Members

David Axelrod, PhD, is an instructional specialist in the Economics Department of Montclair State University. He has taught for eight years, and developed the course Economics of Time and Mind, as well as co-developed Religion and Economics with Prof. John Soboslai. He also recorded a series of podcasts for the Feliciano School of Business. Previously he worked in the financial sector for twenty years. David received his PhD. in Economics from Rutgers University. He also plays electric bass and produced over a dozen albums of original music. David’s research has its foundations in issues around time preference, experiences as economic products/resources, and the mind (individual and social) as a scarce resource than can be developed and grown. The focus for PAL SP24 is “What is the Value of Values?”

Kirk A Johnson, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Justice Studies and Medical Humanities, researching public health issues at the intersection of race, justice and theology. He is a member of the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities and serves as a member of the Atlantic Health Systems Bioethics Committee. He has published articles in peer-reviewed journals and upcoming contributions to numerous books. His recent books are The Anti-Racism Resource Guide Volume One: Supporting Black Businesses and Economics (2020) and Medical Stigmata: Race, Medicine, and the Pursuit of Theological Liberation (2018). He is the co-host of the Bioethics in the Margins podcast series. He is an ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ (UCC) where he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the UCC’s Central Atlantic Conference, Secretary of the UCC Central Atlantic Conference’s New Jersey Association, and a member of the Summit Interfaith Council Anti-Racism Committee, and creator of the “Race Talk: Origins” and “Race Talk: Systems” courses.

Charlotte Kent, PhD, is Associate Professor of Visual Culture and Head of Visual and Critical Studies at Montclair State University. A scholar of art, digital culture, and ecology, she is co-editor with Katherine Guinness of Contemporary Absurdities, Existential Crises, and Visual Art (2024, Intellect Books) and an Editor at Large for The Brooklyn Rail with a monthly column on Art & Technology, contributing to many arts magazines and academic journals about contemporary art and digital culture. She is a recipient of Google’s Artist and Machine Intelligence grant for 2024 and was the inaugural Scholar-in-Residence at NXT Museum in 2023. She is a graduate of the CUNY Graduate Center, St. John’s College, Phillips Academy Andover, and the Writer’s Institute.

Arnaud Kurze, PhD,  is Associate Professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University. His scholarly work on transitional justice in the post-Arab Spring world focuses particularly on youth activism, art and collective memory. Dr. Kurze is currently a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Global Governance Institute in Brussels, working on an issues related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance. He has published widely including the co-authored books, Mapping Queerness in Times of Uncertainty (2024), Justicecraft: Imagining Justice in Times of Conflict (2024) Mapping Global Justice: Perspectives, Cases and Practices (2023), and the co-edited volume, New Critical Spaces in Transitional Justice: Gender, Art & Memory (2019). He has received many awards and fellowships, including Fulbright, the Library of Congress and the Wilson Center.

Sheetal Ranjan, PhD, is a Professor of Justice Studies & Sociology at Montclair State University and an internationally recognized expert in violence prevention, healthcare approaches to justice, and feminist criminology. Her work focuses on applied and translational research. She has secured $7.5 million in grant funding to develop community-based violence prevention programs and founded the Healthcare Approaches to Justice Collaborative at Montclair State University. Dr. Ranjan teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Research Methods, Statistics, GIS for spatial analysis, Community and Domestic Violence, Victimology, and Juvenile Delinquency. A strong advocate for technology in pedagogy, she emphasizes equipping students with essential digital skills.A recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award from the American Society of Criminology’s Division of Feminist Criminology, Dr. Ranjan is also a recognized expert on the UN Women – End Violence Against Women (EVAW) global roster.

Gabriel Rubin, PhD, is Professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University and specializes in terrorism, radicalization, migration, and civil liberties. His books include Migration and Radicalization: Global Futures (2021), Presidential Rhetoric under Bush, Obama, and Trump (2020), and Freedom and Order (2011), analyzing global security, counterterrorism policies, and democratic responses to threats.

Ethné Swartz, PhD, is a Professor of Information Management and Entrepreneurship and a 2018-2019 Fulbright Scholar. She previously served at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she chaired the Marketing and Entrepreneurship Department and was associate dean at the Silberman College of Business. She holds a PhD in Management from the University of Manchester and an MS in Information Systems from Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, business continuity, and crisis management. Dr. Swartz has conducted research on women’s entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa and co-authored two books. She has published widely in journals including the International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship and Business Horizons. Dr. Swartz is a dedicated member of the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), serving as a board member and on the editorial board of the Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy. She is also active in supporting New Jersey’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Jason Torreano currently serves as Founder and CEO of Inkululeko (www.inkululeko.org) in South Africa. Jason received an undergraduate degree in journalism and worked in TV newsrooms across the country as an anchor and reporter before pursuing a career in the non-profit sector. Jason spent several years in Makhanda, South Africa volunteering at a school for street children. In 2011, he went on to found Inkululeko, an organization that serves motivated South African township youth with finishing high school and moving onto university. In his role at Inkululeko, he has developed mutually beneficial collaborations with entities around the world and created a fee-for-service model with U.S. institutions to assist with sustainability. He is a huge fan of social entrepreneurship, passionate people, his dog Adelaide (named after a small South African town in the Eastern Cape Province) and running long distances, slowly.

Chantelle K. Wright, Ed.D., serves as the executive director for Experiential Education and Career Connections at Montclair State University. She has 15 years of experience in college career counseling, particularly with multi-ethnic and multi-generational populations. Most recently, she served as the director for the Center for Career & Professional Development at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, overseeing the career services for all students and alumni. Dr. Wright previously served as an associate director at John Jay College managing employer relations, internships and career education. Prior to her roles at John Jay, she was the career and transfer advisor at Bronx Community College and worked as an adjunct lecturer and internship coordinator at LaGuardia Community College. Dr. Wright received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morgan State University, her master’s in psychological counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her doctorate of education in leadership for organizations from the University of Dayton.

Liana Almony is a dedicated human rights advocate and civil society representative with UNANIMA International, an NGO with consultative status at the United Nations. As Deputy Director, she champions holistic global policymaking through a human rights-based approach, focusing on women, girls, migrants, and the environment. Liana serves as Co-Chair of the NGO Committee on Social Development and Secretary of the NGO Committee on Migration’s Executive Committee. She has actively participated in the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference negotiations and spoken at COP28 on the gendered impacts of climate-induced displacement. Liana holds a Master’s in International Relations from NYU, where she contributed to research on human rights frameworks and feminist foreign policy. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from UCLA, with minors in Global Studies and Digital Media Studies.

Alexandra Campos is currently engaged in the pursuit of her second Master of Arts degree in Communication & Media Relations at Johns Hopkins University, following her successful completion of her initial Master of Arts in International Affairs at American University. Her scholarly pursuits are driven by a profound interest in elucidating themes related to gender equality within the Latin American context and the intricate dynamics surrounding the media’s portrayal of global affairs. Alexandra’s professional journey has encompassed a valuable internship experience at the Department of Justice, specifically within its Criminal Division, where she served as an International Affairs Specialist. In this capacity, she made noteworthy contributions to the facilitation of legal international proceedings and the handling of requests originating from corresponding countries, thereby showcasing her dedication to promoting international legal cooperation and diplomacy.

Jules Debuyst is a performer and an independent researcher. Trained in France at La Sorbonne and Assas, and in the United States at New York University and Fordham University, he holds two Masters degrees in International Criminal Justice and International Relations, and an LL.M. with a concentration in Human Rights. Alongside his academic background, his professional experience with the Asia Foundation in Sri Lanka and its Gender and Justice program led him to specialize in Transitional Justice. Following on from his dissertation and with a view to a forthcoming PhD, his work focuses on the performative arts as new critical spaces in contexts of political transition.

Renel Fleurima, PhD is a professor at the University of Notre Dame of Haiti. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics, two master’s degrees in Development Sciences and Regional Development and Planning (Brazil), and a PhD in Global Development (Mexico). A former OAS fellow, his research focuses on international migration, remittances, and development.

Zuko Gqadavama was born in rural Lusikisiki, South Africa (Eastern Cape Province of South Africa). For as long as he can remember, he’s been interested in supporting the development of the African child. Zuko describes his childhood and his path through life in this way: “I went from a mud house to a shack, and from a shack to a flat.” He attended high school in Humansdorp and went onto study at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth where he majored in psychology. He then went on to get an Honors Degree from Rhodes University. Zuko has been working with Inkululeko (www.inkululeko.org) as Deputy CEO. In his role, he engages with various stakeholders in supporting learners with tutoring and in connecting them with resources in the community. He remarks often that “Inkululeko is bigger than what we think. It’s doing so much more than I can tell you for these young people

Christopher Lamont, PhD, is Professor of International Relations. He holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Glasgow, and a MSc in International and European Politics from the University of Edinburgh. He was also a Fulbright fellow at the University of Zagreb and an RCUK postdoctoral fellow at the University of Ulster. His research interests are at the intersection of global governance, technology, and international justice. He is also co-author of Justicecraft: Imagining Justice in Times of Conflict (Palgrave 2024) and co-editor of New Critical Spaces in Transitional Justice: Gender, Art, and Memory (Indiana University Press 2019), and Non-Western Visions of Democratization: Imagining Democracy after the Arab Spring (Routledge 2015). His monograph, International Criminal Justice and the Politics of Compliance (Routledge/Ashgate 2010) explored the international and domestic politics of international criminal justice processes in the former Yugoslavia. In addition to his scholarly contributions, his writings have also featured in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and The Diplomat, among others.

Vjeran Pavlaković, PhD, is a Professor of History and Cultural Studies at the University of Rijeka, Croatia. He received his Ph.D. in History in 2005 from the University of Washington, and has published articles on cultural memory, transitional justice in the former Yugoslavia, and Yugoslav volunteers in the Spanish Civil War. He is a co-editor of the volume Framing the Nation and Collective Identity in Croatia (Routledge, 2019), which was re-issued in Croatian in 2022. He was the lead researcher on the Memoryscapes project as part of Rijeka’s European Capital of Culture in 2020 and a co-founder of the Cres Summer School on Transitional Justice and Memory Politics, as well as a researcher for Rijeka/Fiume in Flux. Current research includes the transnational muralization of conflict and a history of Dalmatian immigrants in the American Southwest, which explores the trajectories of former Habsburg imperial subjects re-inventing themselves as a driving force in the Americanization of US borderlands.

Ana Barahona is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Political Science with minors in Economics, Pre-Law, and Religious Studies. She interns with the Baha’i International Community at the United Nations on the Peace and Security team and also works at a personal injury law firm in Rutherford, NJ. Ana is passionate about international advocacy, interdisciplinary research, and student success, and has served as a Community Assistant in Residence Life for over three years.

Sabrina Ferreira is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Classics with a minor in Myth Studies. She is passionate about archaeology and the study of human history, culture, and civilization. Sabrina hopes to pursue graduate studies and a career in archaeology, focusing on artifact research and analysis.

Suleina Houston is a first-year graduate student at Montclair State University pursuing a master’s degree in clinical psychology. She has experience in participant-based research and presenting academic posters. Suleina plans to continue her education and pursue a PhD while working with clinical populations.

Jacob Kaczorowski is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing and a minor in myth studies. He is interested in ancient poetry, mythology, and contemporary poetry, exploring how poetic traditions shape communities. Jacob hopes to work in the publishing industry as an editor while continuing to study literature’s social impact.

Alexis Narine is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and Philosophy. She is interested in brain-behavior relationships, neurodegenerative disorders, sleep, and memory. Alexis plans to pursue a PhD in neuroscience and conduct research with both clinical populations and animal models.

Julia Ranski is pursuing a combined B.A./M.A. in Political Science and Law and Governance at Montclair State University, with a minor in Pre-Law, and will graduate in Spring 2027. An Honors College student-athlete on the field hockey team, she is interested in law, public policy, and women’s rights. Julia plans to attend law school and hopes to build a career in public policy, aspiring ultimately to serve as a U.S. Senator.

Joshua Angeles is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in History. He is passionate about exploring historical events and their impacts and enjoys engaging with subjects such as religion, philosophy, and business. Outside of his studies, Joshua works part-time and enjoys gaming, reading, and watching history-related media.

Harmond Atienza is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. He has a strong interest in geopolitics and U.S. foreign policy and hopes to integrate these interests into future projects. Passionate about storytelling, he also enjoys writing screenplays and seeks to draw on his academic experiences to create meaningful narratives.

Yasemin Cakir is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Biology with a minor in German. She is interested in molecular biology and neurobiology and hopes to pursue graduate studies and become a university professor.

Sofia Furlano is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology. She is especially interested in cognitive psychology and aspires to pursue graduate studies in social research and data analysis. Sofia hopes to conduct psychological research alongside practicing psychologists to help advance understanding and innovation in the field.

Gisselle Guzman is a junior at Montclair State University majoring in Information Technology. She plans to pursue a career as a business analyst and hopes to gain valuable skills and insights through her academic and professional experiences to prepare for her future career.

Yasmine Jones is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Pre-Law. She plans to become a psychologist working with children and adolescents experiencing psychological or behavioral challenges, including juvenile delinquency.

Melanie Leon is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology. She plans to pursue law school after completing her bachelor’s degree and hopes to specialize in immigration, international, and human rights law. Her long-term goal is to establish her own firm to support underserved communities.

Andres Lopez is a junior at Montclair State University majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing and a minor in mythology. He is the editor-in-chief of the university’s literary magazine and producer of the English Club’s “Playne English Podcast.” His interests include literature, film, comparative literature, and modernism, and he aspires to become a published author and work in the publishing field while teaching at the university level.

Marlon Mills is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Child Advocacy and Policy. He currently works as a counselor and hopes to become a mentor to children as a teacher or social worker. Marlon is particularly interested in supporting children with behavioral and developmental challenges.

Anabella Pistilli is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology with minors in Criminal Justice and Social Work & Child Advocacy. She is interested in forensic psychology and aims to pursue graduate studies to work at the intersection of psychology and law, particularly in court settings.

Seoyoung Son is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology. She is interested in clinical psychology and plans to pursue a master’s degree in the field. Seoyoung is passionate about promoting accessible mental health care, addressing systemic inequalities, and reducing stigma around psychological treatment.

Pranti Vakil is a second-year student at Montclair State University majoring in Nursing. She is interested in public service and currently volunteers to support adult learners with basic literacy and job readiness. Her research interests include economic opportunity and public health.

Horatio Wauchope is a sophomore at Montclair State University majoring in Sociology. Originally from Jamaica, he is passionate about learning and creative problem-solving. He hopes to pursue a career as a data analyst or project manager and enjoys photography, music, and traveling.