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Broadway stages. Global policy wins. A first-of-its-kind AI degree. Record-breaking generosity. And students leading real changeāfrom healthcare and environmental advocacy to protecting New Yorkās wildlife. The Winter 2026 edition of "10 Things to Inspire You" captures just a snapshot of the momentum driving the Āé¶¹Ö±²„ Community forward.
Dyson Professor Melvin Williams appears in USA Today amid coverage of Kendall Jenner addressing speculation about her sexuality. Professor Williams situates the story within the broader dynamics of celebrity journalism, noting that while public curiosity is baked into fame, neither celebrities nor private individuals owe explanations about their sexual orientation. He emphasizes that disclosures should remain a matter of personal choice, not public pressure.
Dyson Professor Seong-Jae Min pens an op-ed in The Korea Times examining shifting portrayals of Asian masculinity in media. He explores how representationāonce dominated by Orientalist stereotypesāhas evolved in ways that increasingly shape dating culture and social perception, demonstrating the mediaās power to both reflect and influence society.
The Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) highlights Dyson Professor Anne Toomey, who has released open-access course materials for Research Methods for a Better World. The materialsādeveloped for a course emphasizing real-world impact from the start of the research processāinclude a full syllabus, lectures, activities, and evaluations, expanding access to applied research training.
Dyson Political Science Professor Laura Tamman provides an expert analysis to both ABC News and Newsweek in coverage of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdaniās inauguration and affordability agenda. Professor Tamman discusses Mamdaniās political positioning and compares his underestimated rise to figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while also noting where he and Governor Kathy Hochul appear alignedāparticularly on universal childcare.
Dyson Public Administration Professor Ric Kolenda provides expert commentary to Treasure Coast News on rising unemployment along Floridaās Treasure Coast. Kolenda says he expects the trend to continue and notes that the effects could extend into the public sector.
New York Almanack highlights the forthcoming book Printing Nueva York: Spanish-Language Print Culture, Media Change, and Democracy in the Late Nineteenth Century (NYU Press, 2026), by Interim Associate Provost of Academic Programs and Strategy Kelley Kreitz, who leads the . The piece explores how Spanish-language writers and editors in 19th-century New York built influential media networks that supported anti-colonial movements and strengthened democratic ideals.
Dyson Professor Andrew Sciallo pens an op-ed in USA Today exploring how the American family isnāt collapsingāitās evolving. He writes that todayās shifts in relationships, independence, and identity reflect adaptation to modern realities, even as older generations struggle with a version of the American dream no longer rooted in property or possessions.
Dyson Professor Melvin Williams speaks to USA Today on the cultural impact of the viral television series Heated Rivalry. Professor Williams highlights how the show has sparked meaningful conversations about queerness, sexuality, and representation in professional sports, noting that the strong audience response reflects a growing openness to queer narrativesāeven amid broader cultural backlash.
Āé¶¹Ö±²„ās commitment to experiential learning and community engagement is also highlighted by News 12 Westchester, which covered the graduation ceremony for the Universityās Parenting, Prison, and Pups program. Led by Dyson Criminal Justice Professor Kimberly Collica-Cox, the initiative brings together Āé¶¹Ö±²„ students, incarcerated mothers at the Westchester County Jail, and therapy dogs to support healing, parenting skills, and emotional well-being. This semester, nine mothers and ten students graduated from the program, marking a meaningful milestone for participants and the broader community.