all in the student advisory board, give TLH officials advice on how to execute institutional changes that are connected to pedagogy and teaching. I can’t wait for the zoom conferences and to help organize a student summit!

Fabienne Renois
Queens College

I am dance major and a business and liberal arts minor. I am majoring in dance because I aspire to be a dance teacher and make my mark on the world. To me, the most important reason to go to college is to expand your knowledge and experience new things. One of the things I’ve learned at CUNY that I will take with me after I graduate is embrace new opportunities and to not be afraid to take chances. CUNY has pushed me to try new things and learn to appreciate the joys of life even during rough times. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board I hope to be the voice for students who feel like they don’t have one and help make change.

Alina Safiullina
Kingsborough Community College

I am majoring in Computer Information Systems in KBCC. The COVID-19 pandemic showed how people are dependent on their workplaces, that’s why I chose to study a specialty with more remote perspectives. To me, the most important reason to attend the college is getting knowledge and met people from the different occupations. I believe that KBCC gives me college the priceless experience which get me further in my career. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to contribute my knowledge and experience to the projects. I’m totally sure that being a part of the Student Advisory Board will vector me in my personal or professional path.

Natasha Santana
John Jay College of Criminal Justice

I am majoring in Anthropology. I chose this major because in ten years, or twenty years our current society will become what future generations will try to understand. My college education has become vital to me because not every person has the privilege to have access to higher education. I want to be able to take my privilege in education and further make it more accessible as I go into my career, which is why graduating from a CUNY while being a native New Yorker gives me more insight into the structure of education in the city. On the fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to understand the community being built through and with other CUNY students.

Holliday Senquiz
Guttman Community College

I’m a Liberal Arts and Sciences major, and I’m in my second year at Stella and Charles Guttman Community College. Currently, I am pursuing a career in education. I intend on transferring after my time at Guttman to earn my bachelor’s degree and attend graduate school. I value my college experience because college is an environment in which I am invited to take initiative. It is a sacred place in which learning can take centerstage, and where young intellect is challenged in a manner that inspires growth. On the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board, I hope to give back to the CUNY community and help other students see college for all it can be.

Daisha Suggs
York College

My major is Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in education and anthropology. I felt like the combination of those majors and minors give me a good setup for my future degrees and my career. Getting a college education is important to me because it gives people an opportunity to give themselves a better life. As a first generation college student, I had the privilege to do so at York College, and build so many valuable connections with students and professors. It was also the one of the reasons I joined the Fall 2022 TLH Student Advisory Board. I joined future students who were in my shoes to know that they can succeed at a place like CUNY due to the amazing community we have. 

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