In alphabetical order.
Sheldon Applewhite, he/him/his
I am in the Social Sciences, Human Services, & Criminal Justice Department. I’ve been a faculty member for 14 years coming January 2024
I was educated in New York City. I attended Brooklyn Technical High School. I have a B.S., Master’s degree, and PhD in Sociology with a focus on health and illness and cities;
I knew I wanted to become a professor when I was 20 years old. I had some pit stops along the way as I tried to figure out who I truly was. All of the pit stops led to the place that I am now and hav always wanted to be: higher education. I spent three years as a middle school teacher. I was a researcher for the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene for four years after obtaining my PhD. A big part of what I do is research. I also do consultant work now as a researcher by contract.
I would like to mentor students about: Education, life challenges, LGBTQIA issues, health and well-being.
https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/faculty/sheldon-applewhite-ph-d/
Professor Perry Balmat (he/him) is a Professor of Academic Literacy and Linguistics at BMCC, CUNY. I have been a professor at BMCC for 16 years! I have a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University in International Educational Development, with a focus on Linguistics and Literacy. I have a Masters in Applied Linguistics from Teachers College, CU, a Masters in English (Sociolinguistics) from North Carolina State University, and a double BA in English Literature and Music (flute) performance from Virginia Tech. My forthcoming book The Subtlety of the Street: Discourses of Responsibility (Michigan University Press) explores how street-level workers (like social workers, teachers, professors, and police officers) use discretion to socially construct responsibility in problematic ways during regular institutional conversations with the people they “serve.” I am a co-editor of and co-contributor to Analysing Social Work Communication: Discourse in Practice (Routledge) and have published in Linguistics, Social Work, Education, and Political Science. Peregrine has published under Maureen T. Matarese.
My current research examines the dying language and shifting culture of the carnival, circus, and sideshow community. I continue to conduct interviews. Given the sideshow’s history and connection to “Freak shows” and its propensity toward employing intersex, trans, and gender-non-conforming individuals, I am also delving into exploring intersections between sideshow history/theory and Queer theory. I would love to mentor LGBTQ+ student researchers who are interested in doing paid research on Queer theory/Sideshow Freak Theory/History. BMCC can usually pay students $1500 per semester.
Every year, I actively employ 2-3 students through BMCC programs like CSTEP/BFF to help with research projects, and I not only work with those students but mentor them on how to conduct research. I am of course happy to mentor students outside of research, but I am also very happy to extend my LGBTQ+ mentoring into research mentoring (usually about 10 hours a week). This is useful because the students I mentor in research I see every week for research meetings, and we can talk about the development of the study and also how they’re doing on campus, etc. I have mentored roughly 15-20 students over the years. Mentoring student research and teaching are my favorite parts of my job. One student, whom I worked with for several years, had me mentor them as a CUNY BA student (where the student gets to craft their unique major from all CUNY’s available classes). They not only got into the Georgetown Linguistics PhD program, but they are co-author on two articles with me (one of which they are FIRST author). It is really important to me that I help students who are interested in going into academia to get published. So, I’m open to working with students on co-authored papers based on the work they do, though some of that depends on extra time the student wants to put into the project.
Outside of BMCC, I co-facilitate the Rockland County Bi/Pan/Queer collective (which you could totally attend—it’s on zoom), a meeting that provides space and support to Bi/Pan/Queer folks. We talk a lot about (in)visibility! I’m a trans man in the midst of transitioning, and I also am active in the Rockland County Pride Center’s trans community. I’m a bit of a gym bro, so I love getting to the gym to lift, which I find super empowering. I was part of a Hudson Valley trans barbell club until the gym closed, and now I’m trying to create a meet up of my own. In my experience, one the challenges with lifting as a trans person is that I really need a spotter to max out on reps, and because I don’t know who is an ally, it’s hard to find spotters I feel comfortable with. It’s so much easier to make lifting gains in community! I’d love to be a mentor for BMCC LGBTQ bar bell club if students are interested. I live in the Hudson Valley with my partner who is an excellent chef and a member of the BMCC English Department. He teaches a very popular film class, and is a delight! Fun fact: I met my partner at a BMCC graduation, so graduation day is always our anniversary. https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/faculty/maureen-matarese/
Nico Barsamian. She/They (Shey); any pronouns
I’ve been working at the Writing Center in the Learning Resource Center in the Library since 2019. My education experience is:
BA: English
MFA: Creative Writing, Poetry
I supervise the Writing Center and manage workshops. I love connecting with students and teaching them how to be better writers.
I’d like to mentor students on how to be a better writer and student.
Mateo Sancho Cardiel, he/him/his
Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice.
I’ve been teaching at BMCC since 2018, first adjuncting and then as a full-timer, starting in 2022.
I have a bachelor degree in Journalism, but my masters and my PhD are in sociology.
After being a journalist for 15 years I got tired of interviewing Hollywood stars and I went back to school to pursue my PhD in sociology. Interviews are still part of my job as a researcher though, and I use a lot of movies in my sociology classes as well! But now, I deal with real people that have no need to give a good headline and I use fiction to explain society. Somehow, I feel that teaching at BMCC is the best way to get in touch with what is happening in the world. Even if I have to lead the class as a professor, I’m still a good listener that enjoys what students have to say and how they enrich the conversation. That’s why I do the podcast BMCC: Books, Movies and CanCiones, where students share their favorite books, movies and songs.
I was born in Spain in 1983 and I moved to New York in 2013, just in time to avoid my 30s crisis! Here I met my husband and, as they say… the rest is history. I’ve always been curious about identity and desire. Being queer and immigrant helps me to question the ever-evolving nature of identity. As I am also a writer, I’ve been reflecting on that. My first essay was about asexuality, and how you face the gay scene when you have low desire (as it is my case). My first novel was kind of the other way around: how it was to be a just landed immigrant in New York and getting to know the city by Grindr. So deep thought and sense of humor combined are my thing. Also, sorry for the stereotype, a Madonna fan and a Broadway-goer. I think I would be a better mentor when it comes to life issues than purely BMCC bureaucracy issues. New to this officially, but a lot of students tend to go off topic in the office hours and they like it.
https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/faculty/mateo-sancho-cardiel/
Hollis Glaser (she/her)
Department of Speech, Communication and Theatre Arts. I started in 2006.
My Ph.D. is in Speech Communication, focusing in Organizational Communication. I studied groups that tried to organize without a hierarchy early on in my career and now am mostly writing about ungrading and also Academic Freedom.
Before getting into graduate school, I did a variety of work—receptionist, program coordinator, editor. I went to graduate school at the University of Illinois and my first job after that was at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Besides teaching communication courses, I am currently doing a lot of work with the University Faculty Senate, coordinating the department’s assessment efforts and editing The Inquirer (faculty publication) as well as helping out with the Gender and Women’s Studies major.
Outside of school, I do a lot of cooking and gardening and reading and watching peak TV and I still go to movie theaters.
I’ve done a lot of mentoring with faculty, especially helping them with their teaching and try to encourage and help students continue their education.
JF Grasso (he/they)
John Francis Grasso (he/him, they/them) is a lecturer in the Department of Academic Literacy and Linguistics at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), where he has taught since 2011. Born and raised in New York City, he is a graduate of the New York City public school system and a proud CUNY graduate as well. He spent eight years living in the People’s Republic of China, has traveled extensively throughout Asia, and brings a global perspective to his teaching.
J.F. speaks Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Mandarin Chinese, and has working knowledge of Russian, French, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, and Anglo-Saxon. His passion for language is matched by his commitment to inclusive pedagogy and student-centered learning.
A veteran activist in the LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement, J.F. has volunteered with ACT UP!, GMHC, and the Empire State Pride Agenda. At BMCC, he serves as Chair of the Linguistics Committee and sits on the Academic Senate, CETLS Advisory Board, and Pride Committee. He also mentors students through the Pride Mentoring Network and leads workshops on the ethics of AI in education and using Discord as a tool for community-building in asynchronous learning environments.
He has practiced and ministered in the Braided Wheel Tradition of Wicca for over 25 years and holds the title of Third Degree High Priest. His experience as a spiritual leader deeply informs his values around education, mentorship, and service.
Outside the classroom, J.F. is a dedicated conlanger, RP world-builder, and sci-fi fan currently developing a Mandalorian-inspired constructed language. He lives in Brooklyn with his feline friend, Her Royal Majesty, Bella of the House Pumpkintail, First of Her Name, who has mercifully rescued him from his mundane primate existence.
Professor in Academic Literacy and Linguistics at BMCC since 2009.
My undergrad degrees are in English literature and Spanish literature, and my graduate degrees are all in applied linguistics: I love language! I recently started voice lessons and I want to take ASL at BMCC. I’m a big reader (for fun and for work), and I love being outdoors.
My research has focused on classrooms, and my method is conversation analysis – a way of uncovering the order in social action. My next research project is about the language providers (doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas) use in medical visits with female-identified patients.
I’ve been a mentor in the Panther Partners program for the past year, and I’ve also mentored student researchers through CSTEP and the work study programs.
As a queer person married to a cisgender man, I struggle with (in)visibility. I’m also a lapsed Catholic so there’s plenty of guilt mixed in with my struggles too.
https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/faculty/christine-jacknick/
Brian Kelley – will respond to any pronouns if they are used courteously
Academic Literacy & Linguistics since 2015
I hold a Ph.D. in Language & Literacy. Along with Prof. Shneyderman, I co-coordinate the BMCC Pride Alliance, founded and coordinate the Queer Communities Faculty/Staff Interest Group, serve as a liaison to the CUNY-wide LGBTQIA+ Consortium and LGBTQIA+ Council, and also serve as co-chair of SafeZone. Apart from this work, I also founded and coordinate the Comics Studies Faculty/Staff Interest Group.
My work has been mostly in affect, motivation, and literacy/linguistics with particular emphasis on how queer theories influence literacy and linguistic practices and pedagogy. In particular, I focus a great deal on literacy, language, affect, and personal identity. I have also spent time on curriculum development (including composing the queer theory course) and am currently focused on developing a literacy studies program. I regularly teach ACL (Academic and Critical Literacies) 195: Literacy, Development, and Social Justice, CRT (Critical Thinking) 196: Queer Theories, GWS (Gender and Women’s Studies) 100: Introduction to Gender and Women’s Studies, LIN 100: Language & Culture, and LIN (Linguistics) 300: Language, Gender, and Sexuality.
I have been an queer feminist activist since I was in my freshman year of college all the way back in 1998. I have presided over my undergrad institution’s LGBTQA Alliance, minored in Women’s and Gender Studies, and also served as a student member of the Women’s and Gender Studies Collective. My undergraduate career was successful because I found the right mentor at the right time in my educational career, and he mentored me not only in my education but also my activism and has even helped me as I transitioned into being a college professor. In my freshman year, I contemplated dropping out of college and whether it was for me; were it not for my mentor, I likely wouldn’t have stayed in college, let alone followed the professional, social justice, and academic pathways I have.
Every year that I’ve been at BMCC, I have connected students who benefited from mentorship. I know that mentorship is incredibly valuable, which is why I worked closely with Prof. Shneyderman to develop and sustain this program. I hope that you find the best mentor for you and that you have as wonderful an experience.
https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/faculty/brian-kelley/
William Koch, He/Him – available Fall of 2025 only.
Department – Academic Literacy and Linguistics – I have worked at BMCC for about 10 years (several as an adjunct, currently full-time tenure track)
I completed a BA at Boston University with a major in Philosophy and a Minor in Classical Civilization. I then received an MA and PhD in Philosophy of the University of South Florida. I do have an interest of getting another PhD, likely in History, someday.
I never really pursued any career beyond academia but I did work for many years on my family’s fishing boat off the coast of NJ. I have also worked as a naturalist for the Monmouth County NJ park system, taught for the Princeton Review, and taught for the Institute of Reading Development. During my academic career I have taught at the University of South Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design, University of North Florida, Southern New Hampshire University, New York City College of Technology, and finally BMCC.
I am married to my boyfriend of 21 years and really enjoy camping, hiking, and wilderness cannoning as well as reading fantasy fiction in my spare time. I have hiked most of the tallest mountains in New York State, including the tallest Mount Marcy.
I am willing on mentoring on whatever topics are needed. I am not particularly good at bureaucratic technicalities however. This is my second semester working as a mentor through the Panther Partners as well.
Teacher Ed, 9 years (1st years as an adjunct, 8 years a full-time)
I have a BA in Deaf Education and Social Sciences, MSEd in Infant/Parent Development and Early Intervention and EdD in Education Leadership, Management and Policy. I am hoping to enroll in a Disability Studies Masters program soon.
Before joining the faculty at BMCC, I spent 20+ years working with children and families. I specialize in working with infants/ toddlers, young children, and children with disabilities. I have worked in hospitals, home-based, community-based, preschool/ nursery school, childcare, and NYCDOE programs as an assistant teacher, teacher, consultant, supervisor and coach. I have worked with children from newborn (micro-preemies in the NICU) to age 21.
I was born and raised outside of Baltimore, MD. I am a first-generation college student. I currently live in Yonkers with my wife of 25+ years, 2 amazing foster children, and our 3 rescue dogs. When I am not working, I knit, read, spend time outdoors, listen to music, and watch movies
I have been a mentor with Panther Partners and the Pride Mentoring Network at BMCC and for students during their 4-years in high school to prepare for college through Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE).
I am happy to mentor students interested in working with children, education – and everyone else!
Celiany Rivera-Velázquez – she/they
Celiany Rivera-Velázquez (she/they) is a bilingual queer Afro-Puerto Rican facilitator, scholar and commuity organizer. They are experienced in bringing together students, staff, and faculty from across New York City and the world to build and participate in transformative experiences that broaden students’ perspectives and support students’ academic and personal growth. She holds a Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Illinois (2011) and has worked in Student Affairs at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and New York University. As Director of the NYU LGBTQ Student Center, the Center became a vital hub, pioneering NYU Ally Week, which grew into a globally-recognized event celebrated across all NYU academic sites.
They were a faculty member at the Universidad de Puerto Rico and Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, working closely with students during adverse periods and crises such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the 2019 national protests, the 2020 earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2021 to 2024, they worked at CUNY-Hunter College’s Center for Puerto Rican Studies, where she spearheaded several public-facing research projects. With an incredibly resourceful team of Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican, and Ecuadorian Research Assistants from Brooklyn College, Lehman College, and City College, they created pathways for them to pursue academic careers focused on gender, sexuality, and Latinidad.
Celiany Rivera-Velázquez’s recent publications include “Jayaera: The Multimedia Joy of Afro-Caribbean ‘Cuir Bliss’ (2008–2024)” in Feminist Media Histories (Vol. 10, No. 4, 2024), the co-authored “Introducción” with Carlos Decena in CENTRO Journal (Vol. 36, No. 2, Summer 2024), titled Caudal: Rasanblaj of Contemporary Feminist and Queer/Cuir Perspectives on Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and “Caribbean Kiki: Dominican Draguéalo and Puerto Rican LaBoriVogue” in the same issue. Their scholarships and documentaries chronicles sexuality movements across the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and its diasporas.
Professor in the Health Education Department, for over 12 years.
My education started at Columbia University, where I got a bachelor’s in mathematics, then Teachers College for my Health Education masters degree and finally a PhD in Epidemiology from University of Miami. I didn’t realize that I was interested in health education until I was almost done with my bachelor’s degree, so it took me a while to complete the masters and find what I really loved. Epidemiology combines my love of math and all things health related.
Before academia, I worked in finance like payroll, accounts payable, etc. I was working at Planned Parenthood in NYC as the payroll manager when a catastrophic health event made me move in with my parents. After I recovered, I decided to get a PhD and finally was able to discover my true passion. I helped to create the Public Health degree at BMCC and I have done several research projects in online health information, vaccine hesitancy, and environmental health. I enjoy planning events for students for African-American Heritage month, Pride month, and public health related events.
At home, I enjoy video games, reading science fiction and fantasy (and comics), and cooking. I have two young children, so there is little time for personal pursuits. I was born in Belarus and moved to Miami when I was 11. I’ve mentored students in research methods before and I have some mentoring experience outside of BMCC. As a mentor in the Pride Network, I want to help students in whatever way I can. I have struggled with feelings of invisibility, fitting in, coming out, and parental disapproval. Life in college can be difficult and joyous both, and it’s always easier having someone to talk to and trust.
https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/faculty/yuliya-shneyderman/
Shane Snipes (He/Him)
I am in the Business Management department and have been at BMCC since 2017.
I earned a PhD in Sustainability Education from Prescott College, an MBA in Organizational Development from Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania, and a BA in Cross-Cultural Communication from North Carolina State University. I am always interested in studying the intersection of mindfulness, AI, and entrepreneurship, particularly how these fields impact LGBTQIA+ experiences in education and business.
Before academia, I co-founded a sustainability-focused company, worked in innovation labs, and consulted for major corporations on business strategy and technology. At BMCC, I love helping students explore entrepreneurship and community-building through programs like Blackstone LaunchPad and the Citizen Entrepreneur Explorers Program (CEEP). My role includes mentoring students, developing AI-integrated business courses, and fostering inclusive spaces for all students, including those from LGBTQIA+ backgrounds.
As a Fulbright Scholar in Lithuania, I witnessed firsthand the challenges and progress of LGBTQIA+ rights in Eastern Europe in the early 1990s, which shaped my commitment to inclusivity in education. I worked to reorganize the HIV/AIDS Hotline in Lithuania too. I also helped organize a PFLAG chapter in Beaufort, SC, to support LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families in a conservative region. Outside of work, I enjoy mindfulness practices, deep community travel where I go where locals go, and am a Syfy nerd. I am happy to mentor on entrepreneurship, sustainability, navigating academia as an LGBTQIA+ individual, and building inclusive business strategies. I have mentored students one-on-one through BMCC’s entrepreneurship programs, advised LGBTQIA+ students on career paths, and supported emerging leaders in community organizations like PFLAG.
You can find more information on BMCC faculty members, courses, and programs at this website: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/lgbtq-studies/faculty-staff-profiles/#1457042245467-777e8bee-dfa3
