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Faculty Engagement

As key members of the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ) team, Faculty Partners serve as a voice for faculty in the institute’s planning and delivery of programs and events while building faculty awareness of and engagement with the institute.

Faculty partners work alongside staff to ensure that MRISJ programs and partnerships benefit from faculty expertise, while expanding and fostering connections and collaborations with academic departments and programs of study.

If you are interested in joining our MRISJ Faculty Friends list, please email mrisj@bridgew.edu with your name, email, department, and let us know your social justice interests.

Dr. Jose Lara

As academic director, I see my role as a collaborative one, working with the MRISJ, faculty, librarians, students and staff at BSU. Together, we can uphold and advance the mission of MRISJ by offering enriching and relevant academic and extracurricular experiences rooted in social justice. I am incredibly excited about our new minor, which will provide students with the necessary knowledge and abilities to implement what they learn in the classroom. I am eager to collaborate with others on various initiatives and to learn from those, who, like me, are dedicated to equity, diversity, inclusivity, and racial and social justice. 

Dr. José Lara, MRISJ Academic Director
Associate Professor of Global Languages and Literatures
Dr. Sheena Rancher stands outside of the MRISJ office at 161 Summer street. She has short, curly hair and is wearing glasses with large earrings and a draped pearl necklace. Her blazer is black and white gingham

I am excited to work with MRISJ on the 2025 Summer Institute and creating entry points to discussing equity and justice with our BSU community throughout the academic year. I look forward to offering "Justice Jaunts" a space to walk and talk about social justice topics.

Dr. Sheena Rancher, MRISJ Faculty Associate
Assistant Professor of Special Education
Dr. Seth Meyer looks at the camera and smiles in a red and blue checkered shirt outside
I have always loved the work that MRISJ has done, and have been going to programs run by MRISJ since starting at BSU. I look forward to helping create and support new programming and supporting professors at BSU.
Dr. Seth Meyer, MRISJ Faculty Associate
Assistant Professor of Political Science

Interview with MRISJ Academic Director Dr. McGowan

In this 28-minute episode of InFocus, Dr. Kevin McGowan, Academic Director of the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice and Assistant Professor in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education’s Early Education and Care Program at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is interviewed by host Dr. Jabbar Al-Obaidi, Professor in Communication Studies at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.

They discuss racism, COVID-19, critical race theory, educational systems, and related topics in an engaging conversation that includes historical and current perspectives. InFocus is a production of Bridgewater Access Online.

Contact Us

Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice

161 Summer Street
Bridgewater, MA 02325
United States