Bruce K. Friesen is Associate Professor of Sociology and Sociology Chair at the University of Tampa where he has been since 2005. From 1995 to 2005, Dr. Friesen served as Assistant and then Associate Professor of Sociology at Kent State University in Ohio. Dr. Friesen specializes in the Sociology of Human Rights and Applied Sociology. He is the author of numerous articles and three books, the most recent of which is Moral Systems and the Evolution of Human Rights (Springer 2015). Dr. Friesen has served as President of the U.S. chapter of Sociologists Without Borders (2013-2015), as Chair of the American Sociological Association’s Section on Human Rights (2011-2012), and as the ASA’s representative on the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition in D.C. He also founded the University of Tampa’s Human Rights Think Tank at the University of Tampa. Dr. Friesen is the recipient of over two dozen teaching excellence awards and commendations, including the 2013 College of Social Science, Mathematics, and Education Teaching Excellence Award at the University of Tampa and the College’s 2012 Service Award. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Applied Social Science (https://journals.sagepub.com/home/jax).
Ebony C. Peace is a clinical sociologist in private practice at Innovative Spirit. She currently also serves as an adjunct professor in Sociology at Montgomery College. With over 20 years’ experience in strategic human resources and organizational development, Ebony has held positions such as Executive Director of Human Resources and Chief Learning Officer in the nonprofit and federal sectors. A Johns Hopkins University graduate, she holds certifications in human resources and career facilitation. Ebony is on a mission to advance social justice in the workplace. She does this through (1) empowering jobseekers and college students with #careerwellness and (2) helping employers transform their workforce into engaged leaders who prioritize an inclusive workplace culture as a strategic imperative. As a speaker, consultant, and facilitator, Ebony uses her sociologically informed Change Resilience Framework™ for helping individuals and organizations thrive in the workplace and in life. Ebony regularly volunteers at The DC Center for the LGBT Community in Washington, DC and serves progressive faith-based communities through her interfaith ministry, Sunstone Chapel. Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/ejmniSez
Augie Diana holds 3 academic degrees in Sociology and has been an active Applied Sociologist his entire professional career, including serving as Treasurer (since 2018) and as Vice President of AACS. Augie’s professional diversity includes federal service (retired December 2019), state agencies, as an independent consultant and at a small business. In these roles, Augie served as coordinator of small business research and general technology portfolios at 2 NIH Institutes, led development of disease prevention and wellness portfolios, oversaw national evaluations and data/technology initiatives, and designed and implemented community-based research studies in areas such as physical activity, drug use/abuse, and media/communications.
Dr. Colin E. Suchland, PhD, is Professor of Sociology at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL. His service to the college includes stints as Faculty Senate President, Faculty Chair for Learning Outcomes Assessment, and now Faculty Chair for Student Experience. His community service includes hosting and serving as a panelist for campus and regional events. Outside of his academic work, Suchland also pursues a career as a local newspaper journalist.
Lindy Hern is an Associate Professor in and Chair of the Department of Sociology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. She is currently studying the Medicare for All Movement and the transformation of health policy in Hawaii after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and through the COVID Era – having published one book and multiple articles on these topics. She has also conducted applied research on a range of topics including transfer student retention at UH Hilo and Community Responses to natural disasters in Hawaii.
William Burr, PhD is an Associate Director, Survey Research at the American Academy of Pediatrics, where he studies physician workforce development and pediatric health outcomes. He completed his graduate education in sociology at Loyola University Chicago, where he was an habitual graduate.