Students Talk About Teachers
Jace Lockhart, Class of 2007
Each professor I’ve had has a specific area of expertise: Maria Cook who teaches the Political Economy of Mexico, George Boyer [Labor Economics], an amazing lecturer and Risa Lieberwitz [Collective Bargaining, Labor Law & Labor History]. They all have provided stunning lectures and insights into subjects that I didn’t know existed.
Gary Stolper, Class of 2007
Even though he doesn’t know it, Professor Dave Lipsky [Dispute Resolution] has been instrumental in terms of my advancement in ILR. I found his classes to be really great and more importantly, I found him to be just a wealth of knowledge. They really go the extra mile and really look out for you and your well-being and if you really need anything, I’ve found as a whole that all the instructors are more than welcome to meet with you and talk with you and do whatever they can to help you out.
Steve Helfont , Class of 2007
Jeff Cowie, in my opinion is the best professor here at ILR. I’ve taken three courses with him—Intro To Labor History, Recent History of American Workers, and an independent study with him on American Imperialism. It was a course that stretched the boundaries, I think, of American Imperialism as we know it. Basically you have the chance to sit down and read eight to ten books over the course of the semester and give him a book review.
Genevieve Quist, Class of 2005; Rhodes Scholar, 2007
I probably share my favorite professors with a lot of other students because they seem to be the favorites here. Professor Boyer [Labor Economics] was my student advisor. He’s just so friendly and open and he makes everybody feel like they can come to him. Professor Cowie [Labor History] taught the first class that I got extremely engaged in and very passionate about as a college student. I also worked with Professor Francine Blau in Labor Economics. She was my thesis advisor my senior year and it was a great honor to work under her because my thesis was on single-mother families and welfare reform and she had already done so much research on women in the workplace. It was just an incredible opportunity to get her views and her perspective on everything I was working on.
Alan Benson, Class of 2007
Through my research with Professor Maria Cook, I was able to look at international labor issues, particularly labor movements in Latin America. She recommended that I also work with Lance Compa, a professor in Collective Bargaining and Labor Law with a special, particular interest in international human rights. I did an independent study called A Modern Freedom of Association and Corporate Codes of Conduct.
Javeste Dulcio, Class of 2008
I’m a Professor Gold fanatic. A lot of students think he’s a really hard professor but I love Professor Gold. I love the way he teaches. I love the way he challenges you and bluntly asks you “why” in class in front of a lot of people and really makes you think critically on the spot. I love Labor and Employment Law which is what really drives my whole desire to go into some kind of legal work. [Javeste is headed to Harvard Law School.]
Jordan Wells, Class of 2007
One faculty member that I would highlight is Kate Bronfenbrenner, the Director of Labor Education Research for what she has done for students over the years. First of all, she has helped to place them in incredible internships but most importantly, mentored them and encouraged their social activist spirit. She teaches students about unions. She teaches on union organizing, contract administration, strategic corporate research and really making the connection between the classroom and the labor movement and the world of work.